In reply to Jim Mcgregor. I know what you mean – but if you’re worried about it I’m sure you could always find beekeepers keen to keep any actual or artificial swarms. Wishing you every success – I have had a real disappointing winter ..read more

I got into beekeeping ( 2 years ago) mainly because I knew, like the rest of the planet, that as a species they were in trouble. Imagine my disappointment when I discovered the great lengths we go to as Beekeepers to PREVENT them from reproducing! Still coming to terms with this and trying to be a good beekeeper at the same time, surely I’m not the only one ..read more

In reply to Charly. Hi Charly, seems we are progressing at about the same pace. I have found the challenge is getting established. The first couple of seasons colonies died under my management due to either lack of feeding in September or combining hives with laying workers. Now that I have 4 hives and understand beekeeping better, I’m feeling more confident that I can get permanently established with bees surviving the winter ..read more

In reply to Chris. I’m still overcoming my fears. We’ll get there ..read more

I started beekeeping a few years ago after having wanted to do it for a long time. I finally made the commitment to overcome my fears and jumped in with both feet. I’ve since sold lots of honey, made lots of friends and have found an enjoyable (although not-inexpensive) hobby. Chris Show Me The Honey Blog ..read more

I got into beekeeping as Im a pest controller, we had call outs for bee swarms, and just told the customers we wouldent kill bee’s and they needed to phone a bee keeper to collect them, as I work in areas that normal pest controllers/bee keepers could not enter as certification is needed, it made sense for me to become a beekeeper, 3 weeks now and Im totally hooked. have one swarm in a homemade top bar hive, that really is bee’s on a budget, and another swarm in a homemade 6 frame (14×12 national) nuc ..read more

In reply to Chris. I’m still overcoming my fears. We’ll get there ..read more

I started beekeeping a few years ago after having wanted to do it for a long time. I finally made the commitment to overcome my fears and jumped in with both feet. I’ve since sold lots of honey, made lots of friends and have found an enjoyable (although not-inexpensive) hobby. Chris Show Me The Honey Blog ..read more

In reply to stephen stubbs. A ready supply of free bees! Am really interested in how you get on with the top bar hive … please stay in touch ..read more

I got into beekeeping as Im a pest controller, we had call outs for bee swarms, and just told the customers we wouldent kill bee’s and they needed to phone a bee keeper to collect them, as I work in areas that normal pest controllers/bee keepers could not enter as certification is needed, it made sense for me to become a beekeeper, 3 weeks now and Im totally hooked. have one swarm in a homemade top bar hive, that really is bee’s on a budget, and another swarm in a homemade 6 frame (14×12 national) nuc ..read more