Author Archives: Tavascarow

Natural Beekeeping events and training :: RE: Skep making & beekeeping course – Oxford/Wilts/Glos bord

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Subject: Re: Skep making & beekeeping course - Oxford/Wilts/Glos
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:56 pm (GMT 0)

Madeleine wrote:
Thanks so much for this post and the fabulous photographs on the YABeeP site. I'm currently taking a "conventional" beekeeping course which I'm finding fascinating - but the idea of skeps really appeals. Information about them and how to keep bees in them seems to be thin on the ground so I'm thrilled to have found this. Many thanks.

FollowMeChaps wrote:
3 of us yesterday went on a skep making course run by Chris Park at Acorn Education in Watchfield, SW Oxford - on the Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire border. He runs several courses throughout the year.

It was fantastic day so I thought I'd give him a mention - see it in pictures here, plus link to Chris's contact details.

I'm becoming increasingly of the opinion that skep beekeeping would make a fantastic low-cost introduction to natural beekeeping for many, especially suited to those who just want a colony or two in their garden for pollination.

Robin


Hi Madeleine, welcome to the site from me.
If you want to know more about skep building & keeping bees in them, I can recommend Martin Newtons webpages & Petigrews Handy Book of Bees.
Smile
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

Conventional and miscellaneous hives :: RE: How soon can I take a NUC from my hive.

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:31 pm (GMT 0)

If they are strong & have plenty of stores as well as brood of all ages you can split them before queen cells are formed.
As long as the queenless side has eggs or very young larvae to raise new queens from they should be OK.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

Bee health: the treatment (or not) of diseases and parasites :: RE: What are my bees up to ????

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:27 pm (GMT 0)

https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/beebase/index.cfm?sectionid=33
Problem you might have is the quantities of neonic pesticide needed to disorientate a bee is so small most testing don't register it.
Worth reporting though IMHO.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

Beginners start here :: RE: Tool Kit and Swarm Collection Kit Suggestions

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 3:18 pm (GMT 0)

Instead of a sheet I use an old single duvet cover.
It is easier to tie up around a skep or bait hive for transport.
You could even use one with a zip & you will never get escaping bees in your car on the way home.
I usually take a smoker as well.
There are occasions when the easiest & most humane way to catch a swarm is to smoke them up into a skep when knocking them down isn't possible.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

References and useful links :: RE: Introducing yourself to your neighbours

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:34 am (GMT 0)

I agree the second draft is much better.
In the first you say bees will take over a suitable cavity & are difficult to remove.
To most home owners without the environmental gene that will just equate to an expensive claim on their household insurance.
Tell your near neighbours personally & the word will spread naturally that you are the person to ask about bees & not the person to blame when some move into their condo.
Wink
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

Make Contact: introduce yourself :: RE: Looking for a better ways to keep bees

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:42 pm (GMT 0)

Welcome from me in the County next door.
(The one with the real pasties. Wink )
Phil is based in Totnes & runs courses throughout the South West.
Also there are local natural beekeeping groups in the area.
Someone will be along with more details.
Smile
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

Make Contact: introduce yourself :: RE: Hello from Liskeard, Cornwall

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:48 am (GMT 0)

Hello.
Good to see you here.
Hope your mum & Dads bees are prospering as well.
We need to resurrect the local group again.
There are developments afoot with regards to public liability that makes setting up a group apiary less hassle.
When I get more time I will e-mail everyone & try to get a discussion going.
Steve.

Very Happy
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

URGENT Help needed now! :: RE: warre hive is a drone machine

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:42 am (GMT 0)

I don't know your seasons & when normal development of brood & drones commences but a lot of drones early in the season is indicative of a queenless hive & possibly laying workers.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow

URGENT Help needed now! :: RE: Bees walking around, not flying

Posted on by
Author: Tavascarow
Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:29 pm (GMT 0)

peeblesl wrote:
peeblesl wrote:
Sir David wrote:
Is this sugar Brown or white.?


it's just unrefined plain sugar, so it isn't as white as the cheaper granulated sugar. But it's not brown sugar.


i don't think it's "raw sugar" - it says on the package, "organic evaporated cane juice" - they call it "blond sugar"
Stop feeding it immediately.
This is one area where if you can't feed them their own honey the next best is ordinary refined sugar.
Bees guts cant assimilate the type of sugar you're feeding.
_________________
Don't worry
Bee happy.
Member of Cornwall Natural Beekeepers
http://z7.invisionfree.com/Natural_Beekeeping/index.php?showforum=4
http://www.fotothing.com/Tavascarow