I love your no nonsense way of working, pretty much straight to the point with everything you're doing. Really great editing as well. 🐝👌🏻 I'm definitely going to be watching back over your videos.
Trevor my husband and I so enjoy your videos! What a beautiful countryside you have there!! Weve been watching for quite some time! We’ve had bees going on 8 years now and in Florida USA…our season seems to be about the same as yours. Our first pollen comes in around mid Dec first Jan? Your tips and tricks we always find helpful! Seems like our commercial guys here (for the most part) seem to not want to share any good information! Which is really sad but this world seems to be all about “me”..selfish. That being said we do have quite a few that make videos and share and many sideliners that are willing to share whatever they can to help! The tip that you shared to give the bees a gentle shake then move them to get rid of the foragers is genius and really common sense but I guess we don’t have enough of the commons sense to have thought that one out🤣🤣 so thanks for sharing!! And can’t wait to try to air freshener tip..how awesome!! Also we need some more tips and bottle flipping from your grandson!! He needs his fair share of air time also!! Much love from the other side of the pond!!💕💞
Hello Meloney and husband. Thank you so much for your extremely kind comments, I appreciate them. We are very lucky to live here amongst such natural beauty. I am not a particularly good beekeeper but I try to tell of my life with the bees rather than being a “teaching and preaching” channel. I am now of an age where I need to consider reducing the bees and that was part of the reason to record this while I can. You are the second person this week to ask for more of Ted. I know he’s only too happy to be involved and he’ll be back on soon. Thanks again, Trevor.
We've just found your You Tube site and glad we did .Your description to details is spot on .We have our own bees here in the Staffordshire Moorlands. I know Osmotherly stayed at the Youth hostel and a Bed and breakfast in the village While hiking Cleveland way.Such a lovely area. We are coming up to the Yorkshire moors next week 2nd September so hopefully pop on to buy some of your honey. Best wishes . Billy.
That's a new one on me regards being able to shake bees from one hive into a weaker one with just a spray of I imagine was just normal air freshener. Another great tip. You don't know how much all these tips help fellow bee keepers. Keep it up and let's have some more of that grandson bottle flipping, this chanel isn't all about you 😂
Thank you. I’ve used a shaker box sometimes but during a heavy nectar flow the bees seem to become almost immobile due to getting drenched with nectar.
Another excellent s it is video Trevor. At about 5 mins in you spoke of swapping positions of hive 40 and hive 90. Am i correct in assuming that this was to strengthen hive 40 by peeling the flying bees from the stronger hive into it ?. Do you ever put a weaker colony on top of a stronger colony and run as a two queen hive. I often do this and at the beginning of the June gap put the weaker hive which is now much stronger in place of the original brood box and move original queen elsewhere ready for hopefully summer flow with the weak colony now pretty strong.
Yes Phil your assumption is correct. I have never tried your method for boosting weak colonies but it’s a good idea. I’m constantly amazed at the feedback I get. Thank you.
Hello Trevor! Nice video good job! Yes, sometimes it happens that it is very difficult to find a queen. I tried tagging queens for a few seasons, but I didn't like it. I clip one wing of the troubled queen. I'm better at it. I use curved tip surgical scissors for this. They are the smallest size. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🤝🤝🤝🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🐝🐝🐝✌✌✌
Hello Ivan, I hope all is well with you. I used to clip one wing but don’t anymore. I don’t mark the queens either but I think a touch of paint would help me to find them. You can see that I struggle at times. 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🐝🐝🐝👍🤝🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Saying it simply just how it is, without talking for the sake of it. I think the older you get, the more difficult it is to find queens - I'm finding it increasingly difficult!
Thank you and yes you’re right. Trouble is, it’s not just finding queens that is becoming more difficult. We don’t understand the advantage of youth until we lose it.🤔
Queens can be difficult sometimes. l have had issues with finding them myself, the floor is a fairly common place to hide but the one that stands out is the queen that was staying absolutely still between the bottom of the comb and the bottom bars she was waiting till I had gone and l am sure she was watching me. Then there’s the flyer queen who flies away despite the fact an in lay queen shouldn’t be able to fly, sometimes they come back but often they don’t. Let’s hope the weather picks up a bit now May is here. Thanks for another video. Regards Jason
Thank you Jason. I see you have experience of awkward queens. They really aren’t supposed to fly when in full lay but as we know nothing is for certain with the bees.
