Fascinating reuse of workers in a drone laying hive. Along with in position replacing with a Nuc to capture returning foragers? How do you decide using jars, frames or buckets? Your interaction, questions with your staff were appreciated! Thank you sir.
Something I should have mentioned in the video was that we used the nuc that was sitting on top of the laying worker colony so it got the field force from both. I used jars in this instance because I am hoping the colonies empty them before the cooler weather coming in next week. We'll probably be moving frames of honey around later when we begin to equalize. This will be done after we have plenty of hatching brood to boost the smaller ones with.
Hey Bob albee here when do you start your grafting I live over the ridge from you I wished I had a day to day Appalachian bee bible on all your timings and set ups by Mr.Bob Binnie the knowledge you have allowed me to accumulate has saved me money enough that I was able to buy 6 of your hives with my honey sells and build a extraction room with Maxant equipment we are waiting on to come my yard went from 30 boxes to 200 boxes the first year I the lost candler man does very much appreciate you would like 20 more hives in the fall or whenever you have see ya bob ps still waiting on patent for new bee tool will be in touch have a good day
Hi Albee. We normally feel comfortable grafting in Late May to early April depending on the year. Some in our area start around March 20 but some years you don't get good enough mating in my view. Contact us in August about colonies this year. Thanks.
@@bobbinnie9872 I didn't mean to imply it was staged. I thought it was helpful and added to my understanding. Love your videos and, for me, have increased my knowledge and interest in beekeeping. Thanks for the time and effort you put into each video.
Highs in the 80s lately here in NE Florida. Still see lots of pollen coming in just watching my entrances for a few minutes. Still keeping an eye on them though, still brooding and have good stores but I think most of what's coming in is going straight to the larvae PS: now that I've gone right through them my two deeps have pretty much cleared out the bottom box and they've both got a small amount of drone brood even. That's besides several frames of worker brood.
Bob I put 2" shim boxes basket newspaper with 8lbs of damp dry sugar on my 60 plus colonies in nov due to very dry fall, clover and buckwheat dryed up early fed a lot of 1.5 to 1 sugar water and bees flying alot here Providence NC south of Danville Va. They were bring in pollen late Dec. Its been a crazy year.
Another great Bob Binnie video. I learned how to handle a laying worker hive (disperse frames and reuse location to salvage the field force). Also saw a neat way to put holes in feeder lids with the homemade tool with a nail. I always learn more (a lot) than the main topic covered thanks to your excellent narration that explains both what you are doing and why you are doing it. Thank you for taking the time and effort to publish them. They are much appreciated. Hope you are having fun at the Hive Alive conference!
Just checked hives in NE TX Friday. More brood than I anticipated. Orange colored pollen being brought in. Looked like dandelion but didn't notice any blooming anywhere. I left them with dry sugar. Figuring there's a lot of winter left to be feeding syrup. It was 21 when I left there this morning.
Happy New Year Bob. Thanks for the video. I'm in the Northeast and only use double deeps (sometimes a medium on top). I've been checking feed all fall and winter. The bees stopped taking food early on and the boxes are empty. Lots of winter bees too. So, I'm feeding home made fondant. So far it's working to my surprise. I'll start giving some pollen for more nutrition near the end of January and into February. I'm hoping the winter is mild and I can get the bees through. The weather is warm today and Tomorrow so I'll get back out again before the temps. drop into the 30's for a while. When it's been cold I peak in the tops and see the bees devouring the fondant. They're all over it. Anyway, your practice of checking hives through winter should be a good lesson for all of us. Never know when those queens start laying.
@@bobbinnie9872 It's just a simple sugar, water, and vinegar. I cook it down and when it cools my thumb nail can make an imprint on it. What I'm really looking for is the soft fondant recipe that I've seen used in Europe. I want it much softer, almost soft and tacky. Almost like the taffy candy. They use a glucose syrup or something like that. More investigating on my part. The bee suppliers are just too expensive for me so I make it myself.
@@beebob1279 Many fondants include inverted sugar which is definitely more expensive. When I was on the west coast we would buy "Drivert" which was made by C&H Sugar in San Fransisco and feed it dry.
Used to have a hundred colonies but now just five as my 90 year old body just can't go the way it used to. Here in Lafayette, Va. it doesn't get as cold as in the mid-west but I have found by insulating our hives and feeding sugar patties & pollen patties keeps them strong throughout the winter months. Last year we took over 400 lbs of honey from the five hives which was very good for our area. I attribute this to the fact our colonies were exceptionally strong when the nectar season began. As we also raise queens having strong colonies early is a plus to rearing good queens, not for sale but for our own use.
Thanks so much for this video . I’m just south of you in Fayette county. Been wondering if the bees were brooding up. My questions were answered with this video and they were bringing in more pollen on the first than any day last spring. Thanks and keep them coming. Learning so much from you, Ian, and Kaman.
Mr. Bob I wanted to let you know red maples 🍁 are starting to bloom here in blackshear ga. If you watch my videos that's what my 🐝 are bringing in. Happy bee keeping
Southeast Ga. Lots of yellow, orange and some Red Pollen coming in. Placed pint jars on my nucs and singles and they were empty day 2. Record High Yesterday and again Today. Seen 2 colonies with orientation flights yesterday. Doing a Inspection today.
Thanks bob from Albee you honk you could maybe write a book on Appalachian beekeeping giving days dates of all your tactics they would sell off the shelf’s are you selling any doubles in first of April if so how much for with bottom board and excluder inboard feeder and double screen divider new equipment thanks the lost candler man
Great video Bob this has been a huge help. Any possibility of updating first part of February? Ever have any problems with exposed feeding jars freezing with severe cold snaps, or do you pull them off when it gets really cold? Also, I would love for you to do a video of wrapping hives when to, why not, why etc.
Hi Christopher. We've never had a jar freeze with syrup in it but then we rarely go below 10°f and don't feed when it's cold. I hope to show some of these colonies when we begin to equalize in about a month. We looked at some yesterday and they're holding steady at this time.We didn't feed again because we finally got some cold weather and expect more this weekend. Sorry, I don't have any experience with wrapping hives, it's not necessary in our area (thankfully).
@@bobbinnie9872 Hey Bob thank you for the response. I'm in central AR so I would think that our winters are similar and you may even get a little colder where you're at. We had a hard freeze 2nd week of February last year and it did not get above freezing for over a week 14" of snow temps in the teens the whole 9 yards. Very unusual weather for us and I've never had a problem in the years past, but last year kicked me right in the teeth. I've learned since then, and thanks to your videos that I haven't been feeding nearly enough to prepare for winter. I fed like crazy this past fall and all appears to be well. Temps are going to be warm enough this weekend so I am going to crack the hives open and give them the ole evil eye. I have 2 horizontal hives and 2 Langstroth hives and I am wanting to expand to a total of 8 this year if all goes well. I wrapped the 2 Langstroth hives earlier when we had a cold snap, but I'm starting to think that we are to warm here for that and I may be creating more harm than good with the excess moisture. To sum up the novel that I have written you here I believe the key in milder climates is to really get them ready for winter starting in August and if that is done correctly along with proper mite management they should sustain themselves if you agree? I thought this exchange might be helpful for other fellow beekeepers that are not 100% sure of how to manage overwintering and unusual weather events.
