1) Two of my colonies are up to the feeder. Will they go back down? Can I add insulation to my Apimaye hive top or is it too late? 4:50 2) I would like to know your thoughts on robbing screen drift. 14:40 3) What's your preferred type of camera to monitor your hives? How much spirulina do you use? 19:39 4) Can I remove my mouse guards now that we are part way through winter? 27:42 5) What will the bees do with the space below the frames in your Long Langstroth design? 35:21
It was fun to see them at this time of year. :) This is definitely the long wait... and my least favorite time of year where beekeeping is concerned. :) Happy New Year!
Hi Fred. . . Yay. . .Its Saturday and I am catching up on the last Q&A for 2024, here in Scotland. 🏴 Managed to do my x3rd O/A Vape Treatment. . . And see some of the Girls 🐝 today at their Hive Entrances. All Good. Has been Mild over Christmas 12C (55F) unheard of. That's really Mild for us. 🙄 Today was a Tad Cooler at 10C (53f) so knew the Bees would be in their Hives but not in a Tight Cluster. Perfect for doing Oxalic Acid Vaping. 👍 It's due to get a lot Colder over the next 48hrs or so. We are apparently going to get quite a bit of Snow on what we call "Hogmanay" or New Year ! So before the White Stuff starts to come, may I Wish a 🏴 "Happy Hogmanay" and raise a Wee Dram (Glass of Single Malt !) to a New Year, and may your Bee Season 🐝 in 2025 to be a Great one ! 🥳 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 🏴Happy Beekeeping 2024🏴 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 I have been catching up on some nice RUclips Videos on Beekeeping matters. And Old Timers with 'Native Bees.' Especially the Black Bee, (AMM.) Even saw a fairly near Beekeeper (Neighbour kind of !) on a Lecture (Talk at the 2022 UK National Honey (Bee) Show.) 'Willie Robson' of Chainbridge Honey Farm. Has Beehives all over our local Coutryside. From just over in Northumberland, England. And here to, in South Scotland in, around, the Scottish Borders. Our Heather Honey is loved by the Tourists. And us local Beekeepers are lucky to have wonderful AMM Genetics close by. . . I get to have gentle Hives, raise lovely Queens. That both Over Winter well. 😎
Wise old beekeeper once told me that "wet bees are not dead bees but dead bees are wet bees". People blame their bees death due to wate r dripping in then but as you said the bees died and since they arent alive to control the moisture they get wet and moldy. Glenn
Appreciated Nick's question about the additional shim and resulting open space under the frames in your long Langstroth hive design.... had just looked at your plans, and wondered what the bees might do in that space. Perfect timing. Thanks for the information.
Just when I think they can't impress me more, they do something truly worthy of an Olympic Gold Medal :) They are slso doing something in the tree tops? (';')( ';')... ==
Thanks, I'm looking foward to making that video! I seriously enjoy catching up with so many bee equipment innovators. Randy and Jeff are both fantastic educators and content creators, I'm sure they will not let you down :)
Based on your recommendation I purchased and just finished reading INCREASE ESSENTIALS by L.J. Connors. Thank you for a great recommendation. I highly recommend this book as well. 🙏
Thank you so much for that feedback :) I need to talk with Dr. Connor at the upcoming conference. His son is often representing Wicwas Press at conferences, but the man himself may be at this one :)
Thank you for covering the robbing screen research by Randy Oliver.After I read that issue of American Bee Journal while our weak hive was under attack I removed the robbing screen and went to hive gates. This year we are running all hives with hive gates entrances. Looking forward to NAHBE and meeting those that have helped us through this first bee season in Kalamazoo Mi.
NW Georgia, getting ready for 50s high 20s low next week. Just great. Welcome to the South. I guess Mother Nature's having hot flashes. 🤣 Happy New Year Fred to you and the family. Thank you for your videos. Greatly appreciated. God's Blessings, Susan
I recall that one of Randy's observations about the robbing screens was that the guard bees read the body language of the bees heading toward their entrance. If they cannot see the bees flying in and how they are approaching a hive, the robbers cannot figure out if they are robbers or not. Interesting observation and would like to hear more about it.
