I JUST GOT YA’LL’S BOOK!! 💃🏼🕺🏻💃🏼🕺🏻 I made my daughter start reading it while I was driving. 😅 I have been watching your videos for a few months & I just can’t get enough. I’m gonna order your online beekeeping class soon. I’m preparing my yard to start beekeeping next year. I am so excited, I can not wait!!! I’m really enjoying all the information you pass out. I also enjoy coffee time! Thank you so much for all you do!!
I have taken all of the courses and I do want to split but I can't get a Queen yet, and did not want them to make their own since I am in Southern location.
David, I’m just starting beekeeping this year. Moved in my first 5 frame NUC on Saturday, certainly was an exciting morning. I really love your content and the mixture of education, awareness, and understanding both of the bees and us. Looking forward to continued education, insights, and laughs. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks for your videos Dave. My wife and I will be new to beekeeping this year and we are learning a lot from your book and videos. We have also purchased your beginner class. Thanks for what you do for the new beeks.
David I am very new in beekeeping and still have tons to learn. On finding eggs for me it was game changing when I saw my first eggs. Once I saw them and realized what I was looking for they are not hard to find. I also bought a pair of cheap reading glasses to wear when looking for eggs.
@@beek Hey quick question: I was watch one of your older videos on hive inspection, it was from a couple years ago, and I noticed that you didn't have an inner cover. Do you not use an inner cover and if not why? Thanks for all the videos by the way!
I’m new to beekeeping. I’m so excited to start this journey. I can’t thank you enough for the education! My aunt referred me to your channel. Keep up the good work!!!
Good video David. I started out bee keeping back in the 60’s and used the wax foundation and still use it today . Also that old box you showed that is the kind I started out with . All my equipment came from Sears and Roe buck but the best thing Sears even sold Bee at that time . Back then you could purchase about everything from them . From little toys to Houses . I am not old I am just warn out 🤦♂️🤦♂️. Thanks for your video’s
I am converting over to plastic foundation into wood frames. I paint the new wax foundations with additional wax. I also use 100% medium boxes. I find it easier to manage the equipment. I need to find some black medium plastic foundation! I definitely have to use my reader glasses to see eggs! I have tried to use additional magnifiers - but they are just hard to use with a vail on.
Which one is best? One word, WAX! 🤣🤠 I used a variety my 1st year, wax, starter strips, and plastic. They chew the wax off a good percentage and build wonky comb or use 20% of the space… all the wax foundation is built out good, and much faster. Starter strips with reinforcements line is built even faster. Wish they would build on the plastic I even went and bought wax to coat the partially drawn plastic, and they chewed it off again…too much wasted time, effort, and space. Wish I knew how to make it work…
Some of the hive kits come with yellow foundation for the brood box, its very hard to see eggs or larvae in new drawn wax. The black plastic foundation is much better to use when inspecting the brood box. I'm using some natural wax foundations because thats how I learned many years ago.
can you use medium size framed in a deep box on each end for drone cells? I saw somewhere that bees will build drone cells below that frame, easy to remove. I don't wan't to buy more speciality frames, it gets confusing and expensive.
I have to use reading glasses too. A bit hard when wearing a hood. I'd see about replicating the comb box & keep the one given to ya as a momento & history. My bee's started flying around in the 40's, but I still have kept out of their hive.
Being new last year I used all yellow and after watching your videos, this year I’m trying black. I think I’ll see the eggs better. I wear readers too, but my problem is they always fall off inside my hood and then my pony tail comes undone and my hair covers my eyes. What a mess ha ha.
Wow been keeping bees for years in the UK and never considered plastic foundation. Maybe I should give it a go but wax just feels so much more natural.
Going to be honest looking into getting into bee keeping. But at 09:21 when you said look at these eggs on black. I don't see a single white speck . I just may not know what I am looking for. Also did not see them on the white too but I thought black was going to be easier.
Since I'm a beginner one of the classes to took they said to take your phone and record, then you can go back inside your home and zoom in and that can help see the eggs. Then you will get your eye conditioned to see the egg after a few times.
David, like you i started out using all natural wax foundation, i thought it was best way to go at first, but when i started extracting my honey, the wax foundation would blow out of the frame many times, so i stopped using natural wax foundation , i really like the wood frame with plastic foundation like you are showing here int he video.