@@christophersublett1037 You are right. It's mainly about getting them ready before winter. This is the part that many beekeepers don't give enough attention. I'm not sure if the wrap would hurt anything if there is a top vent hole. Hopefully you'll find bees to spare at your upcoming inspection.
Oh that sure sounds like a lot of work! We are in a extreme cold snap, -38 here last night and cold last week aswell as looking ahead a week. Looking at your brood, I’d be on the feed aswell
Checked my hives yesterday here in South Florida and we had to move double nucs into a double deeps. My double deep hives are packed. Next week im making splits and by mid February i will be adding supers. Here bees are building up for swarm season which is January and February this far south. This last year has been great on forage i have not had to feed the bees at all!
1 of warmest winters I can recall ! For sure messing up the bees lol pollen has been coming in all Dec & most of mine are brooding up already so I've been supplementing with patties & syrup so far there doing ok it seems
I did added found on top for each hives and bee started bringing pollen Very interesting where is from this time of the year pollen. From Tuesday temperature going down to +7 night can get cold but interesting for how long that keeps.
Hello Bob. I was checking on my out yard here in Central Virginia today. I noticed a little pollen coming in. Which is very unusual at this time of year. It's gonna be 60 degrees here today, but snow tonight. The warm weather at this time of year in my opinion is hard on the bees. I put on some Dadant winter patties a few weeks ago. They work really well for me.
I'm in western Virginia and also use Dandant winter patty, I noticed the bees are eating the patty two weeks ago and threw on some sugar brick, added more patty as necessary to smaller colonies.
Bob thanks for the video! Down here in central GA the temps have been very warm with a couple of days in the 80's. The bees are in full spring mode and brining in a lot of dandelion and a little wild mustard pollen already.
I always looked forward to the wild radish (looks like mustard) when I overwintered in south Georgia. Lots of pollen in warm weather. Hope you have extra equipment on hand.
@@bobbinnie9872 I was out looking around earlier and there is a small amount of wild radish starting along with some henbit. Of course, I also took a few photos of some goldenrod that was still blooming outside a few hives on Christmas Day. It is looking like it will be one of those possible swarmy years. I have drones flying from half a dozen or so of the hives in the backyard already. Glad I picked up those last 20 x 5 frame nuc boxes from you guys in November....looks like I will be needing them!
Hey Bob, it was good to see you again at the Hive Life Conference. What did you decide to do on feeding pollen patties this early. My bees are brooding up pretty good here in middle TN. Last week they had a frame or two of brood. Do you think I should feed pollen patties now or wait closer to the normal brood production time? Thanks
It was fun to see you at the conference. We're keeping patties on our colonies that have started rearing brood already and not on the ones north of the shop that have not started yet. I'm sure that sounds odd but we'll be splitting the early starters first.
I think a lot of people are going to be caught off guard due to the warmth early this winter. Going to be some losses due to starvation. Good video as always.
Happy New Year from New Hampshire. I'm a newbie babying my first swarm thru a northern winter. I enjoy your content and delivery, very educational. Loved you talking about the south to north comparison as New Hampshire is similarly topographically similar, just colder. Warmer so far up here this winter as well. Have fun at the conference.
Same issue with brood building up due to warm weather in Charlotte NC. The mites are also. I made an extra OA treatment after Christmas and mites are dropping on the checking bottom board
Bob, what is your maximum distance spread between the most northern and the most southern yard? Just curious as to what is your range of operation. Thanks.
I feel your pain Bob. Sitting up here in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. averaging +3 - +5 deg for the past 2 weeks daytime temps.... We should be around -8 this time of year. Just ordered up some fondant to put on all the hives or will end up with a bunch starving out before spring
Thanks for the video Bob as it gave me some comfort to know I was not alone. I had checked my hives in Clarksville the day before and as a new beekeeper was wondering why I found so much capped brood since it was the end of December. Then I checked my hives in Scaly Mountain and found the same thing - although the brood group was a bit smaller. And there was quite a bit of pollen coming in at both locations! I'm wondering if the bees from the existing brood will be more winter bees or summer bees?
Having the same troubles over in the uk Bob The girls have been outflying Most days with nothing to find im expecting to be having to feed everything for this year soon
Fed my bees this morning, found lots of of brood, larvae and eggs in the lower boxes. Found one double hive that was completely empty and robbed out (I fed them 2 weeks ago and all hives were health and thriving). Guess nature decided that hive wasn't going to make it. Looking forward to the Hive Life Conference to learn more about our hobby.
Thanks bob I’ll be in touch I’ve got a bee tool I’m trying to get patients on would be interested in seeing if you would like to be a partner on getting it on the market we have a company in place to produce the units I would like to get up with you and show you how it works thanks albee
It may not be possible, but I'd like to hear how well those hives with the jar top feeders took down the syrup during that short warm spell, and if they didn't take down much of it, did you pull them back off before this freezing weather set back in. I've never had much success getting bees to do much more than slowly sip on a jar once we get this deep into winter, especially if they've still got much honey left on some frames.
@@kelitagedifarm4893 We checked back a few days ago and the very small nucs didn't take very much but anything that was three frames or more had emptied the jar. I don't mind the jar sitting there until they get around to it because it won't go rancid in the cooler weather. There will be a little dripping but as long as it doesn't get too cold for too long they should keep that cleaned up for the most part. However, I do not like feed sitting in an inside feeder for extended periods of time. What wasn't in the video was that we did not fill the inside feeders that were placed in very small colonies. It seems like there's always a few things I could or should have said in these videos. Thanks.
Thanks Bob. I too have a bag full of those shouda, woulda, coulda's that I'd like to sell off at a very reasonable price one of these days. Seems like most beekeepers already have a good supply of'um, so they're kinda hard to get rid of.
My brother lives in Maxton N.C, we checked his hives Christmas Eve, and they each had around 4 frames of brood. I live up in Ohio and I don’t have any brood at the moment
If I'm late to the game pointing this out - my apologies. But did you notice the queen big as day @ 4:50? I really enjoy all of your videos! Thanks for providing this valuable information!
Our lids are very simple flat lids with a 3/8 deep x 3x4 in. wide lip on each end. The dimensions we use are 16-1/2 in. x 21-3/4 in. with a 71mm hole. There is some information in our video "Feeding Bees Part 3 - Types of Sugar Syrup and Feeders We Use " ua-cam.com/video/zjUjzHDqUtA/v-deo.html
I think that far too many people assume that their hives go broodless during winter. If the hive has a young queen and isn’t WAY far north, then they are probably never broodless. That’s why I did a 4x OAV series with a 4-day interval and 4g/deep this winter (Dec 8-20). Drop counts were checked. All hives showed dead mites from all treatments. That seems to be saying that they all have brood. Portland, OR 8b
@@bobbinnie9872 Good to know. And a bit surprising. You’d think that they would have the least amount of brood right before the solstice. According to the literature, at least. 🤷🏼♂️
Yes, they do die faster. It's best if they can just settle in at a moderately cool temperature, with an occasional cleansing flight, until there is something for them to gather.