Been out of the picture for a while, I like that you mentioned feeding wild birds also. I've always felt the same way about feeding wild birds, they rely on you once you start so it should be kept up for sure if you start, it's only natural if you think about it.
Thank you for the Arlo 4 link and recommendation. I've been interested but unsure about which choice would fit my needs best. You made a good case for them.
Fred, I would love to see how you like to apply the fondant to your apimaye hives (if you dont already have a video) I ended up cutting them in pieces and putting them in one side and would be interested to see how others do it. Thanks again!
I’ve open fed my bees syrup with a big pickle jar turned upside down and a bunch of holes poked in the lid. Set it in a dinner plate. The bees will pile up around the lid and stick their tongues under the lid. Don’t leave it out overnight because it will leak out a little and bees will drown in the plate the next day. I have 5 horizontal hives I’ve built and a tornado came through here this spring and broke my telephone poles, broke a bunch of my pecan trees at the trunks, tore the roof off my barn and yet my beehives never budged and some were within 30’ of those broke trees. My hive legs are angled to prevent flipping over.
I believe Randy Oliver answered that question about how many bees drift even before the robbing screen is installed and if I remember correctly it was a fairly significant number of foragers that drifted on their 1st foraging flight. I actually had to watch that video twice with many pauses to analyze the graphs to fully absorb the results of that study. Thank you so much for answering my question that I'd left in a comment on a previous video. I really like the idea of the hive gate, I don't like how you have to purchase each piece individually but I'm thinking about getting some for any smaller hives I have anyways because they seem to be a great method of stopping robbing. I think you and I have similar climates at it reached approximately 7°c today here, and we are expecting 13°c tomorrow with the possibility of rain so I plan on dropping my hive alive fondant tomorrow mid-day hopefully dodging the rain lol. Thank you again so much for your videos, we all appreciate them a metric ton lol. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and the Dunn clan.
Thank you so much, I do enjoy thinking through various trials and tests. :) I'm looking forward to this ongoing discussion regarding entrance modifications. Maybe BetterBee can be convinced to sell them in bundles, couldn't hurt to ask them :)
Agree that the "ideal" brood frame would be deeper than 9 5/8 for a single brood chamber. I really like an eight frame single brood chamber and vertically oriented hive.. go figure!
@@FrederickDunn Not too sure about that? Single brood chamber hives may do best with solid bottom board (possibly with a slatted rack?) but always up for a conversation about what is on your brain!
My bees seem to be flying even in freezing temperatures a bit. There is plenty of honey still in the hive. I probably have 20/30 dead bees near the hive but no typical signs of nosema. I’m hoping to see what happens on Sunday when it’s high 50’s.
Sump pump issue. Have some smart home products for you. YoLink. I have water monitors - we have a few in the basement - one by sump pump and ones by floor drains. They also have a power monitor which will sound off (and on app) alert you if power outage. I use that in my greenhouse where sometimes the GFI outlets go out due to humidity. Need power for the GHAT system I installed in there for heating/cooling. They have a lot of good sensors. I even use their all weather temp sensors in my beehives - the main part sits in inner cover and the wire with the sensor at the end I put down into the beehive - use that in winter to see how warm the hive is to know if they are moving toward the top of hive to make sure they have enough fondant. Or even just to feel better knowing they are alive on super cold nights. I use a floating sensor for our old cistern that collects rain water to know when it’s low - which we use for water for the toilet. Then I can change water valves to change toilet to well water when needed.
I'm going to have to agree with Randy. When I block an entrance to do OA vapor, initially, there is a huge pile up. If the entrance remains blocked, in about 10 minutes they are nowhere to be found. But the entrances on either side are busier.
