Beekeeping: How To Expand & Grow Your Bees In The Spring

[@MG-zb8lf]

I'm not a super experienced keeper but one of my hives is a flow hive and I got a lot of honey that first year with it I think because they didn't need to draw out those artificial combs like they did with the regular supers.

[@richardwalterbee]

I use same method of hive expansion, except, with six plus frames, I split it up, equalize the boxes with empties.. 2 or 4 weeks later, I can easily reverse box positions. And again. This way keepers can feel the weight, and do a 'tilt-and-check' for SWARM CELLS and switch positions as-need-bee. My RICHARD WALTERBEE M E N T O R- H I V E (with handles), is so easy to lift, even a Kidd Kan Keep. Let's talk David.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

I have found out that a 1- sugar 1.25 water works great for my bees . Building comb an building brood . Last year in one of my yards I had twelve colonies I checked boarded all my supers an got all frames drown out also got a LOT of honey off that yard .

[@dianeabusharar6481]

Thank you for your timely advice. I really appreciate all the details and your expert tips.

[@mikebaker6314]

I really appreciated your video on why beekeepers are quitting. I was close to giving up myself and needed the right attitude adjustment… I live not too far from you and need to keep learning and be more active in my pest management… thank you for being a great resource!

[@beek]

Thanks!

[@maggiewatte7911]

So enjoyed your talk at the bee expo. Thank you for the videos

[@handsburyhoneybees893]

One point I would like to make on the powdered sugar. To maybe the beginners. If you get powdered sugar on the open larvae, it will also kill the larvae.

[@beek]

I've yet to see a study showing it kill larvae, but it would be great if you can find one and let me know.

[@handsburyhoneybees893]

@@beek EAS master beekeeper Kent Williams told me is .

[@mikemcgilvray8558]

Thanks for your help in my first year of bees

[@royhendershot]

Getting excited again to start my new packages.

[@beek]

Awesome! Thanks for watching. And be sure to join our livestream every Thursday 7pm CST, here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/live/

[@markschoenhals4816]

Awesome video. Will probably have to listen to it more than once to absorb all the info thanks man.

[@Phil-wu3qj]

Hi David. Well, today I took your recommendation on moving one frame with larva into my newly installed second deep brood. As it turned out, the larva brood also had the queen (which I left her on the frame). I sure hope this works because she looked very comfortable where she was in the bottom brood. These are bees that I installed from a nuc about a month ago. Per your recommendation, the bees have combed about six frames and are full of capped brood. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks for the tip!

[@beek]

It will be great!

[@Phil-wu3qj]

@@beek I’ll keep you posted. Thanks again!!

[@kiddfamilyfarmllc9962]

Thank you for your time

[@beek]

Thanks for watching

[@bligon11]

Thanks, David!

[@beek]

You're welcome, and thanks for watching

[@Capt_Ron]

Amazing advice!

[@ninawilkins7118]

Thank you!!

[@beek]

You're welcome!

[@paulschaefer5241]

I've never heard the mention before of the inside temp being an issue with wax formation. Perhaps, this is part of the reason bees build population faster when 40% to 80% of the hive is full of bees.

[@ralphjones5856]

great video, very helpful

[@tomreppert1722]

This is my first year keeping bees. I just installed my package on Saturday and so far all is going well. I've been watching your videos relentlessly and am really feeling confident in everything! My question though: when you use a push in queen cage, how often do you do it? I'm pretty sure just using it once won't make a huge difference. Are you using it once a month for a week July- September? Thanks!

[@beek]

Congratulations!! As a first year beekeeper. Yes, I use a push in queen cage, confining the queen for 5-7 days, once a week in Aug, Sept, and Oct. IF the colony is very well populated. This is a very powerful mite control tool. Here's the link of me using it in a hive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2qYiIGGppiKmKssi=WyxyYx9TtTHy4VKs

[@cLeTuS87]

If I bought a 4 lb package, installed it 3 weeks ago, with better comb to a 10 frame brood box, can I add my second box yet?? I’m still feeding them sugar water. If I add the second even though the outside frame (1) isn’t being worked could this help build up the colony faster?? Thankkkksss

[@Myrilandelle]

Any other things to do with a small colony who made it through the winter, probably doesn't have a queen problem, but is just behind due to being understaffed?

