Back Where It All Begins: Moving the Bees to Protect from Varroa Mites | The Bush Bee Man

In this week's episode, I take the ladies back to Buzz Hill where it all began six years ago. Although it won't protect them forever, it will give them a fighting chance.
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Hosted by Mark deCaux
Directed and Filmed by John deCaux
Produced by John deCaux and Jasmin Watkins
Assistant Edited by Jesse Taylor
© 2023 Six Foot Four Productions

[@davidshoemaker4437]

Life is an adventure, and I am glad you let us join you with yours and beekeeping, so much fun to watch you work. The only thing busier than a bee is the Bush Bee Man.

[@roycarter6235]

I have been following you since the start. Love the show. I'm in Faulconbridge in the Blue Mountains. I'm quite a small operator with only 70 hives. I have been specialising in Queen breeding. Varroa and the restrictions killed that dead. I use a closed cell matt in my feeders. The bees don't drown. I have been following a research group in NZ who are experts in Varroa management. I"m still anxious about the future. I have people asking me for queens but I have held off grafting. Now that a decision has been made, I will start grafting next week. All the best. Roy

[@paulineolive940]

Since comments also help the KZbin algorithms I thought I should help out! What I love about your channel is that it more closely resembles my own experience - rather than that of bee whisperers that never wear suits or even hats. I really appreciate the journey you take us all on 😁

[@Dstick1Spearfishing]

Wow that took me back to when I first started watching! Too funny, Stay safe, have fun! 🍻👌

[@peteroshannassy8160]

The Mallee block is looking good Mark, they will make some honey there this year if its anything like the stuff around Swanhill. I have limited myself to 70 hives this year and will most likely bring my hives back to my two home apiaries when the mites arrive as I cannot see myself travelling 4 or 5 hours each way to do treatments its bad enough in the swarm season as it is.

[@sentimentalbloke7586]

It's all about bux mate lotsa bux.

[@MKIV2JZGT]

That last single box seems to have separated colony on the outside on the under side there was some comb being built.

[@dsherman9438]

I saw the video when that hut was built, as well as seeing the video where you were trying to choke yourself on the siphon hose. Both were excellent videos. With the hose, there is an better way to get a siphon without sucking the water into the hose. Just put the hose in the barrel on the truck so most of the hose is in the water. Then close of the end sticking out of the barrel with the palm of your had to seal it of. After that, carefully pull the hose out of the bareel, making sure not to break the seal with your palm. Once you pull the hose far enough down the side of the truck, you will create a siphon and can start filling the water barrel on site. That way you can avoid all the chocking and getting mouthfuls of water. Please tell your son the the time lapse near the beginning ofthis vdieo was awesome. He's definitely got very good with his camera work, and I've subscribed to his channel as well as this one. He's done some interesting projects. Both of you, keep up the good work. And Mark, definitely don't let the varroa mite get you down. They definitely aren't the end of beekeeping as you are learning. They're just a pain in the ass at times, but are manageable. {edited to add} I found a video that explains the siphon technique that I was trying to explain. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bobCeYJsr5t_l7s

[@ozyprospector]

Looks like a good white and giant mallee site 😎

[@gabbyb7342]

$5.00 bucks says it does

[@brucejones4512]

Well New Zealand got viroa mite,they had it for years😊

[@alexhartman285]

Man they weren’t happy once you were unloading them, they were all over you. Don’t do that without a bee suite.

[@ozyprospector]

Trailers they come out everywhere 😂😂

[@kathysarmcandy1992]

If your gov will let you have the treatments, mites are about as every day as sticky gloves. Yawn.

[@reneallen6405]

Use pipe insulation, or pool noodles instead of wine corks.

[@riskybiz123]

It would be good if you could just tone down the craziness a bit.

[@phillee2814]

I reckon your biggest battle won't be with the mites, it'll be with the regulators to approve effective treatments (oxalic acid vapourisation, and skip the ones that are useless or that the mites build a tolerance to) and then approve the sale of honey from hives that have been treated (it is not actually possible to find any difference in the honey, even in the most advanced quantitative laboratory analysis, as OA occurs naturally, and the natural variation from different forage exceeds the amount caused by treatment, so if you just bought the kit {instant vape] from the states and treated away, they would never be able to prove it, but of course, I would never suggest breaking the regulations). Get over those hurdles and it's just a matter of making a few more splits each year to cover the few remaining losses, if you can detect any difference.

[@ziggysbees]

Gidday from the Ottawa Valley, Canada. and yes w do day g'day here too lol.i was a kid in the early 70 s and there was no mites then. Varroa or Trac. When I started with bees again a few years ago I learnt about the mites and how to deal with them. If I can do it I'm sure anyone can. I wish you guys the best.

[@louisemoulds291]

Absolutely love your videos Mark. Should do some update vids on some of your previous rescues and scams catches