Some of my colonies have hive alive,had a few deadouts,wax moths,had their way,...good news was i salvaged much if the drawn combs,ill be picking up more fondant at the show,i need to do better at packing down hives,and getting beetles under control, yet im still excited for spring, ive seen a few early dandelions ,we are having a warm up with some rain,forecast 66°f monday upcoming,😊😊 😀
Today, as we walked around watching the flights, it was conspicous that those with Hive Alive on were far more active and vigorous. I'll be doing more with the coming warmup. It was important to have that distinction, and this winter promises to challenge the colonies :)
I forgot how much I have missed your episodes. I wonder if bees packing up their dead at the entrance isn't even a method of blocking cold air entry depending on the prevailing wind direction that the entrance is facing. There is so much we don't know. I like that you pursue those answers.
Hi Tommy, that's actually easy to observe with "observation hives" the dead can often be deposited at or near the entry by interior undertaker bees. It's kind of a staging area for dragging out later on. If they actively used the dead to block or reduce the entrance, then when we pull them out through the center of the opening wouldn't you expect them to push or pull the piled bees to the sides of the entry into the center again? But we can surely learn more about that through continued observation.
@@FrederickDunn Temps at the time could figure in, I really like your never-ending quest for knowledge on such things. You put in the time and effort to learn; most don't put in a 1/4th of the effort, you're a diamond in the rough!
Ne ohio, bees are really liking the dry pollen sub today... checked my 15 hives today and hivealive fondant was almost gone in 90% of the hives... the darker bees barely ate their fondant, Italians ate almost all the fondant..added more... everyone except 1 colony looking strong so far... seen a few dead mites on tray inserts
Talk about the apimaye hive. Do you clean the screened bottom board? How about the very bottom board? It's vented should i add reflectex to insulate that? My first year using it. I started with one hive (flow). Caught a swarm and added it to a regular langstroth and now I am maxed out at three. Its been a great 4 years with your help. Thanks for your insights from.windy Wyoming.
I just pull the tray and dump out whatever is in it. I don't add any insulation to the bottom at all. The top is far more important when it comes to insulation. I hope that helps a little :)
One question. When mentioning 2:1 bag of syrup when days warm up and bees are foraging was that intended for early spring or now during the winter? My husband and I have a debate going on timing. It is going to be 52 tomorrow in Michigan. Hive Alive Fondant is on in the hive.TY.
Hi Cathy, I put that out anytime the temps rise into the 50's or better. I'll explian more about that in my next Q&A. It's not the same as putting syrup inside the hive. The foragers will get the syrup and pass it on to other hive-mates when they arrive back at their respective hives. It doesn't get stored, and is readily consumed for a quick energy boost. As I mention, it's mostly a feel-good thing to do and it breaks up the long winter days. :)
hey hey no bad mouthing the NEC. years of schooling and apprenticeship then a test, lead me to where I am making generous living fixing home owners mistakes like wiring a non gfci in a wet location.😂
That’s it. No more handles!!! I took a look and there are in fact handles. I also saw some miner errors in the prints. Might be time for an update. Thanks for the video. Have a Happy New Year!!
Hi Ross! Well, it didn't hurt, and they were definitely in my original design :) I don't think we need them, and I can't thank you enough for making those designs available to the masses :) You are THE MAN! And I seriously appreciate it.
I couldn't answer that question without seeing the hive and the entire configuration. I've never had an entrance ice up, or frozen closed. Tilt hives toward the landing board so all water sheds during melts, that's a start. It's not a simple situation.
This is a personal call. I want my bees to produce brood in concert with our local environment, so I don't offer any pollen until early spring. Pollen Patties are expensive and the jury is out regarding how much they really benefit your wintering bees. A cheaper solution may be to offer dry pollen substitute outside on warm foraging days. It ends up being a feel-good thing to do. For most backyard beekeepers, I suggest keeping them in sucrose so they will have the energy necessary to get through winter and forage when the opportunity strikes. :)
He didn't say the colony was dead, but that there are dead bees weekly. That may not be such a large number. We'll see how it goes, but he can definitely feed them and block that upper vent situation.
