The Way To Bee

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 187, how varroa choose their host, alarms may keep bears out.

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Interview with the Editor of the American Bee Journal, Eugene Makovec. Learn more about one of America’s Premiere Beekeeping Publications.

Welcome to another interview in my series of interviews with experts. 

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Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode # 186, Is old pollen any good? And much more...

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Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 185, how to feed nucleus hives and more...

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Video topics and time-links have been generously provided by Adam Holmes

1) How many dead bees is normal in winter? 2:45

2) I have a small nucleus, 5 frames up, and 5 frames down. Do you have feeding recommendations since nothing fits on the smaller size? 5:49

3) My hives are in almost continuous shade, I'm wondering if it's worth getting a sun-tracking mirror? 17:59 4) Could you give your thoughts on oxalic acid soaked sponges? 23:40

5) I still have wet frames after extraction, and can't put them back on the hives at this time. Alternative ways to store wet frames safely. 26:35

6) Do you see any problems with using Oxalic Acid Vaporization with Hive Alive fondant packs on? 34:20

7) Do you do a late season varroa mite cleanup with Oxalic Acid Vaporization? 36:00

8) One of my queens squeezed through the queen excluder and lay eggs in my Flow-Super. Will the extraction system will still work? 42:10

9) Have you ever had a problem with your bees collecting honey-dew from spotted lantern flies? Is there a way to tell? 53:57

10) I have had bees for three seasons, and have had one OK year. Could it be that my area just won't support honey bees? 1:07:16

11) I have two hives under attack from yellow jackets. One is strong and defensive, other has yellow jackets walking right in. What can I do? 1:12:55 12) What are your thoughts on plastic chicken coops? Would you give us chicken lovers a few examples of plastic coops you could stomach? 1:19:08

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 184, Thymol entrance treatment, when to put your fondant on, and more...

This is the audio track from today's YouTube:  https://youtu.be/2EXlUUNYLAQ

Topic List and associated time links are generously provided by -

Adam Holmes

1) Have you heard of a product called HiveGuard? It uses thymol for mite control. 3:15

 

2) Do you ever, or should you ever open the pest management tray under Flow-Hives in winter? 9:22

 

3) My friends are complaining that my honey is too sweet. Do you have an explanation why? 13:16

 

4) I'm thinking of getting a BeeWeaver Queen next year. Is there any danger I can be bringing in Africanized Genetics? 17:49

 

5) How do you keep sticky propolis off of your camera equipment? 20:30

 

6) Can a hive make it through winter with little or no stored resources? 26:15

 

7) I saw on the Weather Channel the University of Maryland states honey bees have a 50% lower life span from what it was in the 70s. 32:11

 

8) I am picking up all new hive equipment and hives this winter at the Hive Life Conference. How do I store the hives and frames until spring? 44:45

 

9) Here in New South Wales, we have to remove honey when treating with OA for mites. How do I get bees out of my Flow-Hive Super? 47:35

 

10) I have questions about condensation in Observation Hives. Do you do anything about that? What are your thoughts? 54:01

 

11) I hear everyone say that moisture will condense and kill your bees. Are you saying the only opening to the outside is your single entrance? 59:25

 

12) I would like to try grafting queens this spring. Everyone says to use one or two day old larvae, why don't eggs work? 1:04:22

 

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 183, can you use CO2 to count varroa mites? Final preparations for winter, and more.

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping topics. This is the audio track from Today's YouTube:  https://youtu.be/fNoXVB7aZAg

 

Video time stamps and links have been generously provided by Adam Holmes

 

1) Have you completely transitioned to Hive Gates and Wooden entrance reducers, and have you replaced the copper screening? 2:41

2) I have been seeing information that says the PH of Sugar Syrups are too high when compared to nature's nectar. Also one person is spraying frames with vinegar solution, claiming that it's helping with varroa control. Would this possibly have something to do with PH? 6:51

3) I'm thinking of switching to the CO2 Method of mite testing. What are your thoughts about this? 13:54

4) I have been reading a lot about small-cell foundation frames. Have you used them, do they really produce smaller bees and do you think they are effective in helping to control varroa mites? 27:50

5) I have hives going into winter with two queens, do you see any issues with this? 33:10

6) Is it possible for a hive to be honey/nectar-bound going into winter? Is this something not to be worried about? 41:15

7) How do you use Apiguard in our Layens Hives? 45:41

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 182, honey bee weight gain, robbing questions, and moving hives etc.

Welcome to another episode of Backyard Beekeeping.

This is the audio track from today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/p7yW8YIHRzY

Topics and associated time-stamps are generously provided by -Adam Holmes

1) What time of day is the best time to move a hive, I need to move my hive 10 feet. 2:30

2) I would like to put Hive Alive fondant on my Long Langstroth Hive, where would be the best place to put it? 5:16

3) I'm feeding my bees every other day. I'm confused about when to feed, and the bees are going to my neighbor's hummingbird feeder. 11:39

5) There are many ways to convert feed efficiency in chickens, cattle, and insects. For example, 2 lbs. of feed to get 1 lb. of poultry meat. The question is about how bees stack resources to get their bee fat ratios up before winter. 19:36

6) What can you do once robbing starts? If Dawn Dish soap killed all the bees, wouldn't that be enough for mites too? 35:20

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 181, Let’s talk about winter preps, photography, and Asian Giant Hornets.

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

Topic order and time stamps are generously provided by Adam Holmes

1) Could you give us an update on Vespa mandarinia? 1:43

2) Hives have plenty of resources, so why do bees act like they are starving and in a feeding frenzy? 11:24

3) How late in the year can I treat with Oxalic Acid Vapor? 17:35

4) Do you ever deliberately bury your hives with snow for insulation? 21:48

5) I bought double-bubble and am anxious to use it on my inner cover this winter with a rapid round feeder top. Would you think of putting my Hive Alive Patty inside the feeder for their use during winter? 26:38

6) I wonder if you would provide suggestions for camera lenses for better photos of my bees in action. 31:16

7) I wonder if bees use the dead bees in winter to control the air coming through the entrance, and if removing them could mess with their system. 41:09

8) With Long Lang Hive, what changes are you making to get bees through winter? I want to learn from your mistake and not make my own. 49:00

9) It's my understanding that most feral colonies in my area are Africanized. What do I do if I'm suited up and an aggressive colony attacks? 55:25

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 180, does it matter where you introduce Oxalic Acid Vapor? Is a mouse eating my frames? and more...

This is the audio track from today's YouTube:  https://youtu.be/eBrJ-Z5o-rk

Frederick Dunn interview with an up and coming Honey Bee Science Student, Atreya Manaswi. Best bait for small hive beetles? How about the best pollen sub patty!

This is the audio track from the published YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/k-SAoz_d2S8

 

Atreya is a 10th grade High School Student who is making many honey bee related discoveries at the University of Florida Honey Bee Lab.