We get them from Gamber Container in Lancaster, PA. Prepare for sticker shock if you buy some. I got mine years ago when the price was still palatable.
Hi Bob I love your videos they are very helpful to me. Can you tell me we're I can get some lid's like you use for the jar feeder's like you use to that sit on top
Hi Jeff. That's a 71mm hole which fits a standard quart jar if you feel like making some. We currently have the paraffin dipped plywood lids as seen in this video for sale at our store. Call 706 782 6722 to order. Thanks.
The fall of 2020 was similar to that for us. No rain from August through fall but very warm. We had brood in fall splits and doubles all the way into January. That caused our mite numbers to rebuild and get to critical mass before a deep freeze (-30 for a week) in February. Caused 80%loss for most beekeepers around the state.
@@bobbinnie9872 I didn't have 80%loss. I kept up on treatments through warm weather. Just something that can be forgotten about during warm fall and winter spells. This year was way easier and more normal with enough warm spells to do several OA rounds. -2° and blowing snow right now.
Yeah Bob this a crazy winter. 60°F here yesterday and 31°F and snowing with sub 0° on the way. I am in west central Illinois. Bees were flying big time yesterday. All my hives are single brood. I decided to put granulated sugar on top as an insurance policy. I was questioning the wisdom of that because the bees weren't using it much but after seeing this video I feel much better about it. I haven't check for brood. I didn't think there would be any in Dec. That may be wrong.
@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks Bob. Do you think the dry sugar will carry them through. Starting out back in November they were full of capped honey(2:1 syrup). We are back in a cold spell today and until mid week. Then it is only supposed to get to 30s in the day and teens at night after a couple of below 0 nights.
@@woodlandharvesthoneycompanyllc I'll be honest, I've not not done a lot of feeding with dry granulated sugar. That having been said I think I would be careful and make sure they can contact it if they get into a tight cluster due to extended cold weather.
Drone brude: You said you disburse your frames to other hives and don't have issues with fighting? Also, what happens to the laying worker? Do they eliminate her? Thank you. Love your videos. Gary
We don't have issues with fighting unless the bees are in a robbing mode. There can be more than one laying worker and I believe they are ether eliminated or they stop laying. Thanks.
The other, new hive bees can't smell queen pheromone on laying workers.. so they stop feeding them like they are queens... Bob l'm sure you saved many back yard beekeepers bees.. if they listen and move brood frames close to frame feeders.
Since you have brood too early wouldn't you want to keep that laying worker colony intact? So drones are present very early too. Cuz it's going to be an early re queening and swarming season most likely. At least for me only a rare day here and a rare day there that I can actually open hives (Warm winter is still colder and almost always windy and wet) or that mating flights can happen. So one laying worker colony is maybe bit of insurance for me in case we have queens that are supercede before I have weather I can even check or know.
@@bobbinnie9872 I maybe deal with more radical swings here. Anything goes. Last year for example early March it was 85deg for a day. Then back to winter. Mid March bees desperately hauling in maple pollen dodging wet snowflakes bigger than they were. 3 wks way earlier than ever hives were building queen cells. Few drones. I was grateful for that 1 laying worker colony. When life hands you lemons make lemonade. They maybe half pints but they still can mate.
Our feeder jars are 5 pound honey jars which can be found in Mann Lake, Dadant and Rossman catalogs. They do have a standard quart jar lid and hold a little less than 1/2 gallon.
Ha Bob Glad u did this video Here in Virginia where I live it has been warm we have had 2 days of some what cold weather my bees have not stopped brood at all. they were bring in pollen like mad today as well bees were flying taking orintation flights I even seen some drone bees. with 1 of my hives. been high 40-70s so far for the season. with only 2 days of frost. Now next week it is to drop and snow do u worry about your bees dieing because they do not cluster and leave the brood.. all of my hives have just candy food that I have been giving them each hive has had 2 feedings of candy that was 12.5 lbs each next week I do it again. I was thinking about giving them pollen patties as well to help them feed the brood. u mentioned patties in this video, Are u going to do that as well what is your thoughts and thanks...... 1 more question do u treat your bees in January as well if u do how many times Thanks for every thing I hope every thing works out good for you and you caring for your bees
Hi Frances. We probably will give our southern bees patties. I they're going to rear brood they might as well have some nutrition to do it with. We've already finished our three oxalic vaporization treatments for the winter. Thanks.
Yes. "Home made hole puncher".🙂 It's just a stick with a 2 penny nail. We also put another short stick above the nail head so it doesn't try to back out and we also have something to press our hand against.
Happy new year Bob! Yes we`re facing exactly the same here in Switzerland, they`re brooding up! You already treated 3x ? If yes, that was exactly the right decision to make, probably they`ve never been totally broodless, aren`t they? I`m fallowing you since quite a bit now, and I really like your setup and your decision making! Congrats, Pat!🐝
Although there is much debate about that I'm convinced that increasing daylight does play a role. But I also know that some colonies wait until the weather begins to change enough that they can gather some pollen..
Bob I'm in Kentucky but not much difference it seems in weather this year. Very warm. Was 73 on Christmas Day. With feeding syrup now what are your thoughts on condensation and such feeding that now with colder weather still coming? I thought about feeding some as well to keep them from using their stores as fast but am very unsure what to do right now
I should have mentioned it, but that's one of the reasons I was using jars instead of buckets on some colonies. A half gallon at a time won't be too bad. Plus, being in the south is more forgiving.
Texas winter on the 70Fs and 80Fs so far. My bees are very active and brooding as well, bringing lots of pollen still. Question for you Bob: Having this kind of weather, high population and bringing pollen, any possibilities of swarming? I haven't opened the hives completely (only peeking on top and feeding) since the end of November when I prepared them for winter and packed them tight, so I am not sure if they are rearing drones. What do you think or recommend?
Most colonies won't swarm until they have drones coming off. However, there is always an occasional exception to the rule. We're usually watching the drone brood as one indicator of timing.
@Bob Binnie I haven't open the hives to not break propolis seal. Should I open the hive on next warm days, or should I discard any concerns about swarming and focus on nutrition? Do you at any point in any of the seasons use a piece of queen excluder on the entrance, to prevent the queen from coming out?
@@thenewbeejournal It could be a good idea to do a spot check to check on stores if it gets warm. If you have more than one brood box you could try separating the boxes without popping the lid if you really don't want to loosen the lid or you could just put a brick on top to hold it down in the wind. Breaking the seal won't effect the bees much if that's what you're concerned about. I don't care for the idea of using a queen excluder on the entrance because drones can't get out and they can pile up at the entrance.
We order them from Gamber container which is a wholesale container distributor. I believe Dadant and Rossman Apiaries still carry them. Prepare yourself for sticker shock if you find some.
Happy New Year Bob. When I find a laying worker or drone layer I freeze all the frames to avoid having all the undersize drones in the hive or hives and I add another nucs in it's place. I read in the Bee Journal about wyatt magnum painting the laying workers and shaking them out in the yard and noticing that they fly right back to the hive. He said adding a queen right colony to the laying worker colony solves the problem. I kinda like your method(it would save me from the freezer song and dance)but When you give it to other hives do they cancel and quit rearing the "small drones"? Or do they hatch out in those colonies?
