Beekeeping Tips For The Month of March

[@jaimedemick2630]

I really like David's courses. I took a class here at a bee club in person, but taking David's online class allows me to (2 years later) consult the videos again. During a live class it is hard to get your questions in, but so easy to just replay a video!

[@beek]

That's so nice of you to say, Thank you.

[@stanleyschafer4232]

Hi David. Can't believe it's March already. My first year of bees are alive. Thank you for all of your information to get me started on the right foot this month. 🇺🇸

[@beek]

Wonderful!

[@LifeatSycamoreRidge]

"or you will cry." love these videos! this will be the conclusion of my first year!

[@azawakhcom]

This was a very helpful video for me. You have the best advice on how to try to stay ahead of the mites.

[@anthonyc9911]

Those looking to plant for their 🐝, flowering trees or shrubs are best for small size keepers. I know Holly bushes give off nectar twice a year early spring and late fall. Great for bee's. Some trees 🌳 get big enough to provide flowers equal to an Acre worth of flatland clover flowers. In a way smaller foot print. Thank you David for yet another great video!

[@thilltony3362]

It was hitting 70 in February, and it's been snowing all day today. Thanks for the tips!

[@rsrawat1947]

Here in North India we are in the spring season. Our bees were North of Delhi during the winter to harvest mustard honey also called cream honey. Now they are in the Shivalik hils to harvest eucalyptus nectar. By 10 Mar they will be with me at Dehradun to harvest lychee nectar. Our oworst period if from April to October when flow of pollen or nectar almost dry up. A great deal of help comes from nature when grass pollen and flowering shrub available in East Doon Valley. I find your videos very educative. Our family has been keeping Melifera for over 50 years. BTW we have al 4 bees here I North India, Florea, Apis Indica, Melifera and Dorsata.

[@beek]

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for telling us about beekeeping in India. That is so enjoyable to hear how you keep bees. I guess mites are a big problem there also.

[@billthompson8765]

Thanks for the info and videos

[@patrickconnolly2899]

David your just getting better and better very good advice and as you said it’s not all about DB taking a pinch of this and pinch of that watching your bee behaviour and adapting your management style my bees thank you.🍀😎

[@tthomson1006]

Hi Dave. I have been watching your videos for a few months now. I want to become a beekeeper. I’m gonna take this year and learn & prepare all I can & start next year. I’m planning on taking your beekeeper courses. I’m so excited!! I live watching your videos! lots of great information!!

[@beek]

Well that's great news Tracey!

[@donaldblue7326]

Thank you David . I got it . I love your video's they help out a lot

[@judyturner7419]

I always learn something from your AWESOME videos. Thanks David.

[@kennydykes1145]

Your so right on taking a class, I've seen hundreds of videos on beekeeping, and nothing beats a hands-on class. April will be my 1-year anniversary of keeping bees, so far so good. Started with purchasing 6 colony's, one nuc, then caught 4 swarms, one swarm absconded when I moved them from the swarm trap to a topbar hive. So, 10 colonies and going strong. Thanks for the great vids.

[@stephenstone6571]

Just started Beekeeping in April 2021. Your videos have helped tremendously. Thank you!

[@beek]

Thanks so much

[@claudequeen6614]

Hey David I enjoy watching your videos I learned a lot from you and I yesterday my bees swarmed and went on a bank I had to use all fours to go up and landed in a pine tree and I finally got them they swarmed about 4:00 yesterday and I got a ladder and I put it up against the pine tree and I had a heck of a time getting them but I got them and I put them in a hive and they finally went all in and it was about dark whenever I went down there and got them and I put them up there with my other hives but I really learned a lot from you brother have a blessed day and be safe out there 🙏

[@jordanwhitmer7709]

Hi David. The content is great for the newer beekeepers out there. I’m heading into my fourth year in South Western PA. Our maples are about a week out now, and my hives are starting to build. Exciting stuff! My fiancé and I are taking the plunge into the sideline business side with a good friend who also keeps bees. We are excited to hit the ground running here. Keep up the good work. Side note, your idea on feeding proteins into sugar syrup is genius. I am adding that the playbook this year. Happy beekeeping!

[@Hendrik.A.L]

Great stuff as usual. Thanks David. In one of your future videos can you explain how to prevent a colony from swarming without making a split. I don't need more hives. And I don't want to lose half of my bees. Thanks again!

