The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: Caroline1 on April 16, 2015, 11:18:31 am
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I did an inspection yesterday afternoon and spotted the Queen in both my hives. They are both quite small in numbers so was easy to find her, but it still makes me excited spotting her (harder to do as the year goes on).
The other thing that I love it watching a new bee hatch out of it's cell :excited: how they are born with the knowledge of what to do, I will never know.
I still find these amazing creatures so fascinating and looking forward to another year of beekeeping. :excited:
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Managed to get one of mine marked last weekend which was nice, like you say easier at this time of year. Hopefully going to try and split one this weekend all being well.
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I have always been nervous of marking so never attempted it. Just rely on the presence of eggs/larvae normally. Good luck with your split!
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Absolutely :excited:
I inspected one hive this week and Her Majesty was calmly strolling along the frame so I decided to take the opportunity to mark her - so plunger cage, primed the uni-pen to ensure it didn't splurge all over her, and it then promptly spurged all over her :gloomy:
Not too sure if she will survive - got half her abdomen and most of her wings, :fc: the workers might clean hr u a bit. My inspection next week will no doubt give the answer
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Hope she does survive. Love the photos need to take some of my hives
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I gave up looking for the queens long ago i just look for eggs and healthy brood, if I do spot the queen I will mark her but dont usually go looking for her.
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That's how I learnt my craft Veg .
Learn what looks common in the hive and concentrate on finding the uncommon as it stands out a mile .
I had one old boy called Arthur in the Peterborough Bee Keepers Association chase me with a big flaming smoker when I asked him about marking the queens , " Be bloody observant you little sh*t" , was his reply when he stopped running after me .
Rumour had it that when was a much younger keeper he walloped a guy who was bragging about clipping queens in his hive. Saying "Now then how did you like your wings being clipped "?
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In a perfect world with time a plenty I wouldn't clip - but it ain't so I do :)
Love the pictures Sudanpan - on first view was about to ask why a wax moth was walking across your frames ;D hope she's there on your next visit - you'll certainly be able to spot. Hope you have a good season