If you like honey, what sort do you like best?

[bombus]

As I have not as yet noted any resistance to Apistan I have used it again this autumn. I don't eat the Brood comb, and renew 2 frames with foundation each year,i don't see a problem. I have never seen any long term side effects on my bees, in fact just the opposite they are normally very fit and the Hives are bursting with bees. Also this last year I have been on open mesh floors, Much better ventilation and any Varroa that fall off bees pass through the mesh and because i'm on hive stands, are unable to get back into the hive. Also in very hot weather it must be easier for the bees to control the inside temperature.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I swear by mesh floors; I've been using them for years. Have you had any problems with queen mating? Fluvalinate is a strong suspect, at the very least, though I don't think that's the whole story by any means. As long as you rotate comb you won't have the sort of wax contamination they sometimes seem to get in the States, where PMS-type symptoms are being attributed to it in some cases. Bees will move wax about in the hive, so it might take a shakedown onto foundation to completely get rid of the chemicals.

[bombus]

Sometimes if the weather looks set to be warm and there is a good flow on, I will artificially swarm onto foundation and not drawn comb. This is a good way to cull old comb.I do the same on the borage, use some brood frames of foundation for supers, after extracting the honey they can be used as brood  or super comb.
I have had no problems with queens mating at all this year, the weather was good at the time i art. swarmed.I've had problems in the past during long periods of bad weather.
Open mesh floors are also excellent for ventilation when i'm moving bees around,I don't bother with top screens. Do you ever move bees around?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Not routinely, only when getting new stock in. The incident when they started escaping on the train has rather put me off!

[Paulines7]

I love Greek honey ...........mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm   

I bought some Sainsbury's "Taste the difference" Greek honey.  The label describes it as a dark honey with a rich, treacly flavour and hints of molasses, liquorice and aniseed, collected from the hills of mainland Greece.  The only indication as to the plants that the bees frequent, is a picture of pine flowers and cones.  This honey is delicious especially when poured over Greek Yoghurt.

I bought a jar of Tesco Finest Greek honey yesterday but haven't tried it yet.  It states on the label that it has a liquorish and aniseed flavour, so I am hoping it is every bit as delicious as the Sainsbury's one.  It states it is from pine and chestnut trees in northern Greece.   

For me then... definitely Greek honey.   

[triffid]

Pauline: if you ever see dark coloured British honey for sale (farmers' markets, via local beekeepers' associations etc) do give it a try. It's probably very much to your taste!


And to Bombus (much delayed reply -- sorry!)

So what sort of year have everyone's Bees had?

2006 has been a funny sort of year: less honey than normal (down by about 20%) but very good flavour. In fact we've had happy results at the couple of honey shows we've entered, which is something we're very chuffed about!

[Paulines7]

Thanks Triffid.  I will look out for it.  I have now opened the Tesco Geek honey and it is almost as good as that i bought from Sainsbury's.   

[supersprout]

uh-oh ... greek honey and greek yoghurt ...  can't resist ... waauuugh!

[tin can]

Try Poland?

http://www.alvanatural.co.uk/honey.htm

Thanks for that...will certainly order some!!!
( sorry for the delay, but only just found this thread again!!)