[@Robbie-Rob_Bees_Apiary]

Thanks Dave. Appreciate your videos. I live 110 miles southeast of your location so I use your timing advice as a guideline to my activity since I'm a new keeper.

[@jayglosser2014]

David, I put new candy boards on all 3 of my hives yesterday, it was 66 degrees and today currently it's 25 degrees with 2+ inches of new snow. It's been a rough winter season this year and they might just make it. Thanks for ALL advice and videos.

[@beek]

Sounds great!

[@blackft1]

I am getting bees in April and I've put a link to this video in my calendar for March 1st 2023

[@jayceejaycee905]

David you always give such great information, thank you so much!!!

[@beek]

So nice of you

[@donaldblue7326]

Thank you David. Found it i can't believe I over looked , keep up the good video's

[@beek]

Glad to help

[@TV-mp8qb]

Thank you for your lesson.

[@haydenbone3026]

Thanks, David for the video! I really like when you put out a new one every month telling us what we should do in that month.

[@JamesWilson-gt1lg]

thank you david for pointing this out i try to stress this we are only offering tools for the bee keepers tool box, many ideas and ways out there keep them coming as always great info and video's

[@pjc952]

Great video - thanks! This will be start of my second year so appreciate all the tips/advice/videos you provide. In central NJ and the weather has been so wacky, I am thinking I will leave insulation on for a couple of more weeks. Gonna download your inspection guide now.

[@danno1800]

Great job! Lots of good information- much appreciated.

[@davelapp8412]

Thank you, David! I always learn something new, but I hadn't thought about them raising drones prior to swarm cells!!!

[@jweaver7170]

Walked past the hives today and they were out and about. This weekend is going to be a busy weekend. 5 Hives NE Texas

[@ecityreefer5535]

Mr. Burns. I would like to see you do a video on how to assemble an unassembled hives and frames. love the video. keep up the great work. thank you steve t.

[@pattyihm8099]

I am learning so much from you, David! Your courses are so helpful; I am so happy to have taken some and plan to take more in the future. Thank you for teaching all of us so well! I have just purchased two feeding systems and look forward to using them in my apiary during this upcoming year, my second as a beekeeper.

[@kathiegatien9656]

I can't wait for spring! We are still under a few feet of snow. These will be more like April tips for me. Thanks for the tips!

[@jacksparrow1292]

Hello David, thank you for giving us your tips, they keep me on my toes. I started with Bee Back in the early 80s & there is always something to learn about them. Thanks again.

[@paulhoward822]

Love the shirt!!!

[@joyousme1710]

Hi David! Thanks as always for a wonderful video and the education you share!

[@sethshortt4315]

Hey David! Thanks again for the video! Love the monthly tips. Helps me to get mentally prepared for the month ahead. I have two I hives and my bees thrived throughout the winter thanks the lessons in your online class. Both hives have clusters covering 10 frames.

[@beek]

Awesome

[@Kevin_Dyke]

I really like all this info, it will help me out with my start of beekeeping. I’m getting my bees in late April I’m so excited!

[@beek]

That is exciting, good for you

[@denb7181]

Hi David enjoy your videos I have taken 2 of your on line classes and they helped me a lot, I have been keeping bees now 15 years I have been having good success at over wintering I had bought your winter bee kinds a few years ago I refill them they work really good .I live in Northern Upper Michigan in the Upper Peninsula our winters are bad there is about 2 and 1/2 feet of snow on the ground yet and cold below 0 again tonight .My bees have only gotten out a couple times for cleansing fights since October they are tossing out the dead through the upper entrance so pretty sure they are doing well hopefully I will get in the hives by the end of the month . Thanks again for all the videos that you put on.

[@lisastevens2431]

Hi Dave. I lost both my hives in late Fall/ early Winter. I feel horrible but have ordered two new packages. I will not give up! I treated for mites but could not be as attentive as I should have been as my mom has some serious health issues and we almost lost her! She's doing pretty good now. I know the one hive still had mites after treatment and died out. It was too late to treat again. The other hive I'm not sure about. These hives were doing great when I was able to check them. I'm going though your lessons again and will be more vigilant. Thanks for all you do!

[@beek]

Glad your mom is doing better. Life happens and there are more important things to take care of than bees sometimes. Sorry you lost your hives. Glad you're not giving up. Chin up, learn and keep going. 👉Remember, you never never lose. You either win or learn.

