Looks good! I usually just paint mine a light color and put painters tape in patterns on the front of the boxes. Your yard is going to look really nice this year!
Hey Bug Farmer. Always great watching. Question: How is painting the lids helping with drifting? I understanding painting designs near the entrance helps--but how does the lids?
In my experience at the farm with the Bee Castlle hives the bees circle the hive many times on their orientation flights. That coupled with their approach vector on landing it is my opinion they will see and recognize the roof of their hive more than their landing board. That is my story and i'm sticking to it :-)
I have never heard of that before. I looked at the cans again this morning and they seem to have lost all pressure. The nozzles are not clogged. Maybe they are out of date. Thank you. I am going to look at the can for a expiration date .
@BugFarmerBees * The paint starts to gob up and clogs the dip tube! I slowly cut off the bottom with metal cutters and then use a brush. Don't use the kitchen electric can opener! Don't ask. Opened too fast!🫣
@BugFarmerBees If you've seen seen any of my latest videos, you'll see all my hive bodies for this coming spring have all kinds of designs painted on them. I've been doing this for the past 2 years and have noticed that it does help a lot. I put all my splits in 10 frame equipment so I don't have to transfer later but I even do it to my nucs that I am selling
at 24.00 minute the american flag ,, well its actually hot pink,, haha buddy you make me laugh,, thank you sometimes the little things help out,, keep on keeping up,,, awesome another good 1... and yes thinking the temp is playing with your rattle cans they dont like spray under 60ish degrees,,
To keep nozzles clear; turn them upside down after use and before storage and give a short spray to clear out the nozzle while the paint is still liquid.
Now the Aliens are coming for your bees. LOL. While it lacks a heavy contrast, I paint the top of my mail boxes with flex seal. I adds another layer of protection, helps the door grab and gives it some rubberized texture on top. Next time I am thinking of going blue with tops because items painted blue or made in blue tended to survive the fires better in HI, even blue plastic trash cans next to metal that melted and pooled within inches of the plastic.
If they swarm with restaurants nearby will they seek out the one that flies the flag that was their top? The Olive Garden invaded with Italian bees or the Russian bees invading the Russian borsch shop. Perhaps when you move hives too and the ones outside can't find home, seeking out the various flag poles? Sorry in the mood to be funny about it.
The wife an I had a great laugh from you comment. I can see it now, Italian bees invade olive garden..... :-). To funny. Thanks for stopping in and making me laugh. Take care.
Red, White and Blue stripes describes the flags of the Netherlands (horizontal), Luxembourg (also horizontal, lighter shade of blue) and France (vertical, blue on the hoist side).
Last year you reviewed the cheap Vevor hives with observation windows and now that I'm getting old (and DIY is not my best skill), I was thinking about gluing 2 or 3 of them together, without the windows, to make one large horizontal hive, and put it in my attic. It would work don't you think?
I do think it would work because bees would live in just about anything that is weather tight but I would worry the glue joints would fail over time. Moreover, you would have to fabricate a bottom board and some sort of weather tight lid because they come with individual bottom boards and telescoping lids. If a long Langstroth is what you want I would look for a cheap one that costs less than three cheap VEVOR hives. Here is a long lang kit on ebay for 400.00. www.ebay.com/itm/116416222674?itmmeta=01JHBJPCVT3X2HS875N4NYBTYY&hash=item1b1af295d2:g:IM4AAOSwhNJnV6-i
I paint each one of my hives a different color, and I also do a poor man’s fiberglass on the top. This will give me many years without having to replace lids. Water is not a friend of plywood
Very true. I have high hopes for the HDO plywood though. I have been watching Bob Binnie for years and his HDO lids seem to withstand the elements pretty good.
If spray cans sit (even if never used) the paint within the pickup tube eventually dries and prevents use even under full pressure. There are TH-cams explaining how to remedy this.
I highly recommend watching this lecture on the National Honey Show. It is from Dara Kilmartin. I don’t remember the specifics of his credentials some type of optometrist. His conclusions is that it’s not color but 3D geometric shapes. And on the face of the hive where the entrance is. I was surprised you chose the top instead of the front of the hive. I think most drifting is the beekeepers fault. When I see those hives stacked side by side then of course they will drift. When you set up your new yard the first thought I had was that you’re going to have tons of drifting with them in lines right behind each other. I try to keep my entrances 8’ apart. I do realize that you have to do what you have to do with the space you have. Robbing is much more of a spreading event than drifting in my mind. th-cam.com/video/iDZiza-vtrk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=1WROM9ffldMbLOXo
True, but I have watched the orientation flights and they always seem to circle the hive several times. It works at the farm I am pretty certain it will work on the new hives too. That said, My new hives are all white so I can add some runway markings to the landing boards too :-). Thanks for stopping in and I appreciate the info. Take care.