I have a hive that was abandoned and before I could clean it out, it got wax moth larvae and eggs. I have since cleaned them all off. My question is can I still use the box? The frames I'm going to replace the foundations and use the old frames. In the box the eggs were dug into the wood and just want to make sure I can still use the box and the frames.
Hello David, just watched the video you did 8 mo ago. You briefly spoke about plastic mite green drone frame. My question is what do you do with it one the bees have filled it out with brood.
I live in Upstate NY. When should I start seeing eggs? Should there already bee some? I did an inspection today and I didn't see any. It's been brutally cold and we just started getting above 50 degree weather. Thank you Dave!
A few things. I've run bees like you for years. I've done wax foundation, plastic foundation un-waxed and waxed. I've found no difference in bees drawing them out. When the bees need space, they will build comb. The important thing is when building new comb with a box of foundation is to keep the foundation the same. All plastic or all wax. Don't mix them. As for the yellow or black plastic, I've got both. Never noticed any difference. I can see the eggs in the yellow. It's a little harder to see them, but over time the bottom of the cells gets darker from pupating and then the eggs are easy to see. My big thing is cost. What's the cheapest way to do it. I found building everything is a lot cheaper than buying stuff already built. I like the wooden frames with plastic foundation only because of the time saved. On another note, I cringed when you said burn it (plastic foundation). We are't allowed to burn plastics and you gave poor advice. Just got into my hives for the first time this season. I don't have a lot of hives like years ago (11) and only do it as a hobby anymore. I found what happens here in my area every year. We get a huge maple bloom and the boxes plug up. I have honey supers on for now to keep the nectar out of the deeps. I've got drone developing which means I'm looking at an early swarm season (again). Good luck this year everyone with your bees. New beekeepers, keep watching his videos. Very good advice on management techniques.
Hey David, how do you remove comb from your frames? Is there an efficient way to do it that’s also cost efficient? Is scraping it off simply the best method?
Back in the '60s, I had beeswax-coated aluminum foundation. It worked fine, but the bees seemed to prefer plain beeswax foundation and plastic foundation -- probably because the heat conductivity of aluminum makes brood-temperature regulation more difficult. When I was about age 16, I bought some used equipment to expand my operation. That acquisition introduced a nasty epidemic of AFB. At the suggestion of my 4-H beekeeping club advisor, I scorched all the wood with a torch I scrapped the aluminum foundation, burned the resulting wax, then scorched and recoated the aluminum foundation. Try that with your plastic foundation! I haven't seen that aluminum stuff for decades.
Last summer My grandson was mowing my lawn for me...he came in the house asking for my beesuit. Lol he made a quick mow then left the hive site. Enjoyed your video. Thanks for the information. By the way I miss coffee time.
"Don't freak out! Calm down!" LOL Love the info you share. My wife and I are new to bee keeping so I'm been watching a lot of your videos. I do, however, have a question (I can't find the answer too anywhere). Can you stain then wax dip bee boxes?
@@beek Awesome! I only stained the outside of the boxes to minimize direct contact with the ladies. The boxes will sit (unused) for a week before being dipped.
As always, thank you for the helpful advice and comments. I do have a question though. If I want to add wax to these new frames, what kind? There are a lot on Amazon but there are none specified for use in a beehive. I’m thinking you mentioned this on an earlier video and I checked. Lots to choose from for cosmetics or candles or DIY projects.
You can find bee wax from some of the bee suppliers if you don't have any to melt down yourself from old combs. Only use bee wax. I use an old crock pot and a mini 4" roller to roll wax on. I don't think a crock pot would ever get the wax hot enough to catch fire which can happen over a burner.
I started out on wax last year because that was was what was available at my local beekeeper supply and I didn't know any better. The one thing I had a super hard time with was spotting eggs. Thought it was something wrong with my eyes until I watched this, lol. I know the wax on my frames is considerably darker now, and I'm hoping that will help. I would be interested in your thoughts on this, and on how to switch them over to the black plastic. They have all the frames filled out with wax now, and I don't like the idea of making them start over completely.
Maybe it’s just because I’m used to it, but I was able to see the eggs/larva on the yellow frame almost immediately, but I couldn’t see anything on the black one 🤣
Hi David! Getting my new colonies in April and I’m signing up for your classes. Was just watching this vid and saw the question abt landscape cloth. I’ve been hearing a lot in different online groups abt not mowing near the hives but what is considered a good rough distance to stay back and not bother them?
