Backyard Beekeeping Q&A

[@Adam.Holmes.]

1) Are honey bees considered an invasive species? Some are saying that they are! 5:15 2) My bees are dragging out some dead larvae onto the landing board. Is this a problem? 8:18 3) What can I do if I have a lot of Azaleas in my yard? 11:27 4) Not a question, but an observation. Regarding algae in syrup in autumn. 14:41 5) In one of your videos you show an insect hotel. Could you give me construction details? 19:42

[@kennith.]

Thank you Adam.

[@alanmcentee9457]

Honey bees MAY be considered invasive. Their proliferation, pushed by man, has contributed to the extinction of many pollinators, including native bees and butterflies. While honey bees are very useful for modern agriculture, because the bees are themselves a monoculture they are one epidemic away from their own extinction which would cause a severe agricultural problem.

[@barbaracarey4651]

I really enjoy your night time bonus footage ❤ Thanks for all you do.

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm so glad you do :) Thanks! I never know what's going to show up on those cameras :)

[@trishwestberg6982]

@@FrederickDunn Can you hear the alarms going off in your house during the night?

[@mrw2403]

One of the best intros yet. Happy bday to the sis in law!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! She's the best! 😊

[@yolandai.m.kelkboom-vos5797]

From a sunny and warm Aruba we want to thank you for all you video's this year, we love to watch them and learned a lot from all you Q&A's. My husband and I want to wish yo and your family a Merry Christmas and happy Holidays.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much to you and your husband :) Merry Christmas, and thank you for supporting my work with your views :)

[@kellymoore4517]

Fred, your music selection as always is very delightful and fitting. Merry Christmas and I look forward to hearing from you next year! Thanks.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for enjoying the tunes! Looking forward to seeing you next year too!

[@JaneFeibelman]

Beautiful opening sequence. Happy Christmas to you and yours, Mr. Dunn.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! And to you as well :)

[@mlfarm]

Hey Fred, thanks for taking the time from your busy schedule to put this Q&A together. The mouse must have a path worn across that landing board. 😀 Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the grandkids! Mark

[@FrederickDunn]

There must be more than one mouse out there... don't ask me how I know (';')( ';').... they rocket across the bee yard at an impressive speed! ==

[@kennith.]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. All the best to you and yours for the upcoming years. Thank you for sharing.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you, Kennith! The same to you :)

[@TheKeepersHive]

Happy Winter Solstice! Great time of year to sit near a wood burning stove, drink some tea and be thankful.

[@FrederickDunn]

You said it! :) we had all of the grand-monkeys here for feasting and "home-wrecking today" :) wouldn't have it any other way. Merry Christmas George! :)

[@russellkoopman3004]

Merry Christmas Fred. Hope you and your family have a great day.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much and the same to you :)

[@wpankey57]

Merry Christmas Fred. I loved your opening video and the one with the mice. Thank goodness for mouse guards!

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm actually starting to appreciate those deer mice as they are reaching under the mouse guards and pulling out dead bees to munch. == I've had two of them on the same landing board at the same time. I don't know how they make it sometimes. Merry Christmas to you also :)

[@nikigores8774]

Love your opening sequence! Merry Christmas!🎄🎁

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! I am glad you like it :) Merry Christmas to you as well!🎄🎁

[@nikigores8774]

@ Fred, your videos and interviews with experts, keep on giving needed information, encouragement and bee wisdom 24/7 to hungry learners like myself. I am humbled by your generosity of time and commitment and just wanted to express my gratitude yet once again. Thank you! 🙏 💜

[@dcsblessedbees]

Fred it looks 🥶Cold at your 🌨🏚☃House. Have a Merry Christmas Fred and Family, Blessed Days...

[@FrederickDunn]

It is! Today it's only 18 degrees f. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas as well :)

[@davedulansey6207]

Merry Christmas Fred!!! Thanks for all the knowledge and wisdom you share 🎅🏻🐝😎

[@FrederickDunn]

Merry Christmas to you too! Glad you find it helpful, cheers!

[@schammond8993]

Merry Christmas Fred and I hope you have a Happy Healthy New Year🎄 !

[@FrederickDunn]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well! :)

[@emilandrusko8597]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope its a healthy one.

[@FrederickDunn]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!

[@short3358]

Fun video. Loved the night segments at end!

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm glad you enjoyed the night segments!