No they are not. They see in the ultraviolet spectrum. There are several great articles out there about it. Have a look at this video: th-cam.com/video/N1TUDFCOwjY/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
Hilarious
Thanks for the simple chuckles. Looking forward to the beekeeping season. Cheers..
Me too! It is just around the corner. Lot's of work to get done though.
Oh boy! Always good to see the Bug Farmer posted a video.
I surprise myself every Friday with a new one :-) Thanks for stopping in and having a look. I appreciate you.
Thank you. That made me smile. Nice work.
I consider spray paint cans to be one-use items since they tend to clog up/stop after a bit.
A few folks on here have suggested storing them upside down. I think I will give that a shot.
Love your creativity my Bee brother
Thanks. Just fun little shop projects while I wait on spring. I spent all day today playing in the snow. :-)
I love the flag tops. I may do something like that for my hives. Awesome job❤
I have to think up some more bee varieties and finish painting them tomorrow. :-)
Looks good! I usually just paint mine a light color and put painters tape in patterns on the front of the boxes. Your yard is going to look really nice this year!
I can't wait to get it set up. March will be here before I know it.
I remember them having something like $2. worth of quarters in their pockets too. Always love your videos.
I really appreciate you stopping in to have a look and for taking the time to drop a like and comment. You are appreciated. Thank you.
Looking good! Maybe put the Bull on one😉🤣
That's an idea.
Man I wish I had you as my neighbor lol we would bee good friends.
Great to hear. Thanks for stopping in.
Made me laugh pitchering your bees chasing John-Deer's around the field.😊
The farmers will hate me :-)
Still think you need a Canadian hive! A little red and white 😊
I'll make one just for you buddy :-)
Hey Bug Farmer. Always great watching. Question: How is painting the lids helping with drifting? I understanding painting designs near the entrance helps--but how does the lids?
In my experience at the farm with the Bee Castlle hives the bees circle the hive many times on their orientation flights. That coupled with their approach vector on landing it is my opinion they will see and recognize the roof of their hive more than their landing board. That is my story and i'm sticking to it :-)
@ I agree
00:11:30 spray paint has an expiration date. I know that after calling Rust-Oleum tec support 😂
I have never heard of that before. I looked at the cans again this morning and they seem to have lost all pressure. The nozzles are not clogged. Maybe they are out of date. Thank you. I am going to look at the can for a expiration date .
@BugFarmerBees * The paint starts to gob up and clogs the dip tube! I slowly cut off the bottom with metal cutters and then use a brush. Don't use the kitchen electric can opener! Don't ask. Opened too fast!🫣
Why is your camera recording pixelated static under your work bench?
Green screen artifact. That wall is green but heavily shadowed. The computer wanted to key it out but wasn't sure if it should.
My reasoning for painting shapes and designs on my hive bodies is for returning queens from mating flights.
That is a great bit of information.
@BugFarmerBees If you've seen seen any of my latest videos, you'll see all my hive bodies for this coming spring have all kinds of designs painted on them. I've been doing this for the past 2 years and have noticed that it does help a lot. I put all my splits in 10 frame equipment so I don't have to transfer later but I even do it to my nucs that I am selling
at 24.00 minute the american flag ,, well its actually hot pink,, haha buddy you make me laugh,, thank you sometimes the little things help out,, keep on keeping up,,, awesome another good 1... and yes thinking the temp is playing with your rattle cans they dont like spray under 60ish degrees,,
Also the low humidity may be drying the paint before it leaves the can.
That has to be it. They have always worked in the past. I keep them around until summer before I toss them out.
To keep nozzles clear; turn them upside down after use and before storage and give a short spray to clear out the nozzle while the paint is still liquid.
You are the second person to tell me that. How in the world have I never heard that before. I guess I need to hold on to. my lids now. Thanks.
Now the Aliens are coming for your bees. LOL. While it lacks a heavy contrast, I paint the top of my mail boxes with flex seal. I adds another layer of protection, helps the door grab and gives it some rubberized texture on top. Next time I am thinking of going blue with tops because items painted blue or made in blue tended to survive the fires better in HI, even blue plastic trash cans next to metal that melted and pooled within inches of the plastic.
