The Way To Bee

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 140 be careful with Oxalic Acid Vaporizers and more!

Welcome!

This is the audio track from today's YouTube presentation:  https://youtu.be/UmwU7BiU5Mk

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 139 does honey ever spoil? And so much more!

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping questions and answers with Frederick Dunn

This is the audio track from today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/62CMi41uMKA

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  Thank you for being here!

Itemized topics are below and have been generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) Do you have a video that will tell me if my bees are doing OK without opening the hives? 1:10

 

2) I'm hearing lots about Hive Alive Fondant. Is this emergency food tastier to the bees than their own honey stores? 4:57

 

3) What can you do when water content is too high when you harvest the flow-frames? 13:30

 

4) Does a dark colored hive cover contribute to temperature variation that can increase activity inside the hive? 20:30

 

5) Do Magnets affect honey bees? 25:16 6) If I uncap the drone brood and pluck it out, will the mites come out with the drone? 29:51

 

7) Can I use 1/4" hardware cloth for a mouse guard and will the undertaker bees be able to drag dead bees through it? 33:39

 

8) Is there an study for adding a chemical compound that would be consumed by the bees and kill varroa mites when they bite the bee? 39:21

 

9) I'm putting a 10 frame hive body together for bees I expect in spring, with better comb, do I fill the entire box with BC, or should I leave foundationless frames in-between the BetterComb? 41:39

 

10) Could you speak more about Drone Congregation areas? 46:40

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 138 with Frederick Dunn, lots of wintering questions

This is the audio track from today's Youtube video:  https://youtu.be/0Sg_8GP_pTQ

 

Today's topics are listed below with video time-links, provided generously by:

Adam Holmes

1) When your honey bee colony goes brood-less, do the varroa mites die? 1:30

 

2) Will you go over various bottom boards and why you choose each one? When do you switch them? 8:17

 

3) I know that you insulate the top of your hives. Is it true that bees only have a hard time in winter, is when they are very cold for an extended period. Can they handle 1 week, maybe 2? 16:27

 

4) Do you put out syrup for the bees if the temperatures are going to be high enough for them to forage? 30:08

 

5) We are expanding our apiary, I noticed that you used Lyson adjustable stands, is there a reason that you moved to iron T-Posts? 34:47

 

6) Will honey bees clean out the poop left behind in the cells by varroa destructor mites? 42:28

 

7) I was thinking of putting up a swarm trap with better-comb, Tom Seeley said pieces of comb was not advisable in his article. Will wax moths or small hive beetles destroy it? 46:05

 

8) We are planning to move a hive this winter, over rocky terrain. Can you recommend a good way to secure it? 53:00

 

9) I'm being told that bees won't lay comb on the plastic frames unless they are pre-waxed by using melted beeswax, is this the case? 56:25

 

10) How close can my hives be to my chickens, would free-range chickens eat the bees, or would the bees attack the chickens? 1:00:43

 

11) What are the top 3 reads for beginning beekeepers when opening a hive? 1:06:21

 

12) If I put fondant on, is it better than honey or the syrup, and will this cause the bees to starve because they won't go back down to the honey stores? 1:09:28

 

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

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 136

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

https://youtu.be/4xaxk8wEhHk

 

Thank you so much for listening!

Topics and time-stamps are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes 

 

 1) When I start with a swarm, or package of bees, can I start them in a 8 or 10 frame regular hive, or do I need to purchase a nuc? 3:49

 

2) When you do the queen excluder test with the queen being caged for varroa control, could I use a drone frame in that cage, or would that impact the colony's relationship to the queen? 15:00

 

3) Would you mind explaining how you go about doing your splits? 25:04

 

4) If I order package bees, would you suggest BeeWeaver, Saskatraz, or some other line? 32:08

 

5) If you have bee stock that you like and know is good. Could you raise more drones and flood the area with your selected genetics? 39:39

 

6) What do you think about having a hole in the front of the flow box that is elevated? 49:08

 

7) Regarding your varroa mite control plan, if the mite scoots into a cell with a larva just before it's capped, will the Oxalic Acid Vapor still kill it? Or would you have to alter your application schedule? 53:31

 

