Comments on: Home Sweet Home

By: Gimlet

Gimlet — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 19:27:56 +0000

In reply to Phillip M. Bowman, Jr. (Phil).

So, I’m fascinated – how you are going to conjure those bees out of the tree and into the skep?
I’d say making the skep would be the easy bit.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 25 Mar 2023 12:13:42 +0000

I love your writing style and honest comments.

By: Phillip M. Bowman, Jr. (Phil)

Phillip M. Bowman, Jr. (Phil) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 05:43:54 +0000

Thank you for your well written and very informative blog. I found it while searching for information on making skeps. The last time I made one was about 45 years ago. I think I “lent” it someone, at the time, to be used as part of a beekeeping display, and “that was that” as we say, no more skep.
I’ve recently started volunteering on a historical colonial plantation near Dover, Delaware. The care takers would like to set up a “period correct apiary” for the site. So that means Skeps are needed. It gets better. They were happy to report
that they already have honey bees presently housed in a tree on site. I just have to move the bees to their new home, from the tree, which can not be removed or damaged in any way. Its as easy as that. Luckily I’ve been keeping bees since I was 17, taught by great uncle in the ’60s, worked as Delaware’s first full time inspector in the ’70s so I know how to get the bees out with damage I just need to make a SKEP. By the by these bees are the Blackest I’ve seen in a long time. I also liked your information on the Irish Honeybees.
Thanks again,
Phil

By: Gimlet

Gimlet — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:50:54 +0000

In reply to Darragh Murphy. Thank you Darragh - that makes it all worth while!

By: Darragh Murphy

Darragh Murphy — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:46:34 +0000

Thank you for a wonderful site. I am just about to embark on the road of Bee Keeping and was really interested to read all of your insightful information. Your images are amazing and the info is really helpful.
Thank you and best wishes.
Darragh

By: Hywel Thomas

Hywel Thomas — Sun, 15 May 2016 09:28:20 +0000

One of the best sites i have found. Smart and well thought out with great info. THANKS!

By: Gimlet

Gimlet — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 13:26:40 +0000

In reply to joe.

Hello Joe and thank you for your comment.
It is possible that the wild bees have developed Varroa resistance but it would be difficult to test them while they are in the roof.
It is also possible that the colony died out several times during the 15 years and has been restocked by swarms from neighbouring beekeepers. Are there other beekeepers nearby?
I don’t expect it would be possible to get them out of the roof without a struggle either?

By: joe

joe — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:36:08 +0000

my own bees died out with varroa a good few years back now, i did not know what it was at the time. but there is a wild colony thriving in a flat roof in a neighbours house, it has been there for years, at least fifteen i would think, i think they are native bees, small and black, like my own. have they developed immunity to disease?

By: Gimlet

Gimlet — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 07:50:00 +0000

In reply to Jeff Hunter. Morning Jeff and thanks for the feedback.

By: Jeff Hunter

Jeff Hunter — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 06:26:34 +0000

Hi Very interesting blog I am a beekeeper myself with around 30 hives.