Much of RUclips beekeeping videos are funded by apimaye and hive alive. Too bad. Truth is no need for these expensive bologna tools. Sad such an inexpensive simple hobby is clouded by industry
Thanks for sharing! If I were a good kitchen technician, I'd make my own fondant. There are other choices in winter patties. I'm more than happy to read any published studies on other fondants or supplements for sugar syrup that you have handy. My mind is always open. If I see an improvement from an emergency feed, I'll continue to share that here. If it proves not to make any difference at all, then I'll also share that. How are videos being "funded by Apimaye"? I'd like to get in on that action if it's true. They are making solid hives. They gave me one, and I purchased all of my own after that. I definitely think that some feed/supplements aren't worth the price, unless they prove beneficial. I'm glad your bees are doing well without any support beyond honey. I wish we could all do that.
Hi Trish, I try to get the nucleus hives built up to 3-levels by winter. If they fill the top 5-frame deep with capped honey, I consider them good to go. If they are smaller, and possibly still stuck at two boxes, I put a Ceracel nucleus feeder on top and put fondant in that. Those feeders can be used for syrup or solids. I do also put an insulated cap on the top box. One of them, this year, has a single layer of double-bubble under the lid just to see how that holds up.
@@FrederickDunn I have a 2 level NUC hive this year, so far they are doing well. I do have an insulated inner cover with Hive Alive Fondant under the insulated top cover. Fingers Crossed they make it through winter. Love your videos and all your insight on keeping bees. Thank you!
1) Two of my colonies are up to the feeder. Will they go back down? Can I add insulation to my Apimaye hive top or is it too late? 4:50
2) I would like to know your thoughts on robbing screen drift. 14:40
3) What's your preferred type of camera to monitor your hives? How much spirulina do you use? 19:39
4) Can I remove my mouse guards now that we are part way through winter? 27:42
5) What will the bees do with the space below the frames in your Long Langstroth design? 35:21
another good one Uncle Fred!!!!! you made my sunday better!!!!! cant afford hive life I will watch the vid you make!!!!
Always great to see your comments. I hope the new year brings great things your way. :)
Mr. Fred thank you for all the life in the introduction. We are definitely missing all that entrance life.
It was fun to see them at this time of year. :) This is definitely the long wait... and my least favorite time of year where beekeeping is concerned. :) Happy New Year!
Hi Fred. . .
Yay. . .Its Saturday and I am catching up on the last Q&A for 2024, here in Scotland. 🏴
Managed to do my x3rd O/A Vape Treatment. . . And see some of the Girls 🐝 today at their Hive Entrances. All Good.
Has been Mild over Christmas 12C (55F) unheard of. That's really Mild for us. 🙄
Today was a Tad Cooler at 10C (53f) so knew the Bees would be in their Hives but not in a Tight Cluster. Perfect for doing Oxalic Acid Vaping. 👍
It's due to get a lot Colder over the next 48hrs or so. We are apparently going to get quite a bit of Snow on what we call "Hogmanay" or New Year !
