Hey, Hey here in southern PA we have newly hatched drones! Saw two in a hive yesterday! Pollen colors from whitish tan, gray, green, orange, red, yellows. Spring is headed your way!
I imagine my bees are raising drones too but I haven't made any inspections yet, I hope to soon though. Until then I'll have to keep a closer eye on the entrance. I need to see a bunch of drone so I can start my queen rearing season.
I like to feed as soon as the weather breaks. A strong hive can keep the internal hive temperature very warm so the bees can move around and take in the syrup. The bees can be feeding at night and build up twice as fast then if they were just forging during the day. You want them exploding as soon as the pear trees bloom. I use screened bottom boards and a large top entrance for good air flow. I’m in southeastern pa.
What do you consider the weather breaking? I agree the bees can keep the inside of the hive warm but it's takes a large cluster of bees to do so. I know it can be common to see a small cluster this time of year so I had to advise to not feed unless over 32°f.
Jason Chrisman I like to look at the long range forecast on accuweather. If it’s 50s during the day that’s ok by me. Strong March and April sun goes along way.
Just a little more info for fellow nerds! Purple deadnettle’s scientific name Lamium purpureum has the Greek translation ‘the devouring purple monster’. The name is perfect to describe the effect the weed has on its environment. It is an annual winter weed in generally warm areas, which transforms entire plowed farmed lands into reddish purple fields. It has multiple medicinal purposes, and is considered a diuretic, diaphoretic, astringent, purgative, and styptic. The fresh leaves are helpful for external wounds or cuts.
@@JCsBees Lamium amplexicaule, wild flower known as henbit dead-nettle, common henbit, or greater henbit Lamium confertum, garden henbit Lamium maculatum, spotted henbit Veronica hederifolia, small henbit or ivy-leaved speedwell Lamium galeobdolon, yellow henbit or yellow archangel Lamium album, white henbit or archangel Plagiobothrys lamprocarpus, shinyfruit popcornflower, less commonly known as henbit dead-nettle Lamium purpureum, red henbit or red dead-nettle Monarda russeliana, Russells henbit or redpurple beebalm
Great tip about Wikipedia book printing, however it appears that their book printing feature is not functioning at this time. Being updated. Here is the message I get: Book Creator is undergoing changes Due to severe issues with our existing system, the Book Creator will no longer support saving a book as a PDF for a short period of time. We are working hard to replace our system and re-enable PDFs within the Book Creator. I will check back later. BTW, I tried downloading the PDF version, but the downloaded file has no colors in the pollen color boxes, so is of little use. But it still looks good online.
Dave, Thanks for letting me know the site is working on the book creator feature, I did not realize that. It's been a long time since I have went to that feature. Hopefully it's back up before long.
hey jason, i have a question...my bees of my strongest hive were up on top in early December. I gave them candy boards and winter patties. So far all hives are alive. I did an inspection last week when it was close to 70 degrees and found that there was a ton of honey stores left in the brood boxes. Why did they not eat the honey and should i leave the honey stores in there? Im just alittle concerned that they still wont eat it and they'll become honey bound even before the flow and start swarm prep soon. Great video....thanks!!
@Pa Beekeeper Hello, Glad to hear your hives all survived winter. I don't think I would remove those frames just yet but I would keep an eye on them. It's early spring and we have a bunch of rain to come. April showers bring May flowers, right? During them rainy days the bees will want to have that extra food to fall back on. In another 3-4 weeks if they still have excess food stores then maybe remove some of it. You can freeze it until the bees need it or extract it if it's honey and not syrup from fall feedings. Or if you plan to make splits you could use the food store frames for each split. I wouldn't be worried about swarming just yet but it is a good idea to keep it on your mind. Hope this is of help, good luck!
I was intrigued to look up the wickipedia however I noticed that they r conflicting about what trees r good for honey bees. Every where else I search the black locust tree is one of the best tress for making honey but not on wickipedia. I love the color chart but question some of their accuracy. Did I misunderstood something?
You are right about the purple dead nettle and henbit. I never noticed the difference until I looked both images online and recognized both.Purple dead nettle is blooming now in south Arkansas.
Keep feeding in the spring until they stop taking it or you are going to put your honey supers on. Make sure you have empty comb for them to put it in or they will swarm. Swarm season in southeastern pa is around Mother’s Day.
@Wesley Smith The same rule applies. When the temps drop below freezing the feeder is removed the next day for the winter. You would also want to stop feeding if the supers are on as they would just store the syrup in the super.
Good information, but feeding your bees when they have stores can result in them storing the sugar water and then the queen not having a lot of room to lay.
