Nathan, your videoa are getting better with every one! I genuinely get excited when you drop a new one. Thank you for doing them, I know it takes time that you could use doing other things, but please know you are investing in other people by doing this.
Kids playing with snapping turtles lol nothing like living in the country, I know I'm glad to be in the country! You're still making forward progress, lots of work!
I understand your pain. I wish I had time for bee keeping, far too busy doing everything else. Hopefully once the infrastructure is there it will become the dream for us both 👍
We've always left them in the swarm trap until they have their own brood. Then hive them up. We've never had them abscond with this method. It also seems to enhance the catching power of the trap when reset. It might not be efficient enough for your operation to wait the extra time. We usually wait 10 days to 2 weeks to have capped brood. Thanks for your great videos. Good luck!
I started building my own inner covers also. I have some cheapies still around but I’m phasing them out. Your honey house is coming along. Enjoying watching your growth. Thanks for this great series of videos. Take care.
That was a nice new flare in the video department Nathan. Very well done. There is an economy of scale in any business but I like your approach. Your marketing skills will make a huge difference that should allow you to not have to get so huge. Your business sense will tell you where to go and the Lord is blessing you. Take care and I hope you are having a good week. I have finally started putting on the first supers this last week or so. I'm so far behind you in the honey flow.
@@DuckRiverHoney I made 1400 lbs last year with 8 hives. This year I've got 9 hives so You will still beat me bad. LOL I hope you do. The bees dwindled a bit this spring so they weren't as strong in mid April like 2022. Long cold early spring with no warm ups.
175 lb average is hard to do here. 80 to 120 is more realistic on the spring flow, then we can make more in June in some years. I’m shifting focus to building bees.
Nicely done on the video! Our flow here in Ok has been lighter than last year so far also, but it’s also been a cooler start to the spring than last year. Keep it up!
Elderberry early... I'm noticing that basswood/linden have already started setting flower buds. I've never noticed them much but seems a bit early. I'll keep notes to see how it compares to next year.
Our black locust has been fantastic trees dripping and covered in white blooms but fading fast. Poplar is on and probably peaking now. But we have had no rain and what we had was weeks and weeks ago and nothing in the the next 10 day forecast either. Hives are going to have some serious issues if we don't get rain soon. Brambles and wild rose in bloom now. Seems the flow here has been fast and furious but I'm thinking it will disappear due to the lack of rain. Spotted Lanternfly honeydew might save us. First instar are everywhere.
I am surprised that food would lock a swarm in more effectively than a frame of brood. Guess doing both is best. Working on getting to 30 hives this year. And I'm thinking of using the crazy basswood flow to draw the wax for next year brood chambers instead of using only mediums. It's gonna be HEAVY but it will make expanding next year a lot easier.
My theory is this - swarms are full of engorged bees. Engorged bees make wax. Stick a swarm in a box and feed it, and wax is naturally produced. They’ll have a frame or two drawn the first night. Once they’ve invested resources there they’re committed.
We have some pretty interesting ants here. Some will try to make a nest above the inner cover, some are so small you can't see them until you feel the sting, some will walk right into the hive and pull the larvae out before the bees can mount a defense, etc. Anyway, I found that if I lightly char the inner cover with a blowtorch it will act as a repellent for ants and also preserve the wood a lot longer. Thanks, Conner
Two questions for you. What kind and size honey pumps did you end up with? And are you tracking the upcoming El Nino weather pattern that is building and what will be for you? They are predicting a hot dry summer up in NY.
Your video series has hit at a perfect time for me. I’m running around 40 hives right now and I’m trying to decide on wether or not to just jump in with both feet. I guess my biggest problem is finding funding for equipment. But I also got laid off as well and I need to get money coming in real fast. I just pulled 55 gallons of honey but honestly selling bees has been more profitable. Luckily I don’t have to deal with Mt Laurel.
Probably just luck but I’ve only ever lost one swarm that was caught late summer. The way I’ve done it with swarm traps so far has been to move them after I know the queen is laying in the trap and then I don’t get into them for a couple days after I bring them to the yard.
Last month I let my queens lay up in 4 deeps. The ones that filled them out I was able to make 10 nucs out of one hive. I only keep 9 frames in my boxes.
Hey Nathan, So I have noticed the sugar syrup feed that I have been giving my nuc splits is fermenting pretty fast so I have actually taken all of the syrup feed off my nucs since the flow is on. They all seem to still be drawing and growing just fine, your thoughts?
Apple cider vinegar, bleach, Hive Alive, and some other additives help prevent fermentation. The bees do sometimes quit using syrup as much if they’re on a good flow.
