You do a very good job of breaking things down and making it understandable. Thank You for these videos and the knowledge and understanding You impart.
I have in hive feeders. I usually use them in summer dearth but I also close down my entrance to 3 bees in at a time, to help the bees guard the hives. So far no robbing ( which has happened for the last 3 years, but so far not this year). We have had an extremely wet summer so that may be why no robbing, but I still haven't pulled any honey because I just got the nucs in May so I want to make sure they have plenty to keep them going. If I have extra come spring I'll pull it then. I live in coastal Alabama
I could tell when all their drawn out frames were empty with nectar/honey in the center and nothing but cells on the outside. There was also holes in the stored stuff where they took some back out, not a lot but they were feeding on it.
Something you said that was really helpful. I have a young hive which started off as a two frame mini split and grew into an eight frame with feeders. Couldn't make up my mind whether they were being robbed yesterday so I put up a robbing screen. Was still going on today so I rescued the queen along with some brood and food in an adjacent hive and left the eight frame in place. Also gave them some brood and food (ironically, from the offending hive). Two things I noticed: 1) There were wasps among the robbers. 2) When I temporarily removed the robbing screen after only one day, the entrance was littered with dead bees. That was one hour ago. I had doubts about whether or not I was being robbed and you had the answer for me. 👍 I'll close both hives up for a day or two this evening and see if that works.
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Wasps definitely are offenders. If you happen to catch it happening you can cover the hive in a damp cloth like a bed sheet over night as well.
Thanks Nikki! I looked in on mine 2 days ago and there's not much going on. And you're right abt them being more grumpy. I think I will set up a feeder and feed them all. Maybe dry pollen sub too. Great video and very helpful as always!! Your pet butterfly was missing today😂 Have a great afternoon
I have extra land that I am able to plant and irrigate if needed. I plant buckwheat on it, usually late June or early July. seems to give them something to work in the morning.
I plant different things for my bees to help during dearth but I haven't had much luck with it. (I actually talk about it in a video that isn't uploaded yet...oops). My problem this year is that we have a lot of land and a lot of wooded area that seems to be a sanctuary for deer. They have wiped out so much of what I planted this year. My garden is fenced so they can't get that but they even ate my hostas this year. I need to research how deer repellent effects bees and possibly use it.
@@sweetbeefarms Nikki, cant wait to see the new video then. We have the same problem with deer here in south Arkansas. As "Field of Dreams" quote with a slight variation :"If you plant it, they (deer) will come" We have 2 acres of garden we keep under electric fence all year. When done with vegetables in a spot, I can comeback with buckwheat, sunflowers, pumpkins etc. I planted more buckwheat outside of the fence and it has faired well from the deer so far. Sunflowers not so much. Here, bees are working partridge pea (deer magnet too) Crepe Myrtle (not the bees preferred) Pepper Vine (Nekemias arborea, bees like a lot), Devil's Walking Sticks (Aralia spinosa , bees love) and some late smooth sumac. Don't know if you have those plants up there. I saw our first Golden Rod open on July 30 and is amping up as well as narrow leafed sunflower and asters. So if we get another rain or two, we should have a good fall.
I put robbing screens on last night. Had to as 2 hives were being probed. Hey what part of Ohio are you in? I'm in Geauga county. Thanks for the videos, they're very helpful!
Hey Nikki…I have a question about sugar water mixtures. Had a guy tell me that for new splits, feeding them sugar water in a 3:2 ratio is preferable over 1:1. I asked him why and he said that with the thicker mix, the bees don’t have to spend as much energy in fanning to lower the moisture content. Now I am in Texas where it is WAY hotter than where you are. But I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
I have always known 1:1 to be the best choice for spring and summer because it mimics nectar. The thicker syrup has lower water content and is easier for the bees to store when temps are lower. I don't think you would have an issue with 1:1 in your climate. I know there are beekeepers who use 3:2 or even 5:3 but I have not. So, I don't really have any first hand experience to go by.
You do a very good job of breaking things down and making it understandable. Thank You for these videos and the knowledge and understanding You impart.