So before the White Stuff starts to come, may I Wish a 🏴 "Happy Hogmanay" and raise a Wee Dram (Glass of Single Malt !) to a New Year, and may your Bee Season 🐝 in 2025 to be a Great one ! 🥳
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
🏴Happy Beekeeping 2024🏴
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
I have been catching up on some nice RUclips Videos on Beekeeping matters. And Old Timers with 'Native Bees.' Especially the Black Bee, (AMM.) Even saw a fairly near Beekeeper (Neighbour kind of !) on a Lecture (Talk at the 2022 UK National Honey (Bee) Show.) 'Willie Robson' of Chainbridge Honey Farm. Has Beehives all over our local Coutryside. From just over in Northumberland, England. And here to, in South Scotland in, around, the Scottish Borders. Our Heather Honey is loved by the Tourists. And us local Beekeepers are lucky to have wonderful AMM Genetics close by. . . I get to have gentle Hives, raise lovely Queens. That both Over Winter well. 😎
Wise old beekeeper once told me that "wet bees are not dead bees but dead bees are wet bees". People blame their bees death due to wate r dripping in then but as you said the bees died and since they arent alive to control the moisture they get wet and moldy. Glenn
Appreciated Nick's question about the additional shim and resulting open space under the frames in your long Langstroth hive design.... had just looked at your plans, and wondered what the bees might do in that space. Perfect timing. Thanks for the information.
I'm so glad that was helpful! Happy New Year, Cynthia!
Deer mice are like little ninjas! Thanks for the great content this past year!
Just when I think they can't impress me more, they do something truly worthy of an Olympic Gold Medal :) They are slso doing something in the tree tops? (';')( ';')... ==
Dziękujemy.
Thank you as always, for your generosity :) Please consider patreon, google takes a lot of these donations via youtube. Happy New Year.
I look forward to seeing video from the upcoming Expo from yourself, Randy and Jeff.
Thanks, I'm looking foward to making that video! I seriously enjoy catching up with so many bee equipment innovators. Randy and Jeff are both fantastic educators and content creators, I'm sure they will not let you down :)
@@FrederickDunn Your interviews last year were great, and the interaction together was also great, you guys feel like brothers to me!
Based on your recommendation I purchased and just finished reading INCREASE ESSENTIALS by L.J. Connors. Thank you for a great recommendation. I highly recommend this book as well. 🙏
Thank you so much for that feedback :) I need to talk with Dr. Connor at the upcoming conference. His son is often representing Wicwas Press at conferences, but the man himself may be at this one :)
Happy new year everybody 😊
Happy New Year to you too!
Screen bottom boards also help with hive beetle control.
That's great! Lots of reasons to use them :)
Thank you for covering the robbing screen research by Randy Oliver.After I read that issue of American Bee Journal while our weak hive was under attack I removed the robbing screen and went to hive gates. This year we are running all hives with hive gates entrances. Looking forward to NAHBE and meeting those that have helped us through this first bee season in Kalamazoo Mi.
Oh, that's great! If you see me at the NAHBE, please come up and introduce yourself :)
Thanks Fred, hope you had a Merry Christmas! Happy New Year 🎉
You're very welcome, and I hope you have a fantastic New Year also :)
Thank you Fred, Hope you and family have a great and happy new year
Thank you so much, Russell, you too!
NW Georgia, getting ready for 50s high 20s low next week. Just great. Welcome to the South. I guess Mother Nature's having hot flashes. 🤣
Happy New Year Fred to you and the family. Thank you for your videos. Greatly appreciated.
God's Blessings,
Susan
Thank you, Susan! Happy New Year to you also :)
I recall that one of Randy's observations about the robbing screens was that the guard bees read the body language of the bees heading toward their entrance. If they cannot see the bees flying in and how they are approaching a hive, the robbers cannot figure out if they are robbers or not. Interesting observation and would like to hear more about it.
It's an interesting series of observations, and seemingly very difficult to quantify some behaviors.
Been out of the picture for a while, I like that you mentioned feeding wild birds also. I've always felt the same way about feeding wild birds, they rely on you once you start so it should be kept up for sure if you start, it's only natural if you think about it.
I think you're right, it's important to follow through with our commitments to animals!
@@FrederickDunn You are so right!
Happy New Year All another great video Fred thanks 👍 for teaching us 😊
Thanks, Brian! Happy New Year to you also :)
Thank you for the Arlo 4 link and recommendation. I've been interested but unsure about which choice would fit my needs best. You made a good case for them.