Where do you sell that large of a honey crop? I wouldn’t mind expanding to 20-25 colonies but have no clue how to sell that much honey. How do you separate out the mt laurel? Taste each frame?
I wholesale and retail honey. The majority of it sells through wholesale accounts. On the Mt Laurel I’ll mark boxes from that yard and then mark boxes that I suspect or know have some exposure and then taste the frames before extracting.
![Building a Bee Business [Vlog #16]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9g0KTqOf7OM/mqdefault.jpg)
![Building a Bee Business [Vlog #16]](/img/tr.png)
I’ve north seen turtles spar off like that , cool!
This time of year I also get a part day in before the day begins
The pond wasn’t big enough for the two of them 😂.
Early to bed and early to rise make a man healthy, wealthy, and wise….
I enjoy following along in your journey and look forward to watching each time you post a video.
Thanks Chris!
Good Dad👍then comes the boy atpoke it with a stick😂Happy Lords Day Nathan.
Thanks DC!
Nathan, your videoa are getting better with every one! I genuinely get excited when you drop a new one. Thank you for doing them, I know it takes time that you could use doing other things, but please know you are investing in other people by doing this.
I appreciate that a lot Michael, thanks!
Kids playing with snapping turtles lol nothing like living in the country, I know I'm glad to be in the country! You're still making forward progress, lots of work!
Thanks Chuck! My kids aren’t as countrified as I grew up, but still better than most these days.
I understand your pain. I wish I had time for bee keeping, far too busy doing everything else. Hopefully once the infrastructure is there it will become the dream for us both 👍
Thanks!
We've always left them in the swarm trap until they have their own brood. Then hive them up. We've never had them abscond with this method. It also seems to enhance the catching power of the trap when reset. It might not be efficient enough for your operation to wait the extra time. We usually wait 10 days to 2 weeks to have capped brood. Thanks for your great videos. Good luck!
These were caught swarms, not trapped swarms.
I started building my own inner covers also. I have some cheapies still around but I’m phasing them out. Your honey house is coming along. Enjoying watching your growth. Thanks for this great series of videos. Take care.
Thanks Garry!
Great video! Thanks for the update. I enjoy following along with your journey. Keep on truck'n you'll get there!
I appreciate it!
Great video, as always. Thanks for letting the world follow your progress!
Thanks!
Stay the course and enjoy the journey.
Thanks Barry!
That was a nice new flare in the video department Nathan. Very well done.
There is an economy of scale in any business but I like your approach. Your marketing skills will make a huge difference that should allow you to not have to get so huge. Your business sense will tell you where to go and the Lord is blessing you. Take care and I hope you are having a good week. I have finally started putting on the first supers this last week or so. I'm so far behind you in the honey flow.
Russell I bet you’ll pass me in the honey flow. Ours has been below average and stalled out for two weeks. I always appreciate hearing from you.
@@DuckRiverHoney I made 1400 lbs last year with 8 hives. This year I've got 9 hives so You will still beat me bad. LOL I hope you do. The bees dwindled a bit this spring so they weren't as strong in mid April like 2022. Long cold early spring with no warm ups.
175 lb average is hard to do here. 80 to 120 is more realistic on the spring flow, then we can make more in June in some years. I’m shifting focus to building bees.
Enjoyed this one Nathan! I've been up early moving swarms and starting new yards the last two weekends. Keep up the good work!
Thanks!
Nicely done on the video! Our flow here in Ok has been lighter than last year so far also, but it’s also been a cooler start to the spring than last year. Keep it up!
Thanks Chris!
Elderberry early... I'm noticing that basswood/linden have already started setting flower buds. I've never noticed them much but seems a bit early. I'll keep notes to see how it compares to next year.
Thanks for that Nancy, I’m watching our basswood but haven’t seen anything yet.
Our black locust has been fantastic trees dripping and covered in white blooms but fading fast. Poplar is on and probably peaking now. But we have had no rain and what we had was weeks and weeks ago and nothing in the the next 10 day forecast either. Hives are going to have some serious issues if we don't get rain soon. Brambles and wild rose in bloom now. Seems the flow here has been fast and furious but I'm thinking it will disappear due to the lack of rain. Spotted Lanternfly honeydew might save us. First instar are everywhere.
Our flow has been below average I’d say. Some hives haven’t even filled drawn comb I gave them.
Interesting g video , bit of everything makes it more interesting , that bulldozer in the background yours . Peter 🇦🇺
The dozer isn’t mine, though it dig a pond for us 25 or 30 years ago.
