The Way To Bee

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 125

Welcome to another episode of Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers.

This is the audio track from today's YouTube presentation.

 

https://youtu.be/BjQuWV7ZPjQ   Click this link to view.

 

The question list and associated time links are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) I'd like to build a vertical tube that covers the hive entrance and gets the bees up and away from where children play. How will a long vertical entrance effect the bees? 1:53

 

2) We can not find the queen in a hive even though we always see eggs, larvae and pupae. Any ideas? 9:45

 

3) If I have a betterbee polystyrene hive, do I need more insulation? What about entrance size? 17:16

 

4) I'm wondering why you aren't filming in front of your observation hive this year? 30:19

 

5) Do I need to put a different entrance reducer on for winter, or a mouse guard? 32:12

 

6) My hive keeps producing supercedure cells even though there is a laying queen. Should I remove them, or leave them? 34:27

 

7) My flow-frames were not working, you're right, they were in the open position instead of the closed position. 42:17

 

8) With newly hatched queens, how long should I wait for them to begin laying? don't want to get into the hive too often. 48:19

 

9) Laying workers are in the hive, will they stop if I add frames of eggs and larvae? 50:51

 

10) I'm having a problem with my Hive Butler, the sides are spreading apart with medium frames, will they also do that with deep honey frames? 57:47

 

11) If bees are swarming, is it possible to steer them into a specific hive? 1:01:56

 

12) Is bearding a sign of overcrowding? I don't want my bees to swarm. 1:08:26

 

13) Could I alter the slatted rack so that my Flow-Hive remains in the tilted/harvest position but he tray remains level? 1:11:20

 

14) Is there a way to make a screen so wasps will leave but they can't return? 1:16:06

 

15) I only visit my bee yard two times a month and don't want the sugar syrup feed to spoil. What can I do? 1:18:20

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 124

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping topics.

This is the audio track from today's YouTube episode:

https://youtu.be/GvYAsAUhOhI  

 

All topic links are generously provided by -

Adam Holmes

1) My rapid round hive top feeder doesn't fit the BeeSmart Design insulated Inner Cover, any suggestions? 1:44

 

2) What's the deal with the Murder Hornets we keep hearing about? Are they really dangerous? 10:56

 

3) BeeScanning app update, does it make an accurate count of varroa mites? What else is new with it? 21:27

 

4) I have a situation with my hives, is it too late to be splitting them? 26:00

 

5) I have a Layens hive, one frame is almost completely filled with pollen, should I leave it or remove it? 31:29

 

6) Questions about my Long Langstroth Hive, should I be feeding pollen patties if there is no bee bread? 35:46

 

7) Can you explain the purpose of the slatted board? I noticed it in your Episode 120. 33:00 again at 39:17

 

8) I recently came across the ceracell hive top feeder. I wonder if it won't result in the same number of dead bees the rapid round does? 40:23

 

9) I have two hives, yellow and blue, one has a queen but low resources, the other is queenless with lots of resources. Should I just let the queenless colony die out, or should I buy in a replacement queen? 46:25

 

10) One of my hives was robbed, I think I have it under control, but how do I tell if the robbing has stopped? How much of an opening should I provide? 48:47

 

11) What kind of cage should I use to contain a queen so that I can cause a brood break? 56:05

 

12) What can I rub on my hummingbird feeders to keep the bees away? 58:48

 

13) How far will bees fly before defecating? I don't want them to poo on my neighbor's laundry or parked cars. 1:01:29

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Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 123 Formic Pro losses and more!

Welcome  to another edition of backyard beekeeping topics.

This is the audio track from today's Youtube Video:  https://youtu.be/ASFGHk5KKRI

 

Time links are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes 

 

 

1) I had queen loss after treatment with Formic Pro, have you used formic pro? Your theory regarding my problems? 1:44

 

2) Are there any occasions when you wouldn't smoke your bees when entering a hive? Since they react to smoke in negative ways, do they also react badly when no smoke is used? What might be the downsides? 8:00

 

3) If supercedure cells are created to replace a queen, why do so many beekeepers destroy them? 16:38

 

4) Regarding the BeeScape App, what did your follow-up mite test numbers show? 22:30

 

5) Big storms are about to hit us, I have no idea how to secure my hives against high winds. 28:00

 

6) What factors drive a colony into winter preparation? 32:18

 

7) Bees navigating in cloudy/rainy weather... Don't bees see into the UV wavelength of light? That would mean they can see the UV that transmits directly through the water vapor of the clouds. 39:32

 

8) Please discuss the effects of forest fire smoke on honey bee behavior. 45:00

 

9) Questions about wintering horizontal hives - Would you leave a space below the follow/divider board if it's going to be insulated? 49:20

 

10) What's your opinion regarding feeding Pro-Sweet vs Sugar Syrup? 53:26

Backyard Beekeeping Episode 122 Fainting Queen Bee and Crystalized Honey information

Thank you for joining us, this is the audio track from today's Youtube

https://youtu.be/urpjyTm3800

 

 A list of today's questions will post below later on. 

