What Killed My Bees + What I'm Changing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ค. 2024
- I went through all the dead hives and I think I figured out what killed them. It was a combination of factors including varroa mites, weather, bee population and beekeeper error. In this video, I show you what I found and explain what I'm going to do to prevent this from happening again.
I thank all the people who showed support, offered help and shared their expertise in the comments of the last video. I REALLY appreciate your support. You are helping me to be a better beekeeper. Thank you.
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Hello Jim! (I guessed that's your name based on comments I've seen). I'm so glad I stopped in to watch this entire video while sipping my cappuccino :) I want to share that you are, and have always been, a very well-reasoned beekeeper. I've learned through the years, that any individual who ventures into the TH-cam world, must often contend with extreme criticism and those who cast stones of judgment. I know some true beekeeping geniuses, well beyond my own knowledge and expertise. What they could not handle, and why they don't make educational videos that we could all benefit from, are the insults that so many are comfortable posting. We are living in different regions, with varying environmental challenges, trial and error are how we learn and advance. We don't have to do everything the same to remain cordial in the fellowship of beekeepers. I have close friends who disagree with my methods and practice bee management in their own way. We are still friends who enjoy sharing and learning. Some individuals learn something and then feel stressed when they encounter another beekeeper practicing a different method. Thumbs down arrive and insults get typed... you are a classic example of someone who will continue to learn and modify your approach in increments until a consistent method is arrived at. 2020/2021 winter, demonstrated that even long-time experts lost as much as 90% (hundreds of colonies) of their hives. They aren't on TH-cam where a wall of judgment can fall on them. You are, and that's valuable to your viewers, no matter what happens, you share and explain your next step. It's helpful, and I always respect your dedication to sharing the good and bad as it occurs. I always respect and appreciate you. I'm glad you're staying with beekeeping and making your experiences known through TH-cam. :) Enjoy your Sunday! Fred
Hi fred
Well stated Sir! Always a pleasure to see you on other channels, building folks up. 😃 Always an inspiration. Thanks for all the great learns over the years. You and Vino were there very first folks I started following prior to getting my own bees and it’s been great learning for me as the new guy.
Your comment and support is very much appreciated. As is your ongoing TH-cam presence. I knew within two or three videos what I was in for, but I pressed on and learned that the positivity and incredible offers of guidance far outweighed the trolls and negativity. 98% of people commenting are wonderfully supportive and wide open to sharing information. I would absolutely not be where I am today and would probably not still be keeping bees if it wasn’t for the helpful people commenting on my videos.
That being said, as my videos have gained popularity and reached a larger audience, there’s a new criticism emerging that is very frustrating. A lot of people assume (based on the size of my audience?) that I’m trying to ‘teach’ or espouse expertise on beekeeping and love piling on when things don’t go well... as if to put the ‘expert’ in his place. Or go so far as to claim I’m being irresponsible by sharing “misinformation” to a large audience. Ugh. Not sure how to handle that. I try to ignore it, but after that last big video, the wave of comments came back in and spread across platforms. I just felt it was time to acknowledge it in a video, but don’t plan on making a big thing about it. I HATE TH-cam drama! I just want to be a better beekeeper and make entertaining videos!
Thanks again for everything you do, Fred! Let’s make this season a great one. I can’t wait to get started.
I appreciate both of you. We appreciate your sharing your experiences and we are able to learn from them as well. Thank you.
My two favourite bee keepers to watch Jim and Frederick. And that’s the way we’re learn and to see you both supporting each other makes me very happy
Your spot on mate there’s a massive problem globally with mental health and these people feel good when putting others down. Your a genuine chap I can tell not an actor. All the best from the uk .
Ignore the crazy people. I love watching your videos and your bees. Im looking forward to seeing how you rebuild.
I have been where you are so many times that I can't believe I still keep bees. Timing is everything and when you talked about what you were going to change it sounded a lot like what I do. I only take honey in the spring. If we have a summer flow I give it all to the bees. Mites are always my biggest problem and I start treating them as soon as I take the honey which is late June or early July. I treat with Apivar, then a second time in October with Apistan and then in February with Oxalic acid. I don't mess around with mites anymore. I also catch swarms and this helps mitigate any winter losses. Good luck in the future. Never give up and remember your honey is always the sweetest.