Mine also had a light yellow pollen coming in. Being less than an hour away from you I wondered if it was the cover crop the soybean farmers planted... they have a purple flower blooming.
Moisture is one of the reasons I don't like feeding in winter but in our area it's not as much of a problem as it would be farther north. The purple flower may be Hen Bit which yields a red pollen.
I really enjoy your videos. Got a question, so you don't shake out your laying worker? You just put them into another hive? I am curious as to how that works out. They don't try to kill the queen? Thanks and keep up the videos!
@@bobbinnie9872 So the laying worker just stops laying? Sorry for bothering you... but there is a lot of wrong information on the internet and I really respect your opinion...
@@route-249 I'm not completely sure what happens but I do know that workers are stimulated to lay by an extended period of time without queen pheromones present and that a decent colony would have plenty of that. Also, they probably get treated like a foreign queen when dropped in on just one frame. We avoid putting more than one frame in another colony unless it's plenty strong. What I do know for sure is that disbursing frames around in a number of good colonies has never caused us any trouble that I know of. A good question that I would like to know more about.
The problem is you can’t just shake out the laying worker, because you can’t really tell which worker is laying. Often, you will have multiple laying workers. Once you shake the bees into a queen right colony, the workers should stop laying.
What do you think about adding sugar bricks on top of the brood frames instead of syrup? They would absorb any moisture and that would help the bees to dissolve and eat the sugar wouldn't it?
Hey Bob, I am seeing similar pollen coming into my hives in the Nashville TN area. Any idea what it is from? Looking forward to seeing you at the Hive life conference next week!
Here we're getting yellow pollen from Mahonia, also known to some as Oregon Grape, and camellias. Some people are also reporting a little bit of red pollen from Hen Bit. And of course there's always some that we have no idea about.
We have a 71mm hole saw on a drill press. See our video "Feeding Bees Part 3 - Types of Sugar Syrup and Feeders We Use" for more. ua-cam.com/video/zjUjzHDqUtA/v-deo.html
Thank you for the video. Happy New Year from northern IL! Would you use fondant or dry sugar rather than syrup for the emergency food? I think I'm going to mix in a small amount of pollen sub to my dry mix if they're needing the feed. We've had several days in December where the bees were flying. Up here, I'm concerned about adding all that moisture from the syrup into the hive. Cheers!
@@bobbinnie9872 yep always short and sweet up here. It is fun to sit in the shed and listen to the winter hum of the Girls. It always amazing the heat and energy they put off. atm it is kept at a cool 39 deg F. They seem content
Bob's take on beekeeping: If any new beekeeper can't take away much from this video just remember these two Zingers. "That's the way it is though..". "Every thing just changed Jesse!" So true.... If you can't adapt on a whim you will never make it in beekeeping. Never.
Fascinating reuse of workers in a drone laying hive. Along with in position replacing with a Nuc to capture returning foragers? How do you decide using jars, frames or buckets? Your interaction, questions with your staff were appreciated! Thank you sir.
Something I should have mentioned in the video was that we used the nuc that was sitting on top of the laying worker colony so it got the field force from both. I used jars in this instance because I am hoping the colonies empty them before the cooler weather coming in next week. We'll probably be moving frames of honey around later when we begin to equalize. This will be done after we have plenty of hatching brood to boost the smaller ones with.
checking your beesbox great!!. i like it!
Thanks again bob
Solom beekeeping ✋
Happy New Year🎅🌲👍🐝С новым годом🎅🌲🐝💯
Thank you. 👍Happy New Year to you.
Bob
It's end of February first of March. Could you do a update on what you are doing in your bee yards now
Hey Bob albee here when do you start your grafting I live over the ridge from you I wished I had a day to day Appalachian bee bible on all your timings and set ups by Mr.Bob Binnie the knowledge you have allowed me to accumulate has saved me money enough that I was able to buy 6 of your hives with my honey sells and build a extraction room with Maxant equipment we are waiting on to come my yard went from 30 boxes to 200 boxes the first year I the lost candler man does very much appreciate you would like 20 more hives in the fall or whenever you have see ya bob ps still waiting on patent for new bee tool will be in touch have a good day
Hi Albee. We normally feel comfortable grafting in Late May to early April depending on the year. Some in our area start around March 20 but some years you don't get good enough mating in my view. Contact us in August about colonies this year. Thanks.
Interesting looking back in your area, we fed our bees all winter here in Florida and kept brood right thru the winter!
Our regions are so different. Pros and cons to both.👍
Same here Bob, but we see it more often here in SE Louisiana year by year due to the region. We are still seeing pollen though. Thanks for the video.
Interesting information. I appreciate whoever was in the background asking Bob for a little clarification.
That wasn't staged. John asks questions constantly which is a good thing. He's really trying to learn.👍
@@bobbinnie9872 I didn't mean to imply it was staged. I thought it was helpful and added to my understanding. Love your videos and, for me, have increased my knowledge and interest in beekeeping.
Thanks for the time and effort you put into each video.
One question, is that heavy syrup you are feeding them in late December?
@@peterlewis5119 Yes, only thick syrup in winter.
In gilmer county GA, Ellijay we have cherry trees in bloom on January 3!
Thanks for sharing interesting content Bob 👍🇺🇲
Highs in the 80s lately here in NE Florida. Still see lots of pollen coming in just watching my entrances for a few minutes. Still keeping an eye on them though, still brooding and have good stores but I think most of what's coming in is going straight to the larvae
PS: now that I've gone right through them my two deeps have pretty much cleared out the bottom box and they've both got a small amount of drone brood even. That's besides several frames of worker brood.
Here in Tennessee it was 75 degrees January 1st bees were bringing in pollen.... of course January 2nd it snowed....
Bob I put 2" shim boxes basket newspaper with 8lbs of damp dry sugar on my 60 plus colonies in nov due to very dry fall, clover and buckwheat dryed up early fed a lot of 1.5 to 1 sugar water and bees flying alot here Providence NC south of Danville Va. They were bring in pollen late Dec. Its been a crazy year.
Another great Bob Binnie video. I learned how to handle a laying worker hive (disperse frames and reuse location to salvage the field force). Also saw a neat way to put holes in feeder lids with the homemade tool with a nail. I always learn more (a lot) than the main topic covered thanks to your excellent narration that explains both what you are doing and why you are doing it. Thank you for taking the time and effort to publish them. They are much appreciated. Hope you are having fun at the Hive Alive conference!
Thanks. Just got home from a great conference.
We love ❤️ you Bob! You sure provide good wisdom for those who are wanting to seek it out.
Just checked hives in NE TX Friday. More brood than I anticipated. Orange colored pollen being brought in. Looked like dandelion but didn't notice any blooming anywhere. I left them with dry sugar. Figuring there's a lot of winter left to be feeding syrup. It was 21 when I left there this morning.
Making $$$$ is great part of it but gotta love them happy property owners they just love it
Happy New Year Bob. Thanks for the video. I'm in the Northeast and only use double deeps (sometimes a medium on top).
