The Way To Bee

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 199 nucleus hives and when to move your swarm trap...

This is the audio track from today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/jPF44YZsS5o

Topics and time-stamps are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) How would I set up a swarm trap camera for traps several milles away from home? 3:17

2) I was reading about the survival rate of bees after a sugar shake test. It seems the sugar shake might not be as harmless as I thought. 8:00

3) I am moving bee boxes just 20 meters to my yard from the swarm trap location. How do you know when the bees occupy the box and when you can move them? How do I keep them from moving out? 12:52

4) For people who are out in nature and not wearing protective clothing, is there anything we can do to deter a swarm of aggressive bees? 23:20

5) I have questions about making splits in the bee yard. Some keepers replace the hive with box they are making into the split and then move it back later on. Then rotate them back. Have you ever tried this? 31:20

6) Do you manage nucs differently than a full size hive? My understanding is that nucs are less likely to swarm. 42:02

7) What is the purpose of the slight taper on the underside of the ears of the top bar of a frame? 50:12

8) I noticed the Apimaye hives have dividers. Can you split on hive and have two queens? Will the bees work both sides without killing one of the queens? 1:00:38

9) What is your opinion of using an uncapping roller punch instead of an uncapping knife? 1:04:46

10) I have heard you talk about using nucs as the primary hive before, but have not heard, nor seen, anything about splitting a 5 frame nuc in the spring. Could you please give us some of your thoughts on this subject? 1:10:26

11) I hear conflicting reports online where some say bees won't travel horizontally for honey stores during winter. Can you comment on your experiences with horizontal hives and how bees feed from their own reserves during winter? 1:16:18

12) I was wondering what kind of holly you grow and recommend. From episode 18. 1:23:50

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 198, graftless queen rearing, and more...

This the audio track from today's YouTube:  https://youtu.be/A4VPHUPwuMc

 

Topics and time stamps are generously provided by Adam Holmes

1) There is a question that I have not gotten a good answer for yet, what do you do with a polystyrene or plastic hive if you get AFB? 4:20

 

2) Are the Hive Gates good for year round use? Would they help with temperature control at the hive entrance? 11:32

 

3) You mentioned the green drone comb as a method of varroa mitigation. Could it also be used as an inspection method? 14:06

 

4) I'm starting a five frame nucleus in an 8 frame deep. I'm curious on your thoughts on building with foundationless frames. 19:46

 

5) We have had many days in the 50s and 60s with nights in the 30s and 40s. I wonder if I need to be splitting the large colonies earlier than April since I have four to five frames of brood? 24:56

 

6) Can you please explain why people do not graft eggs. if you want the youngest larvae, why won't grafted eggs in cups work? 28:54

 

7) Is there an advantage to using two deep brood boxes as opposed to using three medium brood boxes? 38:03

 

8) I have just moved to the Canada border but intend to be a snow bird from December to April. Looking for a list of things that I may have not considered before leaving bees in the snow for 4 months. 43:36

 

9) I'm having a hard time trying to find a screened bottom board with a tray and enclosed. have you found any supplier or plans for a design you are describing? 49:52

 

10) When you make a split, how far do you move the new box from the original hive to ensure foragers do not go back to the original hive. 53:30 11) How do you document information specific to each hive and what information do you maintain? 1:03:19

 

 

Frederick Dunn Interviews Dr. Nathalie Steinhauer of the Bee Informed Partnership, how Loss and Management Surveys Help all beekeepers.

This is the audio track from this YouTube Interview:  https://youtu.be/j5kz-7ZRS0w

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 197, how to use drone frames and feed chickens if you have have them...

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping topics, this is the audio track from today's YouTube: https://youtu.be/oV7ucW0ZnTc

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

1) When a colony dies out due to a drone layer, will the queen lay drones in those worker drone cells? 3:22

2) I read that some beekeepers are feeding pollen substitute now to stimulate brood production. Is now a good time? 7:04

3) What are your thoughts on running 9 frames in a 10 frame box? My bees make it impossible to take out my first frame without rolling bees. 13:37

4) I set up a swarm trap with comb from a recent dead-out. Bees are all over it. Is it possible they would already be getting ready to swarm? 21:09

5) I have winter kills, do the mites stay attached to the bees? I ask because I want to know if a mite wash on the bee would show. 32:42

6) I have a question about using the green drone frames for IPM. Should I move them closer to the brood? 42:40

7) I plan to block my Apimaye top vents an am wondering what you would suggest? 50:20

8) I'm building a Long Langstroth Hive, I have concerns about condensation in the hive. Do I need vents on the bottom? 53:35

9) Is there a time during the year that I should stop stopping off my internal feeders? 59:53

10) I recently had to move my bees. The landing board was the sun, I've noticed bees don't really come out as much now. Does it matter? 1:06:14

11) I am considering beekeeping. Supposedly, a bees' first defense mechanism it to attack an invader's face and that they attack dark complexion surfaces first. I am African American with very dark skin. Have there been any studies that might suggest bees are more aggressive toward people with a dark complexion? 1:08:22

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 196 has my insulation changed after using the BeeSmart Insulated inner cover? and more...