That sucks, thank you for documenting the issue for the rest of us.
Here for your journey and I appreciate you discussing your wins and losses.
One year I lost all my hives but one also. I feel for you bother. Glad you are marching on...
We need more people like you in this world.
Keep on doing your thing!
I just recommended your channel to a new beekeeper because you are the one channel out there that does this. Your ideas are good, solid ones and you aren't afraid to analyze mistakes and rethink things when needed. You are humble and learn from your bees with every year, which is how it should be. Thank you for doing this.
I love your videos! I’ve learned so much from watching them. I have shaped my way of doing things off of your videos. I was heart broken to see your last video. But I know you will come back strong and I can’t wait to see what you do this year!
I was a novice or a tyro if you will back in 2004/5 at the beginning of CCD and I had a similar mystery of strong November hive and empty hive with very few dead bees in January. I moved from that land since then and cannot keep bees anymore so I need you keep doing what you are doing and I'll keep watching. Don't suffer the fools because the idiots like me need this.
GOOD LUCK BEES
You're doing great things. I've walked away from your videos and adopted what you are doing to my hives 3,000 miles away. A couple of things you said here: too many hives for your area. We're having the same issue out in my neck. There's just to much forage to go around. And summer mite treatments, or even all year round mite treatments. It's like a boat with too many holes in it and the water is pouring in faster than you can bail. You're smart and observant. I hope it works out this year. Right now we're in the middle of the 3rd or 4th worst drought in record keeping. Trying to anticipate the curve of the wave... exhausting.
Great video as always. Ive been watching since your second youtube season. I think its crazy how far you have come since then. Glad the balboa lineage will continue on! Thanks for making great content.
You have helped me more than I can express , thanks for staying strong I’m fighting similar problems
I've been watching your videos for a while now. I remember when the wax fell off that frame. Sometimes beekeeping involves starting over. I did with one hive a few years ago. Last spring I caught a swarm that has survived the winter. Here's to a successful 2021 season.
I have also been watching you ever since you got your flow hive. I live in the city & will probably never be able to keep bees. But I love watching your videos and I know you do so much for your bees. I am sorry for the negative comments you got and hope you don't take them to heart! Don't give up!! All the best from Austria!
I love learning from you, even if that means I'm learning from your losses. Thanks for making these videos!
Good analysis. Welcome back. Best of luck with you bees
Sounds like a solid plan for 2021. The challenge here in Mass is the short season, the nectar flows, and figuring out when you're able to treat. I've resorted to pulling all supers regardless of completion by the 3rd week of August. This allows me to immediately start treating with Apivar which carries them through the brood cycles to create strong winter bees. I feed the partials back to the bees I'll then do an Oxalic acid treatment or two once is cold out - say Late October/November. I've also begun treating with Apivar in the spring as soon as the queens start laying and to get ahead of the flows and supers going on. This is what works for me in Eastern Mass and my losses have been minimal doing this.
Good to know. Thanks.
When I started thinking about becoming a beekeeper, I also started to watch your videos and they were in part responsible for me to take the next step. 3 years later I have 80 hives and nucs.
You share all your successes and mistakes and that was what it make it interesting to me. It also makes you exposed and vulnerable to cheap attack's from internet frustrated losers. pay no attention to them.
Reagarding your loses, I was also suspecting from varroa problems. Meanwhie I was think about your treatment plan and thinking that you should also treat for varroa at the end of winter or early spring, as soon as the queens start laying again, or as they start laying. if you control varroa early in the year it helps control it further down the season.
Also you should consider moving south, it's much more easier with shorter winters ;).
I hope you have a fantastic season with your girls and they are stronger for next Winter. I can’t wait to see what you do with your hives and keep doing such a great job. Anything we do in life brings new knowledge and keeping bees certainly does. Happy Spring!!
Jim, love the plan but would suggest you do an early season OA treatment once your new bees are established but still sitting on open brood. Broodless (or at least open brood periods) plus OA are the ultimate 1-2 punch that hits Varroa hard
Didn't mention that, but yes... New packages will be hit with OA. Survivor hive has Apivar on right now.
