How to Strengthen a Weak Hive for Winter
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ค. 2024
- This is a bit of a twist for my videos. Here I have a weak hive that is healthy, but just needs a boost. Rather than unite them with another hive I am going to baby them through the winter and hopefully get a thriving hive next season. Join me on this journey and see if we can save the hive!
![เกิดใหม่ทั้งทีก็เป็นสไลม์ไปซะแล้ว ซีซั่น 3 - ตอนที่ 64 [ซับไทย]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Pmsta0byEpk/mqdefault.jpg)
My hive is in EXACTLY this condition here in Southern California. I'm going to follow your actions here& do all I can to get my colony strong. thank you!
Love your videos! So happy you're back.
I hope that your babies made it safely through the Winter! The very best of luck to you and your girls!
I definitely am interested in follow up videos. This is my favorite bee channel by far. When I'm learning about something I like to know as much as possible. And your videos are the most informative and in-depth I've found. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
Really interesting and helpful.thanks so much for sharing your expertise
thanks for posting
I really appreciate the detail in your demonstration and narrative. Great job! Thanx, LP
Thanks for letting me know!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I'm going to take your advise and try pollen patties for a weak hive I'm dealing with.
Glad your back, missed you. Its going to be interesting to follow them along. Thanks for posting.
Thanks! Its been a very busy year, sorry for the absence!
Thanks for the video. Looking forward to seeing how they get on.
Thanks. Uploading the next video now, but it probably won't be available for a couple days.
can't wait for the updates! Good to see you back!
Thanks! I have the newest update filmed...just have to produce it and upload it. It should be available in three or four days.
Minute 12:00
A 3 pipe system has been designed to use the byproduct of 1 head as the means to condition the next. Its not nearly as popular and a good bit more extensive.
Minute 18:00
Cleaning... pour some 30% vinegar into the vondensate pan of the head as a means to clear scum out of the condensate line. Ideally you are drained using gravity rather than a pump but in either case, its a good prevention measure.
Really interested to see what kind of results you get.
Get a frame of brood from your other hive or more and some honey do a Robin hood on them this is way I have a two hives at least in each spot iv kept a hive alive till a queen turned up this year doing this it started as my number 1 and after a while with no queen is now 4 of 6 but its quite strong and iv got a new laying queen the three a head are ready for a split each
Great video, I'm trying the same thing out here in Parker, CO. Your back drop looks like you are close by... I also put a mouse guard on the front of my struggling hive to help keep robbers out. Looking forward to the next addition.
Thanks. Yep, very close...Pueblo West, CO. Keep me informed on how your bees do!
will do. I have a internal feeder inside my hive from Murdoch's. It holds more than the upside down can and is protected inside the hive from wasps, and other robbers. I just added some fondant, any thoughts on that? I heard it handles cold better, less water in it.
Thank you
Good Video!
Very helpful im learning a lot watching your channel.
I love your videos; they are very helpful. I would love for you to make a video on how you make a pollen patty and how to make a syrup can. Thanks for sharing.
Good Idea, I'll try to work on those!
Are you using 1:1 or 2:1 syrup
thank's
i wish my winters were like yours, -30*c (-22*f) today. hope my girls are tucked in tight.
I'm glad my winters aren't like yours! Good luck!
Try putting both heels to the ground when you squat. It is much more comfortable. You will find you can squat for many minutes, even hours.
Some people can't put heels down when squatting due to tight muscles :-(
yeah we like episodic
Ah timely video for me. I just got in from a similar situation. Lost the queen around the hurricane. And thought a new queen replaced her. But no so I just combined with a nuc hive and 2:1 sugar feed. So we'll see...
wonder how long that pollen patty will last in a colony that size. thanks for the video!
Should be all they need!
Great video. Thanks. Hw do you winterize your hives?
I don't really. It can get very cold here, but research I have read using temperature probes suggest that the temperature just a couple of inches away from the cluster (to the side or bottom) is the same as outside temperature usually whether they are insulated or not. I have read about this in the American Bee Journal, but I don't have an exact reference for you. However, if you feel you need to, one thing that I personally feel would make a difference would be some type of insulation over the cover of the hive. Maybe foam insulation taped on top of the telescoping cover, or dry burlap, wood chips, something absorbent above the inner cover and below the telescoping cover. A new tool for this is the Vivaldi board that some beekeeping supply stores have available. If you're interested there is a video here from a channel I recommend to new beekeepers and old alike:
th-cam.com/video/xKL46LKVqHs/w-d-xo.html
He is a new beekeeper but really does his homework and I think anybody can learn something. Hope this helps!
