Dealing with false spring, equipment not matching, getting stung and so much more "fun"

Dealing with a lot this February 2024. When the temperature is above 15 degrees Celsius 60 degrees Fahrenheit for over a week followed by temperature plunging the following week, confuses the bees. We learned about this from our local bee group and were prepared last year (had candy board to give to the bees), but this year we wanted to give the bees honey we had harvested from green hive. We quickly found out there were extra unexpected steps. We adjusted as best we could. Of course, to top it all off, I got stung and had a bad reaction. Beekeeping is definitely a passion of love.

[@thebeesmeads]

Correction at 7:36 diatomaceous earth can harm bees, take care to only put on outside and around hive.

[@vees_bees]

Love your beautiful hives! I think we have all taken a sting like that! New subscriber and looking forward to bee season! We just got socked with 7-8” snow, but were in bee yard just last Saturday. Hope you feel better soon!

[@thebeesmeads]

Thanks for the sub!

[@mmb_MeAndMyBees]

Hi there.
Like you little Hives there. 👍
I have similar Hives here in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 called "Warre Hives". And I have about the same 'Space' under the Roofs above a Crown Board.
I would add a big Heap of Dry White Sugar around the 'feed' Hole. This sugar will attract a bit of 'moisture from the Air' and harden in Situ. That's no big Deal. Bees will 'take the Sugar' as they need : and any Water available in your local Environment (rain, droplets, dew) even the Hives internal Condensation will allow the Bees to make their own 2:1 type Syrup.
This works really well through a long hard Winter.
You can just prior to Spring (when Bees can do Cleansing Flight) add a bit of Pollen Powder Subsitute or a Pollen Patty. But as this is a 'Protein' source : its a Solid in the Bees gut (so don't feed this if your still to get Snow & Ice etc.) Or the Bees will have a Bathroom issue. . .
Hope this helps. 😎
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Happy Beekeeping 2024
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
Just Subbed too. . .
Like your Style of Beekeeping Hope to see more of these little Hives. . . 👍

[@mmb_MeAndMyBees]

PS.
Instead of a Smoker, you could of used a Fine Mist from a Misting Bottle.
Make a very weak solution of Sugar Water. Say a x1 Pint Water and maybe x4 Tablespoons of Sugar. And a Single drop of Lemon Grass Oil (essential oil.) That will 'keep' the "Alarm Phremone" of a angry 'Sting,' masked from more stinging you. 🤞
Hope this helps.😎
At the end footage. . .
Think you have a 'Chest Infection' of maybe a viral variant. Even you have a
Covid - come Flu symptoms.
The Fever, Aches, sensitivity to 'Pain' (that Sting !)
I would rest up. Yours a (RN) now a Hobby Beek. 😏
Suggestion:
Take a break from that Green Hive (do a Re-Queen) of that Colony when Drones are back in the picture by maybe making some QC's off your 'best' Calm Hive ! 😉
If you need help on this. . . Add a reply comment : and I will be 'notified' or a Comment on my comment. 🙃

[@Harry-Dunn-Dunn-Dunn]

First off, thank you for sharing your experiences and challenges in beekeeping. It's always enlightening to see how others navigate the intricacies of managing hives, especially during unpredictable weather patterns like a false spring. Here are a few thoughts and pieces of advice in response to your video:
1. Preparing for False Springs: You've rightly pointed out the challenges posed by sudden warm spells followed by cold weather. To mitigate the impact of these unpredictable conditions, consider increasing hive inspections as the weather begins to warm. This can help assess the bees' food stores and overall health, allowing for timely intervention. It's also beneficial to have emergency feeding supplies ready well before these conditions occur.
2. Feeding Strategies: While fondant and sugar water are indeed useful emergency food sources, maintaining adequate honey stores within the hive throughout the year is preferable. It sounds like you're already mindful of this, but perhaps planning for additional reserves or exploring other feeding options like pollen patties earlier could be helpful. For those times when you must use fondant or sugar, ensure it's placed as close to the cluster as possible to make it accessible during cold spells.
3. Custom Equipment Challenges: Your experience with custom covers and equipment compatibility highlights an important aspect of beekeeping-adaptability. Custom solutions are great but do come with their own set of challenges. Sharing your designs or modifications with the community could provide you with feedback or suggestions on how to improve functionality or compatibility. Additionally, always have a contingency plan or alternative solutions ready for critical components like feeding systems.
4. Pest Management: Dealing with ants and spiders can indeed be tricky. Your approach using diatomaceous earth for ants is a good one, as it's effective yet safe for the bees. For ongoing pest management, consider integrating more physical barriers or moats around the hive stands. Regular maintenance and checks for gaps or openings in the hive can also deter pests.
5. Bee Health and Aggression: Aggression in hives can be a sign of various issues, including queen problems, pests like mites, or even genetic factors. Regular health checks and mite treatments are crucial. If aggression persists, requeening with a more docile strain may be a solution worth considering. Also, sharing your treatment regimen and timelines might help others offer more targeted advice.
6. Safety and Health Precautions: Your experience with a bee sting reaction is a stark reminder of the importance of personal safety. Always having protective gear and a smoker ready, regardless of the task's perceived simplicity or urgency, is wise. Your proactive approach to health management post-sting is commendable, and it's a good reminder for all of us to be prepared for allergic reactions, even if we've been stung before without issue.
7. Community Engagement: Lastly, the beekeeping community is an invaluable resource. Sharing your experiences, both the successes and challenges, contributes to our collective knowledge. Engaging with local beekeeping clubs or online forums can provide additional support, advice, and perhaps even hands-on assistance when facing challenges like equipment compatibility or hive health issues.

[@thebeesmeads]

Thanks for all the amazing tips and taking the time to write them all out for us. We started UA-cam on a whim but its really been awesome resource and support

[@MySliceOfHeavenoutdoors]

Yeah, getting stung aint no fun, lol