Any beekeepers updates?

[mothhawk]

The best are made from western red cedar, because it is very resistant to rot, relatively knot-free, and is comparatively lightweight, something to think about when lifting full supers of honey. It's not cheap of course, which is why many beeks will use pine, and paint the wood. Weight is not something to consider with fence posts though (unless you have to carry them far by hand!), so hardwood is a good choice. My two hives are both WRC, which weathers very pale over time, and I've painted them dark oak.

It is not actually a cedar, like cedar of Lebanon, it's a thuja, which is the cypress family. Typical of Americans to confuse the issue.

They stay more pristine if there are bees inside as they regulate damp and temperature, but mine have stood empty for a few years now.

[Nicos]

Interesting info there MH…It had crossed my mind previously- thanks.

[seasprout]

Actually, I was wondering what wood the hives are routinely made from?
Are some woods less appealing?
We are looking into replacing some massive fence posts and it looks like acacia comes up high on the longevity aspect…is there something similar for beehives?

Cedar is considered the best, can last years.
some cheaper hives are made out of pine.

[Nicos]

Thank you…I’ve pondered over that for a while, but never thought of asking!

[seasprout]

Bees are making honey. Weather needs to warm up a bit now please.

[Containergardener]

Ooh I've not seen any honey bees yet , will be watching .

[mothhawk]

Excellent news, seasprout. Plenty of OSR in flower so they should build up quickly now.

I'm just hoping some careless beek near me will allow his bees to swarm and they'll move into one of my hives.

[seasprout]

Excellent news, seasprout. Plenty of OSR in flower so they should build up quickly now.

I'm just hoping some careless beek near me will allow his bees to swarm and they'll move into one of my hives.

One of my Apiaries is very urban and not within reach of any OSR or farmland, they are making the best honey so far.
Are you a member of a local association Mothhawk? Perhaps they have a swarm list…

[mothhawk]

You surprise me,seasprout. You'd have to be pretty much on the roof of John Lewis to not be in reach of fields around Leicester. I use this radius from UK postcode search to see where bees can reach near me. A three mile radius makes quite a large range.

https://www.freemaptools.com/radius-...k-postcode.htm

Yes, I'm a member of the local BKA, but I've never had a problem catching a swarm. Already yesterday I noticed quite a few bees investigating an empty nuc I put out last week.

[seasprout]

I think I have a similar app on my phone.

My bees are making full use of LFE services, the farmland near there is currently disappearing under ‘New Lubbersthorpe’….

John Lewis….?? Ah, happy days looking at their Christmas window displays.