[@vincekeenan5919]

Thanks Dave for the March tips. I need to review the Spring management course again since the weather is changing.

[@kenscanlon3181]

Solid video, I love your channel. Thanks

[@beek]

Thank you so much

[@richardwinter-xj5ky]

good information

[@rebeccamiller3600]

I would love to learn it

[@jodyfoster9278]

I put in a double screen board on 2-27. Today (3-2) I checked to see if there were any queen cells and I had around 15 queen cells with larvae in them, none were capped yet, but they all had larvae. When doing the split with the double screen board I made sure that I had frames with eggs. It seems that for now at least its worked out.

[@Amethyst1919]

Got some flowering weeds in my yard and saw the tiniest bees on them today. Don't know if they're a breed of honey bee or a different type of bee altogether... Extreme cuteness squeeees were had. Still hoping to catch a swarm. Have a trap out and the word out...

[@LesSimsJr]

David. Thank you so much for your videos. They’re great! Educational and entertaining. I’ve learned so much from watching your content. I’m still new and just coming up on completing my first year as a beekeeper. Your classes are also a great source for more detailed information and education. I found your in depth details extremely helpful. Keep it up and have a cup ☕️

[@beek]

Wow, well thank you so much

[@PapaBee165]

I love your channel and comments.

[@18thCenturyArms]

Great info! New subscriber here!!! Watched my 5th video already. Just had my 2nd over winter with 8 colonys. so far all are great!

[@GEEZBEEZ]

Lots of good information. Thanks for the video.

[@BlanchardsBees]

🐝Always great info👍

[@wendisapp3667]

Hello David! Have a great day.

[@pamtewes5276]

30's and 40's still here on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. March is always the month I lose my hive. I am hoping to get them through the rollercoaster weather patterns! Thanks. I have a few weeks to go before liquid feeding

[@bryanbetournay5557]

Great Video. It’s still a little cold here in Canada, We had -23 two nights ago. 👍🤟

[@jasonhall8089]

Hello David, thanks for all the great information. This is my 2nd year beekeeping. I lost 2 of my 3 colonies over this past winter here in Ohio. My inspection revealed tons of honey still left in the two failed hives. It doesn't appear to be lack of resources. I treated with Formic Pro Pads in the late summer early fall. I'm guessing the mites took over in the end?? I went into fall with 50,000+ bees in the one hive with a strong queen.. Thanks again for your informative videos.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

Hello David very informative video for this time of year. There are always a lot of things that keeps your brain in hi gear. This is why it is always good to take notes to have some kind of a guide line to look back at from the years before. This way you can hope to be ahead of the game before a problem comes up . Thanks again.

[@codyhardman8610]

Okay, I'm here now with my witty comment hahaha thanks for all the great information for all us new keepers

[@gilamonsta5123]

Great video to learn that each month has unique and special tasks to insect for, care for and maintain. Question: What is the best month to start a colony? Just getting into bee keeping , sending fees to local bee keepers assn & singing up for mentoring-WOW.

[@beek]

Great to hear. The best time to start beekeeping is the first of the year, order bees. The bee season starts in the spring.

[@shoelacemcgee2031]

Love the shirt

[@dominicanbeekeeper6686]

Greetings from the Caribbean

[@kevinsimms1827]

Thanks again. What are your thoughts on feeding in spring and the effect of the sugar water on the honey harvest.

[@TexasBeekeeper]

Great video! Love the shirt!

[@dinamcleod1608]

Good morning :) New subscriber, researching before I start my bees. I AM SO EXCITED!!! I do have questions though. I am from North Florida so our climate is different from yours, so the questions i have are... (1) If bees are purchased from a more "winterized climate" do they adapt? (2) I understand that morning sun and afternoon shade are preferred, but what do you do when there is an impending hurricane? (3) I have also researched the varroa mite treatment options but I am confused. Why do some use powdered sugar vs. alcohol? I thought the goal was to save them and not kill them. What are the reasons for using one over the other? (4) Should I immediately check for a varroa mites when I receive a nuc or package? Thank you for your series, they are wonderful :)

[@sonofthunder.]

powder sugar is innacurate dawn dishsoap as good as alcohol, for washes

[@emilandrusko8597]

Hey David. Thanks for the tips. Two questions: 1. What nighttime temp do you look for before you start feeding 1:1 syrup? and 2. when do you remove your mouse guards and entrance reducers?