Backyard Beekeeping Episode 121 with Frederick Dunn

Welcome to my PodCast!

This is the audio track from Friday's YouTube presentation:  https://youtu.be/-659lJnxZ4E

 

SEE what I'm talking about by clicking on one of these time stamps.

Time stamps are provided by the incomparable - Adam Holmes

1) Migratory vs Telescoping Covers, why use one over the other? 1:27

 

2) I got a tiny speck of marking paint on the eye of one of my queens, will she be OK? I'm worried. 3:31

 

3) I'd like your comments on how to deal with a honey-bound hive? I have scattered brood in the honey super. 6:53

 

4) Can I use the new Beesmart Insulated inner cover as an insulated cover for my feeding super rather than underneath? 14:05

 

5) Do honey bees need more winter resources in warmer climates than they do in the cold? I wanted to try your method of one deep and one medium super. 20:39

 

6) If I have a hive that requires varroa mite treatment, should I be treating all of my hives, even if they are not at treatment thresholds? 27:23

 

7) I made a split from a strong hive, one has a laying queen and the other didn't produce one. Can I just combine the two colonies? I think it may be too late to just add another frame of eggs. 36:00

 

8) What are your thoughts on using heavy dipped Acorn drone plastic foundation for supering? What is the approximate rate of travel of bees up the comb during winter? 38:54

 

9) If I'm giving 1:1 sugar syrup to build comb, does it matter if you use a frame feeder in the brood box, or do you need a frame feeder in the super? 42:45

 

10) During a dearth period, is it possible to overfeed 1:1 sugar syrup? When I pour sugar syrup in my Layens Hive frame feeder, the bees start doing orientation flights, why? 49:20

 

11) Can you describe single brood chamber management? 52:32

 

12) What do you think about treating bees with oav at night? 58:54

 

13) When looking at the bees on the landing board, can you tell the difference if the bees have swarmed out? 1:00:22

 

Join me each and every weekend as we continue to learn and share about honey bee keeping!  :) 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 120 with Frederick Dunn

Thank you for joining me for another session of backyard beekeeping topics.

This is the audio portion of today's YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/pQ-RyIVd8vQ

 

For more information, I invite you to visit my main website:  www.TheWayToBee.org 

 

Topics and time stamps are provided by:

Adam Holmes 

 

1) I hived a swarm last week and eight days later they are all gone. Is there a reason they would leave so soon? 1:55

 

2) I usually wear gloves when I inspect my hive. is there a good way to clean propolis off of my hands? Also is there a way to clean my leather gloves? 7:58

 

3) How do I deal with a defensive hive? 12:24

 

4) I was told that if I scrape plastic foundation all the way down, the bees will not use it, is that true? 18:45

 

5) I'm getting three nucleus colonies in spring, will better comb actually help them build faster? 23:22

 

6) Why do foraging bees disappear well before sunset when there is plenty of time and light to continue? 27:54

 

7) Do you have a suggestion as to how to get bees to move honey down from a super into the double brood chamber I want to over winter with? 32:18

 

8) Any tips on how to make sure new colonies make it through winter? Especially when the year has not had a lot of nectar and pollen? 35:18

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 119

This is the audio file from today's YouTube presentation!

 

Associated questions and time reference codes are provided courtesy of -

Adam Holmes

1) How much should I feed my bees? I have 5 Gallon Bucket Feeders and the bees drink that in a day. 1:53

2) I'm in Texas the the bees never filled the Flow-Frames, I took them off since we in a dearth now. 7:00

3) Do you think feral survivor stock might just be able to withstand higher mite loads? 12:01

4) I pulled my Ross Round supers and found them to be a haven to hive beetles. 20:54

5) What's the best way to store my pulled honey supers when I don't want to make but one mess a year? 25:33

6) I did mite washes with the soap check method, I have purchased Formic Pro. Should I remove the HyfeGate? 32:00

7) I have a new queen in my hive and she's not laying yet, I'm worried about laying workers. 43:08

8) How do you plan to treat mites in your Long Langstroth Hive? I had problems with formic pads. 51:05

9) With everyone going through a dearth period, why aren't my bees having the same problems? I do see robber activity at the back of the hive. 55:30

10) I used bettercomb in my hives, they chewed it down to the wire that was embedded. Will they build it back out? 58:46

11) I have seen hornet attacks on beehives and 20-30k bees massacred in hours. Why do bees not leave the hive with the queen? 1:03:57

12) I am treating for mites even though they are just at the borderline of requiring it. With formic pro, it says to provide a top box for bees to go into. Should it have frames or be empty? 1:08:02