I was wondering if you have a video about it being Spring and your bees are bursting out the Box full to the brim what do you do if you can't get another Queen for a split? I know to add another brood Box but is there anything else else? Thank you! Gina
Hi Gina, spring management has many aspects and there are many different ways to make splits which are determined by many factors. I suggest you take my spring management online class: www.honeybeesonline.com/online-spring-management-course-online/
Thanks for taking my courses. If you do not want your split to raise a new queen, then you'll need to wait until you can purchase a mated queen to place in the split.
Yes thank you, I will have to wait for a mated Queen because I don't want to raise wild bees. I'm going to add more space and pull some honey out since they have plenty to give the Queen some room I guess. Thank you
I JUST GOT YA’LL’S BOOK!! 💃🏼🕺🏻💃🏼🕺🏻 I made my daughter start reading it while I was driving. 😅 I have been watching your videos for a few months & I just can’t get enough. I’m gonna order your online beekeeping class soon. I’m preparing my yard to start beekeeping next year. I am so excited, I can not wait!!! I’m really enjoying all the information you pass out. I also enjoy coffee time! Thank you so much for all you do!!
Wow, thank you so much Tracey and I'm so excited with you on starting beekeeping!!
I have taken all of the courses and I do want to split but I can't get a Queen yet, and did not want them to make their own since I am in Southern location.
David, I’m just starting beekeeping this year. Moved in my first 5 frame NUC on Saturday, certainly was an exciting morning. I really love your content and the mixture of education, awareness, and understanding both of the bees and us. Looking forward to continued education, insights, and laughs. Thanks for all you do!
Thank you so much for the donation!! I soooooo appreciate it!!
Thanks for your videos Dave. My wife and I will be new to beekeeping this year and we are learning a lot from your book and videos. We have also purchased your beginner class. Thanks for what you do for the new beeks.
David I am very new in beekeeping and still have tons to learn. On finding eggs for me it was game changing when I saw my first eggs. Once I saw them and realized what I was looking for they are not hard to find. I also bought a pair of cheap reading glasses to wear when looking for eggs.
Yep!
@@beek Hey quick question: I was watch one of your older videos on hive inspection, it was from a couple years ago, and I noticed that you didn't have an inner cover. Do you not use an inner cover and if not why? Thanks for all the videos by the way!
I’m new to beekeeping. I’m so excited to start this journey. I can’t thank you enough for the education! My aunt referred me to your channel. Keep up the good work!!!
What an awesome Aunt you have, referring you to my channel. Thank her for me!!! 😍
I think I accidently deleted your question about Small Hive Beetle management. Here is the link to my video: ruclips.net/video/02UDjR9Du60/видео.html
Good video David. I started out bee keeping back in the 60’s and used the wax foundation and still use it today . Also that old box you showed that is the kind I started out with . All my equipment came from Sears and Roe buck but the best thing Sears even sold Bee at that time . Back then you could purchase about everything from them . From little toys to Houses . I am not old I am just warn out 🤦♂️🤦♂️. Thanks for your video’s
Yup you have some great history with bees. I get what you mean...not old, just worn out.
I am converting over to plastic foundation into wood frames. I paint the new wax foundations with additional wax. I also use 100% medium boxes. I find it easier to manage the equipment. I need to find some black medium plastic foundation! I definitely have to use my reader glasses to see eggs! I have tried to use additional magnifiers - but they are just hard to use with a vail on.
You really should sale your RUclips David Burns beekeeping T-shirts. Great video, Thanks!
i use 36” X 36” air conditioner compressor pads. came up with that myself. i’ve also reinvented some wheels
Thanks for the shout out.
An excellent video. I made this mistake when I purchased frames last year.
Which one is best? One word, WAX! 🤣🤠 I used a variety my 1st year, wax, starter strips, and plastic. They chew the wax off a good percentage and build wonky comb or use 20% of the space… all the wax foundation is built out good, and much faster. Starter strips with reinforcements line is built even faster. Wish they would build on the plastic I even went and bought wax to coat the partially drawn plastic, and they chewed it off again…too much wasted time, effort, and space. Wish I knew how to make it work…
Some of the hive kits come with yellow foundation for the brood box, its very hard to see eggs or larvae in new drawn wax. The black plastic foundation is much better to use when inspecting the brood box. I'm using some natural wax foundations because thats how I learned many years ago.
can you use medium size framed in a deep box on each end for drone cells? I saw somewhere that bees will build drone cells below that frame, easy to remove. I don't wan't to buy more speciality frames, it gets confusing and expensive.