This is the audio track from today's YouTube: https://youtu.be/HRxsIKkrCx8

Topics and time-stamps below have been generously provided by Adam Holmes

1) I have a long land and didn't relocate or reduce the brood area. Can you talk about hive management for the long lang hive? 5:28

2) Since you've started using double bubble insulation, have you changed the way you build your insulated covers using the BeeSmart Designs insulated Inner Cover? 18:16

3) Three out of my four hives are still alive and doing well. I keep hearing that I need to rotate my boxes in March to keep them from swarming. I am thinking of leaving them as is and monitoring them closely. What are your thoughts? 26:01

4) Is eco-wood still holding up for you? Also, will the bees still propolize interior surfaces if treated with Eco-Wood. 43:08

5) I have headless bees outside my hive! They appear to be dry, and only a shell of a bee. Is this the work of a shrew? Your thoughts? 48:25

6) I'm trying to learn more about trees in my area. Is there something you would recommend as a "must read"? 58:06

7) Here in Ireland there is a majority of bee keepers that are strictly AMM Black Bees "Native". What are your views on Ireland banning non-native bees to stop genetic mixing? 1:00:02

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 195, screened bottom boards or solid? Much more...

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

Topics and Time Stamps below are generously provided by Adam Holmes.

1) How are the BeeWeaver Bees Holding Up? Have they requeened? 3:27

 

2) Do you know of an easy and inexpensive way to mark a hive for status? Putting bricks on top of the hive doesn't give me enough options. 11:44

 

3) I'm never sure what to do with surplus honey frames that have crystalized. Can I use these frames as a food source? 14:53

 

4) Is it safe to extract honey from a hive that dies over winter? 23:04

 

5) I'm looking to make some woodenware from lumber cut on a buddy's bandsaw mill. Will the lubricating fluid be toxic to honey bees? 29:55

 

6) You seem to have a lot of spare time on your hands. Have you thought about taking on some additional hobbies? 34:42

 

7) I have purchased Hive Alive Fondant. I was thinking it would be good to feed a package of bees. Will it be a good for packages in spring? 35:44

 

8) My question is about cleaning hives after a dead out. I have poly components in my hives. 43:21

 

9) I'm curious about bottom boards in relation to hive conditions and how they are affected by temperature and humidity. 44:56

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions And Answers Episode 194, why do I use a single deep and medium as my preferred hive size.

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping questions and answers.

This is the audio track from today's YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/Xs8UwFj71qw

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 193, a great place to bee.

This is the audio track from today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/XQ2V3z1lWME

Time stamps below, are generously provided by Adam Holmes

1) Would you advise for or against Spirulina Patties? 1:29

 

2) I'm getting a Nucleus in April. I understand the Nucleus will probably have Varroa Mites. Suggestions on what mite control product to use? 7:28

 

3) I am interested in becoming a beekeeper this spring. I don't have the resources/space for more hives, what is your method to prevent swarms? 11:20

 

4) How do I know when to reuse old comb? I've been keeping bees for seven years now. 16:17

 

5) Our club received a call for a hive in a tree. It was completely exposed and just fans of beeswax. Why would bees do this? 21:02

 

6) This April I am looking forward to the spring and splits. Would you recommend splitting by the artificial swarm method? 24:20

 

7) One of my hives has bee-poo all over the mountain camp sugar. Can you talk about nosema? 29:22

 

8) Why wouldn't I just use a 10 frame box with a follower board instead of a nuc? 39:36

 

9) I thought maybe creating a Long Langstroth hive on a tilt or slope, perhaps 25 to 30 degrees may act like a vertical hive. Thoughts? 45:55

 

10) If people place the green drone frames and then don't remove them on time, are they really producing mite-bombs? 49:41

 

11) I wonder if I should spray a pallet with water proofer for longevity or is that bad for the bees? 58:21

 

12) Assuming my flow hives make it through winter with the single deep and medium boxes, what's my next move? 1:01:30

 

 

2023 Pennsylvania Honey Queen, Paige Rhyne, her interview with Frederick Dunn about small farm life and the animals she keeps.

Welcome to another interview. This is the audio track from the YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/hPR5jIAP2mQ

 

She is sponsored by the PA Beekeepers Association: https://www.pastatebeekeepers.org/

You can learn more about the PA Honey Queen Program by visiting their official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaHoneyQueenProgram Please post a comment and say hello from Me :)

YOU can apply for the Pennsylvania Honey Queen Program by filling out this form: https://www.pastatebeekeepers.org/resources/Documents/HoneyQueenApplication.pdf

4H, what's it all about and how can you join? https://4-h.org/parents/ways-to-participate/

Join a Pennsylvania 4H program: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/get-involved/youth-and-parents/join

Want to view other interviews? Please visit my interview page: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/interviewsyoucanwatch.html

Thank you for spending some of your time here, I wish you all the very best in beekeeping! :)

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 192, thoughts on OTS queen rearing, replacing queens, and much more...

Thank you for being here, this is the audio track from today's YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/wlgSCJfwkJE