When I’m joining bees together from different stocks, I give them a short spray oh household air freshener. The idea is to mask the scent of different bees and hopefully make for a smooth unification. During ordinary manipulations I just use the bee smoker.
You might want to think about using a push in cage? The plastic ones break too easily and can fall out of the comb freeing the queen but the ones with long metal spikes work perfectly. Only yesterday I was marking a queen when the loose plunger fell out of the marking device and off she flew - thankfully back into the hive!!! We all have these **!!** moments!
Thanks for the comment and suggestion. That’s a good idea but I think it may not be for me. I don’t mark or clip and usually they stay put on the comb. I think I may cause more harm than good by chasing a queen with a push in cage, panicking and possibly skewering her on a point. I think they are great for somebody who is possibly less clumsy and quicker to react than me. 👍
Do you take any hives to OSR? I`m asking myself if its worth it, have about 60 acres near the Mull of Galloway weather improving now, up until last Saturday it was cold
I have moved bees to OSR every year since 1975 but not this year. The ground has been so wet that the bees had to stay put. It’s dry enough now to travel but the colonies are now too large for moving easily. Some of them are moving into a third super. Some will reach OSR from their current locations but others may not. Several factors have left me less inclined to chase this crop. 1. If it’s modern hybrid OSR they probably won’t get anything off it. 2. I am well stocked with spring honey and there is definitely some difficulty in selling OSR honey on the wholesale market currently. (This may change as less is grown and if we also continue with a poor season or two.) 3. I am less able to work the long hard hours day and night that bee moving requires. I’m not ancient but right now after a tough day with stroppy bees I feel it. In your situation I would find out if the OSR is conventional or hybrid. If conventional then I think I would give it a go for the experience and adventure. Then all you have to worry about is harvesting it before it granulates but making sure the moisture level is ok. Good luck.👍
Thanks and yes I’ve been told a few times over the years that I’m hard on myself and I can understand the sentiment. You’re right the feeling of having left them worse off is awful. The main redeeming factor for me is that with a lot of colonies I have to move onto the next one and not dwell on it. Much worse for someone with only a few.
We use a very weak sugar syrup mix which is thymolised when uniting or mixing up bees, the syrup starts the bees cleaning each other and the thymol masks pheremone. Glad it’s not just us down south suffering with starving colonies, I never normally spring feed bug this year is a first in 24 year, no spring crop at all
I've literally just walked the dog on the Nottinghamshire/ derbyshire border and got talking to the farmer in the field not a mile from my apiary. So I asked what he was planting and he said Maize again. So I asked him why noone is planting rape around us anymore and he said its to do with a beetle that damages it so its just not worth it anymore
Hello, yes the problem is the cabbage stem flea beetle. The only way if realistically controlling them was by using a neonicotinoid seed dressing. That’s now banned. I do cover this in more detail in an earlier video - Hornet Talk - Podcast and looking at crops for bees. Thanks.
![[Gegagedigedagedago] NEW Help Gegagedigedagedago Nugget escape from Nikocado Avocado Challenge](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hJWnwRC2Fz8/mqdefault.jpg)
I’m enjoying following your season along. Thanks for taking the time to put the videos together. Cheers
Thank you for your kind comment. It’s good to know you find them interesting.
I love your no nonsense way of working, pretty much straight to the point with everything you're doing. Really great editing as well. 🐝👌🏻 I'm definitely going to be watching back over your videos.
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m glad you find my videos of interest.
Trevor my husband and I so enjoy your videos! What a beautiful countryside you have there!! Weve been watching for quite some time! We’ve had bees going on 8 years now and in Florida USA…our season seems to be about the same as yours. Our first pollen comes in around mid Dec first Jan? Your tips and tricks we always find helpful! Seems like our commercial guys here (for the most part) seem to not want to share any good information! Which is really sad but this world seems to be all about “me”..selfish. That being said we do have quite a few that make videos and share and many sideliners that are willing to share whatever they can to help! The tip that you shared to give the bees a gentle shake then move them to get rid of the foragers is genius and really common sense but I guess we don’t have enough of the commons sense to have thought that one out🤣🤣 so thanks for sharing!! And can’t wait to try to air freshener tip..how awesome!! Also we need some more tips and bottle flipping from your grandson!! He needs his fair share of air time also!! Much love from the other side of the pond!!💕💞
Hello Meloney and husband.