[@TreverReeves-id2pl]

Hello David, I’ve been watching your videos for a while now has helped me tremendously. I made a split in one of my largest hives when I took the queen out this large hive made multiple queen cells after two weeks I uncapped a few of the cell and noticed that the larva inside Was brown, then uncapped every cell in the hive and was the same result. Any idea what this could be?

[@beek]

Depends on how brown, late in the purple eyed pupae stage they do brown up. Obvious an adult bee is brown, so I wonder if this is just normal. I'd have to see their age and a picture to say for certain.

[@jpderouin]

thanks!

[@beek]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@iditarod4081]

I won't use a screened bottom board again. Id be willing to bet mine died this January from the cluster being only inches away from the -50 windchill polar vortex. No bee fur can be that warm or a cluster that tight to make up for a -145 degree temp differential from the bottomless pit. Maybe if i went to a triple deep for winter so they were at least a couple feet above death's door.

[@HMK1080]

Try running the screened bottom board in the warm seasons then place hive onto a solid bottom board heading into winter.

[@mikemcgilvray8558]

If it works for you it works for me 😊😊😊😊

[@mikemcgilvray8558]

I put a good bug light in the yard no moths 😊😊😊😊

[@sergepajcin1255]

I checking my bees in October Nov Jan and March every winter never add up any sugar in winter overwintering them in ez nuces no any treatment let me know when you get to this level in illinois

[@RobertGrimmett-e3q]

I watch as many videos as I can, but always come back to yours because your weather is about like mine in WV.

[@brucejarrell5707]

Hey Dave, how do u keep hive mouths off stored drawn comb?

[@enellundy4664]

Good morning I like your video and also I would like to be a beer keeper

[@brucklay227]

Hi David, there’s lots of advice about springtime action with a stacking box system but little pertaining to horizontal hives. I have a nuc of bees arriving shorty and I want to transfer to a new long hive. Whilst I will transfer the nuc frames of bees easy enough I only have undrawn frames available offer them otherwise . How should I do an orderly layout out for this and how many frames to make available to start them drawing out wax?

[@JoshC00796]

Thanks David! Love all your education. Entering year 2... not entirely out of the woods yet but have had great success so far thanks to you!

[@TheBeastRenews]

Can I throw my leftover fondant, etc into my sugar water? I've got some patties leftover from a deadout.

[@guymack4721]

David, thanks so much for the great video! I sure do appreciate you guys!

[@stacyr862]

Would the expansion technique you’re talking about for going from a single to a double also work if your 2 deeps are full and you need to add a third deep?? So taking a frame of open Brood and putting it in a third deep on top of the other two??? Eventually moving to the damaree once it gets warm enough

[@beek]

Yes

[@KJO-1972]

David I was really humbled this past fall and winter with varroa mites!!! I changed some things in the way I treated mites and it cost me most of my hive’s!!! I bought a new vaporizer and it wasn’t vaporizing by the time I figured it out it was November!! So here’s the results of my accidental mite study I lost 6 out of 7 hives!!! Ouch!!

[@TimSanders-v7m]

David, I just watched today’s video, wanted to ask how much wax coating before the bees arrive?

[@beek]

Just brushing melted wax on plastic foundation will help, any amount works.

[@IcantblevuBees]

Is now the right time of year, if you don’t have a surplus of drawn comb, to have the bees focus on building comb that won’t be used for honey?

[@beek]

Bees build most of their comb on warmer days during nectar flows, so spring is great for that.

[@jayglosser2014]

David, Great Video, just what I needed to support my hive. Just one ?, the weather for the next 3 to 4 weeks never going above 50 degrees and freezing just about every night - should I just wait it out until we get 60+ degrees or take a chance?

[@beek]

It doesn't hurt to wait a few days for warmer temps.

[@athomewithkeith7904]

What about when they have many frames of honey stored. let's say 2-4 frames Stored per box. Don't you want them to eat that and make more space for brood to expand? Thanks for your thoughts.

[@beek]

I will try and move that out of the center of a box toward the walls so the queen can lay more brood in the center.

[@jonniebl]

great tips, thanks

[@beek]

Thanks for letting me know. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@richardgregory6455]

Should I spray the inside of my hive with sugar water before I put my bees in?

[@beek]

Only on the undrawn frames

[@Ambees_Honey]

Another wonderful video. You mentioned moving the queen down at the end of your video, and I have seen you handle your queen in several other videos. Can and will the queen sting? After watching so many videos, and all handlings are successful without stings, before I go trying this (if I ever have the courage), I was wondering what my chances of a queen sting are. Thank you again!