That's what I use. Just cut off the done brood and replace the frame into the brood box.
I have to use reading glasses too. A bit hard when wearing a hood. I'd see about replicating the comb box & keep the one given to ya as a momento & history.
My bee's started flying around in the 40's, but I still have kept out of their hive.
Being new last year I used all yellow and after watching your videos, this year I’m trying black. I think I’ll see the eggs better. I wear readers too, but my problem is they always fall off inside my hood and then my pony tail comes undone and my hair covers my eyes. What a mess ha ha.
Wow been keeping bees for years in the UK and never considered plastic foundation. Maybe I should give it a go but wax just feels so much more natural.
Is the wax hard to work with?
I use the yellow plastic foundation which comes with a very thin layer of wax. They have worked just fine since I started beekeeping 6 years ago.
Going to be honest looking into getting into bee keeping. But at 09:21 when you said look at these eggs on black. I don't see a single white speck . I just may not know what I am looking for. Also did not see them on the white too but I thought black was going to be easier.
Well, alot harder on video than in person.
Since I'm a beginner one of the classes to took they said to take your phone and record, then you can go back inside your home and zoom in and that can help see the eggs. Then you will get your eye conditioned to see the egg after a few times.
Enjoyed this video... Thanks for posting...
great video Mr. Burns 👍👍👍
David, like you i started out using all natural wax foundation, i thought it was best way to go at first, but when i started extracting my honey, the wax foundation would blow out of the frame many times, so i stopped using natural wax foundation , i really like the wood frame with plastic foundation like you are showing here int he video.
Yes, the blow out in the extractor was so frustrating.
Awesome thanks for all your info!!
I have a hive that was abandoned and before I could clean it out, it got wax moth larvae and eggs. I have since cleaned them all off. My question is can I still use the box? The frames I'm going to replace the foundations and use the old frames. In the box the eggs were dug into the wood and just want to make sure I can still use the box and the frames.
Hello David, just watched the video you did 8 mo ago. You briefly spoke about plastic mite green drone frame. My question is what do you do with it one the bees have filled it out with brood.
I live in Upstate NY. When should I start seeing eggs? Should there already bee some? I did an inspection today and I didn't see any. It's been brutally cold and we just started getting above 50 degree weather. Thank you Dave!
According to the interwebs, Gene Killion passed away about 3 months after you posted this video. He was 98.
A few things. I've run bees like you for years. I've done wax foundation, plastic foundation un-waxed and waxed. I've found no difference in bees drawing them out. When the bees need space, they will build comb. The important thing is when building new comb with a box of foundation is to keep the foundation the same. All plastic or all wax. Don't mix them.
As for the yellow or black plastic, I've got both. Never noticed any difference. I can see the eggs in the yellow. It's a little harder to see them, but over time the bottom of the cells gets darker from pupating and then the eggs are easy to see.
My big thing is cost. What's the cheapest way to do it. I found building everything is a lot cheaper than buying stuff already built.
I like the wooden frames with plastic foundation only because of the time saved.
On another note, I cringed when you said burn it (plastic foundation). We are't allowed to burn plastics and you gave poor advice.
Just got into my hives for the first time this season. I don't have a lot of hives like years ago (11) and only do it as a hobby anymore. I found what happens here in my area every year. We get a huge maple bloom and the boxes plug up. I have honey supers on for now to keep the nectar out of the deeps. I've got drone developing which means I'm looking at an early swarm season (again).
Good luck this year everyone with your bees.
New beekeepers, keep watching his videos. Very good advice on management techniques.
Where do you get your frames?
getting my bees tomorrow @7pm
❤
Hey David, how do you remove comb from your frames? Is there an efficient way to do it that’s also cost efficient? Is scraping it off simply the best method?
Back in the '60s, I had beeswax-coated aluminum foundation. It worked fine, but the bees seemed to prefer plain beeswax foundation and plastic foundation -- probably because the heat conductivity of aluminum makes brood-temperature regulation more difficult.
When I was about age 16, I bought some used equipment to expand my operation. That acquisition introduced a nasty epidemic of AFB. At the suggestion of my 4-H beekeeping club advisor, I scorched all the wood with a torch I scrapped the aluminum foundation, burned the resulting wax, then scorched and recoated the aluminum foundation. Try that with your plastic foundation!