[@honeyandthecoop803]

I've been waiting all day, Fred!

[@FrederickDunn]

Sorry about that :)

[@coincollector315]

Another great video Fred! Merry Christmas to you and your Family🎄

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, the same to you :)

[@marobroski2286]

Dziękujemy.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you, as always, for your generous support :)

[@robinmartin4464]

Merry Christmas and thank you, Mr. Dunn

[@FrederickDunn]

Robin! :) Merry Christmas to you too! :)

[@thomasplummer2673]

My comment is late, been busy with family, but I wish you and your family and all the viewers a Merry Christmas and a honey of a New Year. 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

Merry Christmas to you and your family as well! Hope you had a wonderful holiday season :)

[@UTsnowsailor]

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Solstice !! Thank you for another year of wonderful videos 🙏

[@FrederickDunn]

Same to you! :) Thanks!

[@aaronparis4714]

Merry Christmas too you from Nova Scotia Canada 🎄🎄

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much and the same to you :)

[@Zippsterman]

If they are - it's a bit late. They're what we've got and I love my little buzzers

[@nigelmoore9657]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ANSWERING MY INSECT HOTEL QUESTION. Nigel Moore.

[@FrederickDunn]

Of course, Nigel, that's what I'm here for! :) I hope you put some up and get great little residents.

[@nigelmoore9657]

@FrederickDunn Thank you. Yes I will try. Nigel Moore.

[@sonofthunder.]

Im in the Christmas spirit watching this😊

[@FrederickDunn]

Oh! Mission accomplished :)

[@lambbrookfarm4528]

Merry Christmas to all. Good morning Fred, the coffee is hot and the fire and friendship are warm. Mug up! Thanks Fred for another Q&A. See you after Christmas.

[@FrederickDunn]

Merry Christmas right back at you! Sounds like you have the perfect beginning there :)

[@LaFontaineHoneyBees]

Strong microbial are the best I’ve been given it them since August they’re all set to go and doing great It also helps with Nosema

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing your experience and observations :) That company is always advancing their offerings and improving delivery. For some beekeepers who are alongside large agricultural operations, Super DFM has saved them from huge losses. I'm glad not to have those challenges where I live.

[@brianbennett4374]

Look forward to watching your videos Thanks 👍 Merry Christmas 🎄 ALL

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for watching, Happy Holidays!

[@short3358]

I have studied and lectured, and used, and raised my own human brood on Spirulina. I did a fall rescue of a beautiful starving hive that was trying to survive in nights down to freezing on the outside of large tree. They literally had no resources left. Dry honey comb. I started feeding 1:1 organic sugar syrup with spirulina. No one thought they would make it. Due to a warm fall and I believe warm insulated hive and feeding, they are now snugged up in half a layens hive with plenty of blugreen honey comb. I only had 1 layens honey comb to give them from my one other first year hive. Nothing but empty frames. They appeared to be a very active, healthy happy hive. I also put a feeding board on. Looking forward to spring to see if they survived.

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope they come through fine :)

[@seanrichardson881]

I imagine if I had the alarms set up around my hives the way you do, they would be going off non-stop the entire night! I bought one that you recommended but I still haven't used it. I really should put a camera out there.

[@FrederickDunn]

You do run the risk of them just continuously going off if you have something moving around that doesn't responde to them. I created an alarm rail by our birdfeeders recently as we had four deer gathered at the bird feeders night after night. Annnnd it worked! :) They were stubborn at first, but the noise was too much for them. I've had skunks flat out ignore them. So had to do other mods to make them stressed out... ==

[@djmoulton1558]

19:45 Wouldn't woodpeckers go to town on a bee tube house like this? I would think you'd want to guard the tubes with some quarter inch galvanized mesh set up about an inch in front of the tubes to keep prying beaks away.

[@FrederickDunn]

With tubes that are 6" long, they are not in woodpecker reach. BUT, we haven't have any bird issues at all. Your recommendation is a good one, if someone does have bird challenges. Thanks for sharing.

[@angelacross2216]

@@FrederickDunn, the squirrels pull out the bee tubes from my bee house. I will foil them…..

[@jenjohnson2984]

He same squirrels you do but with the addition of black squirrels, rumored to be escapees from a Kent State project.