Would you recommend that hat with screen? If so where can I find it?
👍
Good info .... but .... too time consuming ! ... u can say am impatient, but this is how i feel,....
Very grateful for your efforts........ is it necessary to introduce pollen even if there is pollen close by.....?
I never do...but many beekeepers will tell you otherwise. Bees usually don't have problems gathering pollen because there are sources of pollen from win pollinated plants before and after nectar flows start and end, even at the end of fall. The only case where I would is with a very weak split or a weak hive that doesn't have a good work force to forage for pollen.
You also need to add a frame or two of capped brood to the hive
That will strengthen a weak hive, adding frames of capped brood. But, if the cluster cannot cover the brood you are adding and it gets cold, the brood will get chilled and die, so always make sure there are enough bees in the hive to handle any brood added to the hive.
Hungry bees
So when I was looking through your videos it seems like you are in a southwest climate maybe, or semi-arid etc? I am in the southwest. A lot of the developed city areas have taken up a lot of the good land. It seems like a lot of the only areas to go are the deserts to find places to put down colonies.
I'm wondering if you had information on how to do this, and how to get them to survive in those areas? And will non-africanized colonies still be able to survive as well in these semi-arid areas?
Thanks.
What are the signs that a hive is being robed?
I like your solid board inner cover. Never seen one yet.
I have a video on these signs if you haven't seen it yet, however, robbers fly more erratically, there is fighting at the entrance and you will see bees trying to get into the hive in places where there aren't entrances. The most telling sign is a build up of wax or waxy substances at the entrance.
i had a similar problem after i treated for veroa mites i lost the queen mid oct. she was just gone no brood no eggs checked again after two weeks thinking she stopped because of the treatment needless to say panic mode my first hive found a queen to order now the end of November seeing a small cluster of capped brood they have lots of framed honey most of top box is full bottom lots of pollen im in Kentucky so getting cold should i keep on checking them or leave it be till spring yes like to see how ur hive makes it through the winter
If they have at least four frames of bees they should make it through pretty cold weather, just be sure they aren't dwindling. If you have more than one hive and lose a queen, you can unite them. But if they have plenty of food and four frames of bees they have a chance...
Thinking of starting for a hobby. Do these techniques apply in New Zealand and also was quite interested in using those new Flow Hives out of Australia. Seems like a good idea for hobbyists. Do you know any downsides to them aside from cost.
Unfortunately, I've never been to New Zealand. The principles of Honey Bee behavior are the same world wide, but the specifics regarding what size hives would make it through winter, how many brood boxes, etc. might be different...or at least I imagine they could be. Seek out a local beekeeper's association to find out what is common in your area. The downside to the flow hive for new hobbyist beekeepers is the impression that you don't have to go into the hive as often. In fact, it is even more important to make sure 80% of the frames are capped before you empty the flow hive frames...and then wait until they are at least 80% capped before you do it again. Also, I'm not sure how long the frames will last, long term and I understand they are quite expensive to replace. Thanks for watching the video and writing.
Just an additional thought re hives in other countries (as I have read; I am still learning - not practising), it's good to know what is the most commonly used in your country so you could easily buy replacement frames that fit, get from other beekeepers in your area etc. Apparently in the UK it is the National but the Langstroth is the world's most popular hive and the WBC is what the general public think of as a bee hive! Just a case of convenience I believe, makes no difference to the bees.
Dormousey what does WBC stand for?
I would like to start beekeeping as a hobby. I live in eastern Canada and Jan through Feb it is almost always below zero. can you recommend any resources on how to protect your hives through this kind of cold?
The best resources out there for all things beekeeping are: The ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture, Dadant's The Hive and the Honey Bee, and Ross Conrad's book, Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture. Having said that, Honey Bee's are extremely resilient and scientific studies that I have read about in the American Bee Journal (another great resource) have showed that even if a hive is wrapped with insulation, the temperature in the winter about 2" away from the cluster is the same as the outside temperature. The hive itself protects against wind so long as the equipment is tight and the bees have had a month or so to seal up any seams, prior to winter setting in. If you are worried about wind, surrounding your hives with bales of straw or hay (not right up against the hive, you don't want them touching the hives) is my preferred method. Also, some kind of insulated, but breathable top cover does help a lot. I just watched a video from Vino Farm that explores a new piece of equipment called a Vivaldi Board that Looks like the best tool on the market for that purpose:
th-cam.com/video/xKL46LKVqHs/w-d-xo.html
He is a novice beekeeper but has a very analytical mind, does his homework and comes to decisions by weighing many different options. I would recommend his channel to any new beekeeper.