Hello, I'm a fellow bee keeper to your left over in Southern Saratoga. I had a very similar situation this year. I lost 7 out of 9 hives. I think you are right on with the robbing and mites being spread.
Man oh man, my wife and I were feeling terrible for you last month . I personally, lost my two of two hives. But, I swear I may have spent more time pondering what misery you might have been experiencing.
Its such a shame that there are so many oddballs out there with nothing better to do than pester! I thought perhaps those Vivaldi boards my have went a little overboard with there ventilation. But, I certainly thought your insulation would have more than made up for any purged heat.
Well, please keep your head held high. We really appreciate what you are doing. Good luck this Spring. We should be receiving our new hives this weekend and the next. Thanks for struggling through some of us!! 😁😎👍
Your one of the rare youtubers who actually reads and learns from comments! Be sure to take the compliments to heart! But ignore the hate. The internet is filled with hate. Most of it is false in more than one way so dont take that to heart!
Enjoy 2021. My only request is to rename the hive you have “Balboa the second” or to name her first daughter balboa the second either way that name must survive within your bees!
Thank you for posting this! I am one who lost my bees too (I'm in CT) and was really looking forward to hearing what you found out about yours. As far as the nasty people go--ugh. That's the internet for you. No matter what some people post, they get horrid attacks. The attackers are to be pitied and need to get a real life. Enough of that. The info you share is always so helpful and interesting, and you are so generous with putting yourself out there the way you do. I'm so glad at least one of your hives survived! I am hoping and praying that we all have a happy, healthy, successful year with and for our bees! God bless.
Oh I am very sorry about the haters! Don’t worry the people who really watch your channel and your videos know you and know that you are heartbroken about the lost of your hives… Balboa has survived and all is not lost, I am sure they will be there for a very long time with you! I really love your videos :)
I’m watching this because both of my colonies have just failed. It’s horrible and I feel responsible. This has been so helpful. Thank you.
Great video Jim, love the fact you have got a plan going forward. Best of luck and I'm looking forward to great results. If there's anything I've learned as a noob bee keeper is that if you ask 10 bee keepers a question your likely to get 10 different answers. Keep up the good work.
Really sorry to hear about terrible comments you received. Unfortunately this is the ugly side of TH-cam and the internet. However I am sure I speak for most people that you always come across as being a bee keeper that actually cares about the bees. The content has always appeared genuine and really like you share failures the same as your successes. I look forward to this year and see you rebuild and have more success! Thank you for sharing your journey
TH-cam is horrible in that respect.
Try to ignore it and go on.
@@viktorrietveld Nothing to do with youtube. aholes will be aholes everywhere. it happened everywhere online even where people names are known.
@@pino_de_vogel it's more rampant on the internet. Nothing's more dangerous than terrible people knowing they can type whatever they want and hide behind a screen.
@@Obi1Classic oh yeah the internet is bad but its not like it is limited to youtube at all. heck i see stupid people post on facebook with their full names.
I’m a new bee keeper as of this year, I highly appreciate you sharing what happened. I especially like how you adjusted your plan and have what I think, is a great move forward. It sounds like you live in an area similar to where I live. My best to you as you move forward.
Don't listen to the haters. You know that you're genuine and those of us who have watched more than one of your videos know that you're genuine (I've been here since season 3).
Hello Jim! I don't like drama either and negative criticism. Even though you tried your best like I believe you always do, you still lost a fair number of hives. Was it the miserable weather last summer as you described it or was it mites, a combination of multiple factors I guess, either way you were successful by your attitude and I appreciate that and your videos of course! I have bees in Newfoundland, Canada (where lucky for us we are still free of the varroa mites and I am so grateful we don't have to deal with this pest). We have our own challenges though including short summers. Anyway, I want to wish you the best to rebuild your apiary and thank you for your honesty, for sharing your knowledge and experiences, for your integrity and your positivity. (the name of our company is Bee Positive Apiary) . So thank you for beeing positive and stay positive.