8) What do you know about Texas 5000 bees? I've heard you talk about BeeWeaver bees, which are pricier. 57:12

 

9) We are feeding dry sugar and at times slipping in some fondant, does giving them fondant stimulate them for brood production, or is it just emergency backup feed? 1:05:13

 

10) If I hang drawn comb with larvae already in it, and change the orientation for a Layens Hive, will this damage the developing larvae? 1:10:03

 

11) If I use the BeeSmart Design insulated inner cover, do I still have to tilt the hive forward, or does it work better level? 1:17:00

 

12) Whatever happened to the waxed plastic frames you had that prevented small hive beetles from hiding in them? 1:20:15

 

13) Is a steel queen excluder better than a plastic one? 1:23:53

 

14) Can you go over some of the basics about your Observation Hive? Do they mind the light? How can you keep one in an un-heated space? 1:28:15

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 135 with Frederick Dunn

Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping questions answers.

This is the audio track from today's youtube video:  https://youtu.be/SFV3LH4ySps

Today's video questions and associated time stamps are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) Could I get a queen from my new hive when spring arrives? 2:54

 

2) Is it safe to put my flow hive out at a robbing station for cleanup, or is there risk of getting disease from other robbers? Would you recommend the CO2 system for mite counts over powdered sugar or alcohol washing? 13:22

 

3) I have a Flow-Hive 2 with the removable tray beneath, there is mold in it. 17:55

 

4) In one of your videos you showed that a Queen Bee put her eggs in the Flow-Supers, but now you say you don't need a queen excluder if there is a honey bridge? 22:58

 

5) My hive was overwhelmed by robbers, I blocked the entrance, but a day later the robbers were back. I'm trying the mesh so I don't have to smother another hive. 44:40

 

6) I have a question about mite treatments. I have 1 mite on one hive and 3 on another, I hear that I should treat prophylactically, others say don't treat if you don't need to. 50:08

 

7) I am using rapid-round feeders to feed my bees dry sugar. When I open them to add new sugar there are bees in the way. How would you suggest that I add more sugar? 1:00:03

 

8) You mentioned that you can spray package bees with OA, can you tell me more about this? 1:04:44

 

9) You will have to check out Premiere Foundation, The Cells are not smaller, the cell walls are thinner more like the construction in wild hives. 1:10:45

 

 

REPLY

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 134 with Frederick Dunn Oxalic Acid and More

This is the audio track from today's YouTube Video:  https://youtu.be/F9X2uLolgJY

Today's topic list and associated video time links are generously provided by  Adam Holmes

1) I was wondering if I can still use the oxalic drip method to treat my bees when it's mid 50's to 60's? 1:54

2) Almost all of my bees died and their bodies were outside the hive. Is it safe to harvest the full medium box of capped honey? 9:03

3) When caging the Queen with the single frame excluder, why must you wait 14 days before releasing her? Isn't is possible that she could have just laid eggs in the open portion? 16:45

4) if I wrap a hive in insulation and achieve complete disappearance of a heat ball with a thermal camera, then they must be warm for winter, right? 23:05

5) Honey bees will use the Hive Alive Fondant packs on the inner cover and consume the fondant right inside the plastic pack. 31:10

6) How do you make your queens, did you graft them? 32:26 7) I noticed that you still have spirulina on the shelf, but haven't heard you mention it this year. Do you continue to use it and if so when? 43:54

 

 

 

Backyard Beekeeping Questions And Answers Episode 133 with Frederick Dunn

This is the audio track from today's YouTube Presentation. Enjoy, and thanks for being here!

 

See the video here:  https://youtu.be/LgWcVKA2r4M

 

Questions and time-stamps are generously provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) Can I use a 12 v Oxalic Vaporizer pan in the Hive-Gate unit? 4:40

2) Can you explain how queen's pheromones permeate through the hive? 5:55

3) I just captured a medium to large swarm yesterday! They are all africanized. What kind of dry feed should I give them? 9:53

4) I have been searching for ways to keep my beekeeping hobby to just two Langstroth hives. 14:10

5) Can I offer Hive Alive Fondant in the rapid round feeders? 21:40

6) I've heard about cycling out old comb and destroying it. How do you go about cycling out old comb? 25:11