[@beek]

She can sting BUT I've never been stung by a queen when queens have had plenty of chances. Handling them the way I do seems to avoid being stung. But there is always a chance.

[@charliegioe3158]

Hey David I have a little bit of a question my Bees is starting to get a little active now but it’s warming up but I noticed a lot of bees going into the top opening than the bottom landing board should I be concerned

[@beek]

In the winter-bee-kind hole? Once you block or remove the upper entrance then they will figure out the bottom one again.

[@charliegioe3158]

@@beek thank you so much David great help. I was kind of figuring that but the weather is just starting to break over here and get a couple days like 50° but the next days is back down to 20 in PA. It’s kinda hard to go a lot of methods that show because of the weather conditions, thanks again David great videos keep them coming very knowledgeable man

[@markspangler6539]

I’m on the Southside of Indy David. Completed about 90% of your Ultimate Course. My local club has asked me to address them about your course. Will rave about it of course. Do you ever come to bee club meetings? Cost? Looking forward to interacting with my 2 hives very soon.

[@beek]

Thanks so much and yes I do also speak to local clubs and have spoken at several this year. Simply email my team at: [e-mail] and let them know what you are interested in, and they will send you info on my fees and availability. Thanks for thinking of me!

[@patrickkeating2860]

I've never done better than 40 lb of honey from a hive, and usually much less than that. This year, I'm going to try using ONLY drawn comb in the supers for my strongest hive. Thanks for the tip!

[@beek]

Sounds great! And thanks so much for watching. Dr. Peck will be on our livestream on Thursday to answer questions about mite control in 2024. Be sure and drop in. Here's the link:kzbin.infoF8fTM2lFdOk

[@adamsoutdoors]

I have 7 drawn supers from last season, with 15 colonies. Should I add 1 super to each hive and let them fill it, or should I add a few supers to a few hives, and let the others work on drawing comb?

[@beek]

You could do either. If they are strong colonies you'll need supers for all of them eventually.

[@adamsoutdoors]

@@beek I have supers for all of them. Just wondering what would be the best for production. If I give a few of the colonies drawn comb to fill, and let others product wax for me, or if I should checkerboard all of them with the comb.

[@bobyoung803]

Can I put 2 honey super on at one time

[@beek]

Yes, but as I mentioned in a recent video, if too many boxes are added and bees are not sufficient in population to protect the boxes, small hive beetles can expand into the boxes.

[@Masqueradingginger]

HI David! I just inherited some abandon beehives in really rough shape. Moldy, dead and the little honey left smells fermented. I don't know how long they have been dead it could be years so not sure if i should scrape them or if I should throw them out completely. Please direct me anywhere I am new to this! If your interested in some video footage it might make a good video for you. I haven't found ANYTHING on KZbin in this rough of shape but maybe thats because it should be thrown out? Thanks Taylor

[@beek]

There is always more of a risk in using old equipment especially old frames.

[@Rrailroad3]

What part of Illinois are you from?

[@beek]

Central

[@garyRt23Bees]

Drone question. I hear a lot of people talking about how they want as many drones as possible in their hives to mate queens. Personally I feel there will ALWAYS be drones out there somewhere to mate your queens and due to the fact that mites prefer drones, I want as few drones as possible in my hives! Which do you feel is correct ? I think the more drones you have the more mites you are also going to have.

[@beek]

I'm going to answer this question on my livestream Thursday night. Dr. Peck will be joining us to talk about mite control in 2024. Here's the link: kzbin.infoF8fTM2lFdOk

[@whitetailedboss]

Awesome 😎 video 🐝🍯 I just received both of the feeder boards I ordered along with the feeding kit 😎

[@beek]

Thanks!

[@sj6404]

Very useful video.

[@liveactionoutdoors]

Awesome video! Thank for the info

[@beek]

Thanks for watch and glad you enjoyed it.

[@brucejarrell5707]

Outstanding

[@fletch14519]

I am starting Beekeeping this year. I get my first Nuc next month. You are awesome! Love all the tips and knowledge you pass on! I watch your videos daily! New follower and fan

[@beek]

Well thank you so much for watching and I'm excited for you in getting started in beekeeping. Thanks for subscribing and watching.