[@beek]

Sorry Emil, there is not exact temp or date to this as there are too many variables. But, if my bees are flying several times a week in the spring, I can feed them sugar water. Mouse guards probably not until nights are above freezing, and entrance reducers, that's a matter of philosophy. Sometimes I just barely open them.

[@emilandrusko8597]

Thanks David!

[@sharonsanders9491]

1st yr start last spring.... Hive was AMAZING!!!! Strong...productive... I HAD TO put extra box on... Proactive for cold weather... Wrapped them...fed them...blsh blah blah.... Bottom line...they obsconded!!! We in sc had weird weather...70s one week... Below freezing and storms the next. I saw them out n about last time it was warm.... Bottom line.. Some time during/after winter storm.....they obsconded. Hive was full... Great honey... Great comb.... Not alot of mites ( less than 10 on bottom tray )... Same as # w dead bees.... Theyre just gone.... What the heck??

[@g10prodriver76]

I love your shirt 😂🤣

[@rogerbaird4492]

Love the shirt.

[@vanandjeanniesterner6667]

Thank you for the great videos. I am in the Midwest so your bee calendar is similar to mine and that really helps me make decisions. Where can I find one of those cool honeycomb lamps behind you in the video?

[@beek]

You mean the hexagonal lights?

[@vanandjeanniesterner6667]

@@beek Yes

[@louisegillis1211]

i bought your book

[@saundimcclain-kloeckener1234]

Thank you for the great video. I have lots of my candy board left. Do I wrap it and save it , put it out for the other pollinators, or pitch it? I am hearing your advice on hive management.

[@bettygitz4411]

So helpful again. When I inspected my colony it looks like I don’t have any capped brood or eggs!!i am afraid my Queen is either gone or not laying. What to do????

[@Elevenacrewoods]

I look forward to each "notification" I receive informing me that a new video is available! I do have a question. Am a newbie beekeeper. If I only want to keep two hives going at one time (right now, three is too much for me), and I see indications that one of the two are at risk for swarm, how do I handle that?

[@beek]

Two options. Split before it swarms and sell or give it away or let them swarm.

[@moroophsogeyinbo2763]

Good day Master David I have started learning a lot from your video on beekeeping. What can I do to make my Hive colonise faster. I have baited 10 langstrots hives with honeywax/little lemon oil in the last 8months but only 4 colonise. Even some colonise and later swamped. Please,respond urgently. I am a beginner. Thank you.

[@pattibuckman2473]

David, I wanted to know if I have a 10 frame hive, can I put boards on two sides to make a smaller hive for swarms. Put a board then 3 or 4 frames and then another board. I don’t have a small box.

[@beek]

I really cannot picture what you mean, but it can be risky.

[@donaldcanada6805]

Hi David, I love your shirt. Where can I get one.😊

[@beek]

Amazon

[@stevenmaddox8771]

Hi David, I put a pollen patty on today, on my 8 frame, is this okay?

[@ruthisaac2390]

Temperatures drop to 12 degrees after being in the 60's in march. I already unwrapped them. Do I need to wrap them in the 12 degree night? Thank you

[@MukhtarAhmad-uk1zs]

Thanks 👍 From kashmir

[@j.johnson2792]

I have a deep brood and a medium super. I live in kentucky. Do I need to add another deep brood or a medium for a brood? Or can I just use the 2 I have?

[@beek]

Your beekeeping class should have addressed this if you've taken one, but you can get buy with a deep and medium as the brood nest area.

[@louisegillis1211]

where do you get your protein powder

[@deborahgreen1429]

Hi David! I’m a new subscriber, and novice beekeeper. I would like to purchase a Burns Feeding System before we pick up our first package next week. I don’t see an order form. How would I order? Thanks so much for all your excellent information! Deborah

[@beek]

Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately I do not deal with the website or orders or inventory. If it says sold out on our website, keep watching.

[@philipjarrell5666]

What do u think of feeding dry pollen in the first part of March?

[@beek]

I love it and often do it.

[@rdadsfarm]

I live in southern Illinois when should I be thinking about putting my swarm traps out?

[@glennsnaturalhoney4571]

Dandelion bloom.

[@MrNeoflee]

Yay!!!!

[@beefuzzz8403]

Do you make propolis tincture?do you know how to make it?

[@beek]

Yes I have made it, and thought I made a video about it.