The last bit of advice would be to check with any local beekeeping clubs, co-ops, or associations in your area and get their advice on the subject...they have dealt with your harsh winters for many years and have probably got information that may prove more relevant to your situation. Thanks for watching...and I hope this helps!
@@honeybeehoney6132 just make a little green house put boxes in green house amd make a little enternes in green house
I'm with the rest of the folk that say welcome back, I don't really understand the rear opening concept though.
Might be a silly question but that syrup can you put in looks to be upside down. How does the syrup not run out into the hive?
Androoski Sumpinsuch A vacuum forms in the jar and stops it from pouring out
what's the mega bee recipe for the pollen patty?
megabee.com/about.html
Basically a 1:1 ratio of Megabee and syrup (2:1 syrup). Thanks for watching!
Do you tell the Robbers by the little masks?
How long can you feed syrup during this time of year? I have 3 hives total, but one hive is very angry every time I try and feed them or inspect them because I think they are getting robbed by the other two. I usually block out the 2 hives with a grass plug while I work on the robbed hive but I'm concerned that they will not have any honey left to get them through the cold northern CO winter. Right now, the days are warmer but the nights are getting cold.
The weather is the same here really so far this year. If you feed the way I am doing in the video you can feed most of the winter. The bees create heat, which warms the can and keeps the sugar syrup flowing, especially if they are clustered underneath it, though even if they aren't most of the heat is going to keep the can warm because of the bee escape hole. The larger the can, the harder it is too keep warm, which is why I use quart cans. Sugar syrup won't freeze at 32 degrees either, it takes much colder temps to freeze it, but I have never had a frozen can of syrup when fed this way. I will be posting a new video in the next few days as a follow up to this video and I talk a little about feeding syrup...also I have a video on feeding as well that might help. Thanks for watching!!
Honey Bee Honey
Thank you for the good advice and I love your videos-very helpful!
Feed 2:1 syrup and pollen.
You can feed until the weather gets below 50°
Then feed sugar.
@@honeybeehoney6132 thanks for the video. I bought a Lyson Hive and was advised by a rep who didn't know about this kind of hive to buy a feeder that doesn't work. Bees couldn't access the syrup. I called back and was told to do something else with it, I did. After two weeks of fiddling around with it I figured out the problem. Now I am short on time to feed before cold weather comes and I want to know where can I get the cans of sugar syrup? Am I making the can myself by filling a can with the top cut off? And then tipping it so I can fill it? Any help would be appreciated.
Those bees are starving they have absolutely no food in their guaranteed you need to put them in a 5 frame nuc, give them a frame of brood, and move them if all possible if not cut the door entrance down to 3/8 of an inch or them robber bees are just going to have a smorgasborg. That's way too much comb for them to try to cover, 66° there at the top of the frames they are starving
Very Good guidance ... he shl have thanked u atleast....
St. Peter’s Catholic Church covington la
If if if and then a drone laying hive, robbers, not accepted queen and other difficulties you are truly a magician to bring that colony through the winter. Maybe your winter is not much of a winter. I think your recipe for bringing them through the cold is not much good for the average person keeping honey bees.
I live in England and I have a hive that is thriving but.... They live inside a four foot speaker out in my garden.. I want to transfer them to a real hive. What is the best way to do this?
Also how will I harvest the honey from a speaker?? I will need to physically pull it apart and that's difficult enough without bees inside.
but now is could . the bees don't proceccing pollen peddy and sirop .
It doesn't have to be processed...ready to consume and feed to brood. Also, it hasn't been cold here, days in the 70's and 80's F. The colder it is, the harder it is to effectively treat a hive, but its definitely possible, been doing it for many years. Keep watching!
Please help before winter comes.
unwatchable! plz plan out what you want to present and create a flow
Amen!!....i flagged at 4:58
Peter and Greg, Give us links to your videos so we can see what the difference is
Talk too much. Just show the method.
You talk too much about ?...Do you watch your video before the public views it???