Having kept bees for 25 years I can tell you, you can do everything right and still have a winter like you had. Things happen in the "bee world" that we don't know about and they can't tell us. I had wonderful years, and I had horrible years. Raising bees in the north is rough to begin with. All you need is a string of factors to go against you one year and you end up with this. I retired after 25 years. That was over 25 years ago, and I have started back up this year. (Thanks to a friend that got on my case!) All you can do is try again. Best of luck, as the world needs bees and beekeepers to watch after them!
I feel your pain from NW Iowa. I had 8 "slammin hives" going into winter. Plenty of food, OAV treatments, etc. Three were dead by the end of January. Three more died after the -20 weather for what seemed like forever. That sick really feeling in my gut is probably what you were feeling, too. After doing autopsies, I will be doing things different also. That being said, the 2 remaining hives are related because #2 hive swarmed. Caught the swarm with the original queen(who is going on her 3rd year). The remaining bees in the non-swarm hive made a new queen. So because these bees made it, I'm going to try and propagate more hives/queens from them. Also, getting some Saskratraz bees in May. Supposedly they're more winter hardy. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a science lab. Should be interesting. Blessings.
Jim - thanks for sharing, I lost all 9 of my hives outside of North Conway and I consider you my mentor so looking forward to learning from you on an on-going basis. Keep posting buddy!!
I don't have a bee hive and probably never will. But this video made me subscribe, because anyone who could have a traumatic experience like that and walk out a better person who was willing to change their methods for the sake of the living animals that rely on them? That's someone I want to support.
Hey man, been watching for years, don’t have bees but I love the content. Keep up the good work, keep learning.
I just want to say I have been watching you for years and I really have enjoyed your videos. Ignore the haters and you do you! Now I am going back to your video!
I commented in the last video that you waited too long to deal with mites. I hope that wasn't misconstrued as mean, because it was meant to be constructive. Either way, I like the plan you've come up with this year. It's well thought out, and now it's just all about execution. I also like your idea to keep less hives on that property. For me personally I wouldn't want more than 20 hives for fear of starving my bees due to overcompetition of limited resources. A lot of beekeepers judge other beekeepers by how many hives they have, but I'm more inclined to judge based on how many hives they can keep alive each year. So again, I like your plan and wish you the best of luck.
No worries. I doubt it was you that I was talking about. 99% of my comments are fine. I was mostly mentioning things I saw on other platforms since the video went so far. Lots changing this year. Thanks for your support.
It sounds like you have a solid plan for this coming season. I know I looked at everything I did last year and I'm definitely rethinking how I will go about things this season. The hives that made it through the season are bounding back stronger than ever and I have already had to put a second box on just to give them space. It was a wonderful sight when I opened my hives and seen 4 frames of brood in hives that barely made it through the winter. It definitely seems like you have the right attitude in how you're dealing with all the different comments ranging from constructive, sympathy, and all the haters. Just keep doing what you doing my friend. Thanks for sharing.
I am sorry so many people responded negatively to what was a personal tragedy for you. I love to watch your videos and I hope that the community of beekeepers came together and provided real valuable insight for you to build off of. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Always be learning - I'm glad you're embracing that philosophy.
I live in Hawaii so I don't have to deal with winter (Yea) but we have mites, plenty but and we change different things/treatments so???
And carry on we all have some disaster story's if you had bees, my advice keep splitting... like the videos
Sorry for your loss. I'm glad you're sticking it out and trying again. They need us and we need them. We're all learning and I'm very grateful for you sharing your experience.
Hey, just wanted to say your videos have helped me immensely and I’m sad to hear idiots online would attack you. I’m glad you’re gonna get back up and try again, I’ll be watching and taking in all your tips. Sincerely, thanks for your videos.
Thank you for making me a better beekeeper! Going into my second year with lessons I've learned from your channel. Good luck this year from Maine
I enjoy every video you put out. Its enjoyable to watch your beekeeping journey
Nothing but support from me. I can't wait to see how this year goes for you. Best of luck!
LONG TIME VIEWER - we still support you ! your doing your best and we enjoying watching the process. It was sad but glad to be apart of the process.
The internet is a weird and wild place. A very intense and out of control echo chamber. It’s a perfect storm that happened. People can be so mean. Sorry you lost your bees. It was a super sad video and I’m sure you felt sooo guilty and sad already. It’ll be ok and you’ll keep on learning. But also don’t forget you can do everything right and still have bad things happen, on hard northern winters. Nature is brutal.