I'm so glad that was helpful :) I like them... they definitely keep me informed around here :)
Fred, I would love to see how you like to apply the fondant to your apimaye hives (if you dont already have a video) I ended up cutting them in pieces and putting them in one side and would be interested to see how others do it. Thanks again!
I just happen to have a video about that :) ruclips.net/video/1Xal9TK1NKk/видео.html
I’ve open fed my bees syrup with a big pickle jar turned upside down and a bunch of holes poked in the lid. Set it in a dinner plate. The bees will pile up around the lid and stick their tongues under the lid. Don’t leave it out overnight because it will leak out a little and bees will drown in the plate the next day. I have 5 horizontal hives I’ve built and a tornado came through here this spring and broke my telephone poles, broke a bunch of my pecan trees at the trunks, tore the roof off my barn and yet my beehives never budged and some were within 30’ of those broke trees. My hive legs are angled to prevent flipping over.
Wow, what a huge relief to know that your hives passed that extreme weather test! Thanks for sharing. Would have made a great video. :)
I believe Randy Oliver answered that question about how many bees drift even before the robbing screen is installed and if I remember correctly it was a fairly significant number of foragers that drifted on their 1st foraging flight. I actually had to watch that video twice with many pauses to analyze the graphs to fully absorb the results of that study. Thank you so much for answering my question that I'd left in a comment on a previous video. I really like the idea of the hive gate, I don't like how you have to purchase each piece individually but I'm thinking about getting some for any smaller hives I have anyways because they seem to be a great method of stopping robbing. I think you and I have similar climates at it reached approximately 7°c today here, and we are expecting 13°c tomorrow with the possibility of rain so I plan on dropping my hive alive fondant tomorrow mid-day hopefully dodging the rain lol. Thank you again so much for your videos, we all appreciate them a metric ton lol. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and the Dunn clan.
Thank you so much, I do enjoy thinking through various trials and tests. :) I'm looking forward to this ongoing discussion regarding entrance modifications. Maybe BetterBee can be convinced to sell them in bundles, couldn't hurt to ask them :)
Agree that the "ideal" brood frame would be deeper than 9 5/8 for a single brood chamber. I really like an eight frame single brood chamber and vertically oriented hive.. go figure!
Get ready, George! You're on my list for interviews at the NAHBE :) I'm thinking screened bottom boards under those Keeper's Hives :)
@@FrederickDunn Not too sure about that? Single brood chamber hives may do best with solid bottom board (possibly with a slatted rack?) but always up for a conversation about what is on your brain!
Happy New Year folks!🎉 Great opening Fred. Is a very warm fall going into our PNW winter. Bees are out and about and needing fed.
That's great to hear! I hope the bees are doing well with all the warm weather.
My bees seem to be flying even in freezing temperatures a bit. There is plenty of honey still in the hive. I probably have 20/30 dead bees near the hive but no typical signs of nosema. I’m hoping to see what happens on Sunday when it’s high 50’s.
Sump pump issue. Have some smart home products for you. YoLink. I have water monitors - we have a few in the basement - one by sump pump and ones by floor drains. They also have a power monitor which will sound off (and on app) alert you if power outage. I use that in my greenhouse where sometimes the GFI outlets go out due to humidity. Need power for the GHAT system I installed in there for heating/cooling. They have a lot of good sensors. I even use their all weather temp sensors in my beehives - the main part sits in inner cover and the wire with the sensor at the end I put down into the beehive - use that in winter to see how warm the hive is to know if they are moving toward the top of hive to make sure they have enough fondant. Or even just to feel better knowing they are alive on super cold nights. I use a floating sensor for our old cistern that collects rain water to know when it’s low - which we use for water for the toilet. Then I can change water valves to change toilet to well water when needed.
Thanks for sharing what you're using and why. Much appreciated.
I'm going to have to agree with Randy. When I block an entrance to do OA vapor, initially, there is a huge pile up. If the entrance remains blocked, in about 10 minutes they are nowhere to be found. But the entrances on either side are busier.
