A Close Look At The Apimaye 7 Frame Nuc

[@johniac7078]

I think ladybug wants a coffee break!

[@Doxymeister]

Wow, #ApiMaye seems to have thought of everything--how cool is that! Hey to Ladybug, give her a hug from us!

[@marybethnoonan4424]

Thanks Jason, you explain things very well. Excellent video, cute dog too!

[@JCsBees]

Glad it was helpful and you enjoyed my dog, Ladybug.

[@cynvision]

Hello! Good to see you back outside.

[@JCsBees]

Hello. I've had a few videos outside recently.

[@KajunHomestead]

I LOVE MINE SUCH GREAT QUALITY

[@ridingvenus]

Interesting possibilities.

[@houstonsheltonbees814]

Great job man on the review 👍 I really like the double sided entrance. Thanks brother. Good health and God bless

[@russw3926]

Great job Jason on this product review. Hats off to you and Lady Bug. Thank you.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks for watching!

[@rpeebles]

Got my 7frame nuc over the winter and had 3 out of 4 virgins returned so far this year in it. In addition they built out the comb much more than my non-insulated mating nucs with the same amount of time. The convenience of moving it around is very helpful when making splits and then adding queen cells. I am very happy with it!

[@rickmartin9823]

Great video

[@CastleHives]

Love my 7 framer Apimaye. Great product.

[@437AlBig]

Thanks for the review Jason. Very informative. Can't wait for a follow-up on it.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks for watching!

[@timcaron9049]

This is awesome. Great setup. Thanks for showing us.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks for watching!

[@massachusettsprepper]

These are definitely worth every penny that you paper them. All of their products are built extremely well and hold up to the elements. I have just recently ordered one of the to test out myself. Excellent video my friend and as always thanks for sharing.

[@JCsBees]

I agree, if a person does the math on everything included even their time these are surely worth it. I'm excited to not have to paint them every couple year or to have little time in winter prep.. I think you'll be very happy with the 7 framer. Keep me post on your first impressions if you don't mind.

[@paulshimer1870]

Yep, I have 2 10 frame and one 7 frame. And i love them.

[@beckieeldred5816]

Sold out. I just received my 7 frame.

[@JCsBees]

If they are "Sold Out", I am sure they will be back in stock soon.

[@TennesseeMountainBees]

That is an awesome setup Jason! Very informative hiw you explained tge functionality. Really impressive how versatile the hive is. If I only planned on having a few colonies, I would seriously consider these. Thank you for sharing!

[@karenwaitley9515]

Great video, very informative, if I hadn't already gotten plenty wood frames and boxes I'd sure go with Them, not only great for the bee's but great for the beekeeper. Sweeeet.

[@elainesmale8132]

Lady bug is paying attention, Thanks for the video, that's my next purchase,

[@JCsBees]

That's funny, I noticed she was watching me explain things when I edited the video. She cracks me up! lol You be very happy with the purchase I am sure!

[@timlewis9873]

Good vid. Jason.

[@hyfy-tr2jy]

One of the handiest features this hive has is when you set it up for two three-frame walkaway splits is that if one of the two fails to get queenright the division board makes it easy to merge them into one colony!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Just picked up a couple of these to do some splits. I'm debating doing a double with three frames each, or just use it as a 7 frame. I think you convinced me to try 3 frames and use it as a double. Maybe I'll try one each way. Demonstrated like a pro - great video as always.

[@JCsBees]

Awesome! I made a split with the divider early spring and have since moved them to another box. Apimaye makes nice stuff. Glad the video was helpful!

[@jimmymurphy6106]

I’m going to look hard at getting a couple of these

[@daveshearn2743]

I have had this setup since 2019. I only have 2 issues with it. 7 wood frames get very tight in this box. The bees fit through the vented bottom and end up in the removable tray. I had to put number 8 hardware cloth underneath the vent to keep them out. If you are using it as a queen castle with the division board and dont block them they can move from one side to the other.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

excitement is like a little girl getting a new dollhouse! lol....

[@JCsBees]

Well, I love my new dollhouse then. lol Nice to see you in the comments again Kevin!