[@FrederickDunn]

Dear Jen, you are 100% absolutely correct! That began with just 10 black squirrels back in 1961 and now they have spread all the way to eastern Ohio! == I'm a little bit of a squirrel nut with books on the natural history of squirrels :) I could not be more impressed by your comment! :) Merry Christmas!

[@jenjohnson2984]

@ And Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@JK-dj1zj]

Hi Fred, I saw a lady showing her native bee hotel on a chat site. I don't know how long the wood was, however the place where the bee hotel was, it was in a open wood storage for firewood all stacked nicely. She had all the holes drilled in all of the wood both bottom and top shelf. I'm assuming she also had the back side of the wood drilled.

[@FrederickDunn]

I don't think you can offer too many holes in too many varieties of wood and of various diameters :) You'll quickly learn what your local species are going after. WE also leave our stalks from maximillian sunflowers and other long stemmed growth for native insects to use. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@coincollector315]

Fred, how much Spirulina do you add to your sugar syrup mix? Do you have a recommendation on a recipe?

[@FrederickDunn]

The percentages are pretty broad when you try to compile the various studies. One was at 10%. My take on it is that "some" is better than none, when I put three heaping tablespoons of spirulina into 4 lbs of dry sugar and then mix that into 1/2 gallon of fresh water, it appears black. That's what I've been going with. I could do some experiments with the bees in the coming months to see what percantage draws them the most. It's the only thing I've added to sugar syrup that actually had the bees demonstrating a preference for sugar syrup with something added over just plain sugar syrup. Strong Microbials has a block of spirulina patty (you cut the rations yourself) and I belive that's at 10% spirulina.

[@coincollector315]

@ thank you so much for the quick reply. You are a real asset to the beekeeping community. I’m near Syracuse, NY so we have very similar seasons and almost the same snowfall.

[@fredshoney6458]

A gentleman I worked with was renovating an older inner city 3 story with a 20x20ft back yard, that he wanted a lawn in, but didn't want to invest in a lawnmower for the small plot, so he found bent leaf grass, which I believe is or was used on golf greens. I'm not sure how well this would work, since behind most of my hive stands there is a worn strip of dirt where I've trodden down the grass.

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm a strong fan of low-growing ground covers. Each environment, as well as the amount of sun exposure will expand or limit those options. It's going to be a long-term experiment for me :) I want my lowgrowing plants to also benefit our pollinators. Bent leaf grass may have some Drawbacks: High Maintenance: Bent leaf grass requires intensive care, including frequent mowing, fertilization, and watering. It is not a good choice for homeowners who want a low-maintenance lawn. Thatch Build-up: It produces a lot of thatch, which can suffocate the grass if not regularly removed. Drought Sensitivity: It has a shallow root system, making it susceptible to drought stress, especially during hot, dry summers. Disease Susceptibility: While some cultivars are resistant to certain diseases, bent leaf grass is still susceptible to others, particularly in poorly drained soils. Poa Annua Infestation: Poa annua, a common weed in turfgrass, can easily invade bent leaf grass lawns, especially in areas with high traffic or poor drainage.

[@BrianCooper901]

Every time I hear you mention the phrase "The solution to pollution is dilution" from the 70's and 80's it makes me cringe. I understand in a chemistry lab there is dilution to neutralize chemicals. Dilution may occur in your instance too but it's not really "pollution" that phrase was linked to factories actually polluting by dumping, trash, chemicals sewage and waste into waterways and oceans. I grew up in NE Ohio and was always reminded about the story about the Cuyahoga River fires. I do appreciate your Q&A's and I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Brian, my reference for that comes from a Corpsman Chief that I used to serve with in the Navy. We were dealing with radiation, and RAM. It applied very well to that situation. He also was my certification Instructor when I became a CPR Instructor... he'd say "filter it or become the filter yourself"... then the catch phrase - dilution is the solution to pollution. Sorry it makes you cringe, but lower amounts of anything potentially toxic can be made less so with lower ratios. That's just my own life experience, and my reference. Based on your take, while dilution can sometimes be a factor in reducing the concentration of pollutants, it is not a sustainable or effective solution to pollution. In fact, it can often lead to more serious environmental problems, such as the accumulation of toxins in the food chain and the destruction of ecosystems. Today, the prevailing view is that pollution prevention and reduction are the only viable solutions to pollution. This involves minimizing the production of waste, recycling and reusing materials, and treating pollutants before they are released into the environment. I completely understand that viewpoint. :)

[@sonofthunder.]