Wow your having a really good warm up mine is coming this wed
And, rain to follow... very soppy around here :)
Some of my colonies have hive alive,had a few deadouts,wax moths,had their way,...good news was i salvaged much if the drawn combs,ill be picking up more fondant at the show,i need to do better at packing down hives,and getting beetles under control, yet im still excited for spring, ive seen a few early dandelions ,we are having a warm up with some rain,forecast 66°f monday upcoming,😊😊 😀
Today, as we walked around watching the flights, it was conspicous that those with Hive Alive on were far more active and vigorous. I'll be doing more with the coming warmup. It was important to have that distinction, and this winter promises to challenge the colonies :)
Happy new year everyone, be safe, stay healthy , blessed and May you have prosperity in 2025!
Happy New Year to you as well!
Loved the opening sequences and the Happy Holiday video!
What is your configuration for your NUC resource hives?
Voles stay active all winter eating my garden.... their trails can often be visible in the spring when the snow melts.
Ok, that's annoying == voles took out all 54 of my Hyssop plants last spring, so I'm on the learn about those rascals.
I forgot how much I have missed your episodes. I wonder if bees packing up their dead at the entrance isn't even a method of blocking cold air entry depending on the prevailing wind direction that the entrance is facing. There is so much we don't know. I like that you pursue those answers.
Hi Tommy, that's actually easy to observe with "observation hives" the dead can often be deposited at or near the entry by interior undertaker bees. It's kind of a staging area for dragging out later on. If they actively used the dead to block or reduce the entrance, then when we pull them out through the center of the opening wouldn't you expect them to push or pull the piled bees to the sides of the entry into the center again? But we can surely learn more about that through continued observation.
@@FrederickDunn Temps at the time could figure in, I really like your never-ending quest for knowledge on such things. You put in the time and effort to learn; most don't put in a 1/4th of the effort, you're a diamond in the rough!
Ne ohio, bees are really liking the dry pollen sub today... checked my 15 hives today and hivealive fondant was almost gone in 90% of the hives... the darker bees barely ate their fondant, Italians ate almost all the fondant..added more... everyone except 1 colony looking strong so far... seen a few dead mites on tray inserts
Nice move, putting out the pollen sub! I'm glad they seem to be doing so well :)
Talk about the apimaye hive. Do you clean the screened bottom board? How about the very bottom board? It's vented should i add reflectex to insulate that?
My first year using it.
I started with one hive (flow). Caught a swarm and added it to a regular langstroth and now I am maxed out at three.
Its been a great 4 years with your help.
Thanks for your insights from.windy Wyoming.
I just pull the tray and dump out whatever is in it. I don't add any insulation to the bottom at all. The top is far more important when it comes to insulation. I hope that helps a little :)
Does further distance spacing of hives help to reduce drifting and this may help with the location memory of the bees , less confusion?
Yes, moving hives well apart does help reduce drifting.
Fred when you go away put the sump pump on different circuit
It has its own circuit. I think we'll be fine :) GFCI outlets need to be replaced around 15 years after install. I'll be putting a new one in soon :)
My Keeper’s Hive arrived last week as well. Still sitting in its box. I won’t have time to even open it until I get back from NAHBE
Something great to look forward to after the new year has begun. I'm going to take my time building the bottom boards etc... :)
One question. When mentioning 2:1 bag of syrup when days warm up and bees are foraging was that intended for early spring or now during the winter? My husband and I have a debate going on timing. It is going to be 52 tomorrow in Michigan. Hive Alive Fondant is on in the hive.TY.
Hi Cathy, I put that out anytime the temps rise into the 50's or better. I'll explian more about that in my next Q&A. It's not the same as putting syrup inside the hive. The foragers will get the syrup and pass it on to other hive-mates when they arrive back at their respective hives. It doesn't get stored, and is readily consumed for a quick energy boost. As I mention, it's mostly a feel-good thing to do and it breaks up the long winter days. :)
@ thank you for taking time to explain that's what I thought.