[@SylantBill]

After watching this video I am considering getting one.

[@JCsBees]

You would be greatly pleased with the purchase. They make top notch equipment! Good luck with your bees!

[@thuffman44]

Yup. Excellent product review! I been wanting to try one now for a while. With the price of wood these days, I hope they maintain affordability; I'm just concerned how long they'd last in an area which doesn't get a "winter"

[@JCsBees]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Apimaye USA is located in Arizona, surely there is someone there that could tell you how well the boxes have done for them. Join the "Apimaye Beekeepers" group on FB and make a post, I am sure you will get your answer.

[@paulschaefer5241]

i do like the idea of how the hives lock together. the only real issue I can see is that I am not crazy about using anything plastic in the hive.

[@JCsBees]

Yes, the locking feature is nice. I understand, a lot of people don't like plastic. Then they eat out of Tupperware. lol

[@MexieMex]

Why don't you like the idea of plastic? (I'm a relatively new bee keeper, so may be missing something obvious).

[@paulschaefer5241]

@@MexieMex First off it's only with bees. I am not crazy about plastic for a lot of things. Before I got into bees, I did a lot of research. One of the things I learned is that there is some serious problems with about 80 pecent of the hives. These problems were rare or non exixtant just 20 years ago. though the cause is not known, it is also about that time that plastic frames and foundation became popular in bee hives. It is mainly for this reason that I am not carzy about plastic. I may in fact be the one overreacting.

[@MexieMex]

@@paulschaefer5241 Interesting, thanks

[@beckieeldred5816]

I ordered two

[@JCsBees]

Awesome! Your gonna love them.

[@tina2794]

Thanks Jason! I just inspected my one of 7 frames and was like well what do I do with feeders and the bees?!…Great to know how to put them in the lid! Thanks!!🎉

[@JCsBees]

Awesome! What are your 1st impressions of the hive? Are you happy with it? I do owe the trick with setting the feeders in the lid to my wonderful followers though.

[@tina2794]

@@JCsBees So far really like them. I have (2) - 7 frame’s . One has a swarm and one has a split. They seem to be doing well. Love all the features. I have 4 flow hives and I got these for resource hives etc. Have a great day! Thanks for your videos!

[@unclebobsbees4899]

Would love to see an Apimaye 'in the wild' (that's been in use for several years). I only see videos of new installs. Like your videos Jason, always well done.

[@shannonswyatt]

Good luck with that. For $195 for a 7 frame nuc you are only going to see them on KZbin when they give them to "influenceers" to try to influence people with more money than brains to purchase them. But that tends not to be your average beekeeper.

[@JCsBees]

@Uncle Bob's Bees If you search "Apimaye hives" on KZbin I am sure you will find several videos of beekeepers who have been using them for years. You are correct though, a lot of people are sharing videos of new installs. I've been beekeeping for 14 years and I see no reason why there equipment would not hold up, I've used a lot of wooden boxes over that time.

[@JCsBees]

@Shannon Wyatt Wow! I guess we see things different. As a bee/cattle farmer (beef keeper lol), I try to purchase equipment that holds up and doesn't give me issues. I don't like wasting time and poorly made merchandise will do just that. It's why I bought a Maxant extractor, drive Toyota's/Nissan's and have Apimaye hives. I like reliability. So far I have zero complaints about Apimaye but if I did I would mention them. I believe in honest reviews. Maybe a year down the road I will find problems but as for now there are zero. I'd rather not be called an "influencer", maybe the guy with honest reviews but I am not pushing these on anyone. To me "Influencer" sounds like a "Pusher" and I don't wanna be that guy. Hope you don't feel I was pushy! Have a great day!

[@shannonswyatt]

@@JCsBees Never said you were pushing them, but I do see the a lot of the popular Beetubers all getting Apimaye hives, but when I say getting them, I mean one or two. You dont have to think of yourself as an influencer, but you are. Sort of like when a Pro player says they dont consider themselve a role model. I wouldnt turn them down if someone was giving them to me either. I value quality as well, but it has to still be afordable. I have ten year old gear that will probably give me 10 more years if use, maybe more, but is the plastic going to get brittle in 5 or 10 years? Not criticizing the content. As a youtuber you have to put out something every week. No way I would want to do that.