7) I'm wondering about heating my hive with an electric heater? 31:42

8) I installed a heating pad under my screened bottom board, what temp should I set for it to turn on? 35:22

9) I was surprised to find my bees clustered in the upper deeps, are my bees in trouble going into winter? 38:08

10) It's November 7th and my bees are still doing orientation flights. I was hoping they would be broodless by now so I could to OAV treatments. 43:44

11) I just bought a Flow Hive 2+ and used your discount coupon. I have a question about your varroa resistant bees? 46:50 12) Help! I have 1000's of yellow jackets in and around my apiary! 50:51

13) Could you have a discussion about bee torpor? 54:55

14) Talking about insulation and condensation and your bees up top. If the total hive is warmer, then shouldn't the condensation be lower? 1:02:10

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 132 with Frederick Dunn

Happy Friday everyone!

Thank you for joining me for another weekly episode of backyard beekeeping.

This is the audio version of today's YouTube video:  https://youtu.be/7_m08vCMERw

Time stamps separated by topic are provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) I'm using a bee cozy and the instructions call for an upper entrance, I'd love your advice on this. 2:24

 

2) Can I treat with Oxalic Acid when sugar cakes are in the hive? 6:47

 

3) Do you remove rolled up screens as entrance reducers for winter with the Flow-Hives? 9:10

 

4) My rapid round feeder gets drowned bees. I've tried different textures and sizes. Still I lose bees in the feeder. 11:02

 

5) I was going to purchase and broadcast a mixed bag of Pollinator Flower seeds around my yard. How many square feet of the same type of flower is necessary? 20:11

 

6) I know you don't like the idea of pesticides, but specific ones like CB-80 is a non residual fogger. 32:46

 

7) When it comes to finding places to put hives, what kind of arrangements are normally made between beekeepers and landowners? 40:20

 

8) Do I have to flip the flowhive 2+ tray for winter the way you recommend with the other Flow Hive units? 43:47

 

9) I'll be using gabled bee hive tops, should I close off their air-vents? Should I insulate them? 49:10

 

10) I would like to know how much ventilation to allow during winter. I know that bottom inserts and bottom entrances provide adequate ventilation in my setup. What do you recommend? 1:00:13

 

11) I have a hive that may have lost its queen and the brood is almost gone. I can't find another nucleus anywhere now. Do I just have to lte all these wonderful bees die? 1:02:33

 

12) I've had a swarm with my flow-hive and I extracted honey. The bees are gathering on the front of the hive and not going back inside. Could this be the reason for the problem? 1:06:26

 

13) I inspected and have no eggs or larvae. I think the queen is gone. I am thinking of combining them with a nucleus. 1:09:50

 

14) What can we do to improve the health of the bees as to prevent dysentery? 1:13:22

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 131 with Frederick Dunn

This is the audio track of today's YouTube Video

https://youtu.be/Mwjk1tRhLUk

Time code links below are provided by:

Adam Holmes

1) Can the aluminum bottom screens on the Flow-Hive 2 base overheat and burn the feet of the bees? 2:31

 

2) Is it harmful to help a honey bee with sugar and water since there are no flowers left for them? 6:21

 

3) I'm wondering why we would need a hive gate in winter? Should we just pull them off? 11:13

 

4) Can you discuss tracheal mites? I had a bad infestation last year. What are the current controls? 18:52

 

5) If I put a mouse guard on in winter, when should I take it off? 27:27

 

6) I have a concern about the hive gate in winter. Won't it direct cold air right under the cluster? Isn't that an undesirable outcome? 32:50

 

7) Do you cover the bottom screen of your flow hive in winter? 39:37

 

8) What about moving your hives from a few feet to maybe 100-200 yards? Do entrance blocking tricks really work? 41:38

 

9) I have questions about the insulated inner cover and the rapid round feeder. Is the insulated inner cover supposed to extend past the edges of the hive box? 47:50

 

10) My RapidRound Feeder has a different sized hole than the insulated inner cover. One is too large. 57:40

 

11) I saw an video about the benefits of apple cider vinegar being used on bees. What about using it in sugar? 58:25

 

12) What's your opinion on mite treatment with heat treatment systems? 1:01:48

 

Thank YOU for listening! :)