White eyed drone
White eyed drones are the result of a genetic mutation and not very common. They usually don’t live for long.
Category: European Bees
Honey extraction hints & autumn tasks
2023 04Download
Hive cutout
I was called out to remove a hive that had grown in about a month on a fruit tree. What great sight it was. There had been a number of cool and wet days recently but that did not seem to deter the bees from building a wonderful structure in the open. I prepared some
Read More…
Varroa in NSW
I’m off again to help in the effort to control the outbreak of Varroa in NSW. Volunteer beekeepers from across the country and support staff are all working hard on this job. Lets hope that Australia is the first country to eliminate this nasty mite from its shores. Being involved is important and interesting work
Read More…
In the news
I was lucky enough to be interviewed on beekeeping in urban settings by the Guardian Australian and then by ABC Melbourne. A key message I tried to get across was for those interested in keeping bees to do their homework, join a club and do a beekeeping course. Beekeeping takes commitment and you and your
Read More…
Honey Honey
A lot has been written about the health benefits of honey for humans, so its good to see a study that focus on the its benefits for bees. Worth a read.
Biosecurity
I recommend to all beekeepers, no matter how big or small your operation is, to do the online Honey Bee Biosecurity course. Currently its free in Australia for all beekeepers and required by those with more than 50 hives. This is the second time I’ve completed the course as you should renew ever 3 years.
Read More…
Trap out
Last season I took out 4 bee nests, two from trees and 2 from house walls. The attached video is a trapout I did from a oak tree. The nest was large and I filled 15 frames with bees and got the queen out. It took 6 to 7 weeks but well worth it. Trapout
Read More…
Possum Box Bees
Got a call from someone in Yarraville. A tree with a possum box full of bees was coming down. I went to the house and the arborist had already taken the box down. So I just covered the box with a sheet and took it home. As I placed it in my garden the bottom
Read More…
That time of year
Its been a cooler and wetter summer in Melbourne and the bees have done well. We harvested 9 ten frame boxes of honey over Christmas averaging 26 kg per box and now its time to do another 16 boxes. Its going to be a long day…