Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 137 with Frederick Dunn

This is the audio track from today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/gRiQXQUln9M

Topic links generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) Would you place fondant on a colony that is nearly honey bound? Will the store the fondant or just use it instead of their honey stores? 2:16

2) How many times a year do you check for mites, and is sugar shake the only method you use? 10:48

3) I was wondering if you can discuss the double screen boards used to split hives? Can they be used in reverse to combine colonies? 16:06

4) How do you feel about clipping the corners of the plastic foundation to create Pass-Throughs for the bees? 28:47 5) Concerning Layens Hives, you talked about turning Langstroth comb 90 degrees. I was considering doing this with foundation, but noticed hexagon orientation would be different. 31:36

6) I have been wondering about bee-space lately. Do bees walk up the frames, or do they walk up the walls? What is the optimal gap size between the bottom of the frames and the screen/bottom board? 42:32

7) If I have only one hive with very few workers, softball sized, and a laying queen, what is the best way to rebuild the population quickly in winter? 46:50

8) I recently noticed many bee abdomens on the landing board? it's not too cold for shrews to eat them. Any advice as to how to get rid of shrews? 54:44

9) I've ben told that letting a colony re-queen itself can often result in a more aggressive hive. Is this true? 59:52