Jim thanks for your hive autopsy and a few things you said match my issues with my single hive that did not make it, so thanks for that.
Keep on keeping on and will continue to follow your journey, as there is always something we can learn from others and things we can share......respect from a Scottish Beekeeper
Hey Vino, Firstly! white Sugar does better then honey does for bees(whoever says otherwise is nuts)..I believe there was a University of Manitoba study that shown bees have a 20-30% longer survival rate on sugar syrup for winter. I think you summarized it up pretty well, bees being hungry means weak malnourished bees, and that's a shorter life span. Going into winter that will end a hive itself, especially with mites. It really sucks you had to deal with all that, as a beekeeper that went through nearly the same thing, lost 13/14 once it is heart breaking. Just remember how fast bees build up, you can grow quickly as well. Good luck this season.
Please don't take the hateful comments to heart. The majority of us watching, really appreciate your videos. So, as I don't say it nearly enough. Thank You!
Unfortunately this video just confirms a lot of stuff I already suspected:
1) The mite loads - while not extreme - were too much for the bees to cope with, given all the other challenges of the year
2) The number of colonies probably exceeded the carrying capacity of the local land, especially in a poor year
3) The internet is full of utterly insane @55holes
I think you're making all the right moves here, and hopefully next winter will have a very different outcome from this one.
One other thing I was thinking about - disease. The mites spread disease, which is often what *really* weakens/kills off the bees. I remember seeing all the robbing happening late last year with your colonies and worrying that was going to spread disease around (directly and via mites). You can't really test for this easily the way you can with a mite wash, but my guess is disease also played a role in losing so many colonies at once. The steps you're taking should help prevent that from happening again as well. I'd recommend keeping your hives physically distanced within the bee yard as well, to help minimize - as much as possible - crossovers from one hive to another. That should be easy to do now since you'll be limiting the overall number of hives.
Best of luck in 2021 and thanks again for the engrossing videos! Don't let the a-holes get you down!
you can easily have 40 colonies in a yard, not the issue. Mites were and are the issue.
@@claytonosborn50 And what exactly are these colonies gonna find to eat in a lean year?
@@claytonosborn50 - Just a question... How can a yard “easily” support 40 hives if the area does not have the resources to support 40 hives? Sure you could feed syrup to 40 hives, but what is the advantage to that? Especially as a backyard beekeeper...
Sorry, that was two questions... I got carried away.
outstanding video sorry for your loss.
I'm so sorry about the loss of all your beautiful hives! I'm super excited to see the changes you're implementing this year!
Happy to have you back, have been checking daily to see if youve uploaded
Connecticut beekeeper here! This is my third season, and I just wanted to say that I've watched your videos multiple times, and your content has GREATLY helped my learning curve. Thank you for your candidness and honesty. You have been a great help with my beekeeping journey.
How did your hives do this tear Melissa? I'm up in Union, CT we had a rough winter but came out with 12 of 14.
@@thomasbacon I only have two hives, and one survived the winter. My neighbor lost all 11 of his hives. It was a rough year because of the drought, and the fluctuating winter temperatures didn't help either.
I've followed your channel for several years at this point and what drew me in is the ongoing genuine enthusiasm and care you show toward your bees and your farm and learning and bettering yourself whenever you can. I really appreciate that about you and I think most people who have followed your journey would say the same ✨
Ditto.
well said -- and yes, absolutely
Keep doing you Jim. It is greatly appreciated. Every positive experience and negative provides you and your viewers with knowledge. It’s the journey and I’m so happy to see you’re still doing it. I helped my friend install 10 nucs last weekend. When I found out they were Italians, I couldn’t help but think about the Balboa line and your experiences. Thank you for being an inspiration to me.
I am working my way back through your videos and what I really like about them is your willingness to question and to experiment and that plays right into my way of things so please keep it up, nothing is writ in stone.
It's really sad I see that you have several friends on your channel who will definitely help you! my good night from Greece
People are crazy man you did an excellent job I remember watching the videos and my only response was so sorry for you man it's been a bad year for everybody
So thankful to find your channel. My husband and I are just starting bees this spring and appreciate all that you have documented to learn to be better beekeepers from your experiences.