[@zulikkowalski3547]

We are having days in the 40s and 50s, and nights in the 30s - still too early for 1:1?

[@beek]

Yes for me it is.

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

Nice video David! Thanks for sharing This info :) have a great day!

[@beek]

Thanks

[@SIBEEMAN]

Another great video David!

[@beek]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ben.arisman]

Hi David, first year beekeeper but after consuming copious quantities of your materials and a few others I feel very confident going into this season. Thanks you!

[@beek]

Glad the video was helpful. I hope you can join me for my livestream this Thursday to learn more about mite control for 2024. Here's the link: kzbin.infoF8fTM2lFdOk

[@AdamWorthington-xw4mw]

Great information, thanks David

[@beek]

Glad it was helpful!

[@signaltwenty4935]

Great video I am a new bee keeper and I am very grateful for the knowledge that you have provided.

[@beek]

Glad to hear you are starting with beekeeping, and good luck. Thanks for watching.

[@CodyMcGuire-in3kj]

Always appreciate your videos! I have learned so much from you! This is my 3rd spring 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙂

[@beek]

Wonderful! Thanks for the kind comments

[@TheDemothenes]

I followed your advice, mite loads way down and I overwintered successfully with a major colony. I mixed up your feed late February here in Nc, and on March 12th I had swarm cells and had to split. Then she swarmed 3 more times after, caught all 3 and now I have 5 hives. Your methods worked, I have 3 hives packed, and 2 smaller colonies, don't even know how it possible for one queen to make so many bees. Hopefully I can get some honey this year. Thanks David. Next year I'll use the demaree method to keep things under control.

[@beek]

Thanks for letting me know and glad things are working well.

[@joetripp123]

Hey David, have you ever heard of someone shaking all their bees (or even just the nurse bees on brood) into a big rubbermaid bin, dusting all of them with powdered sugar, shaking them around, then putting them back in the hive? I remember a few years ago someone saying they did that. Perhaps there was a second rubbermaid tote with a large screen? Like a giant sugar shake - but the goal was to get all the mites off of the nurse bees. I guess a simple OA treatment would be easier to do though.

[@beek]

Yes, it is labor intensive. Plus powdered sugar may not get them all off.

[@medic5836]

👍🏿

[@andrewmelton8938]

Thank you for explaining everything. I just inherited my Great grandpa's boxes. I'm starting a with one of his Nucs. I'm hoping to buy some bees in a few weeks. Then build up to some of his 8 frame bodies.

[@beek]

This is so nice to hear, putting bees in great grandpa's boxes!! Pretty cool.

[@joetripp123]

For the new-bees, check out the egg visible on the rear of the queen shortly after 18:20 (under the cage, upper left).

[@beek]

I saw that egg!

[@jweaver7170]

I am ready for another greatt year. 4 colonies with 2 nucs on order. Thanks for the info

[@beek]

Thanks so much for watching. Be sure and join me for the livestream to learn more about mite control for 2024! Here's the link: kzbin.infoF8fTM2lFdOk

[@irenedjapa8805]

MR RAINMAKER HERE,, HeLLO DAVID, my bees were brewed up it was 20 below zero and they didn't care

[@beek]

Nice

[@salembeeman370]

David, you are such a resource. I hope to one day stop by your shop and have a cup of coffee with you - not that you'd have time! The hardest working guy in Illinois!

[@beek]

Thanks and I do work hard on my KZbin channel. But, sorry to say our shop closed back in 2020. Everything is online now.

[@Peter-od7op]

I love your classes

[@beek]

Thanks

[@AstralWalker316]

I am counting on your tips. Since you're raising my nuc right now I have complete faith in your knowledge and skills. ❤ Bought your 1st 2 nucs sold this year. Can't wait to get started. 😊

[@beek]

Looking good!

[@b.greene9123]

Where did you find a link to buy bees from David?

[@beek]

Yes we sell packages and nucs. Here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/packages-of-bees/

[@bradypentecostjr7908]

Hey David, been watching your videos since I got my first hive last year. Your videos have really helped me, so for that thank you! Just checked that hive today and both brood boxes I have are completely full already and ready for our first split. Had to remove some queen cells so they are ready. Thank you David.

[@beek]

Glad to hear it's time to expand!

[@AstralWalker316]

Smash That 👍 Like you would avHive Beatle l. 😊