Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Episode 267 smoking vs vaping, and more!

[@Adam.Holmes.]

1) What's your final verdict on the Apisolis vapor smoker? 6:12 2) Since you're discussing milkweed, do gophers like to eat it? 10:40 3) Looking for some clarification about honey bee eggs hatching, or just evolving? 14:00 4) Wouldn't a reverse squirrel proof feeder work for Orioles getting to feed without bees getting in? 19:30 5) I'm putting resource hives together for wintering, can I leave the queen excluder on and them share winter candy board or liquid feeder? 24:30 6) What do you do to sanitize honey jars? 28:30

[@lynnerousseau9676]

The Apisolis is great… nice to have handy - a quick look… even if i get to my hives.. and I don’t need it..-happy bees- then no problem…The “smoke” is easy to breath in as someone who has Asthma.👌

[@unclereefer37]

Great talk as always Fred. "The Bee smoker smoked for 3 DAYS!!" Sounds like a basis for a new religion

[@FrederickDunn]

Ok! I hadn't thought of it like that :)

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

uncle fred you outdid yourself this weekend with two vids for us!!!!!!!!! means a lot!!!!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for commenting, as always. I'm glad you appreciate the information :)

[@mjgbabydragonlet]

Mr Dunn, community garden is still has our mini-bee keeper. He is up to twelve hives! He is now talking about bees to anyone who wants to listen. Thank you so much for making these videos. You are so kind to share your knowledge. I sent a question for a gift idea, reading level appropriate.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes! I have your question, and will respond on Friday... if you can't wait :) I'm going to recommend the new Hilary Kearney book. It's available as a pre-purchase on Amazon. It's a great book for all ages as it will have fantastic images as well as very understandable explanations. So, a youngster will find it fun now, and more informative as time passes :)

[@mjgbabydragonlet]

@@FrederickDunn we have time. But I am going to order it now.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@mjgbabydragonlet :)

[@slava790]

I have planted figworts and they attract all sorts of pollinators, including honey bees. Mice, squirrels, rabbits, voles amd moles do not touch them. They are perennials and self seed. Early Figwort blooms from May until July whereas this Late Figwort blooms from July until October.

[@rossmillard9804]

Great!! Now I’ve gone down the rabbit hole of designing a bee proof bird feeder. I think I can build one with scrap bee hive material. I even have some plexiglass.

[@FrederickDunn]

Ross, if anyone can do that, you can! I'm very happy to add to your workload ;) All the best to you and your family!

[@tmd0402]

Hahahaha lord I love your sense of humor….don’t scare the UPS guys.

[@FrederickDunn]

I almost felt bad :) (';')( ';').... but it was fun. :)

[@NKYHoneyBees]

I definitely love my apisolis vapor. I used it 2 days ago and there are million bees, but they respond to it same as smoke. Takes a bit to get used to it. Thanks Fred. Waiting for your review.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing, I've posted the full review of the Apisolis smoker... it's growing on me for sure, and provides lots of advantages over smoke. :)

[@NKYHoneyBees]

@@FrederickDunn great. I will go over now and check it out. At first i was skeptical lol It sat in the box from months and i said let me try. After a couple of inspections, it is now al I use. Going over to check your review. Thanks, Fred. I appreciate you as always.

[@redfish440]

I wonder how much wood, never mind, have a fantastic weekend Fred !

[@FrederickDunn]

They chuck all the wood they could chuck if chucking were legal in this wood.... (';')( ';')....

[@amull9426]

Boy you have soom wild looking squirrels 😂

[@FrederickDunn]

Agile woodchucks... don't forget to look UP when talking among the trees :)

[@laureldoherty9363]

I really like the switch grass pellets. They stay lit very well. Anxious to try the paper tube method.

[@FrederickDunn]

I am so glad! Thank you, Laurel :)

[@eileenanders]

@@FrederickDunn I also like the pellets...game changer for me! I'll be ordering again. Thanks

[@Jack-es9xq]

We're going to have a spectacular goldenrod bloom this year in Southeast Michigan. It appears that we're within ten days of blooming which seems a full month early to me.

