as an Ausie beekeeper winterizing isn't an issue in my area but i always pick up a tip in all of your videos , thank you for your hard work and sharing your experience
2nd year bee keeper here. I've rolled a queen this year, had some swarm issues this fall, and I wasn't expecting that! But all is good, just having fun learning. Live in Utah zone 5
I haven't been able to find any information about how to calculate / determine the season based on the weather for an individual answer. As far as I can tell, the seasons are the same regardless of location for each hemisphere. Help!?
Whether I see gaping holes or not, I like to run duct tape along the seems in the boxes as an addition insurance against wind. I don't open the hive for any reason that time of year anyway so I don't see any issue with this.
Scraping off bur comb and smoked the queen in late spring.. If you don't feed at proper times your colony will suffer. Throw liquid syrup to them until its heavy or the bees stop taking the sugar. I feed sugar bricks if a colony needs help, normally they pull through like a champ, a little pollen added to the sugar also helps in early spring.. Good advice about messing up to learn.
Hi David I would like to watch your live stream I live in Victoria Australia wat stare in the us are you so I can match up the time difference cheers Keith
As far as mite control, can you just maintain the mite treatment all year round. Can we keep 2 mite strips in the bee hive all year round, by changing out the mite strips every 2 or 3 months?
Yes, sometimes you just have to try stuff. I wanted to have two foundation less frames sort of near the outer edge of the box so the bees could do whatever they wanted with them. But, when I put them side by side, the bees make some of the wonkiest comb I’d ever seen. So thinking about what to do, I tried sandwiching them between foundations. Made them keep the free comb as straight as it could be.
Thank you for the video! I just made sugar bricks with 5 pounds sugar, 1/2 cup water, and a splash of honeybee healthy. I baked it for a few hours at 170 degrees Fahrenheit to harden. I have read articles from both sides of the fence whether heating sugar is bad or good for the bees. Do you think this method I used is ok for the bees? Thank you!!
One tip for fixing that corner damage (not while in active use) try fiberglass Bondo like you would use on a car. Even the USS Constitution uses the method for smaller repairs.
Would always put tea tree essential oils in my feed rather brick or liguid. Really like essential oils just dont know the amount so no recipes just my bees and keep records for myself
My take on insulating a hive is The Bees are the furnace that keeps the hive warm. A well insulated hive means the bees do not have to work as hard to keep it warm and that means they will live longer. Bees in the wild will choose a spot that is protected. Tree hollows are well insulated.
All of my hives have so much nectar however there’s zero pollen in there! My queens in every hive quit laying 6 weeks ago and I laid eyes on them so I know there’s queens in there. So now I have to feed pollen somehow. I was really banking on goldenrod season but obviously there really wasn’t one even though they had been blooming since September. I’m in piedmont NC. Still upper 60’s during the day and 30’s-40’s at night. This season / this year has baffled me.
Won't hurt you bees but won't really help either. Heat rises. Insulate the top if nothing else. Most screened bottom boards come with a plastic insert that works fine for Winter.
Make sure bees can get out or better yet put the 2 inches of board under the top cover. I put an irmire shim on top of the box to make room for fondant. I put 2 inches of fondant on the entire top frames and close it up for the winter. I will check again in a month or so on a warm day. I also use screened bottom boards with entrance reducers. If you took care of your mites you can sleep at night
With those shades your bobble head alter ego looks like some guy watching a nuke test. Old B&W videos like shown with the old duck and cover songs. LOL
as an Ausie beekeeper winterizing isn't an issue in my area but i always pick up a tip in all of your videos , thank you for your hard work and sharing your experience
Thanks for the wisdom!
David, everything you talked about in the video I experienced and a great learning experience in my the first 3 years of bee keeping. GREAT VIDEO 👍
What I tell everyone is to go find out how much insulation is in a 6 inch tree cavity
Guilty I killed a queen this year and my swarm control was off ,work really had me but my game plan is on for next year .God's willing
Thanks for the video Great 👍 info. 😊
2nd year bee keeper here. I've rolled a queen this year, had some swarm issues this fall, and I wasn't expecting that!
But all is good, just having fun learning. Live in Utah zone 5
I bought your candy board last year and love it!
I forget how to make the candy, though. Is there a video??
Thanks David, do you like the idea of wrapping with roofing paper aka tar paper?
Thanks for watching. I answered this question in my last livestream: ua-cam.com/users/livepF8btEC3r10
I haven't been able to find any information about how to calculate / determine the season based on the weather for an individual answer.