I've caught to many mice to count near my hives in the last month
I no longer trap them on the outside. If they can't get inside, I'm fine with them munching on dead landing board bees :)
hey hey no bad mouthing the NEC. years of schooling and apprenticeship then a test, lead me to where I am making generous living fixing home owners mistakes like wiring a non gfci in a wet location.😂
When I built my home, I wired and plumbed it all myself :) Zero Hits on Inspection :) I'm a fan of CODE. :) BOCA, and the NEC :)
Stap things down because this storm front is bringing tornadoes. Rocky Mount NC was hit today. Be on alert it you are in the path.
No one ever complained about being too secure :) I may actually bolt my future hives down.
That’s it. No more handles!!! I took a look and there are in fact handles. I also saw some miner errors in the prints. Might be time for an update.
Thanks for the video. Have a Happy New Year!!
Hi Ross! Well, it didn't hurt, and they were definitely in my original design :) I don't think we need them, and I can't thank you enough for making those designs available to the masses :) You are THE MAN! And I seriously appreciate it.
I want to know why I have a lot of ice build up at the entrance they are propped up 3/4of an in already on Vt
I couldn't answer that question without seeing the hive and the entire configuration. I've never had an entrance ice up, or frozen closed. Tilt hives toward the landing board so all water sheds during melts, that's a start. It's not a simple situation.
Should I be feeding pollen Patty's during the long winter s here in northern west Colorado
This is a personal call. I want my bees to produce brood in concert with our local environment, so I don't offer any pollen until early spring. Pollen Patties are expensive and the jury is out regarding how much they really benefit your wintering bees. A cheaper solution may be to offer dry pollen substitute outside on warm foraging days. It ends up being a feel-good thing to do. For most backyard beekeepers, I suggest keeping them in sucrose so they will have the energy necessary to get through winter and forage when the opportunity strikes. :)
Varroa mite killed the 6’over 6 nuc set up the guy was talking about that died I think
He didn't say the colony was dead, but that there are dead bees weekly. That may not be such a large number. We'll see how it goes, but he can definitely feed them and block that upper vent situation.
Much of RUclips beekeeping videos are funded by apimaye and hive alive. Too bad. Truth is no need for these expensive bologna tools. Sad such an inexpensive simple hobby is clouded by industry
Thanks for sharing! If I were a good kitchen technician, I'd make my own fondant. There are other choices in winter patties. I'm more than happy to read any published studies on other fondants or supplements for sugar syrup that you have handy. My mind is always open. If I see an improvement from an emergency feed, I'll continue to share that here. If it proves not to make any difference at all, then I'll also share that. How are videos being "funded by Apimaye"? I'd like to get in on that action if it's true. They are making solid hives. They gave me one, and I purchased all of my own after that. I definitely think that some feed/supplements aren't worth the price, unless they prove beneficial. I'm glad your bees are doing well without any support beyond honey. I wish we could all do that.
Loved the opening sequences and the Happy Holiday video!
What is your configuration for your NUC resource hives?
Hi Trish, I try to get the nucleus hives built up to 3-levels by winter. If they fill the top 5-frame deep with capped honey, I consider them good to go. If they are smaller, and possibly still stuck at two boxes, I put a Ceracel nucleus feeder on top and put fondant in that. Those feeders can be used for syrup or solids. I do also put an insulated cap on the top box. One of them, this year, has a single layer of double-bubble under the lid just to see how that holds up.
@@FrederickDunn I have a 2 level NUC hive this year, so far they are doing well. I do have an insulated inner cover with Hive Alive Fondant under the insulated top cover. Fingers Crossed they make it through winter. Love your videos and all your insight on keeping bees. Thank you!
@@trishwestberg6982 I hope spring brings you and your bees good news :) Sounds like you're on top of things :)