We're so glad to be able to follow you through thick and thin. Benjamin is now 5.5 years old, and he's still crazy about your videos, too. We moved to Central Texas from Puget Sound and have two nucs on their way. The beekeepers here are awesome. We send our love!
I don't keep bees, and I don't know anything about beekeeping that I haven't learned from you or from other TH-cam videos.
But man, you tell a great story. Every great story requires adversity to overcome and to engage the reader/viewer, and this winter was a huge challenge and a huge setback to overcome. And like a great storyteller, you're the protagonist we want to root for and see overcome that adversity. And so are the bees in the survivor colony, who are already acting like heroes in their spring rebound.
Love watching your videos and love your story. Will be here for the next, and the next...
I’m glad I keep bees in logs and just leave them alone to do their thing. Helps me not get emotionally attached. You’re a good man mate.
Maybe this is the way to go my friend....
@@zumzi-zum6536 hey there brother. Good to see you here. How’s the weather in Romania?
@@18Bees Rainy days all the week. I did not expand properly since i cant open the hives.
Wait til you see my next video...
@@vinofarm you tease.
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your findings. I've got sooo much more to learn about bees. Your videos are helping with that. Good luck with your hives this year.
I’m so glad you figured out a plan. Figuring out what happened to your bees is hard, like CSI hard. I like the idea of planting summer plants, that’s wonderful. Good luck, we will be watching, hoping and praying for you.
☮️🐝-Kirsten
Jim, for what it's worth, you were the first beekeeper I ever watched, and what has lead to my backyard beekeeper journey (No bees yet, but I do have a swarm trap up, fingers crosses). I follow some great Beekeepers, both backyard and commercial, and while all offer me the knowledge I need to start my adventure, none are more fun to watch. Your genuine attitude and entertaining sprit just add something I'm not able to explain. I just say 'bee' you, 'do you, and keep going my friend!! God Bless!!
like how you're both humbled but determined by this. love your vids/channel regardless. Excited to see what's coming and the new journeys that'll come
Determined is an understatement. I'm rocket fueled and don't want this to ever happen again. Stay tuned.
💕 glad to hear you’re not going to let the haters get you down! I know there are lots of people like me who have no bees... will never be beekeepers but enjoy watching you grow and share your bee yard!
You are one of my heros. I love your honesty and love your barn!!! I agree that you are totally real. I lost both my hives last year, one absconded and one died off like yours. I totally agree with your analysis. I missed the importance of mite treatments and the recent nuc purchase I did came with some advice. The gentleman told me he treats three times a year in Pennsylvania. I am going to start with the Apivar before the season starts and conclude with Oxalic acid in the end like you. Good luck this year, I will be watching.
I don't have bees and 0 knowledge of beeing a beekeeper, but I love your beekeeping videos because you love your bee.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
I was just going to say this!
I am sorry to hear of your colony loss. Thank you for sharing your discoveries, I found this video very helpful for me. Most content share when hives make through the winter, but not the detective work needed for dead outs. I plan to implement some of your ideas this season.
Out of all my youtubers im subscribed to, only for 2 I have turned the notification bell on for. You're the 2nd. Im here for this rebuild! Especially after seeing the new Bee Barn!
I love your videos. I’ll always keep watching as long as you’re publishing!
Jim, you are such a real person. We love you lots. I had a bad year here in North Texas, losing 12 of 18 hives. Most prior to the weird cold spell which took another 2 hives. I'm back to 23 total (as of today). I'm making changes as well. Looking forward to both of us having a great year in 2021.
I think what makes you interesting to watch is that you're trying to be innovative and creative, and your passion does show. In the end I think everyone here wants you to succeed.
This is such a great instructional video. Every new-bee needs to watch this. Beekeeping isnt about harvesting honey, it is about fostering and caring for living things. I think the plan you came up with to address your catastrophic loss is spot on. When I first started out, my mentor told me, "forget about harvesting after July. August is when you need to start formic acid treatments." I have since then lived by that rule. Having said that, I have lost bees after rough winters and poor mite management, so it still happens, but the goal is to continue to learn and to continue to grow. DONT EVER STOP MAKING THESE VIDEOS, you are doing a fantastic job. Forget the haters, there are plenty of others here who support you. Good luck and best wishes from Germany.