[@FrederickDunn]

Wow, that is early indeed. Only time will tell what the impact of that will be this winter.

[@richmiller6284]

I run a double colony box. I have used dry sugar over a queen excluder for 2 winters, no problems.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing what you're doing.

[@meloneycrews]

Frederick, Dennis and I have been watching even way before the Friday Q&A..we’re pretty old and have nothing better to do after we feed the farm animals and tend to bees, but your sense of humor never fails…I will say it took us a few mo the in the beginning to catch your sense of humor because your face is hard to read obviously, that’s the best part! Thanks for all you do!! Loved the talk with Dara today also!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Meloney! Thank you so much, I know I know... my humor is an aquired taste :) But I'm so glad you get it :)

[@josephrawls]

Number 3 was very interesting.

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm so glad! Thanks for commenting :)

[@lynnerousseau9676]

I’ve got The Apisolis … Its great!!! 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

That's wonderful news! We had it out today as we took some honey frames off. We all agreed that it's easy, convenient, and smells nice :)

[@saintjohncoleman8602]

That switchgrass smoker fuel lasted over 24 hours for me. I was stunned! I recommend this stuff strongly!

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, I shared your experience with our Beekeepers Club :) Thanks so much!

[@CastleHives]

I have really enjoyed the Apisolis smoker. Damien was great and spent some time going over all of the details. Hope all is well. .

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Brian! I think it definitely has it's place in beekeeping. It's growing on me :) Glad you like it! Thanks for sharing.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Thanks Fred!!!!

[@FrederickDunn]

You're very welcome, Rodney :)

[@michaelhansen6481]

👍

[@stevenaamos]

Happy Friday Fred!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Steve! You too :)

[@weregonnabzzz4648]

Great information as always! TY

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you :)

[@628DirtRooster]

Interesting tidbit about eggs.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hey Randy! I was very disappointed in that low-key transition :) I'll say it again, your street photography is TOP NOTCH!!!! :)

[@628DirtRooster]

@@FrederickDunn LOL

[@ChristieAnnMitchell]

Yay!

[@tommychew6544]

Maybe even 1/4" hardware cloth on the grape jelly feeder, the bees would eventually give up and the Orioles would still be able to see and sense the jelly? Though from what I have seen of squirrel proof bird feed having Cayanne pepper (something I've never done) added on bird feed that repels squirrels doesn't make birds not eat it makes one think that birds don't go by scent anyway. What do you think about that side of it with all your chicken experience? Great episode as always, your after-questions (fluff) area always makes a person think more, if they are really listening. Your scientifically framed view on things really appeals to me. Things shouldn't be left to the I think level. I've never seen a ground hog up in tree before but, if it was an apple tree I guess it would make sense!!

[@FrederickDunn]

I ran at the woodchuck, and it went right up that tree :) it's fun to do. I think bees would go through that 1/4" cloth... but maybe try it out :)

[@jamesbarron1202]

To that person worried about gophers eating their plants. They are very easy to trap. I’ve probably trapped over 500 on my farm with Trapline Gophenator traps. I’ve tried many traps and those are my favorite. They thrive in this sand because it’s easy digging and they’re on everyone’s property surrounded my place. I’ve lost many small trees to them. I trapped 26 the first day I got my traps. If you go to that trap website he tells how to trap voles using regular mouse/rat traps. We don’t have voles here so I have no experience trapping them.

[@gigihenderson8567]

Thx. I live next to a large Open Space, so I have a constant influx of adolescent gophers, as they get kicked out of Mom’s burrow and they have to find another place to live. This is why I ask about gopher-resistant plants. Like you, I have lost many plants to them over the years, and plant in gopher baskets if I am trying to keep a certain plant alive.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing what you're doing and have done.