Deer,possum,one day you'll get a owl catching mice 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

Possoms are so sooo weird. I don't know how they survive in the wild... :)

[@SIBEEMAN]

Merry Christmas Fred. Question, do you have a preference on the type of camera you that you use to monitor your hives and how are they set up. WiFi, wired? How much spirulina do you use per gallon of sugar syrup when feeding in the spring and fall? Thank you

[@FrederickDunn]

I think I should do a Quick-Tip video on this topic. Just so you don't have to wait, I use Arlo Pro 4 Cameras as they have so many options, and aren't too expensive. They do connect to the WiFi but have impressive range... more than 100 yards. Battery powered. I use 3 heaping tablespoons of spirulina to 4 lbs of dry sugar.. then whatever water amount you're using.

[@kristalburgess96]

I’ve made some mud brick nest sites for blue banded bees. Just put them out so not occupied yet.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing! I haven't heard about those :)

[@jamesbarron1202]

Fred, what brand of pollen supplement are you currently feeding your bees? I’m getting low and need to order more. We’re still getting most days in the 50s and 60s and my bees are really taking it in. We’ve only had 1 good freeze this winter and another freeze tonite and I’m still getting figs off my fig trees which is unheard of and crazy being this late in the year. Also do you think powdered spirulina would wick up into a sock on a Rapid Round Feeder so the bees could consume it or would it just settle in the bottom and be wasted?

[@coincollector315]

Where are you located? I’m in NY and feeding pollen to bees in Winter will cause the Queen to lay in mass. We don’t want that. Typically December into January is a broodless period.

[@FrederickDunn]

When it comes to dry pollen substitute, I currently use AP23.

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@coincollector315 North Central Texas. My bees are out flying 99% of the days still. I’ve fed them every year, every day when they can get out.

[@redneckmemes594]

do honey help in digestive issues and overall health?

[@FrederickDunn]

That entirely depends upon the cause of the digestive issue in the first place. So, it's not going to do the same thing for everyone. There are definitely areas where RAW honey helps the throat, cuts, wounds and other medicinal benefits. The digestive system is far too complex for me to simply say "honey will help". Some people believe that raw honey may help with certain digestive issues, but more research is needed to confirm these benefits. Here are some potential benefits: Diarrhea: Some studies suggest that raw honey may help shorten the duration of diarrhea, especially in children. Ulcers: Raw honey may help protect the stomach lining and promote healing of ulcers. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Some people find that raw honey can help relieve symptoms of IBS, such as constipation and bloating. Notice that I say "some people", as this isn't strongly supported through scientific research and validation is hard to get. One thing for sure, is that honey is a fantastic sweetner and improves the taste of food and drink :)

[@redneckmemes594]

@ thanks for the answer :)

[@almostagardener4549]

There’s a KZbin channel called Rent Mason Bees and they have interesting videos about solitary bees and they have a program to rent mason bees and leaf cutter bees where they send you a bee box and you return it at the end of the year for them to process the the bee cocoons and then they send back to you the next year. 22:34

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for sharing. That's definitely one way to provide pollination services :)

[@trishwestberg6982]

Hi Fred, Merry Christmas! Do you use slatted racks for your NUC resource hives? If so, where do you purchase them?

[@FrederickDunn]

I don't have any slatted racks for my nucleus hives... they are configured differently.

[@trishwestberg6982]

@@FrederickDunn I don’t have a slatted rack on my one NUC hive and it is difficult to do Oxalic acid treatments with this one hive

[@FrederickDunn]

@@trishwestberg6982 I would just drill a 1/4" diameter hole between your first and second frames... from the back, on the bottom. :)

[@trishwestberg6982]

@@FrederickDunn I use a vaporizer wand, not the insta-vape.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Hi Fred and Viewers Watching Here. . . Wishing you all a Very MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄 And a HAPPY HOGMANAY 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 for 2025 ! (Hogmanay is Scottish for 'New Year' 😉) Hope all Beekeepers get the Bee Gifts 🎁 they wished for ! (Including Fred's : Bee Supervisor, aka Grandson !) And their Bees make it through this Winter safely and Well ! 👌 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 24th Dec 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Did my usual Fred Q&A Watch on my Sat ! We had another brief Storm come through, that's a third in a Month ! So did my 2nd O/A Vape, of x3, on Fri ! (6th Day Schedule !) As it was way to Windy 🌬 on Sat 21st. Re Weather. . . We are due "13C" (55F) Temps Today here in Scotland !?! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Due to be rather 'Warm' for a Christmas Eve Day (!) 😎 Bees are Flying & Orientating big time. Good to see all My Hives are doing so well. 🐝 Girls having a chance to be out and about for Christmas ! Nice.🥳

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, we wish YOU a Very Merry Christmas also!