As far as I can tell, the seasons are the same regardless of location for each hemisphere. Help!?
Whether I see gaping holes or not, I like to run duct tape along the seems in the boxes as an addition insurance against wind. I don't open the hive for any reason that time of year anyway so I don't see any issue with this.
Scraping off bur comb and smoked the queen in late spring.. If you don't feed at proper times your colony will suffer. Throw liquid syrup to them until its heavy or the bees stop taking the sugar. I feed sugar bricks if a colony needs help, normally they pull through like a champ, a little pollen added to the sugar also helps in early spring.. Good advice about messing up to learn.
Hi David I would like to watch your live stream I live in Victoria Australia wat stare in the us are you so I can match up the time difference cheers Keith
I believe the answer to the question should we wrap our hives for winter depends on where in the world you live.
My hive froze after a week of 4 degrees. It was sad, froze in cluster. Unusual around here, but if it’s gonna be that cold I will definitely insulate.
I wonder if bees could eat frozen 1:1 sugar water or even 2:1 or if it gets to solid?
As far as mite control, can you just maintain the mite treatment all year round. Can we keep 2 mite strips in the bee hive all year round, by changing out the mite strips every 2 or 3 months?
How fast will candy melt if we have a warm up? Just south of Bloomington indiana..it happens.
Yes, sometimes you just have to try stuff. I wanted to have two foundation less frames sort of near the outer edge of the box so the bees could do whatever they wanted with them. But, when I put them side by side, the bees make some of the wonkiest comb I’d ever seen. So thinking about what to do, I tried sandwiching them between foundations. Made them keep the free comb as straight as it could be.
Thank you for the video! I just made sugar bricks with 5 pounds sugar, 1/2 cup water, and a splash of honeybee healthy. I baked it for a few hours at 170 degrees Fahrenheit to harden. I have read articles from both sides of the fence whether heating sugar is bad or good for the bees. Do you think this method I used is ok for the bees? Thank you!!
One tip for fixing that corner damage (not while in active use) try fiberglass Bondo like you would use on a car. Even the USS Constitution uses the method for smaller repairs.
Would always put tea tree essential oils in my feed rather brick or liguid. Really like essential oils just dont know the amount so no recipes just my bees and keep records for myself
Nothing beats a failer but a try
My take on insulating a hive is The Bees are the furnace that keeps the hive warm. A well insulated hive means the bees do not have to work as hard to keep it warm and that means they will live longer. Bees in the wild will choose a spot that is protected. Tree hollows are well insulated.
All of my hives have so much nectar however there’s zero pollen in there! My queens in every hive quit laying 6 weeks ago and I laid eyes on them so I know there’s queens in there. So now I have to feed pollen somehow. I was really banking on goldenrod season but obviously there really wasn’t one even though they had been blooming since September. I’m in piedmont NC. Still upper 60’s during the day and 30’s-40’s at night. This season / this year has baffled me.
Good evening! I have a 10 frame hive that has a screened bottom, I purchased a 2 inch insulation board to slide in there. Is this safe for my bees?
Why insulate the bottom? I would insulate the top if anything
Won't hurt you bees but won't really help either. Heat rises. Insulate the top if nothing else. Most screened bottom boards come with a plastic insert that works fine for Winter.
Make sure bees can get out or better yet put the 2 inches of board under the top cover. I put an irmire shim on top of the box to make room for fondant. I put 2 inches of fondant on the entire top frames and close it up for the winter. I will check again in a month or so on a warm day. I also use screened bottom boards with entrance reducers. If you took care of your mites you can sleep at night
Recipe for candy board please? Anyone? I forgot how to make it
I've learned more from my mistakes in beekeeping than anything else. Don't be afraid to try new things and prepare to share the knowledge you gain.
I'm ok if I make a mistake but I learn from it. I feel like I have failed if I keep making the same mistake over and over again.
Good evening David from Niagara region southern Ontario near Niagara falls
I thought I made a mistake once ! But I was wrong . LOL
Good Evening David ! Really could use a few WBK boards 😊
I am a couple hours south of you and feed all winter long
If your getting -10 and up I would wrap them keeps stress off
I’ve heard feeding 2:1 sugar syrup is ok for winter.
With those shades your bobble head alter ego looks like some guy watching a nuke test. Old B&W videos like shown with the old duck and cover songs. LOL
Added my first package of bees this spring and when removing the cork from the queen cage I damaged my queen.....I won't do that again!!!