I haven't seen that aluminum stuff for decades.
What a history!
Have you ever used the polystyrene boxes? I'm curious about them as my old woodenware is aging.
Last summer My grandson was mowing my lawn for me...he came in the house asking for my beesuit. Lol he made a quick mow then left the hive site.
Enjoyed your video. Thanks for the information. By the way I miss coffee time.
Can you do a video on powdered surger treatment for mites? What kind of surger? Etc
Did that years ago, maybe one of my first few videos.
Hello Dave great video as always. My question is if you put down the black garden weed mat will that also help keep the hive beetles at bay?
I wouldn't count on it. The larvae will circle the globe to find dirt.
What about the summer time it's hot in here
Should you have enough drone combs for all.your colonys or just move a few around?
"Don't freak out! Calm down!" LOL Love the info you share. My wife and I are new to bee keeping so I'm been watching a lot of your videos. I do, however, have a question (I can't find the answer too anywhere). Can you stain then wax dip bee boxes?
Kinda a tough question. First, I would only stain the outside. You can always wax dip boxes. Let the stain dry really well first.
@@beek Awesome! I only stained the outside of the boxes to minimize direct contact with the ladies. The boxes will sit (unused) for a week before being dipped.
Roofing singles work great
As always, thank you for the helpful advice and comments. I do have a question though. If I want to add wax to these new frames, what kind? There are a lot on Amazon but there are none specified for use in a beehive. I’m thinking you mentioned this on an earlier video and I checked. Lots to choose from for cosmetics or candles or DIY projects.
You can find bee wax from some of the bee suppliers if you don't have any to melt down yourself from old combs. Only use bee wax. I use an old crock pot and a mini 4" roller to roll wax on. I don't think a crock pot would ever get the wax hot enough to catch fire which can happen over a burner.
I find the plastic frames allow the SHB a place to hide from the bees along the edges due to the size of the gaps.
What do you do for SHB management?
I bought yellow foundation and the hive has black. The bees have not touched the yellow ones. Does that color difference matter?
I started out on wax last year because that was was what was available at my local beekeeper supply and I didn't know any better. The one thing I had a super hard time with was spotting eggs. Thought it was something wrong with my eyes until I watched this, lol. I know the wax on my frames is considerably darker now, and I'm hoping that will help. I would be interested in your thoughts on this, and on how to switch them over to the black plastic. They have all the frames filled out with wax now, and I don't like the idea of making them start over completely.
Kinda. Depends on the color change of the base of the cell. It may stay light. Just the comb may darken.
Maybe it’s just because I’m used to it, but I was able to see the eggs/larva on the yellow frame almost immediately, but I couldn’t see anything on the black one 🤣
ordering my book from Amazon
Hi David! Getting my new colonies in April and I’m signing up for your classes. Was just watching this vid and saw the question abt landscape cloth. I’ve been hearing a lot in different online groups abt not mowing near the hives but what is considered a good rough distance to stay back and not bother them?
Hi Tracy, I made a whole video on this. Check it out: ruclips.net/video/0OVI9F9EkFA/видео.html
I was wondering if you have a video about it being Spring and your bees are bursting out the Box full to the brim what do you do if you can't get another Queen for a split? I know to add another brood Box but is there anything else else? Thank you! Gina
Hi Gina, spring management has many aspects and there are many different ways to make splits which are determined by many factors. I suggest you take my spring management online class: www.honeybeesonline.com/online-spring-management-course-online/
Thanks for taking my courses. If you do not want your split to raise a new queen, then you'll need to wait until you can purchase a mated queen to place in the split.
Yes thank you, I will have to wait for a mated Queen because I don't want to raise wild bees. I'm going to add more space and pull some honey out since they have plenty to give the Queen some room I guess. Thank you
Do u keep any of your hive in an electric fenced in area
No bears here.
Better is bees wax which is yellow.
You are very interesting
I have a hive that I bought and have to move. It has not been opened in three years what should I expect or look for
Hi Ray, Ah, just treat it like another inspection.
I need to change my bottom on that hive when is a good time
Bottom board
I still prefer yellow
Subscribed to your mentorship program. Should I be getting an email with your contact info?
Thanks Michael, it can take a few days.
There is NO wrong color for foundations! Remember, the frames, foundations and hive boxes are really for the honeybees, Not You!
True
You go black you never go back lol😊