I've been checking feed all fall and winter. The bees stopped taking food early on and the boxes are empty. Lots of winter bees too. So, I'm feeding home made fondant. So far it's working to my surprise.
I'll start giving some pollen for more nutrition near the end of January and into February. I'm hoping the winter is mild and I can get the bees through. The weather is warm today and Tomorrow so I'll get back out again before the temps. drop into the 30's for a while. When it's been cold I peak in the tops and see the bees devouring the fondant. They're all over it.
Anyway, your practice of checking hives through winter should be a good lesson for all of us. Never know when those queens start laying.
Perfect comment. What is your fondant recipe?
@@bobbinnie9872 It's just a simple sugar, water, and vinegar. I cook it down and when it cools my thumb nail can make an imprint on it.
What I'm really looking for is the soft fondant recipe that I've seen used in Europe. I want it much softer, almost soft and tacky. Almost like the taffy candy. They use a glucose syrup or something like that. More investigating on my part. The bee suppliers are just too expensive for me so I make it myself.
@@beebob1279 Many fondants include inverted sugar which is definitely more expensive. When I was on the west coast we would buy "Drivert" which was made by C&H Sugar in San Fransisco and feed it dry.
*Best Wishes and Happy New Year Bob and Suzette* 🎉👍🇺🇲
Happy New Year. 👍
Great video Bob! We had pretty warm weather here in Nebraska until recently. It's been an interesting end to the year...
Thanks. Nebraska is on a different planet from us.
Used to have a hundred colonies but now just five as my 90 year old body just can't go the way it used to. Here in Lafayette, Va. it doesn't get as cold as in the mid-west but I have found by insulating our hives and feeding sugar patties & pollen patties keeps them strong throughout the winter months. Last year we took over 400 lbs of honey from the five hives which was very good for our area. I attribute this to the fact our colonies were exceptionally strong when the nectar season began. As we also raise queens having strong colonies early is a plus to rearing good queens, not for sale but for our own use.
I hope I'm as good as you at 90 !! 👍
Thanks so much for this video . I’m just south of you in Fayette county. Been wondering if the bees were brooding up. My questions were answered with this video and they were bringing in more pollen on the first than any day last spring. Thanks and keep them coming. Learning so much from you, Ian, and Kaman.
👍
Mr. Bob I wanted to let you know red maples 🍁 are starting to bloom here in blackshear ga. If you watch my videos that's what my 🐝 are bringing in. Happy bee keeping
Love it. 👍
Southeast Ga. Lots of yellow, orange and some Red Pollen coming in. Placed pint jars on my nucs and singles and they were empty day 2. Record High Yesterday and again Today. Seen 2 colonies with orientation flights yesterday. Doing a Inspection today.
Could be all good if you want to make more colonies!!
Just outside of Asheville...I've got pollen coming in and brood. Crazy early!
Your woodware looks fantastic!
That's one of the reasons I like lots of nuc and colony sales. Constantly renewing.
Great video Bob thanks 😊
Thanks.👍
Thanks bob from Albee you honk you could maybe write a book on Appalachian beekeeping giving days dates of all your tactics they would sell off the shelf’s are you selling any doubles in first of April if so how much for with bottom board and excluder inboard feeder and double screen divider new equipment thanks the lost candler man
Hi Albee. We generally sell colonies in late summer or fall and split with everything that's left in spring.
Mine is yellow and white pollen. Dandelion, hen bit , and some little blue flowers. Ar Blooming here.
Bob,
Happy New Year!
Thank you for these videos.
Happy New Year! Thanks.
Great video Bob this has been a huge help. Any possibility of updating first part of February? Ever have any problems with exposed feeding jars freezing with severe cold snaps, or do you pull them off when it gets really cold? Also, I would love for you to do a video of wrapping hives when to, why not, why etc.
Hi Christopher. We've never had a jar freeze with syrup in it but then we rarely go below 10°f and don't feed when it's cold. I hope to show some of these colonies when we begin to equalize in about a month. We looked at some yesterday and they're holding steady at this time.We didn't feed again because we finally got some cold weather and expect more this weekend. Sorry, I don't have any experience with wrapping hives, it's not necessary in our area (thankfully).
@@bobbinnie9872 Hey Bob thank you for the response. I'm in central AR so I would think that our winters are similar and you may even get a little colder where you're at. We had a hard freeze 2nd week of February last year and it did not get above freezing for over a week 14" of snow temps in the teens the whole 9 yards. Very unusual weather for us and I've never had a problem in the years past, but last year kicked me right in the teeth. I've learned since then, and thanks to your videos that I haven't been feeding nearly enough to prepare for winter. I fed like crazy this past fall and all appears to be well. Temps are going to be warm enough this weekend so I am going to crack the hives open and give them the ole evil eye. I have 2 horizontal hives and 2 Langstroth hives and I am wanting to expand to a total of 8 this year if all goes well. I wrapped the 2 Langstroth hives earlier when we had a cold snap, but I'm starting to think that we are to warm here for that and I may be creating more harm than good with the excess moisture. To sum up the novel that I have written you here I believe the key in milder climates is to really get them ready for winter starting in August and if that is done correctly along with proper mite management they should sustain themselves if you agree? I thought this exchange might be helpful for other fellow beekeepers that are not 100% sure of how to manage overwintering and unusual weather events.
@@christophersublett1037 You are right. It's mainly about getting them ready before winter. This is the part that many beekeepers don't give enough attention. I'm not sure if the wrap would hurt anything if there is a top vent hole. Hopefully you'll find bees to spare at your upcoming inspection.
Great video Bob. Happy New Year !
Happy New Year!! Thanks.
Oh that sure sounds like a lot of work! We are in a extreme cold snap, -38 here last night and cold last week aswell as looking ahead a week.
Looking at your brood, I’d be on the feed aswell
Burr.
nice having them in a shed with 4°C.... and at home, the fire burning!!! ;-) Pat
I agree with Bee Bob. Burr!! That kind of cold takes a lot of work and energy if you have to do anything.
Checked my hives yesterday here in South Florida and we had to move double nucs into a double deeps. My double deep hives are packed. Next week im making splits and by mid February i will be adding supers. Here bees are building up for swarm season which is January and February this far south. This last year has been great on forage i have not had to feed the bees at all!
Where are you located?
1 of warmest winters I can recall ! For sure messing up the bees lol pollen has been coming in all Dec & most of mine are brooding up already so I've been supplementing with patties & syrup so far there doing ok it seems
Seasons greetings
Seasons Greetings!!
Thank you Bob great video 🐝
Same here in UK Bee started flying and is coming to the same point they will end of with no food in store .
Good luck. I hope sugar isn't too expensive over there.
I did added found on top for each hives and bee started bringing pollen Very interesting where is from this time of the year pollen.
From Tuesday temperature going down to +7 night can get cold but interesting for how long that keeps.
Sugar granulated between £3.00/£3.50 per 5 kg
@@beekeepinggarden165 whaaaat!!! organic?
@@beekeepinggarden165 That is notably more expensive than here. I hope you won't have to feed too much.
Hello Bob. I was checking on my out yard here in Central Virginia today. I noticed a little pollen coming in. Which is very unusual at this time of year. It's gonna be 60 degrees here today, but snow tonight. The warm weather at this time of year in my opinion is hard on the bees.