Don't listen to the haters!
We adore you and the way you document the entirety of your journey.
Best of luck this year! 🐝
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your emotions, your experiences and your ideas. I'm not able to keep bees, but I have learned much for you. BTW, my grandfather kept bees in the 1940s-1950s. Recently my dad and I donated some of that old equipment to a bee supply store. Because of your videos, I was able to converse knowledgably about what equipment we had to donate with the store owner. I joked that I had all my knowledge from "A Massachusetts beekeeper on TH-cam," and the owner stated, "TH-cam's a great place to start."
What a hard year 2020 was. Your videos made a bleak year better, and I think all of your "followers" mourned with you when you opened the hives this year. Getting back up and moving forward is a good and brave act. Looking forward to watching more of your videos!
This is why I love this channel! Your thoughtful reasoning is so valuable. I wish that I was better at it, but in the meantime, I'm depending on you. Hang in there.
I think you are on the right track. I take Kamon Reynolds simple mantra very seriously. ‘Low mite count, good queens and good nutrition. We don’t have varroa in Australia yet but I think it is only a matter of time. I have a small property and our first year has been a steep learning curve. The climate is a little different and we have found that this year our bees needed a little pollen supplement and syrup. Probably realised about 3 weeks late and now catching up to ensure they get through our much milder winter than yours. I have 18 hives on my property and think that it might be a few too many. Next season I will relocate half my hives elsewhere to see if this makes a difference. I am also going to attempt to breed my own queens mainly to be self sufficient but also to see if the queens I can locally produce are better than bought ones. Mate, thanks for sharing your bee journey. I am a year behind you (started 2017) and was hooked on your channel after watching the comb incident. Will be interested in how you go this season, sincerely hope it goes exactly as you plan. Regards Karl.....Narooma, Australia.
I dont comment much because I'm no expert. I have been learning from and with you from before you got your flow hive. THANK YOU for all the wonderful knowledge you have shared with us. Your journey has and is something I look forward to watching. Blessing to you and your family.
In Denmark, where I keep bees (8 hives), we have a research unit that analyzes a lot on why the bee population becomes small in the autumn.
They have found that it is a sequelae when one has many varroamides.
Following the disease is called apv "acute paralysis virus", it is transmitted from bee to bee by varroa mites.
When bees have apv they can not find home.
The steps you want to take are ok, but remember the mite number is crucial.
So glad you've got a plan for this year. Can't wait to see how it works out in growing bees this year!🐝🐝❤
Thank you Jim. Your videos...successes and failures help me so much. I don't live far from you, so everything is meaningful. I lost both of my hives this winter as well and am starting over again with bees coming in May. Best of luck to you and keep the videos coming!!!
Don't pay attention to the haters, don't even acknowledge them. I recommend your channel to all new beekeepers as you are one of the few that shows failures not just successes and how to deal with them. Good plan for this year, in case you haven't heard EPA now approves using OA with supers on, so treat on. Thank you for your awesome content!
" I get it, its the internet.... people are insane." An understatement if there ever was one lol.
I watched your video when you told us about your loss. I was also heart broken. They are your bees. You were under the impression that everything was set for winter. We can’t do anything more that what we feel is right. Don’t be influenced by haters. Be encouraged by others who have had similar issues to deal with. I love your dedication.
lol, had a chuckle when he said that. 100% accurate.
great
Excellent video, thank you. Mites are our biggest problem, we have to treat 4-5 times per year. I think your assessment was spot on. I would like to suggest Formic Pro for the August treatment (depending on your temperature range). That way the honey supers aren't an issue, no residue in the wax and it's fine for the honey, and all the capped brood is treated as well. As a side note, your insulation/ feeding has worked beautifully for years, clearly not the problem. You are a very thoughtful beekeeper and are an inspiration for all that watch your videos. Can't wait for you to get your new bees!
Jim some of your videos are great like this one and I genuinely appreciate you taking the time to make these videos. This video saved my apiary because I almost made the same error you made. If it wasn’t for you my apiary would of lost many hives. So thank you for being a class act in sharing your experience.