[@kevin_raney]

@@shannonswyatt there are a few downsides. The main one being cost. If you have a few hives, they are probably worth it. If you have a lot, you can get 3-4 wooden ones for the cost of one apimaye. Rest of the issues aren't unique to apimaye, with the exception of not being able to use a OA vaporizer due to the heat melting the plastic. Lorobees makes a metal adapter to mitigate the melting plastic though. Top feeders are easy to spill, compared to frame or bucket feeders. Most commercial beekeeper don't use the top tray feeders, but lots of hobby beekeepers do. So it takes more careful handling to keep from spilling, but they don't drown bees like frame feesers and they store on top of the hive as an inner cover. So you don't have to deal with then like bucket/jars. Some of the ventilation is hype, as the bees will propolize the vents, but I suppose it's better than nothing. Not sure how it lasts long term in the sun UV damage, but it's pretty solid out of the box. That's really my biggest concern with them. Since properly treated wooden hives can last 5 -10 plus years, where I am. After that the humidity rots them and hive tool damage tears out the corners. If these last longer than the wooden ones, I'll be happy. If the insulation cuts down on winter losses and earlier build up. The price will be offset with an extra split. I believe they have been in use on the other side of the ocean for a while. So maybe those beekeepers have more long-term info. I bought the 7 frame specifically for housing breeder queens and I think it's going to be exceptional for that. I might pick up a couple 10 frames to test with, but it's hard to justify them over the cost of cypress hives. Time will tell.

[@timothyloomis9415]

Hello Jason, I’ve had Apimaye hives for 2 season here in Michigan. Any thoughts on MAQ, Formic Pro treatments and ventilation issues when doing these mite treatments? Bees have propolized most of the vent openings on the Apimaye hives, especially around feeders? It’s not just a couple hives, but most of them. Thanks for all you do! Tim

[@markb3129]

Jason do you see any problems with the bees removing dead bees with the entrance made the way it is?✌🏻

[@elizabethdonnelly1204]

Hello, I’m in Ohio too!

[@Jcox1]

I am a new bee keeper and I started out with a amimaye nuc and a package. I was sold on all of the features with apimaye after doing some research. Honestly after comparing what all comes with apimaye vs buying wood and upgrading I don’t see a huge difference.

[@JCsBees]

I'll tell you one of the HUGE differences.... Painting boxes is fun the first couple times but when you have to re-paint every few years it get old fast!. Not to mention fixing box joints that another whole project if you have very many hives. Those 2 things are huge if you value your time.

[@Jcox1]

@@JCsBees thanks for your response. I miss-typed. I meant I don’t see a huge price different between a wood hive with upgrades vs apimaye. Apimaye is totally worth it. All of my hives will be apimaye. I would rather buy a ready made hive instead of piecing together parts.

[@kevin_raney]

Got mine in yesterday as well. Pretty solid box, but I think the 1 frame division board sections are too tight. I had hoped to use for a 1 frame timing box, but I think that it will be too easy to roll her.

[@JCsBees]

Yes, it's very solid. I do see your point on the 1 frame divider position. Maybe it would work with a narrow frame of comb?

[@kevin_raney]

Might pick up a couple deep supers and excluders. Use it to make 3 frame mating nucs in each section, so I could have 6 three frame mating nucs by using the dial entrances. Though it might be too much work while inspecting. Compared to single level, but shouldn't have laying worker or chilled brood problems.

[@kevin_raney]

I think a narrow frame or one that's been shaved would work fine, but I would still be super nervous that they had built some wild comb on the divider or frame and you'd roll an expensive queen. I'll have to do some testing with cheaper queens, but honestly. I expect that I'll just use 3 frame section with new frames and pulling older ones. Just slide it over like in other timing boxes. Really the only complaint that I have, since I've bought it for the 1 frame section. Otherwise, it has a lot of potential. Really wish the 10 frame boxes had the bottom board option with alternative side entrances as well. Since the division board blocks the dial entrance on the ergo 10 frame.

