Daniel Bates

@ElmTreeBees Apivar resistance is what weve narrowed it down to, but yeah we will need some favourable conditions to rebuild and supply. Now cleaning all these Poly hives is an unexpected task to complete 😬

That's not good. I've been around several hundred and taken a peek at the bottoms of many. Seem fine?! Suppose it's difficult to tell! Wonder if it's apivar resistance... It's got to be coming & varroa is often the cause I find. Hopefully good conditions for splits... doesn't look great at moment though. We've had a few requests for nucs& we don't even do them.

Losses, we're at the worst weve been for over a decade. Currently 17.49% losses. Last year was around 6%, Im hearing the same throughout with no obvious cause. Anyone else experienced this? Still not even out of the woods yet either.. 🐝

@MeltonbyHoney All Poly, we're putting it down to Apivar resistance now from various chats at The Beekeeping Show.

@debates1989 Are you poly or wood ? Most losses were from wood, people stated hives were very damp and wet

@ElmTreeBees Very little, gave false impression in December when we hefted. 99% were full of stores, not till we popped the lids you realise how many are dead. Different queens, ages, breeds. No pattern. Its bizzare, all had the same treatment going into winter.

@debates1989 No bees in losses youve counted?

@SheffieldHoney Appears not, are you there this year Jez?

@debates1989 Can’t find anyone going 🥱

Whos booked onto the Telford BFA meal? I note it clashes with Ian Stepler seminar, so Im not entirely sure of the turn out? We've not booked on yet, but let me know if you're going or will be in the bar 🍻

Is anyone going to the BFA December 3rd / 4th meet? I'm still undecided. Let me know if you're going! 🐝

Pallet network destroyed 2 buckets of honey, retail value £262.40. Refuse to pay out without a "cost invoice" despite me telling them we are the primary producer and honey is a commodity. So I drafted this, it's so tempting to send it.... 4 weeks still ongoing.

Your kids won’t remember how hard you worked, they’ll remember whether you were there. I’m proud of my work, but I’m more proud to be present. Family first, always. Even a few hours with them matters. You only get one shot at being a good dad — don’t miss it.

I get all the good jobs 😅 🍯. First year I can't moan at the line, it's worked fairly flawlessly.

@ElmTreeBees Usually gallery images at best, then they make the excluder gaps too small that no bee can fit. Got 100 that are good for the bin to prove it 😫

£1 queen excluders from AliExpress. Asking for trouble?

Another week another long standing apiary lost. Already trying to find a new apiary to populate 32 Nucs from another site were losing, now another Nuc apiary of 40 needs to be relocated by end of the month. Debating if to just increase field capacity to 250 nucs? Struggle is real

Well, things are really picking up after the show now. Not left the office really for the last 2 days just dealing with all the enquiries, new trade issues & bulk orders. Still so much to do before we are out on bees full time again!

@WestcountryHon1 Same here, its been a really busy winter! Just about squeezing it in with everything that's going on. I still need to finalise my seminar presentation 😫

@debates1989 I wish I had time

Hi all, bit quiet on here recently. Just finished 3 days out on the bees, looking strong but a fair few fondant top ups. Sat at 5.65% losses so far. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Telford & BFA meal. Who else is staying in the Holiday Inn? 🍹

@joebarber05 Following up an old post, we're cleaning, sterilising & painting a load of Swienty broods. What size plastic angle were you using, and where are you sourcing them? Rather get them back into circulation with the mod done.

@debates1989 Yeah did put it on there. Yes has to be done from new. Dad had the idea as read online people were struggling with the issue you have. Plus we had to alter them to top bee space anyway. We must have over 100 of them now and not had any chewing issues (touch wood)

About 75% through winter prep on the bees, treatment coming off. A few apaires lighter than we expected but otherwise very strong 💪 going into winter so far. Plenty of silicone and duck tape on those Sweinty boxes though 🤣😅 they're a nightmare!

🎄🐝 Merry Christmas from Daniel & Tristan! Thank you for your support in 2024—our busiest year yet! We finish today, Dec 20th at 3 PM, returning Jan 7th, 2025. Here’s to a brighter season ahead with stronger hives, sweeter honey, & better weather. See you in 2025! 🎅✨

@ElmTreeBees We've got multiple Reolink Go Cameras that are Solar. Never had to take them down to charge in nearly 3 years now.

Since installing this solar camera 3 months ago to keep a eye on Amanda's honesty box, we've had only 15 minutes of sunshine so is practically always dead. 3 significant thefts since then, nothing captured. 3 potential convictions 👋

As a side note, all those I've contacted on Government list can't issue certificates for honey. Just live animals.

Bee farmers - Have a customer that wants to buy 2-3T bulk honey but in Northern Ireland. Seems we need an EHC health certificate as a controlled goods, anyone have any experience in arranging this? Blame Brexit 😪😪 Our UKIMS can't Green Lane this. gov.uk/export-health-…