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Update: got up to 14.1C (near Aberdeen East Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿) Record was apparently "15.6C" (60F) back in the 1930's up in Moray Firth Area... Scorchio ! Bees all Flying busily today, here in Southern Scotland. Nice to see such activity on a Christmas Eve (Winters Day !) 😎 Fred : Sent a Q&A Request. Did it come through. Link said 'Sent' but Site said 'Glitch' (?) QUESTION: in NEW YEAR Re next Fri Q&A : Whats the BEST WAY TO RECORD BEE Activity and Associated 'RECORDS' ? Paper on Clipboards under Hive Roofs : attract Slugs ! 😆 And Year Diary is a Nightmare to Read Scribbled down Notes, come end of Bee Season ! Any Good Thoughts !? New Year, New Techniques to remember who was Split. What Hive had whose QC etc, etc. . .🤔 New Year Resolution. 👀 Keep better details (System) when doing 'note taking'. Did buy a Black Friday 'Digital Dictaphone'... but how to decipher / Review later too? (Not a Spredsheet Beek alas. 🤭). . . 2025 shall have Consise Records ! . . .🤞

[@rossmillard9804]

Hey Fred, thank you as always. Can you explain how we find your affiliate Links on Amazon. Could find the program with the app.

[@FrederickDunn]

Other than the links in the description. I have no idea :)

[@framcesmoore]

Ha Fred good video on the sperinlia do u ever put it in pollen patties. I make my own, and on the syrup how much do u put in 2 gal Hope u have a Merry Christmas.

[@FrederickDunn]

There isn't any need to have spirulina and pollen sub in a patty. Please click on the link I provided in the video description and read about the brood rearing boost that it provided. Pollen patties are very expensive and have a short shelf life. I think you may find a better route :)

[@cobberpete1]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, and the same to you! :)

[@dcsblessedbees]

Oh Fred now you are going to have to get a video on the Squire Fights, I gota see now that you have described it.😂😂 🤨If a "Nature Lover" tells ya Honey Bees do not being here, they are not Native. 😒 🤔Just tell them "Neither are They."🙄Go Away Now....😂😂

[@FrederickDunn]

:) I will try to get some drama in the trees before the snow goes away. It's the flying snow that adds so much to those squirrel disputes :)

[@Ittiz]

30 mins isn't short, I try to keep my vids in around 5 mins!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing what you do. I receive requests for much longer videos. I'm just doing the best I can :)

[@aaronparis4714]

Have you ever had mad honey from Nepal ? I have A small jar coming it cost me 179 for it

[@FrederickDunn]

I have not had any of the expensive honeys. It would be completely wasted on me. There is quite a lot of research being performed on honey as medicine at Texas A&M... :)

[@unclereefer37]

Are bees invasive asks the humans to the void. Well when I was young there were no humans or any sorts of life for that matter reply's the void, just nothingness and stardust. So I would imagine that anything other that that would be considered invasive...... Other than Scotch broom we have a serious problem with that

[@richardrbrynerjr.7912]

Scotch broom Mr. stardust?

[@FrederickDunn]

Innnteresssstinnnng.....

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

Insects, livestock and man- all created on the same day.

[@richardrbrynerjr.7912]

Honey bees are just as native as the pyramids now fond on every continet on planet earth my friend, not feral

[@HoboWhisperer]

You could say the same thing about pigs :). I'm sure they have been around for thousands of years and can be found on all inhabited continents, but they definitely aren't native to north America. Big difference there is that pigs ARE destructive to the natural environment when they are feral.

[@FrederickDunn]

I don't have the authority to make something native that isn't. Entomologists in the U.S. tell me they are considered non-native. Feral is another classification and applies if they get away from us and continue in the environment unaided by humans. While in our care, in our apiarieis, they are considered managed livestock and fall under the Dept. of Ag. where I reside. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.