[@andr6058]

Maybe when we all get rich we can own one😂

[@jeremyshuler1519]

Hey Jason great video I just received a woodenware bottom board and I'm excited to try it out. I do have a question for you I bought 2 nucs this spring and 1 is doing fantastic. Hive 2 not so much they won't hardly draw any foundations and now I have 6 queen cells on two frames. Should I just break this hive down and make 3 out of it or sit back and let them do their own thing?

[@JCsBees]

Nice! Glad to hear your trying out the Apimaye bottom board. I am truly impressed with the feature it has. What kind of foundation are you trying to get drawn out? Plastic or wax? Sometimes the plastics need more bee wax added to encourage them. Another thing that affect comb building is the nectar flow. Feeding 1:1 syrup may help. You may wanna feed both nucs though so there isn't any robbing started. As for the queen cells it sounds like your queen was superceded (killed by the bees). I would guess that queen was either poorly mated or not introduce correctly and for that reason they are trying to replace her. I'd give the cells a chance and see what happened. I wouldn't split it just yet. Good luck!

[@jeremyshuler1519]

I'm using plastic foundations I may need to try and find some wax to add another coat to them. And the old queen is still in there. On one of the foundations they drew out just enough comb to hang 4 queen cells which are already capped

[@lewisshotton3157]

Hi Jason , I suspect you might be a good person to ask: I’ve got 35 acres of fenced farmland and 25 thriving beehives. I’ve been doing a lot of string trimming. Trying to keep fence lines clean from the pervasive vegetation here in northern Va. I’m wondering if you know of an herbicide that i might use which won’t adversely affect my honey bees? I appreciate your videos 👍

[@JCsBees]

Hello Lewis, If you don't mind please email me and I will give you my suggestion. [e-mail]

[@makewithmegma]

💕👌👍

[@alanwiebelhaus8750]

Can yo stack regular supers on top of the 10 frame apimaye hive body

[@JCsBees]

Yes, wood langstroth style hives will stack right on Apimaye boxes without any problems.

[@kevin_raney]

Well I did discover a problem with the apimaye pro frames... left one out the hive for a few minutes in the sun. Warped up like a banana. Reminded me of the old pierco one-piece frames . Based on that experience, I won't be buying any more of the pro frames. Cool concept, but I'll stick with acorns, which I leave out in the sun without warping.

[@JCsBees]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing the information.

[@benca6151]

So say you are a small backyard operation starting off. Apimaye or flow hive?

[@JCsBees]

Apimaye and the Flow Hive are not comparable in my opinion. I am not a fan of the Flow Hive at all. It was advertised to make people think bees don't need management and hopefully you know that bee who are not managed will die sooner or later due to mites. The other issue is the way the Flow Hive advertised harvesting honey, I'd love to see someone carry a plate of pancake out to the hive, turn the port on a frame and not get stung. Sure it sounds nice but it's not at all realistic. Apimaye makes standard Langstroth equipment with some extra features/perk over wood eqiupment but they don't make fancy honey gated frames to harvest straight from the hive. To answer your question.... I would surely choose Apimaye. Everything about their equipment is top notch. There the Cadillac of bee equipment if you don't mind plastic.

[@benca6151]

@@JCsBees I was strictly just curious. I know a person who loves his flow hive. Me personally, I'm not impressed. Too easy to just walk up and drain all their resources. This apimaye looks interesting, just a little hard for this carpenter to swallow since I can make all my own equipment in the cheap. Thanks for your opinion. Much appreciated.

[@joeyl.rowland4153]

Got a bee dog to huh? I got one of those. She takes stings like a champ. She don't care,

[@JCsBees]

I'm not sure she is a bee dog, rather a daddy's girl. lol She goes everywhere I go. I try to keep her back when making inspections but that don't always for. lol

[@HoneyStoneFarm]

Jason Im thinking about cutting out the center supports on the frames because i use plastic foundation and dont think are needed. Thoughts?