Thank you so much for your extremely kind comments, I appreciate them.
We are very lucky to live here amongst such natural beauty.
I am not a particularly good beekeeper but I try to tell of my life with the bees rather than being a “teaching and preaching” channel.
I am now of an age where I need to consider reducing the bees and that was part of the reason to record this while I can.
You are the second person this week to ask for more of Ted. I know he’s only too happy to be involved and he’ll be back on soon.
Thanks again, Trevor.
We've just found your You Tube site and glad we did .Your description to details is spot on .We have our own bees here in the Staffordshire Moorlands. I know Osmotherly stayed at the Youth hostel and a Bed and breakfast in the village While hiking Cleveland way.Such a lovely area. We are coming up to the Yorkshire moors next week 2nd September so hopefully pop on to buy some of your honey.
Best wishes .
Billy.
Hello Billy and thank you for your kind comment. I hope you enjoy your time here.
That's a new one on me regards being able to shake bees from one hive into a weaker one with just a spray of I imagine was just normal air freshener. Another great tip. You don't know how much all these tips help fellow bee keepers. Keep it up and let's have some more of that grandson bottle flipping, this chanel isn't all about you 😂
That comment has made my day. More importantly it has also made our Ted’s day. He’s keen to show more bottle flipping. 🤣👏👍
@@swaleshoney tell him the world awaits. Bless him.
I will. Thank you.
Keep videos coming and get a shaker box
Thank you. I’ve used a shaker box sometimes but during a heavy nectar flow the bees seem to become almost immobile due to getting drenched with nectar.
Equalising the colonies gives me satisfaction to think I’ve done my best to help the colonies
Great vid Trevor, keep up the good work
Thanks Colin. I know what you mean, you leave a site thinking good job done.
It’s a good start anyway, even if when we return we find chaos restored.🤔
You should try breeding those ones with the dots on their heads Trev... lol I'm gonna try breed the green ones this year.
I could do with some with hi-viz.😂
Another excellent s it is video Trevor. At about 5 mins in you spoke of swapping positions of hive 40 and hive 90. Am i correct in assuming that this was to strengthen hive 40 by peeling the flying bees from the stronger hive into it ?. Do you ever put a weaker colony on top of a stronger colony and run as a two queen hive. I often do this and at the beginning of the June gap put the weaker hive which is now much stronger in place of the original brood box and move original queen elsewhere ready for hopefully summer flow with the weak colony now pretty strong.
Yes Phil your assumption is correct.
I have never tried your method for boosting weak colonies but it’s a good idea. I’m constantly amazed at the feedback I get. Thank you.
Perfect timing for this video , well done
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Another great vid mate. Beautiful part of the world.
Thank you. Yes we are very fortunate to live in such beautiful surroundings.
Your black queen is a beauty. Another great video. Many thanks. J
Thank you Jim, yes she is.
Hello Trevor! Nice video good job! Yes, sometimes it happens that it is very difficult to find a queen. I tried tagging queens for a few seasons, but I didn't like it. I clip one wing of the troubled queen. I'm better at it. I use curved tip surgical scissors for this. They are the smallest size. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🤝🤝🤝🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🐝🐝🐝✌✌✌
Hello Ivan, I hope all is well with you.
I used to clip one wing but don’t anymore. I don’t mark the queens either but I think a touch of paint would help me to find them. You can see that I struggle at times.
🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🐝🐝🐝👍🤝🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Saying it simply just how it is, without talking for the sake of it.
I think the older you get, the more difficult it is to find queens - I'm finding it increasingly difficult!
