11:21 PM Hives, feeders, bee suits and still no actual bees |
 The closest I will get to a bee this year I feel It has been quite a disappointment recently. I have been eagerly waiting to start beekeeping. In doing so I have taken time to choose the right bees and to make sure my hives are preserved and painted. The bees I am waiting for are bred pure Buckfast, reared for their compliant temperament. The bees were due at the beginning of the week (16/05/2016) but unfortunately I received a message informing that European Foul Brood (EFB) has occurred 6 miles or so from the apiary. The beekeepers want to make sure that they are all clear, which may mean another month. It is such a shame that these diseases are so prevalent. This brought it home again, just how vulnerable the colonies are. Well, when I do eventually get some they will have a good home. In the meantime I thought I would invest in a really good bee suit from BJ Sherriff.  Giving the smoker a try when I thought the bees were a week away Unfortunately it is hung up in the shed with the 2 built hives. Now it is July 2, 2016 and the company I was using, Mannlake, have closed down. I really feel for them. It is a large, if not the largest, beekeeping accessories retailer, in the world. It is American and they have pulled the European funding. I was gutted to hear it. The items were decently priced and good quality. I am affected due to now not having a set of bee NUCs but also having to deal with other companies whose prices are quite insane. I chose Langstroth as my hive mainly due to it being the main commercial hive around the globe. When Mannlake UK shut down it means I will have to look around for parts. There are quite a few different suppliers but nothing like the large amount of gear Mannlake supplied. The common hive in the UK is the National. The issue I have is that the Langstroth is nice and simple. No hive is useful if there are no bees though. It is the second summer and I have no bees on the horizon! Please let it happen soon. I am fed up of waiting.  Building 2 stands at the end of the paddock |
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