Let's Talk Beekeeping - Episode 63

Let's Talk Bees - Episode 63

Welcome to Let’s Talk Bees – your place to catch up on all the buzz from our live Q&A beekeeping sessions, hosted by Laurence Edwards of Black Mountain Honey.

Every other Friday at 7:30pm BST, Laurence goes live on YouTube to answer your questions in real time. The livestream is called Let’s Talk Bees, and it’s a friendly, no-nonsense Q&A format that’s perfect for beekeepers of all levels. Whether you're a first-time beekeeper or running dozens of colonies, there's always something new to learn.

In this blog, you’ll find the full video replay of the latest session at the top, followed by a complete written summary of the questions and answers covered during the stream. It’s ideal for those who prefer to read, take notes, or quickly revisit specific advice.

Got a question of your own? Tune in live and ask away. Let’s Talk Bees is where the UK beekeeping community comes together – one question at a time.

Q: Can I graft from an untested queen if I'm not selling the offspring?

Yes. Grafting from an untested queen is absolutely fine if the offspring are for your own use. Starting with a pure strain like Buckfast increases the chance of getting gentle, productive daughters. Even if the genetics aren’t proven, some daughters may turn out excellent, and over time you can refine your stock through selection.

Q: Can I turn the hive so I inspect from the side?

Yes. National hives are square, allowing the brood box to be rotated 90 degrees. You can run frames “cold way” or “warm way” — the bees don’t mind. Choose the orientation that makes inspections easier for you.

Q: Why are my bees trying to supersede a new queen?

This is common, especially if the colony is older or genetically mismatched with the new queen. Buckfast queens introduced into dark or mongrel colonies often trigger supersedure. Inspect every 3–4 days and knock down any queen cells before they are capped. Once her first brood emerges, the behaviour usually stops.

Q: Is it normal to see charged queen cells after requeening?

Yes. It’s especially common if the new queen is introduced into an older or incompatible colony. If cells appear, inspect every 3–4 days and destroy them until the queen’s brood emerges. Then the colony usually accepts her fully.

Q: Can I feed a colony during the June gap?

Yes. After removing honey supers, you can feed light syrup to support colony growth during the June gap. This keeps bees busy, supports brood rearing, and reduces swarming. Only feed when supers are off to avoid contaminating honey.

Q: What should I do with crystallised ivy honey from last year?

If it’s completely set, melt it down and use it as baker’s honey. Recover the wax and reuse the frames. If it’s still soft, place it between brood frames and bees will usually move it up into the supers — though this may just re-crystallise again.

Q: My bees are storing honey in the brood box — why?

This usually indicates a lack of laying queen or available space. Without eggs, brood, or pollen to fill the frames, bees fill them with nectar. Check for queenright status and add supers above. If queenless or weak, resolve that first.

Q: How do I test if a colony is queenless?

Add a frame of eggs from another colony. If they draw emergency queen cells within 3–4 days, the colony is queenless. If not, a virgin queen may be present. Don’t introduce a mated queen until you are sure the hive is hopelessly queenless.

Q: My queens keep getting rejected — what should I do?

Stop and test the colony. If you're introducing mated queens and they keep being balled or killed, it's likely a virgin or unlaying queen is still present. Add a frame of eggs — if no cells are drawn, you must find and remove the rogue queen first.

Q: What’s the best way to close an underfloor entrance for transport?

Use dense foam strips cut from old sofa cushions. Wedge them tightly into the underfloor entrance. If soaked in water, they provide cooling and hydration during transit. It’s simple, effective, and reusable.

Q: What can I do if my frame feeder isn’t working?

Bees may not locate syrup in a frame feeder without help. Drizzle a little syrup into the hive or on the feeder rim to attract them. Alternatively, use a top feeder, which bees find easier to access. Ensure the syrup is fresh and thin enough.

Q: What’s the best way to deal with laying workers?

Shake all bees out 20–30 metres away from the hive and remove the hive entirely. The laying workers will not return, and the remaining bees will beg into other colonies. Replace the colony later using a split. It’s the most reliable solution.

Q: How many frames of pollen should I leave?

Two is sufficient. If you have 4–5 frames of pollen in the brood box, remove the excess and replace with foundation or drawn comb to give the queen space to lay.

Q: What does multiple eggs in cells mean?

This usually means laying workers. If eggs are stuck on the sidewalls or there are 3–5 per cell, it confirms worker-laying activity. The colony should be shaken out and reconstituted as they are very difficult to requeen directly.

Q: What are small black slug-like things in brood cells?

They are likely decaying larvae. If brood is left unattended, it decays quickly and turns dark. Could also indicate chalkbrood or sacbrood, but decay is the most common cause.

Q: Can a nuc swarm within a few weeks?

Yes. A full nuc can begin preparing to swarm in as little as 7–10 days if it becomes congested. Monitor new nucs closely and give space early to prevent premature swarming.

Q: How late can I perform a Demaree?

You can do it well into summer if conditions are right. After the solstice, focus more on adding supers and managing honey production rather than increasing brood. Avoid expanding to triple brood late in the year as it can be counterproductive.

Q: How do I remove honey from a brood box that had Apivar in it?

Move the box under the brood chamber, uncap the frames, and place supers above. The bees will move the honey up, leaving the treated wax empty. Do not extract directly from treated comb — only use relocated honey.

Q: How do I introduce a queen in a JayZ-BeeZ cage?

If you want a slow release, tape over the candy plug initially. After 3–5 days, remove the tape to allow bees access to the candy. Ensure the colony is hopelessly queenless before starting.

Q: Should I wait until honey is capped before extracting?

Yes. Even if your refractometer shows 17% moisture, wait until at least 70–80% of the frame is capped. Bees cap honey only when it is stable for storage — this is your best natural indicator.

Q: How can I move a hive just one mile away?

If you're moving all hives, take them over 3 miles away for a few weeks, then return them. If you’re only moving some hives, leave others at the site — any drifting bees will join remaining colonies.

Q: Can I split a colony using just one frame of brood?

Yes, especially in spring. Provide a frame of food, one frame of capped brood, drawn comb or foundation, and a mated queen. Feed well and protect from robbing. Works best early in the season.

Q: How do I deal with a honeybound hive?

Uncap honey in the brood area with your hive tool and add more supers. If brood nest is completely blocked, the queen can’t lay and the colony may swarm. Rebalancing space is critical.

Q: Can I clip queens before shipping?

No. Clipping queens before they’re laying increases the chance of rejection. Wait until the queen is laying well and accepted before clipping.

Q: When should I requeen a bad-tempered hive?

As soon as possible. Requeening vicious hives transforms beekeeping from misery to pleasure. Use calm queens like Buckfast. Once the new queen’s brood emerges, temperament usually improves dramatically.

Q: Will plastic mouse guards stop mice in winter?

Not reliably. Use proper metal guards or turn entrances to the smallest setting if using modular bases. Mice can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces.

Q: Is YouTube the main reason your business grew?

Yes. YouTube built a large audience, which later expanded through Facebook. Social media enables direct connection with customers and makes it easier to sell queens, nucs, and services.

Q: Will Hive Q be on YouTube? No. Hive Q will be hosted exclusively on the Black Mountain Honey website as a paid service. The first course, 14 Day Beekeeper, launches in November.