Thank you and yes you’re right. Trouble is, it’s not just finding queens that is becoming more difficult. We don’t understand the advantage of youth until we lose it.🤔
Queens can be difficult sometimes. l have had issues with finding them myself, the floor is a fairly common place to hide but the one that stands out is the queen that was staying absolutely still between the bottom of the comb and the bottom bars she was waiting till I had gone and l am sure she was watching me. Then there’s the flyer queen who flies away despite the fact an in lay queen shouldn’t be able to fly, sometimes they come back but often they don’t. Let’s hope the weather picks up a bit now May is here. Thanks for another video. Regards Jason
Thank you Jason. I see you have experience of awkward queens.
They really aren’t supposed to fly when in full lay but as we know nothing is for certain with the bees.
What do you spray on the bees to calm them down ?
When I’m joining bees together from different stocks, I give them a short spray oh household air freshener. The idea is to mask the scent of different bees and hopefully make for a smooth unification.
During ordinary manipulations I just use the bee smoker.
You might want to think about using a push in cage? The plastic ones break too easily and can fall out of the comb freeing the queen but the ones with long metal spikes work perfectly. Only yesterday I was marking a queen when the loose plunger fell out of the marking device and off she flew - thankfully back into the hive!!! We all have these **!!** moments!
Thanks for the comment and suggestion. That’s a good idea but I think it may not be for me. I don’t mark or clip and usually they stay put on the comb.
I think I may cause more harm than good by chasing a queen with a push in cage, panicking and possibly skewering her on a point. I think they are great for somebody who is possibly less clumsy and quicker to react than me. 👍
Do you leave the Queen Ex on over winter?
I take all the queen excluders off for winter. Thanks Chris.
Do you take any hives to OSR? I`m asking myself if its worth it, have about 60 acres near the Mull of Galloway weather improving now, up until last Saturday it was cold
I have moved bees to OSR every year since 1975 but not this year.
The ground has been so wet that the bees had to stay put.
It’s dry enough now to travel but the colonies are now too large for moving easily. Some of them are moving into a third super.
Some will reach OSR from their current locations but others may not.
Several factors have left me less inclined to chase this crop.
1. If it’s modern hybrid OSR they probably won’t get anything off it.
2. I am well stocked with spring honey and there is definitely some difficulty in selling OSR honey on the wholesale market currently. (This may change as less is grown and if we also continue with a poor season or two.)
3. I am less able to work the long hard hours day and night that bee moving requires. I’m not ancient but right now after a tough day with stroppy bees I feel it.
In your situation I would find out if the OSR is conventional or hybrid.
If conventional then I think I would give it a go for the experience and adventure.
Then all you have to worry about is harvesting it before it granulates but making sure the moisture level is ok.
Good luck.👍
I think you were being a bit hard on yourself over that queen but I 100% understand the feeling. Sometimes you could just kick yourself.
Thanks and yes I’ve been told a few times over the years that I’m hard on myself and I can understand the sentiment.
You’re right the feeling of having left them worse off is awful.
The main redeeming factor for me is that with a lot of colonies I have to move onto the next one and not dwell on it. Much worse for someone with only a few.
the weather has been awful temperature wise, feel sorry for you lot with all the rain.
what did you spray on them nplease
Air freshener l think to confuse the scent of the bees from each hive.
Yes indeed, that’s it. Just ordinary household air freshener. I don’t know how effective it really is but I feel better for using it.
We use a very weak sugar syrup mix which is thymolised when uniting or mixing up bees, the syrup starts the bees cleaning each other and the thymol masks pheremone. Glad it’s not just us down south suffering with starving colonies, I never normally spring feed bug this year is a first in 24 year, no spring crop at all
@@beekeeperkev Thanks for that Kev. It’s been a testing time that’s for sure. I can see how your thymol and syrup would work. Good idea.👍
I've literally just walked the dog on the Nottinghamshire/ derbyshire border and got talking to the farmer in the field not a mile from my apiary. So I asked what he was planting and he said Maize again. So I asked him why noone is planting rape around us anymore and he said its to do with a beetle that damages it so its just not worth it anymore
Hello, yes the problem is the cabbage stem flea beetle. The only way if realistically controlling them was by using a neonicotinoid seed dressing.
That’s now banned. I do cover this in more detail in an earlier video - Hornet Talk - Podcast and looking at crops for bees. Thanks.
i love you
Thank you.