13) How many cells are in your favorite Acorn Frames? Does it really matter in your opinion? 1:09:11

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Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 118 with Frederick Dunn

This is the audio track from this YouTube presentation:  

 

Topics and associated video time-links are provided below, courtesy of -

Adam Holmes 

 

1) When is the best time to put the HyfeGate entrances on the hives? How long should it take for them to adapt to it? 1:16

2) If I take a frame with eggs, I have bettercomb, will the bees stay put even though it is only a few feet away? 6:00

3) Wondering if I put a solar path lights around, will the honey bees see well enough to defend the hives at night? 11:42

4) If a forager brings back nectar that the taster bee doesn't like, what does the forager do with the rejected nectar? 14:48

5) Do bees react to lightning? How do they respond to electricity? 18:40

6) I have a quarter frame of brood in ten frame double deep. Didn't see eggs, but pollen coming in. need to order queen? 23:37

7) What's the best way to introduce a new queen? I tried it a week ago with a split, they started balling the queen. 26:20

8) What types of honey bottled would you recommend? 39:08

9) I have a ton of drone frames filled wall to wall. It seems excessive. Any insight? 33:51

10) Do you sell honey? Do you use glass or plastic, what is your sterilization process? 39:08

11) I received my covid shots and then was stung by a bee on the elbow. I had a stronger reaction than normal, is there a connection there? 45:36

12) How long can I stun, paralyze, some of my bees with cold and revive them? I can't find time, temp parameters. 51:07

 

You are invited to visit my  main website:  www.TheWayToBee.org     Or our Facebook Backyard Beekeeping Fellowship:  https://www.facebook.com/The-Way-To-Bee-102407687877468/

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers with Frederick Dunn Episode 117

Welcome to another Friday episode of backyard beekeeping questions and answers, this is the audio of today's YouTube which can be viewed here: 

https://youtu.be/V0OliPAc2TM

www.TheWayToBee.org  

 

Pinned by Frederick Dunn

All time stamps and question links are provided by Adam Holmes 

 

1) I have small hive beetles on my frames along with larvae. Is it wise to put them in the freezer and then replace in the hives for the bees? 1:26

 

2) How can I handle/tread mold on the inside of my telescoping cover and on the landing board? 10:09

 

3) I would like to create a large pollinator plot with 2+ acres. What would be the best for feeding the bees? 12:11

 

4) Should I have a bee-escape in the lid of my HiveButler so the bees can get out? 18:25

 

5) I stored unused hive frames (triple wax coated) in the garage and was surprised to find that roaches and wax worms were eating them. A tale of warning for your listeners! 24:01

 

6) Would it be worth it to paint my swarm trap hive the same color(s) as the hive they are coming from in order to encourage them to occupy it? 28:30

 

Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 116 uncapping tools and much more!

This is the audio track of today's YouTube video.  

Watch here:  https://youtu.be/TVrWPKHKoVw

 

Video links with time-stamps are provided courtesy of:

Adam Holmes

1) Do you use starter strips with your foundationless frames? If not what do you do to keep the bees building straight comb? 1:51

 

2) How do you restrict the number hives/bees if you don't want to expand beyond your ability to care for the bees and space allowed? 4:56

 

3) Japanese Beetles are eating all of my pollinator flowers, how do I get rid of them without harming the bees? 8:47

 

4) How do I tell the difference between eggs being laid by a laying worker or a queen that's also just laying drone eggs? 15:54

 

5) When I put a bee escape under my honey super, the super was robbed through the groove in the inner cover. 20:37

 

6) My HOA bylaws are restricting beekeeping. Should I just keep them and not ask, or try to change the rules? 23:41

 

7) When you super a hive with another honey super, do you place it above or below the brood box? 29:50

 

8) If your goal in beekeeping, honey collection, or is it the thrill of the chess game? 32:57

 

9) I have heard lots of beekeepers talk about how important a lot of ventilation is to keep bees from bearding. What are your thoughts? 37:00

 

10) Honey dew is often claimed to be more nutritious than Manuka honey. Should we be planting trees and plants to produce more honey dew? 43:08

 

11) What's the most efficient way to remove wax cappings from honey frames? 49:28

 

12) During a heat wave in our area, there was an accumulated pool of nectar in the drain tube of the flow-frames, how should I get that out without kicking off robbing? 58:03

 

13) I have four and a half built out frames of brood, pollen, nectar and honey. They are not filling out the remaining frames, can I put the super on? 1:01:24

 

14) One of my hives is in trouble, can I start a new queen from eggs? Or should I try buying in a new laying queen? 1:04: 13

 

15) We are planning to plant bee friendly plants, if we put them right next to the hives would we be attracting competition? 1:08:33

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