[@FrederickDunn]

Gigi is spot on, I've encountered their nests full of babies very often, so when their numbers get reduced, they fill the gap with rapid reproduction. Using plants that they don't like is a great hands-of approach. The voles are not on my favorite mammal list by far. ==

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@gigihenderson8567 I’m surrounded by cattle pastures full of gophers. I stay on the lookout for mounds around the parameter of my property. I own a pecan orchard and they love pecan roots. I think they can smell them underground. I have trees planted on 35 foot spacing and they make a beeline to each seedling tree. I’m always adding more trees each year. Many years ago I was trapping 80 acres around my property before homes started popping up everywhere. I’ve taught some of my neighbors how to trap them and given them traps. You can usually catch them within an hour after setting a trap. I have them pretty much under control nowadays. Back before I started trapping them, you could look at Google Earth and it looked like moon craters because there were so many mounds.

[@illumi-Nate]

I had a live mite the other day to on one of my trays

[@illumi-Nate]

Here in northeast ohio the Goldenrod looks to me like it's going to be early here, it's not blooming yet but it's definitely far into budding already, was just looking at it this morning... also looks very healthy & alot more of it

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope it holds off a tad. Thanks for sharing. :)

[@craigo4dds]

@@FrederickDunn what would be the implications of early Goldenrod?

[@FrederickDunn]

@@craigo4dds I count on the bees having goldenrod at the end of the growing season in order to tuck them in with resources after our final honey removal. If it comes early, then I may have to leave that on the hives.

[@josephspeight8340]

You can actually eat the borage flowers, they taste a bit like cucumber.

[@FrederickDunn]

True! It's a full-service plant :) Thanks for sharing about that.

[@DonnaLeRowKy]

Can you feed dry pollen in a rapid round inside the hive?

[@FrederickDunn]

I personally would not do that. If I think they need dry pollen or even dry pollen sub, then it's offered free choice outside the hive.

[@TFitz]

I also like to get my delivery people good Christmas gifts. They remember that.

[@FrederickDunn]

Always! Plus, I hand them honey :)

[@14623carolanne]

Hi 👋 Fred..Where did you get that fancy dancie smoker? I found one in Australia can't get it here and one by flow hive. 90$ with shipping! I'm referring to the regular smoker not the vap one. Thank you!

[@FrederickDunn]

You're right, the smoker is expensive through HoneyFlow.com but I did a check-out and found that it's (Flow Hive US) $49.00 smoker and $13.60 for shipping... $62.60 total... You can get a local smoker and make some modifications yourself. I agree, that's a steep price.

[@1CPickle]

I love the switchgrass pellets!! I’d like to order a smoker, like yours with the basket. Would you post a link where to buy it?

[@FrederickDunn]

Those smokers are at HoneyFlow.com

[@robertlewis3336]

I didn't know groundhogs could climb trees

[@FrederickDunn]

They do when you chase them :)

[@kennith.]

Thank you Fred. "Not because it came from my wife ..." haha

[@FrederickDunn]

:)

[@illumi-Nate]

Jewel weed is in bloom in ne ohio the last couple days

[@gigihenderson8567]

Lol… I am NOT going out to observe bees, it’s 105F outside right now!

[@FrederickDunn]

Then just bee cool... inside :)

[@emilandrusko8597]

Thanks Fred. I'm ordering some of the pellets. Also, what is the brand of the smoker you showed. It looks alot better than the one I have.

[@FrederickDunn]