Yup.true louder than normal bees
I have in hive feeders. I usually use them in summer dearth but I also close down my entrance to 3 bees in at a time, to help the bees guard the hives. So far no robbing ( which has happened for the last 3 years, but so far not this year). We have had an extremely wet summer so that may be why no robbing, but I still haven't pulled any honey because I just got the nucs in May so I want to make sure they have plenty to keep them going. If I have extra come spring I'll pull it then. I live in coastal Alabama
I could tell when all their drawn out frames were empty with nectar/honey in the center and nothing but cells on the outside. There was also holes in the stored stuff where they took some back out, not a lot but they were feeding on it.
That's another good point John!
Something you said that was really helpful.
I have a young hive which started off as a two frame mini split and grew into an eight frame with feeders. Couldn't make up my mind whether they were being robbed yesterday so I put up a robbing screen. Was still going on today so I rescued the queen along with some brood and food in an adjacent hive and left the eight frame in place. Also gave them some brood and food (ironically, from the offending hive).
Two things I noticed:
1) There were wasps among the robbers.
2) When I temporarily removed the robbing screen after only one day, the entrance was littered with dead bees. That was one hour ago. I had doubts about whether or not I was being robbed and you had the answer for me. 👍
I'll close both hives up for a day or two this evening and see if that works.
I'm so glad you found it helpful! Wasps definitely are offenders. If you happen to catch it happening you can cover the hive in a damp cloth like a bed sheet over night as well.
@@sweetbeefarms Yes. Have thought about that. Thanks.
Thanks Nikki! I looked in on mine 2 days ago and there's not much going on. And you're right abt them being more grumpy. I think I will set up a feeder and feed them all. Maybe dry pollen sub too. Great video and very helpful as always!! Your pet butterfly was missing today😂
Have a great afternoon
The sweet butterfly was the best. I think it's supposed to be a sign of good luck! Thank you so much!
If that's the case maybe you can pick some lottery numbers for me
I haven't had much luck with the lottery in the last 40 years but I could give it a shot! Lol
@@sweetbeefarms we are in the same boat! Lol
I have extra land that I am able to plant and irrigate if needed. I plant buckwheat on it, usually late June or early July. seems to give them something to work in the morning.
I plant different things for my bees to help during dearth but I haven't had much luck with it. (I actually talk about it in a video that isn't uploaded yet...oops). My problem this year is that we have a lot of land and a lot of wooded area that seems to be a sanctuary for deer. They have wiped out so much of what I planted this year. My garden is fenced so they can't get that but they even ate my hostas this year. I need to research how deer repellent effects bees and possibly use it.
@@sweetbeefarms Nikki, cant wait to see the new video then. We have the same problem with deer here in south Arkansas. As "Field of Dreams" quote with a slight variation :"If you plant it, they (deer) will come"
We have 2 acres of garden we keep under electric fence all year. When done with vegetables in a spot, I can comeback with buckwheat, sunflowers, pumpkins etc.
I planted more buckwheat outside of the fence and it has faired well from the deer so far. Sunflowers not so much.
Here, bees are working partridge pea (deer magnet too) Crepe Myrtle (not the bees preferred) Pepper Vine (Nekemias arborea, bees like a lot), Devil's Walking Sticks (Aralia spinosa , bees love) and some late smooth sumac. Don't know if you have those plants up there. I saw our first Golden Rod open on July 30 and is amping up as well as narrow leafed sunflower and asters. So if we get another rain or two, we should have a good fall.
I'm still wondering why my bees have nothing to do with the buckwheat I planted just for them. The only wasps and other bugs on the buckwheat flowers.
I put robbing screens on last night. Had to as 2 hives were being probed. Hey what part of Ohio are you in? I'm in Geauga county. Thanks for the videos, they're very helpful!
Thank you so much! I'm in Fairfield county.
Hey Nikki…I have a question about sugar water mixtures. Had a guy tell me that for new splits, feeding them sugar water in a 3:2 ratio is preferable over 1:1. I asked him why and he said that with the thicker mix, the bees don’t have to spend as much energy in fanning to lower the moisture content. Now I am in Texas where it is WAY hotter than where you are. But I would like to hear your thoughts on this.
I have always known 1:1 to be the best choice for spring and summer because it mimics nectar. The thicker syrup has lower water content and is easier for the bees to store when temps are lower. I don't think you would have an issue with 1:1 in your climate. I know there are beekeepers who use 3:2 or even 5:3 but I have not. So, I don't really have any first hand experience to go by.
My bees were born defensive. Lol. They were rather pissy from when I got them in early May.