Beekeeping: How Often To Inspect & What To Look For

Beekeeping inspections make or break the success of your hive.
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[@christieperry9221]

I like respect for bees. Bees will do what bees want to do. I love bees and love to watch them in the garden. Best to leave them alone in the hive for at least a week. You open the box and they feel like we are spying on them. They like privacy just like you and me.

[@timleeder3929]

Having a glass crownboard really helps me not inspect too often, psychologically / peace of mind from being able to see how the bees are doing at a glance when I am checking on a whim. Keeps me from getting in it more times than I should

[@altaylor293]

Staying hydrated is essential in this hot weather and you offered a good suggestion on how to drink. I use a yeti cup with a straw so I don't have to remove my veil.

[@beek]

Do you poke the straw through the veil or just up to it?

[@altaylor293]

@@beek I unzip the veil just enough to be able to stick the straw through. Never had a bee get in.

[@EastKYancients]

Awesome content sir. I learn a ton watching your videos. Thank you

[@beek]

Thank you so much for watching.

[@alyb731]

Hi from UK. I think I’m the opposite and I don’t like to disturb and hassle them. I only inspect if I have too, adding frames, boxes etc.

[@CorineNieuwburg]

44:55 Hi David, am a newbee in NLD. I have 2 big hives (both 10 wooden frames; 2 deeps+2 supers) and 3 splits (5 frames). Do you advise to create deeps and supers of 5 frame hives? Smaller hives are lighter and easier to handle compared to the 10 frames. Love your videos! Best, Corine

[@beek]

Not sure where you live on the planet so it's the winter that I'm concerned about. If you have cold winters, will your 5 frame hives have enough bees to stay warm and enough resources in those 5 frames to have stored food.

[@CorineNieuwburg]

I live in The Netherlands. Where winter can be very harsh. Now it is full summer with temps over 20C. Indeed, am also worried that winters might be too cold for bees in a 5 frame. Thanks for your answer!

[@georgechristodoulou6495]

Hello from Cyprus. Veŕy helpful advice.

[@beek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dkeithcollins]

David... you mentioned reading studies. What are some good sources of honeybee related studies? Is there a signup page for new honeybee related studies? Thanks!

[@beek]

Going to conferences, Bee Culture magazine and constantly talking with entomologists helps a ton.

[@coincollector315]

I would also add the State’s Apiary or Agricultural Agency. They have the local data pertaining to that state.

[@brendawydeven2934]

Tree fell in yard because it's meen so wet and windy here so I missed your LiveStream. I want to do brood break in my top bar hive so I thought if I cut plastic queen excluders and put a bar of comb in between the excluders I could take that comb out and freeze it after a week. Just wondering if I should use comb with larger cells or will any comb they drawn work?

[@dongreaux4714]

How long does it take a new queen to start laying after a storm?

[@beek]

A storm would not effect the queen's ability to lay. If you meant SWARM, then usually about 3-4 days.

[@dongreaux4714]

@beek I meant a swarm lol. I caught the swarm and marked the new queen thanks.

[@christies4963]

David I recently got you supplements for the hive and I was wondering if I can feed them to the hives before fall? Most of your videos mention fall time. I usually always give my hives sugar water as I live in the southwest and it is VERY hot out here. and I wanted to get them started on the supplements. thank you

[@calideutsch5794]

I'm pretty sure my bees have EFB... What do I do?!

[@beek]

Call your state inspector for a diagnosis.

[@calideutsch5794]

@@beek I'm three hours away from the nearest one (in California). Do you think they travel that far? Or would the one who's only an hour away in the neighboring state be the one to call? 🤔 Do they charge money to do that?

[@coincollector315]

Some veterinarians will work with beekeepers. In NY we need that relationship to get any prescription for antibiotics necessary so they can test. Look into taking the sample yourself and sending it to the vet or state inspector.

[@ToBeeOrNotToBeHoney]

Mann lake sell EFB and AFB test kits to get a good diagnosis. Once you are sure then you can determine what to do next.