I put on some Dadant winter patties a few weeks ago. They work really well for me.
I would guess that there is plenty of winter to come yet.
I'm in western Virginia and also use Dandant winter patty, I noticed the bees are eating the patty two weeks ago and threw on some sugar brick, added more patty as necessary to smaller colonies.
Bob thanks for the video! Down here in central GA the temps have been very warm with a couple of days in the 80's. The bees are in full spring mode and brining in a lot of dandelion and a little wild mustard pollen already.
I always looked forward to the wild radish (looks like mustard) when I overwintered in south Georgia. Lots of pollen in warm weather. Hope you have extra equipment on hand.
@@bobbinnie9872 I was out looking around earlier and there is a small amount of wild radish starting along with some henbit. Of course, I also took a few photos of some goldenrod that was still blooming outside a few hives on Christmas Day.
It is looking like it will be one of those possible swarmy years. I have drones flying from half a dozen or so of the hives in the backyard already. Glad I picked up those last 20 x 5 frame nuc boxes from you guys in November....looks like I will be needing them!
@@brucesouthernsassapiaries8316 Sounds like fun ahead!
Hello Bob. I noticed that your beehives don't have a metal cover. So, I wonder whether they leak water, are they totally safe? Thanks!
Yes they are very safe. We make them out of high grade plywood that stays flat and does not warp.
@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks. I will try to find such material and make cover like that.
Hey Bob, it was good to see you again at the Hive Life Conference. What did you decide to do on feeding pollen patties this early. My bees are brooding up pretty good here in middle TN. Last week they had a frame or two of brood. Do you think I should feed pollen patties now or wait closer to the normal brood production time? Thanks
It was fun to see you at the conference. We're keeping patties on our colonies that have started rearing brood already and not on the ones north of the shop that have not started yet. I'm sure that sounds odd but we'll be splitting the early starters first.
I think a lot of people are going to be caught off guard due to the warmth early this winter. Going to be some losses due to starvation. Good video as always.
I agree totally. Newer beekeepers especially.
Looking good , be making splits by February at this rate
Happy New Year from New Hampshire. I'm a newbie babying my first swarm thru a northern winter. I enjoy your content and delivery, very educational. Loved you talking about the south to north comparison as New Hampshire is similarly topographically similar, just colder. Warmer so far up here this winter as well. Have fun at the conference.
Thanks, good luck in New Hampshire.
Same issue with brood building up due to warm weather in Charlotte NC. The mites are also. I made an extra OA treatment after Christmas and mites are dropping on the checking bottom board
I can see it coming. I'm mentally preparing for the fact that I may need to do a spring treatment this year.
Checked mine today. They packing in yellow pollen and nectar from somewhere. 🤯 4 out of 17 where a little light, headed to get sugar. Frost by monday
Bob, what is your maximum distance spread between the most northern and the most southern yard? Just curious as to what is your range of operation. Thanks.
About 40 miles.
I love the Turtleman reference by Seth. If he starts a UA-cam channel of his own that is definitely the format he should use!
👍
thanks going to ck my bees today, thanks so much 8 hives 2nd year doing bees fayetteville nc
Big Bend area of Texas has been 75-80 all of December been feeding to keep them heavy looking for a late spring in 2022.
A late spring is what happened to us last year. We had almost given up on spring honey and then it suddenly came in like a flood.👍
I feel your pain Bob. Sitting up here in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. averaging +3 - +5 deg for the past 2 weeks daytime temps.... We should be around -8 this time of year. Just ordered up some fondant to put on all the hives or will end up with a bunch starving out before spring
Sounds like a good plan.
Thanks for the video Bob as it gave me some comfort to know I was not alone. I had checked my hives in Clarksville the day before and as a new beekeeper was wondering why I found so much capped brood since it was the end of December. Then I checked my hives in Scaly Mountain and found the same thing - although the brood group was a bit smaller. And there was quite a bit of pollen coming in at both locations! I'm wondering if the bees from the existing brood will be more winter bees or summer bees?
It's a guess, but I think when they start back up they're making bees to forage.
Having the same troubles over in the uk Bob The girls have been outflying Most days with nothing to find im expecting to be having to feed everything for this year soon
I received another comment earlier from the UK saying the same thing. That sugar bill is going to hurt!!
Fed my bees this morning, found lots of of brood, larvae and eggs in the lower boxes. Found one double hive that was completely empty and robbed out (I fed them 2 weeks ago and all hives were health and thriving). Guess nature decided that hive wasn't going to make it. Looking forward to the Hive Life Conference to learn more about our hobby.
See you there.
Hen's bit starting to bloom a little here in middle TN. Seeing the same thing here as you have.
We saw a little hen bit and camellia pollen coming in yesterday. At least the bees will be well nourished.
Thanks bob I’ll be in touch I’ve got a bee tool I’m trying to get patients on would be interested in seeing if you would like to be a partner on getting it on the market we have a company in place to produce the units I would like to get up with you and show you how it works thanks albee
You better ger Chris to start cranking out some queens soon....you may need them a month earlier this year.
I just talked to him a couple of days ago, setting dates the second week in March. 👍
It may not be possible, but I'd like to hear how well those hives with the jar top feeders took down the syrup during that short warm spell, and if they didn't take down much of it, did you pull them back off before this freezing weather set back in. I've never had much success getting bees to do much more than slowly sip on a jar once we get this deep into winter, especially if they've still got much honey left on some frames.
@@kelitagedifarm4893 We checked back a few days ago and the very small nucs didn't take very much but anything that was three frames or more had emptied the jar. I don't mind the jar sitting there until they get around to it because it won't go rancid in the cooler weather. There will be a little dripping but as long as it doesn't get too cold for too long they should keep that cleaned up for the most part. However, I do not like feed sitting in an inside feeder for extended periods of time. What wasn't in the video was that we did not fill the inside feeders that were placed in very small colonies. It seems like there's always a few things I could or should have said in these videos. Thanks.
Thanks Bob. I too have a bag full of those shouda, woulda, coulda's that I'd like to sell off at a very reasonable price one of these days. Seems like most beekeepers already have a good supply of'um, so they're kinda hard to get rid of.
My brother lives in Maxton N.C, we checked his hives Christmas Eve, and they each had around 4 frames of brood. I live up in Ohio and I don’t have any brood at the moment
Four frames of brood! They will be using a lot of food, fast.
If I'm late to the game pointing this out - my apologies. But did you notice the queen big as day @ 4:50? I really enjoy all of your videos! Thanks for providing this valuable information!
Good eye. Thank you.
21° below zero this morning in northern Maine. I won’t see my bees for another 4 or 5 months.
Brrr !
If you build lids can you do a video on how you make yours?
Our lids are very simple flat lids with a 3/8 deep x 3x4 in. wide lip on each end. The dimensions we use are 16-1/2 in. x 21-3/4 in. with a 71mm hole. There is some information in our video "Feeding Bees Part 3 - Types of Sugar Syrup and Feeders We Use
" ua-cam.com/video/zjUjzHDqUtA/v-deo.html
I think that far too many people assume that their hives go broodless during winter. If the hive has a young queen and isn’t WAY far north, then they are probably never broodless.
