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Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:24 Feb 2021, 11:53
by Alfred
Probably first impressions sticking Mick
My brief encounter with association meetings saw the front of hives physically fenced off.
Surely no one does inpections or even feed runs from the front so why would you want to deliberately put the trays there and stress your calm bees unnecessarily ;)

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:24 Feb 2021, 14:28
by thewoodgatherer
One of the guys that mentors at the association has been keeping for 60 years and his pet hate is anyone standing within spiting distance of the front of a hive, like many 80 year olds he can get a bit cantankerous. I imagine he would be using a four letter world if asked what he thought of this idea :lol:

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:24 Feb 2021, 17:15
by Patrick
Carrying out a full weekly inspection from the front is one thing, sliding an inspection tray in and out occasionally is probably another though?

An interesting view from your local mentor chap there Woodgatherer. Can’t say I have ever known a beekeeper with firmly held views..? πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

Having someone stand in front of a hive whilst watching someone else do a hive inspection demonstration is maybe not ideal, but I watch the entrance of hives from the front quite a bit tbh.

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:24 Feb 2021, 19:10
by NigelP
There is no definitive way to keep bees or definitive directions for inspection trays etc etc.
Although many associations seem to think there is only one correct way to do things.
I've broken most of their rules so many times now it's embarrassing. I just do what I think is best for the bee types I keep and for my beekeeping.
For instance all my hives have their entrances in the same orientation (towards a hedge) so I can inspect from rear. All the so called problems of major drifting have yet to materialise....and as they are all my bees it matters little if they do (but they don't). I stick undrawn frames between frames of brood as I've found it's the fastest way they draw them out...... despite our local chairman saying doing this is Satan's will....Mind I do keep very fecund queens so perhaps this may have some bearing.
I use exclusively poly hives as I have found (in my area at least) they confer a distinct advantage in early spring build up. Perhaps less important down south where your daffs are already turning over....ours have only just come in to bud...
To get back to original statement....there is no definitive way to keep bees....Just do what seems to be correct/logical for the type of bees you keep.

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:24 Feb 2021, 22:28
by Patrick
NigelP wrote:. Perhaps less important down south where your daffs are already turning over....ours have only just come in to bud....
I read the other day a climate change projection that Northumberland may have the climate of Sussex today within 50 years.

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:25 Feb 2021, 00:17
by MickBBKA
Alfred wrote: ↑
24 Feb 2021, 11:53
Probably first impressions sticking Mick
My brief encounter with association meetings saw the front of hives physically fenced off.
Surely no one does inpections or even feed runs from the front so why would you want to deliberately put the trays there and stress your calm bees unnecessarily ;)
Of course I wouldn't inspect from the front..LOL I told you why the trays are that way around. Why would the bees get stressed ? I think my first impression sticks.... Get nicer bees..LOL

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:25 Feb 2021, 08:01
by NigelP
Patrick wrote: ↑
24 Feb 2021, 22:28

I read the other day a climate change projection that Northumberland may have the climate of Sussex today within 50 years.
Alas I shall be underneath the daffs and pushing them up by then...

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:25 Feb 2021, 21:55
by Patrick
Never, we will just keep requeening you Nigel.. :)

Re: Simon the Beekeeper Nationals

PostPosted:26 Mar 2021, 16:55
by Bobbysbees
I bought one last year but it had a corex/plastic inspection tray under the mesh floor. Maybe I put it upside down?