Thanks for Red Pollen tip, my Pollen chart says Horse Chestnut (which only saw Chestnut twice in this whole area ,probably not right here by me) I do got Purple Dead Nettle, I as well thought it was Henbit, I had backwards I thought henbit was the early one. My neighbor asked yesterday and said that stuff really stinks I thought it was him I told her good to know it's dead nettle. I was telling them about the red Paul and also my bees have been bring it in for 2 weeks that I know of thanks for sharing that I've never seen my bees bring in red pollen like that and it's been a mystery to me thanks for filling me in
Another great, interesting and informative video buddy! Definitely going to check out the Wikipedia pollen chart download. Even pondering some basic microscopy courses that would be helpful in severally aspects of beekeeping. Keep a sharp edge on that buck knife brother it's getting pricey for blue-collar feller to shave these days.
I started feeding last week. Bittercress and maples are blooming here in Cincinnati. Only 1 day Monday morning is below freezing. Thinking 1 day not an issue. Right at 32 this morning.
I just got my first hive of bees and they were all over the sugar syrup for like a week then they just stopped but there is a steady train of bees coming into the hive with pollen.
@@stevesoutdoorworld4340 I promise I will do just that. I am also getting into the bee rescues now. I am getting offers to remove bees (because if it isn't a major deal I will do it for free.) and I would so much rather take the bees to my house than them be exterminated. Low income areas are a gold mine for bee hives. The people don't have money to pay for a removal and I want those bees. Everyone wins. They get rid of bees they don't want I get bees I do want. Win win for all.
Thanks Jason, bees started bringing in lots of yellow Pollen about a week and a half ago. I was pretty sure it was Maple but not positive, as there is nothing producing pollen here in Wooster Ohio.
I would say for sure it was pollen. Things are greening up fast with this warmer weather. I imagine this last rain is really gonna send things into overdrive once it warms back up.
![How to Supply Pollen to Your Bees in the Hive 🐝 | [Bee Pollen, Hive Preparation, Swarm Management]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LUTF2ZeDIJk/mqdefault.jpg)
Hey, Hey here in southern PA we have newly hatched drones! Saw two in a hive yesterday! Pollen colors from whitish tan, gray, green, orange, red, yellows. Spring is headed your way!
I imagine my bees are raising drones too but I haven't made any inspections yet, I hope to soon though. Until then I'll have to keep a closer eye on the entrance. I need to see a bunch of drone so I can start my queen rearing season.
I like to feed as soon as the weather breaks. A strong hive can keep the internal hive temperature very warm so the bees can move around and take in the syrup. The bees can be feeding at night and build up twice as fast then if they were just forging during the day. You want them exploding as soon as the pear trees bloom. I use screened bottom boards and a large top entrance for good air flow. I’m in southeastern pa.
What do you consider the weather breaking? I agree the bees can keep the inside of the hive warm but it's takes a large cluster of bees to do so. I know it can be common to see a small cluster this time of year so I had to advise to not feed unless over 32°f.
Jason Chrisman I like to look at the long range forecast on accuweather. If it’s 50s during the day that’s ok by me. Strong March and April sun goes along way.
Just a little more info for fellow nerds!
Purple deadnettle’s scientific name Lamium purpureum has the Greek translation ‘the devouring purple monster’. The name is perfect to describe the effect the weed has on its environment. It is an annual winter weed in generally warm areas, which transforms entire plowed farmed lands into reddish purple fields. It has multiple medicinal purposes, and is considered a diuretic, diaphoretic, astringent, purgative, and styptic. The fresh leaves are helpful for external wounds or cuts.
Thanks for sharing the information. I love seeing the purple colored overcast on the fields early spring and I forgot it had medical values.
In Ireland it is hardly ever seen in fields, shaded gaps or on ditches, garden edges etc.
Flowers for 9 months.
Another great vid. The confusion between deadnettle and henbit is real.
Thanks!
Also known as red henbit.
We just had two nights at 27F....
They are to different plants you know that right? We are coming out of a couple cold days too.
@@JCsBees Lamium amplexicaule, wild flower known as henbit dead-nettle, common henbit, or greater henbit
Lamium confertum, garden henbit
Lamium maculatum, spotted henbit
Veronica hederifolia, small henbit or ivy-leaved speedwell
Lamium galeobdolon, yellow henbit or yellow archangel
Lamium album, white henbit or archangel
Plagiobothrys lamprocarpus, shinyfruit popcornflower, less commonly known as henbit dead-nettle
Lamium purpureum, red henbit or red dead-nettle
Monarda russeliana, Russells henbit or redpurple beebalm
Great tip about Wikipedia book printing, however it appears that their book printing feature is not functioning at this time. Being updated. Here is the message I get:
Book Creator is undergoing changes
Due to severe issues with our existing system, the Book Creator will no longer support saving a book as a PDF for a short period of time. We are working hard to replace our system and re-enable PDFs within the Book Creator.
I will check back later. BTW, I tried downloading the PDF version, but the downloaded file has no colors in the pollen color boxes, so is of little use. But it still looks good online.
Dave, Thanks for letting me know the site is working on the book creator feature, I did not realize that. It's been a long time since I have went to that feature. Hopefully it's back up before long.