That’s why I did a 4x OAV series with a 4-day interval and 4g/deep this winter (Dec 8-20). Drop counts were checked. All hives showed dead mites from all treatments. That seems to be saying that they all have brood.
Portland, OR 8b
I agree for the most part. Most of the colonies in this video shut down briefly though. When checked in late November 3 out 4 were broodless.
@@bobbinnie9872
Good to know. And a bit surprising. You’d think that they would have the least amount of brood right before the solstice. According to the literature, at least. 🤷🏼♂️
@@RyanMcDonnough I think they forgot to read the book.
@@bobbinnie9872
Too often!
In Cincinnati, our past December had 25 flying days. Bees flying every day. What happens to the winter bees? Do they die faster?
Yes, they do die faster. It's best if they can just settle in at a moderately cool temperature, with an occasional cleansing flight, until there is something for them to gather.
@Bob Binnie That's what I thought. My bees were flying all over the place, looking for flowers.
Bob where are you getting your bulk 5 lbs honey jar 70mm lids from
We get them from Gamber Container in Lancaster, PA. Prepare for sticker shock if you buy some. I got mine years ago when the price was still palatable.
Hi Bob I love your videos they are very helpful to me. Can you tell me we're I can get some lid's like you use for the jar feeder's like you use to that sit on top
Hi Jeff. That's a 71mm hole which fits a standard quart jar if you feel like making some. We currently have the paraffin dipped plywood lids as seen in this video for sale at our store. Call 706 782 6722 to order. Thanks.
Any idea how warm they keep the inside feeder? Is it warm enough to prevent hypothermia?
As far as I know the inside feeder will take on the temperature of the hive interior. If it is too cold the bees won't take it.
The fall of 2020 was similar to that for us. No rain from August through fall but very warm. We had brood in fall splits and doubles all the way into January. That caused our mite numbers to rebuild and get to critical mass before a deep freeze (-30 for a week) in February. Caused 80%loss for most beekeepers around the state.
Ouch!! I hope this year is better for you.
@@bobbinnie9872 I didn't have 80%loss. I kept up on treatments through warm weather. Just something that can be forgotten about during warm fall and winter spells. This year was way easier and more normal with enough warm spells to do several OA rounds. -2° and blowing snow right now.
Yeah Bob this a crazy winter. 60°F here yesterday and 31°F and snowing with sub 0° on the way. I am in west central Illinois. Bees were flying big time yesterday. All my hives are single brood. I decided to put granulated sugar on top as an insurance policy. I was questioning the wisdom of that because the bees weren't using it much but after seeing this video I feel much better about it. I haven't check for brood. I didn't think there would be any in Dec. That may be wrong.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if you have a little brood.
@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks Bob. Do you think the dry sugar will carry them through. Starting out back in November they were full of capped honey(2:1 syrup). We are back in a cold spell today and until mid week. Then it is only supposed to get to 30s in the day and teens at night after a couple of below 0 nights.
@@woodlandharvesthoneycompanyllc I'll be honest, I've not not done a lot of feeding with dry granulated sugar. That having been said I think I would be careful and make sure they can contact it if they get into a tight cluster due to extended cold weather.
Drone brude:
You said you disburse your frames to other hives and don't have issues with fighting?
Also, what happens to the laying worker? Do they eliminate her?
Thank you. Love your videos.
Gary
We don't have issues with fighting unless the bees are in a robbing mode. There can be more than one laying worker and I believe they are ether eliminated or they stop laying. Thanks.
The other, new hive bees can't smell queen pheromone on laying workers.. so they stop feeding them like they are queens...
Bob l'm sure you saved many back yard beekeepers bees.. if they listen and move brood frames close to frame feeders.
Since you have brood too early wouldn't you want to keep that laying worker colony intact? So drones are present very early too. Cuz it's going to be an early re queening and swarming season most likely. At least for me only a rare day here and a rare day there that I can actually open hives (Warm winter is still colder and almost always windy and wet) or that mating flights can happen. So one laying worker colony is maybe bit of insurance for me in case we have queens that are supercede before I have weather I can even check or know.
We could keep it alive by adding good brood from time to time but I'm fairly sure we'll have plenty of drones on time if we keep them well fed.
@@bobbinnie9872 I maybe deal with more radical swings here. Anything goes. Last year for example early March it was 85deg for a day. Then back to winter. Mid March bees desperately hauling in maple pollen dodging wet snowflakes bigger than they were. 3 wks way earlier than ever hives were building queen cells. Few drones. I was grateful for that 1 laying worker colony. When life hands you lemons make lemonade. They maybe half pints but they still can mate.
What are the reasons for throwing larvae out of the cell?
Thank you
Disease, mites, starving and chilling come to mind.
Hey bobalbed the bee man here where do you get your jars are they regular mouth how many ounces appreciate you boss
Our feeder jars are 5 pound honey jars which can be found in Mann Lake, Dadant and Rossman catalogs. They do have a standard quart jar lid and hold a little less than 1/2 gallon.
Ha Bob Glad u did this video Here in Virginia where I live it has been warm we have had 2 days of some what cold weather my bees have not stopped brood at all. they were bring in pollen like mad today as well bees were flying taking orintation flights I even seen some drone bees. with 1 of my hives. been high 40-70s so far for the season. with only 2 days of frost. Now next week it is to drop and snow do u worry about your bees dieing because they do not cluster and leave the brood.. all of my hives have just candy food that I have been giving them each hive has had 2 feedings of candy that was 12.5 lbs each next week I do it again. I was thinking about giving them pollen patties as well to help them feed the brood. u mentioned patties in this video, Are u going to do that as well what is your thoughts and thanks...... 1 more question do u treat your bees in January as well if u do how many times Thanks for every thing I hope every thing works out good for you and you caring for your bees
Hi Frances. We probably will give our southern bees patties. I they're going to rear brood they might as well have some nutrition to do it with. We've already finished our three oxalic vaporization treatments for the winter. Thanks.
@@bobbinnie9872 I was wandering do u treat since your bees are still brooding like mine is thanks
I check some yesterday up here in Ohio and was shocked how little stores they had left gonna be hard next couple months
Is there a name for the tool you used with the nail to put holes in the jar lids?
Yes. "Home made hole puncher".🙂 It's just a stick with a 2 penny nail. We also put another short stick above the nail head so it doesn't try to back out and we also have something to press our hand against.
Happy new year Bob! Yes we`re facing exactly the same here in Switzerland, they`re brooding up!
You already treated 3x ? If yes, that was exactly the right decision to make, probably they`ve never been totally broodless, aren`t they?
I`m fallowing you since quite a bit now, and I really like your setup and your decision making! Congrats, Pat!🐝
Hi Pat. Yes we have treated three times already. I believe that most of them were completely broodless in late November. Happy New Year!!
Do the length of the day and the shortness of the night play a role in the activity of honey bees?
Thank you
Although there is much debate about that I'm convinced that increasing daylight does play a role. But I also know that some colonies wait until the weather begins to change enough that they can gather some pollen..