That was the best pick yourself up, brush yourself off, regroup your thoughts, plan and proceed video ever. Way to go.
Haters? pffft
You go!
To go from "best ever" to "near extinction" is an emotional and i imagine profession shock. I'm not a beekeeper although I know one and to me knowing nothing I think bees need their space. Being so close together and why question would be "why not steal from each other" whereas if you throw out a "spread" that would focus the bees on building the best colonies rather than *bee* lazy and take from each other.
Just a totally uniformed take but never be afraid of a total collapse in the least as questioning the most basic assumptions and acting on that means you know enough that you really don't know but are still curious enough to try out a totally clean sheet approach.
I wouldn't recommend trying the same system but most importantly you want these colonies to be able to "think on their own" and not need such work effort for care and feeding *just for your own sanity!*
Best of luck and look forward to seeing this set back ... and this is a set back ... as something that really makes you motivated open up on the creative side as clearly you're one of the best out there doing this and have succeeded tremendously in the past as a consequence and all know this no matter what the future portends.
Best of luck and hope we the viewers are lucky enough to in fact see The Totally Awesome Comeback Tour!
@@georgedoolittle7574
HA! I know which group your comments were in.
1. He is not a professional beekeeper. He's a backyard beekeeper. With a large yard.
2. If you know "next to nothing" about something I suggest you not talk about it, because what you said definitely shows how little you know.
3. For your second paragraph, I suspect there is an insult in there but I have not yet learned that language. Try sentences.
4. Exactly what do you think the IQ of the common honey bee to be?
5. Punctuate please. Now I have a headache.
PS to Jim
He said it on my comment. I know you can defend yourself but I had to speak. If he's a relative of yours, I apologize.
@@georgedoolittle7574 - I must agree with Julie here for sure... Commercial beekeepers keep 4 hives to a pallet and hundreds if not thousands of hives in a single location. Jim knows his area and stated it beautifully, his spot just may not support more than 5-10 colonies... 6 is a great number to go into this year. It takes roughly a half to full acre of land with pollen and nectar producing plants per hive. That’s a lot of flowers, trees, canola, sunflowers... etc.
Thank you Julie for always being positive on channels that I see your comments. Always a pleasure to see your posts.
Jim, thank you for always keeping it real and giving us the ups and downs of the bees. And the farm in general. ❤️
🐝😎
I feel yah. I had a complete loss this year. I'll probably stay on top of the mites more this year too.
This is my favorite video of yours. I've had a ton of success and failure keeping bees and it's so hard to assess what went wrong or right! You definitely have the right mindset going forward, the changes you are planning all make sense and I'm sure you'll change them again, possibly year to year as you get new hives and different bloom cycles occur. I'm 10 years in this season and I'm stilllllllll making changes, I love it.
Just off the top of my head if you are looking to have larger clusters going into fall/winter obviously feeding protein patties and syrup will stimulate the queen to lay. Late summer/early fall in my area is when I find it the most helpful for them forming their winter nest. All hives will naturally shrink up a bit but it definitely depends on the breed of the bee. Feeding does help reduce stress and keep the cluster robust in my experience.
Very best of luck.
-Ryan
Thank you for help this will be my first year and your videos help what to look for thank you again and hope this year will be good for you!
thats the way, to make a cold calm recapitulation and learn. We all have somethin to learn from this guy. Thanks
i'm glad that you were able to find a probable cause. i didn't catch the last video, but i do really appreciate this one, and i'm out here rooting for you. i may not be one of your target audience--i don't have bees, i don't know bees outside of what you've shown on your channel, i don't have any means of or desire to become a beekeeper--but i love watching you. you're clearly both passionate about and dedicated to your bees, and that makes it a really fun time just... watching you, and learning with you. here's to a better year than the last.
This is my second year as a bee keeper. Thanks for your videos. You have helped make me a better beekeeper. Thanks for sharing. Good luck this year.
Thanks so much for these two videos. My first winter didn't go well. I lost my only two hives. I pick up two packages later today to start over and your comments are very helpful. Take care and always BEE happy! Pops