I need to watch out for the hale-boppers and blue lasers :-)
Here’s a thought. Paint your rendition of your favorite 80s band album covers on some of your tops.
ooooooohhhh. What a great idea. I'll have to get my real paints and brushes to do that. Thanks!
If they swarm with restaurants nearby will they seek out the one that flies the flag that was their top? The Olive Garden invaded with Italian bees or the Russian bees invading the Russian borsch shop. Perhaps when you move hives too and the ones outside can't find home, seeking out the various flag poles? Sorry in the mood to be funny about it.
The wife an I had a great laugh from you comment. I can see it now, Italian bees invade olive garden..... :-). To funny. Thanks for stopping in and making me laugh. Take care.
Red, White and Blue stripes describes the flags of the Netherlands (horizontal), Luxembourg (also horizontal, lighter shade of blue) and France (vertical, blue on the hoist side).
Now I can make a bunch more flag tops. But do we really want French bees? :-)
@@BugFarmerBees Yes, you do as those are too afraid to sting ;)
Last year you reviewed the cheap Vevor hives with observation windows and now that I'm getting old (and DIY is not my best skill), I was thinking about gluing 2 or 3 of them together, without the windows, to make one large horizontal hive, and put it in my attic.
It would work don't you think?
I do think it would work because bees would live in just about anything that is weather tight but I would worry the glue joints would fail over time. Moreover, you would have to fabricate a bottom board and some sort of weather tight lid because they come with individual bottom boards and telescoping lids. If a long Langstroth is what you want I would look for a cheap one that costs less than three cheap VEVOR hives. Here is a long lang kit on ebay for 400.00. www.ebay.com/itm/116416222674?itmmeta=01JHBJPCVT3X2HS875N4NYBTYY&hash=item1b1af295d2:g:IM4AAOSwhNJnV6-i
@@BugFarmerBees .. Hmmmmm, that's a nice kit for a nice price .. thanks
What do they look like under a UV light ? As the bees would see
I should have broken out the black light.
FYI - if you turn the spray paint can upside down after using it the nozzle will clear.
Great tip. Thanks.
I paint each one of my hives a different color, and I also do a poor man’s fiberglass on the top. This will give me many years without having to replace lids. Water is not a friend of plywood
Very true. I have high hopes for the HDO plywood though. I have been watching Bob Binnie for years and his HDO lids seem to withstand the elements pretty good.
If spray cans sit (even if never used) the paint within the pickup tube eventually dries and prevents use even under full pressure. There are TH-cams explaining how to remedy this.
I will look it up. I really appreciate this info. I would hate to havbe to throw away paint cans that are still half full.
I am not afraid of heights, I am afraid of the ground as that hurts when it hits you.
Ha! I am not afraid of heights but I am afraid of those sky chairs.
A pyramid shape with a circle over it is also the symbol for planet Earth in the Star gate movie and series.
I remember star gate. That is reaching back a bit.
I highly recommend watching this lecture on the National Honey Show. It is from Dara Kilmartin. I don’t remember the specifics of his credentials some type of optometrist.
His conclusions is that it’s not color but 3D geometric shapes. And on the face of the hive where the entrance is.
I was surprised you chose the top instead of the front of the hive.
I think most drifting is the beekeepers fault. When I see those hives stacked side by side then of course they will drift.
When you set up your new yard the first thought I had was that you’re going to have tons of drifting with them in lines right behind each other.
I try to keep my entrances 8’ apart.
I do realize that you have to do what you have to do with the space you have. Robbing is much more of a spreading event than drifting in my mind.
th-cam.com/video/iDZiza-vtrk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=1WROM9ffldMbLOXo
Thanks for the information and the link. I'll give it a watch. Thanks
You need to mark the front of the box round the door. That is what they orientate to not the top
True, but I have watched the orientation flights and they always seem to circle the hive several times. It works at the farm I am pretty certain it will work on the new hives too. That said, My new hives are all white so I can add some runway markings to the landing boards too :-). Thanks for stopping in and I appreciate the info. Take care.
Wouldn't drones spread the mites regardless. Mites love them.
Yes, drones do kind of get around but the goal is to lesson the risk not eliminate it.
Aren’t the bees colour blind?
No they are not. They see in the ultraviolet spectrum. There are several great articles out there about it. Have a look at this video: th-cam.com/video/N1TUDFCOwjY/w-d-xo.htmlfeature=shared
you do know bees can't see red?
True. I said that in the beginning.
Tie dye 😅
I just finished all of the lids and I have one that looks like tie die. My hippy bees with the long fuzz will live there :-)