Went to the apiary today for a discussion and presenation on Apiary Hygiene. We were shown how to lighty burn the inside of the hive using a blowlamp. This is used to clean the hive all over and to remove any potential spores of foul brood disease as this can only be destroyed by fire.
Also taught to remove brace comb which might have been made at the top of the frames and under the queen excluder. This should be removed and not left on the floor as it can attract wax moth. Those bees have a tendancy to block up any gaps smaller then a bee space. They really know how to keep their home in excellent condition, no space for any drafts there.
The dreaded varroa mite was also discussed and brood cells were opened to check for the mite. The mite is so small, I should have really had my glasses on but once my veil was on no way was I going to remove it to put on my glasses.
It was another cold day so the team stopped a warm cup of tea/coffee. I'm sure everyone really appreciated this.
Final invaluable lesson learnt today - one of the other students had a bee appear as if by magic under her veil. Lesson of the day - remember to ensure your bee suite is tied down at all ends. The bees love to walk upwards, luckily no one got stung, and even better neither did I :)
All in all a very enjoyable session from which I gained some very valuable information. Now ready for our second practical session in a few days time.
Also taught to remove brace comb which might have been made at the top of the frames and under the queen excluder. This should be removed and not left on the floor as it can attract wax moth. Those bees have a tendancy to block up any gaps smaller then a bee space. They really know how to keep their home in excellent condition, no space for any drafts there.
The dreaded varroa mite was also discussed and brood cells were opened to check for the mite. The mite is so small, I should have really had my glasses on but once my veil was on no way was I going to remove it to put on my glasses.
It was another cold day so the team stopped a warm cup of tea/coffee. I'm sure everyone really appreciated this.
Final invaluable lesson learnt today - one of the other students had a bee appear as if by magic under her veil. Lesson of the day - remember to ensure your bee suite is tied down at all ends. The bees love to walk upwards, luckily no one got stung, and even better neither did I :)
All in all a very enjoyable session from which I gained some very valuable information. Now ready for our second practical session in a few days time.
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