Bob I'm in Kentucky but not much difference it seems in weather this year. Very warm. Was 73 on Christmas Day. With feeding syrup now what are your thoughts on condensation and such feeding that now with colder weather still coming? I thought about feeding some as well to keep them from using their stores as fast but am very unsure what to do right now
I should have mentioned it, but that's one of the reasons I was using jars instead of buckets on some colonies. A half gallon at a time won't be too bad. Plus, being in the south is more forgiving.
Texas winter on the 70Fs and 80Fs so far. My bees are very active and brooding as well, bringing lots of pollen still. Question for you Bob: Having this kind of weather, high population and bringing pollen, any possibilities of swarming? I haven't opened the hives completely (only peeking on top and feeding) since the end of November when I prepared them for winter and packed them tight, so I am not sure if they are rearing drones. What do you think or recommend?
Most colonies won't swarm until they have drones coming off. However, there is always an occasional exception to the rule. We're usually watching the drone brood as one indicator of timing.
@Bob Binnie I haven't open the hives to not break propolis seal. Should I open the hive on next warm days, or should I discard any concerns about swarming and focus on nutrition?
Do you at any point in any of the seasons use a piece of queen excluder on the entrance, to prevent the queen from coming out?
@@thenewbeejournal It could be a good idea to do a spot check to check on stores if it gets warm. If you have more than one brood box you could try separating the boxes without popping the lid if you really don't want to loosen the lid or you could just put a brick on top to hold it down in the wind. Breaking the seal won't effect the bees much if that's what you're concerned about.
I don't care for the idea of using a queen excluder on the entrance because drones can't get out and they can pile up at the entrance.
Happy new year Bob great video thanks
are you feeding 2-1 there
Thanks Rob
Happy New Year!! Close to 2 to 1.
Where do you find those 5lb jars with regular mouth lids? I can’t find those boogers anywhere!
We order them from Gamber container which is a wholesale container distributor. I believe Dadant and Rossman Apiaries still carry them. Prepare yourself for sticker shock if you find some.
Happy New Year Bob. When I find a laying worker or drone layer I freeze all the frames to avoid having all the undersize drones in the hive or hives and I add another nucs in it's place. I read in the Bee Journal about wyatt magnum painting the laying workers and shaking them out in the yard and noticing that they fly right back to the hive. He said adding a queen right colony to the laying worker colony solves the problem. I kinda like your method(it would save me from the freezer song and dance)but When you give it to other hives do they cancel and quit rearing the "small drones"? Or do they hatch out in those colonies?
I've noticed that the drones do finish hatching in the colony you give them to. Happy New Year!!👍
Bob do you worry about moisture in the hive if you feed syrup once cold weather comes?
Mine also had a light yellow pollen coming in. Being less than an hour away from you I wondered if it was the cover crop the soybean farmers planted... they have a purple flower blooming.
Moisture is one of the reasons I don't like feeding in winter but in our area it's not as much of a problem as it would be farther north. The purple flower may be Hen Bit which yields a red pollen.
Happy new year bob . Are you still using 2/1 syrup on those colonies.
Happy New Year. Close to 2 to 1.
I really enjoy your videos. Got a question, so you don't shake out your laying worker? You just put them into another hive? I am curious as to how that works out. They don't try to kill the queen? Thanks and keep up the videos!
I've never had issues when adding a single frame of laying worker brood and bees to a good colony that has several frames or more. Thanks.
@@bobbinnie9872 So the laying worker just stops laying? Sorry for bothering you... but there is a lot of wrong information on the internet and I really respect your opinion...
@@route-249 I'm not completely sure what happens but I do know that workers are stimulated to lay by an extended period of time without queen pheromones present and that a decent colony would have plenty of that. Also, they probably get treated like a foreign queen when dropped in on just one frame. We avoid putting more than one frame in another colony unless it's plenty strong. What I do know for sure is that disbursing frames around in a number of good colonies has never caused us any trouble that I know of. A good question that I would like to know more about.
The problem is you can’t just shake out the laying worker, because you can’t really tell which worker is laying. Often, you will have multiple laying workers. Once you shake the bees into a queen right colony, the workers should stop laying.
@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks Bob...
What do you think about adding sugar bricks on top of the brood frames instead of syrup? They would absorb any moisture and that would help the bees to dissolve and eat the sugar wouldn't it?
If I was farther north I would definitely consider something like that.
Hey Bob, I am seeing similar pollen coming into my hives in the Nashville TN area. Any idea what it is from? Looking forward to seeing you at the Hive life conference next week!
Here we're getting yellow pollen from Mahonia, also known to some as Oregon Grape, and camellias. Some people are also reporting a little bit of red pollen from Hen Bit. And of course there's always some that we have no idea about.
Oh boy I look over to my morning temp and it says 2 a heat wave up here. I put sugar on when it was 20 below.
Sounds like a different planet than mine.
Bob, a lot of those stocks look quite dark in colour, are they the result of the caucasican queens you started using?
Yes, we're slowly getting darker throughout.
Where did the device to make the holes in the lids
We have a 71mm hole saw on a drill press. See our video "Feeding Bees Part 3 - Types of Sugar Syrup and Feeders We Use" for more. ua-cam.com/video/zjUjzHDqUtA/v-deo.html
Thank you for the video. Happy New Year from northern IL!
Would you use fondant or dry sugar rather than syrup for the emergency food?
I think I'm going to mix in a small amount of pollen sub to my dry mix if they're needing the feed. We've had several days in December where the bees were flying.
Up here, I'm concerned about adding all that moisture from the syrup into the hive.
Cheers!
If I was in northern Illinois I would certainly consider fondant. You're right about the moisture.
Thank
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Hi Bob-happy New Year! What were you feeding them? 2:1 or something thinner?
Happy New Year! We were feeding just a bit under 2 to 1 but not thin.
Hi! What means 2:1; 2 kg sugar and 1 liter of water? Thanks!
@@buneamarinica3480 @1 kg of sugar to 1kg of water or 2 liter sugar to 1 liter of water. The weight of water and sugar are close to the same.
@@buneamarinica3480 two parts sugar to one part water. You can go by volume or weight-doesn’t matter for this application.
Are you going to be adjusting your mite strategy with the early brood build up?
Yes. We will be watching them closely for mites and I'm preparing for the idea of possibly doing a spring treatment before supers go on. We'll see.
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Hi Bob!
How many hives wintering now?
I think around 1000. We sold a lot in the fall and will build back more this spring and summer.
Wow thanks
Happy New Year Oscar.
Up here its cold and today is more snow. Thank God for a SHED
Matthew, you're in a different world than us.😎
@@bobbinnie9872 yep always short and sweet up here. It is fun to sit in the shed and listen to the winter hum of the Girls. It always amazing the heat and energy they put off. atm it is kept at a cool 39 deg F. They seem content
Bob's take on beekeeping:
If any new beekeeper can't take away much from this video just remember these two Zingers.
"That's the way it is though..".
"Every thing just changed Jesse!"
So true....
If you can't adapt on a whim you will never make it in beekeeping. Never.
Right now up here in Nebraska it’s 5f with a -12f wind chill. My guess is our queens aren’t laying up like yours in Georgia right now.
My guess is you're right.
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