I am surprised that food would lock a swarm in more effectively than a frame of brood. Guess doing both is best. Working on getting to 30 hives this year.
And I'm thinking of using the crazy basswood flow to draw the wax for next year brood chambers instead of using only mediums. It's gonna be HEAVY but it will make expanding next year a lot easier.
My theory is this - swarms are full of engorged bees. Engorged bees make wax. Stick a swarm in a box and feed it, and wax is naturally produced. They’ll have a frame or two drawn the first night. Once they’ve invested resources there they’re committed.
Nathan, what would be the appropriate time to leave a swarm in a seven frame trap before moving them into a regular hive box?
If they’ve moved in I’d move them and feed them.
I have a 2006 double cab tundra also. With two car seats in the back.
😂
We have some pretty interesting ants here. Some will try to make a nest above the inner cover, some are so small you can't see them until you feel the sting, some will walk right into the hive and pull the larvae out before the bees can mount a defense, etc. Anyway, I found that if I lightly char the inner cover with a blowtorch it will act as a repellent for ants and also preserve the wood a lot longer.
Thanks, Conner
Thanks Conner, it’s neat to hear about beekeeping in the Middle East.
Two questions for you. What kind and size honey pumps did you end up with? And are you tracking the upcoming El Nino weather pattern that is building and what will be for you? They are predicting a hot dry summer up in NY.
Thanks Ronald, QA
You got something rare there first time ever seen videotape with turtles making baby
Was it two boys fighting or a boy and girl making more turtles? 🤣
Your video series has hit at a perfect time for me. I’m running around 40 hives right now and I’m trying to decide on wether or not to just jump in with both feet. I guess my biggest problem is finding funding for equipment. But I also got laid off as well and I need to get money coming in real fast. I just pulled 55 gallons of honey but honestly selling bees has been more profitable. Luckily I don’t have to deal with Mt Laurel.
I appreciate it, and good luck to you!
Probably just luck but I’ve only ever lost one swarm that was caught late summer. The way I’ve done it with swarm traps so far has been to move them after I know the queen is laying in the trap and then I don’t get into them for a couple days after I bring them to the yard.
With trapped swarms I have little issue. It’s caught swarms that will try to abscond. They don’t want to commit to the box.
I was able to pick out that one of the turtles tails was male, but was that a territorial sparing match between males, or was that mating?
Good question!
Crossed AI Caucasian with my, Carnis, and Italian, they are doing Amazing. But I only have 56 hives and growing. Good Job.
Thanks! I’ve got a few cau x carni I’m trying out too.
Last month I let my queens lay up in 4 deeps. The ones that filled them out I was able to make 10 nucs out of one hive. I only keep 9 frames in my boxes.
That works! I’ll do a late round of splits, but hope to nearly be where I need to be before then.
Hey Nathan,
So I have noticed the sugar syrup feed that I have been giving my nuc splits is fermenting pretty fast so I have actually taken all of the syrup feed off my nucs since the flow is on. They all seem to still be drawing and growing just fine, your thoughts?
Apple cider vinegar, bleach, Hive Alive, and some other additives help prevent fermentation. The bees do sometimes quit using syrup as much if they’re on a good flow.
Where do you sell that large of a honey crop?
I wouldn’t mind expanding to 20-25 colonies but have no clue how to sell that much honey.
How do you separate out the mt laurel? Taste each frame?
I wholesale and retail honey. The majority of it sells through wholesale accounts. On the Mt Laurel I’ll mark boxes from that yard and then mark boxes that I suspect or know have some exposure and then taste the frames before extracting.
@@DuckRiverHoney good deal!
Can you distinguish mt laurel by the color?
Does rhododendron give awful tasting honey as well?
The color is a light amber, not dark at all. Common color. Rhododendron is closely related to Mt Laurel and also has a terrible honey.
@@DuckRiverHoney I appreciate the info!
👍
Does the Mountain Laurel honey taste as bad as that Buckwheat honey you tricked me into tasting?
It’s way worse.
What kind of bee jacket/hood do you use? I'm thinking about getting a new one and are looking for recommendations.
Ultrabreeze. I’ve got a full suit and a jacket. Wear the jacket mostly these days. Very good quality.
Good bee truck but needs flatbed.
I would drive around and spray round up on the mountain laurel…
I’d need to rope off to get to it. It’s on a bluff face.
Spray bottle with wintergreen oil will kill the ants & not hurt the bees.
👍
100% pure mutt bees
Heterosis!!!
My Laurel honey is toxic to children and some adults
It is. Luckily it tastes so awful I can’t imagine anyone eating much of it.