That particular smoker comes from HoneyFlow.com

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Hi Fred. Another Great Q&A. Wow . . . If only our Scottish 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Summer of Rain, rain, rain : could melt our 'Foundation' that would be a Record !? More likely to Repel Water ! 🤭 Anyhow : Took Delivery of my x2 Carniolan Breeder Queens today. Wow, they are So Calm ! Made Splits with Bees in all Stages (BiAS) and they went Hopelessly Queenless (HQL) in x1 Hour. Did 'Add' the Queen in her 'Cage' to the Top of Frames : to see Bees if any 'reaction occurrence. All as' Cool as Cucumbers. 👍 So yes a 'Selection of various Sources' of Bees, Frames, and more Nurse Bees. (All from Several different Hives.) Certainly makes the whole process easy. Tip : I've also found by making up a Spray (Spritz) bottle with 1:1 Syrup diluted a bit more with added Water, say 10% extra. And adding 'some Carrier Oil : with a 'dot' of Lemon Grass Oil in that,' and then adding a Dot of 'this Oil' with dinky level of LGO in it. Is all "Shaken Up" to get good distribution within that Water. Means any Frames of Bees, Frames of Resources, even after adding more Nurse Bees : all are kind of 'masked' 'their held' phremobws from each other. This Spraying of 1:1 kind of hides any former loyalty. 😁 No-one in this NEW Colony is thinking wheres 'my Ma j👑, Or acting like they are : bagging the best Work Station, PC or hanging out in the ex M.D's Office. Its 'All Co-workers' to the ready ! Around the Cooler, chilling out. Sweet. 😎 Done this to x4 Nucs recently : all have Accepted & Released their NEW Queens, and She has gone on to have a lovely Laying Pattern x3 Weeks later ! In these "Splits." I do recommend going back into each Hive x1 Week after each Cage added ('Queen' Introduction,) just to make sure "She" has been released Safely ! Then carefully remove the Introduction Cage (or Tube.) And then only do your First Full Inspection say Times x3 Weeks after that. Queens can get Spooked, or even Rolled 'Mashed' in going right in to any Hive, so soon after said 'Introduction !' By a third week later : you should signs of BIAS and a Good Brood Pattern ! Hope this helps.😎 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2024 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, I agree, essential oils mixed with sugar syrup can definitely smooth that transition and queen introductions as well. Thanks for sharing :)

[@hillkid4mountains]

Enjoying your talks and question answer streams lately. Only wish there was close captions or a transcript to read while watching. Being in construction and around a lot of loud power tools, large heavy duty earth equipment, and listening to much ear-piercing music without protection has left me hard of hearing. I prefer not to use hearing aids at this time in my life. I think once a few days go by those helpful reads appear and I can better understand all what you are saying. Thanks for all the topics presented even though it is sometimes a bit of a tease to see subjects like Apisolis and the Hive Alive fondants shown just briefly knowing you will do a more indepth talkshow on that product later. Heads up to Brian and the use of that vaporizer smoker was interesting to see. I use ponderosa pine straw, burlap, and wood pellets, so will look forward to seeing the less heat producing pellets mentioned, once I know what it is called spelled, that you talked about. What kind of cool white smoke they might create and discharge from a smoker will be interesting to experience and see. Thanks 🐝

[@FrederickDunn]

CC is on all of my videos, it just takes a few hours to get that added :) Thanks so much.

[@hillkid4mountains]

​​@@FrederickDunn Thank you. Just watched the Hive Alive video and there was a great variety of discussion with the gentlemen Dara Scott talking about all his products and other topics relating to our current issues dealing within a hive. You asked a lot of good questions of him and enjoyed the responses. Thanks 🐝

[@tommywise1702]

What brand of smoker ya got? Looks interesting.

[@FrederickDunn]

It's from HoneyFlow.com

[@tommywise1702]

@@FrederickDunn got one on order. Thanks for the info.

[@denb7181]

There are a lot of 1st year master bee keepers in facebook that should not be answering questions .

[@FrederickDunn]

Are you talking about FB in general, or in The Way To Bee Fellowship... as it's discussion based, any incorrect concepts or information should meet with healthy discussion that keeps people on the right path. :)

[@denb7181]

@@FrederickDunn I am talking about all the groups there is a lot of good information but there is the know it all people 1 example there was a women who said this was her first year with bees she put a picture of a frame it had 1 Queen cup on the edge of the caped brood so many people told her that the hive was going to swarm.I told her not to worry as long as it is empty the bees just make them then a person told me that I was wrong because he knows he told me that he took a class and read a lot of bee keeping books and this happens a lot on the bee keeping groups