Thanks for the info
Excellent infos , thank ya very much for your efforts , God bless ya
hey jason, i have a question...my bees of my strongest hive were up on top in early December. I gave them candy boards and winter patties. So far all hives are alive. I did an inspection last week when it was close to 70 degrees and found that there was a ton of honey stores left in the brood boxes. Why did they not eat the honey and should i leave the honey stores in there? Im just alittle concerned that they still wont eat it and they'll become honey bound even before the flow and start swarm prep soon. Great video....thanks!!
I'm just posting so I will see the answer to this one when Jason posts! Great question.
@Pa Beekeeper Hello, Glad to hear your hives all survived winter. I don't think I would remove those frames just yet but I would keep an eye on them. It's early spring and we have a bunch of rain to come. April showers bring May flowers, right? During them rainy days the bees will want to have that extra food to fall back on. In another 3-4 weeks if they still have excess food stores then maybe remove some of it. You can freeze it until the bees need it or extract it if it's honey and not syrup from fall feedings. Or if you plan to make splits you could use the food store frames for each split. I wouldn't be worried about swarming just yet but it is a good idea to keep it on your mind. Hope this is of help, good luck!
@@JCsBees
Thank you for your response!
Great video. And so nice to see spring in the air and able to watch everything come to life.
I was intrigued to look up the wickipedia however I noticed that they r conflicting about what trees r good for honey bees. Every where else I search the black locust tree is one of the best tress for making honey but not on wickipedia. I love the color chart but question some of their accuracy. Did I misunderstood something?
Great information, Jason thank you very much! You are always such a great teacher!
You are right about the purple dead nettle and henbit. I never noticed the difference until I looked both images online and recognized both.Purple dead nettle is blooming now in south Arkansas.
Have been feeding syrup in N Ky for about two weeks. Also put in patties. Will never lose bees to starvation.
When do you stop feeding?
Very interesting video. You are right. You learn a lot more stuff when practicing beekiping. Thanks for sharing.
Keep feeding in the spring until they stop taking it or you are going to put your honey supers on. Make sure you have empty comb for them to put it in or they will swarm. Swarm season in southeastern pa is around Mother’s Day.
@Wesley Smith The same rule applies. When the temps drop below freezing the feeder is removed the next day for the winter.
You would also want to stop feeding if the supers are on as they would just store the syrup in the super.
@@JCsBees Thanks for your efforts to teach through your videos Jason. Nice work and very helpful. Keep it up and best wishes for a successful 2019.
Great content .thank you Jason!
Konrad
Thanks very much awesome info
Good information, but feeding your bees when they have stores can result in them storing the sugar water and then the queen not having a lot of room to lay.
Thanks for Red Pollen tip, my Pollen chart says Horse Chestnut (which only saw Chestnut twice in this whole area ,probably not right here by me) I do got Purple Dead Nettle, I as well thought it was Henbit, I had backwards I thought henbit was the early one. My neighbor asked yesterday and said that stuff really stinks I thought it was him I told her good to know it's dead nettle. I was telling them about the red Paul and also my bees have been bring it in for 2 weeks that I know of thanks for sharing that I've never seen my bees bring in red pollen like that and it's been a mystery to me thanks for filling me in
Jason, your videos are really helpful, thank you for posting.
Another great, interesting and informative video buddy! Definitely going to check out the Wikipedia pollen chart download. Even pondering some basic microscopy courses that would be helpful in severally aspects of beekeeping. Keep a sharp edge on that buck knife brother it's getting pricey for blue-collar feller to shave these days.
Great info. Thx.
I started feeding last week. Bittercress and maples are blooming here in Cincinnati. Only 1 day Monday morning is below freezing. Thinking 1 day not an issue. Right at 32 this morning.
Hey Jason we in Florida can feed syrup just about year round.Good vid thanks.
I just got my first hive of bees and they were all over the sugar syrup for like a week then they just stopped but there is a steady train of bees coming into the hive with pollen.
@@joerowland607 Hey Joe that means yer flow has started good luck this season make lots of bee please.
@@stevesoutdoorworld4340 I promise I will do just that. I am also getting into the bee rescues now. I am getting offers to remove bees (because if it isn't a major deal I will do it for free.) and I would so much rather take the bees to my house than them be exterminated. Low income areas are a gold mine for bee hives. The people don't have money to pay for a removal and I want those bees. Everyone wins. They get rid of bees they don't want I get bees I do want. Win win for all.
Attribute! Not contribute.
Thanks Jason, bees started bringing in lots of yellow Pollen about a week and a half ago. I was pretty sure it was Maple but not positive, as there is nothing producing pollen here in Wooster Ohio.
I would say for sure it was pollen. Things are greening up fast with this warmer weather. I imagine this last rain is really gonna send things into overdrive once it warms back up.
Who are you and what did you do with Jason .😂😎👍