[@JCsBees]

I used plastic foundation mostly also and I leave the supports just incase I extract from them. My thought is the extra support will be helpful. Also if you watch my last video you will see the bees drew comb over the supports and the queen did lay there. There is my 2 cents. Hope it helps!!

[@kevin_raney]

Plastic foundation fits in the pro frames. They sell then with premiere foundation. I personally think it's a little tight and was probably designed to use with wax, but no reason they won't work.

[@tina2794]

I love the support! Makes sturdy when inspecting too, especially on newer drawn comb

[@Lsmith-ly2cm]

Do you know the R factor of the box?

[@JCsBees]

I should but I can't remember. I mentioned it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmbOop6KmrSgjNU

[@BeanieWalks]

Would this be suitable to raise just a regular hive in over a 10 frame?

[@JCsBees]

This is a 7 frame hive so it would not work to sit on top of a ten frame hive. However Apimaye does make 10 frame equipment and it works very well with traditional wood equipment. Hope this helps!

[@BeanieWalks]

@@JCsBees sorry I worded that a little funny. I meant more like if this 7frame would be okay “versus” a 10 Frame to raise hives in

[@JCsBees]

@BeanDripYT Yes, the 7 frame setup would be great to raise a colony in. You would want at least 2 deeps for the brood chamber and a couple supers for honey.

[@theblueshadow9365]

Love the hive but after a year forget using all 7 frames

[@ridingvenus]

4:51 what is serp?

[@JCsBees]

Serp is Syrup! lol

[@BackyardBeesNC]

I have 2 of them laying in the barn, never use them, they didn't help much in Winter.

[@JCsBees]

Wow, why do you think they are not helpful in the winter?

[@BackyardBeesNC]

@@JCsBees Every small colony I put in them has died, no extra protection that I can tell, even if kept inside. And you can't add a super w/o alot more money.

[@HoneyStoneFarm]

I also don’t think they great as is at over winter. Due to too much ventilation. The second winter I blocked most off with foam board and had better overwintering.

[@djg585]

I just want to know if this plastic nuc is a translucent greenhouse bee-cooker.

[@JCsBees]

Actually with it being insulated it stays cool for the bees in the summer and warm in the winter. Compare it to a good insulated cooler.

[@djg585]

@@JCsBees Thanks. I just had horrendous experiences with pro nucs. They should come with a warning label.

[@eddevault4604]

I’m just not a fan of more plastic….but like all things made of plastic they will last through the weather….I noticed you never mention the price….but I’m not interested even if they were free….

[@JCsBees]

Hey Ed, Hope all is well! I understand your point but let me ask you this since I know beside the bees you also manage cattle. Do you buy plastic stock tanks or metal? I've had both and the plastic Rubbermaid tanks last way longer. My point is as farmer we invest in things that hold up longer to make our money go further. The same goes for the plastic hives, they will hold up much longer therefore protect our investment. I understand Apimaye isn't for everyone nor is plastic but options are important. I never mention the price. If someone is interested they will do a quick search. I get the feeling your totally against Apimaye and that is fine, like I said they are not for everyone. Have a great afternoon Ed, good to see you in the comments again!

[@eddevault4604]

@@JCsBees Well….so far I’m still using a galvanized metal tank in the barn….with a creek suppling the pasture water…and you’re correct….cheaper-and they last longer since the metal ones eventually get a rust through….ole school between my ears….

[@JCsBees]

I used metal tanks for 2 years but since I move our herd daily the tank got beat up quick. I had pin holes everywhere and I even had the tanks on a sled I made to pull with my atv. lol Switched to the Rubbermaid tanks and haven't looked back. Love them! They melt ice faster in the winter to since they are black, you probably use tank heaters though.

[@eddevault4604]

@@JCsBees …I’ve been lucky….Unless I have a sick animal that I’m feeding in the barn….the stream on my property keeps them watered …although …one year the dry weather made me water them outside the barn….I just use a 250-gallon galvanized tank with a slow trickle going constant….I usually keep 45-steers fattening on a mix for freezer beef…slaughter dates in October-November-December…every year…

[@osok5492]

To expensive, I would not buy.