[@j.johnson2792]

My first year bee keeping. I'd like to try and lure a local swarm to my hive before i buy some. I have lemongrass essential oil and beeswax. Can I lure them with this to my hive? If so how? Should I remove any frames from my hive or just leave them all in? Thanks for any help

[@beek]

Coin toss. Highly unlikely one will just randomly move in.

[@yureopaquito2093]

While here in the Philippines our biggest problem are the varroa mite's being carried by our native bee's the apis cerena that's why we need to maintain anti varroa strips plus you need to have atleast 3 different brand to avoid varroa being to build up immunity against the medicine you put before honey flow come we need to apply formic acid and it is a lot of job

[@beek]

So, on Apis Cerana, do mites also go into the worker cells or only into drone cells?

[@yureopaquito2093]

@@beek they will much go to drones cell but they also go to workers cell but apis cerena are much better on fighting against varroa mite's unlike apis mellifera like they will abandoned there hive when they got overwhelmed by varroa they can clean there body and leave it on some flower they stayed for a while that was one of the reasons my apis mellifera get infected by varroa mite's they get infected to when the native bee's they try to robbed your bee's they are much aggressive robbers than apis mellifera based on my observation

[@lanafiala2683]

This is my third year of beekeeping. I lost my two colonies in early winter and have two packages ordered. Do you have any specific instructions for cleaning out my hive boxes to be ready for my new packages?

[@beek]

I saw that this very subject is a video to be recorded next week.

[@ericshipplett3517]

March 7, I have 5 hives that so far has made it through the winter. I was feeding them today and all the hives were located in the top box. I looked at the hive that was basically empty in the top box. They were building comb but had no stores. Looking down in the lower box were a lot of bees. I did not pull any frames as I was baffled by what I was seeing. What are your thoughts. I am in Virginia.

[@beek]

Maybe they have some brood to feed down there.

[@artpatterson9803]

I just checked on my hive and all my bees are dead. I still had bees last week, I could hear them in the hive. I Iive in north Idaho, with cold temperatures and snow. The hive is in an insulated shed with outside access. What do I have to do to prepare the hive for new bees? Thanks, like your videos.

[@smdoyle]

Is the inspection guide you link above different than the one in the online course?

[@beek]

Yes

[@WolfDragonTamer]

What are your thoughts on keeping a colony in a chicken coop? I've read about it before but not 100% sure

[@kennydykes1145]

Question, I always mowed my pasture, about 6 acres for the last 20 yrs, till last year when I started keeping bees, I decided to let it grow, since it was full of natural flowers and etc. One thing I've noticed is a flower called snow-on-the-prairie. What do you know about this plant?

[@johnlehr1036]

Weaver apiaries claims they have a mite resistant bee.

[@michellekillin-keith2041]

How can I sign up for your spring class? We made it through winter. I have one hive of Saskatrez bees, they are a bit sassy and robust. I asked some questions tonight at my local bee club meeting. I was told "Good Luck those aren't for new beekeepers, they are too much for you to manage". I replied with "well you never said anything about this to me when you sold them to me last April". When I pressed for help, it was recommended that I kill my queen and replace her with a gentler breed. I don't want to do that. Maybe one of your classes can help me.

[@beek]

Here you go: Bees in the spring www.honeybeesonline.com/online-spring-management-course-online/

[@davidlaing3798]

When doing a walk away split how close can I put the hives as I have a limited area in my yard? This will be my first split.

[@beek]

Oh wow, difficult to explain here, but not close at all or they will all fly back.

[@TexasBeekeeper]

If you're splitting in the same bee yard, the more nurse bees you can get for the split, the better. They will stay in the new hive since they haven't yet gone on their orientation flight yet (orientation flights usually begin around 3 weeks of age). Foragers have already orientated to the old hive and will return to that location. You can also do things to try and help like close them off for a while (not the best choice since they'll need to bring in nectar and pollen when available). You can also lay straw in the entrance loosely (to where the bees can still get in and out) lay a branch across the entrance. Anything that will make them think they need to re-orient to the new location.

[@aarondlancaster]

Why no pollen patty?

[@beek]

I'm not convinced pollen patties are all that effective. I have better protein distribution via adding it to the sugar water, like nectar, rather than trying to get bees to eat it. One study showed that a large portion of a patty is carried away from the hive, so it looks like they ate it, but they just worked extra hard to get rid of it.

[@joejackson9214]

Hi David Is putting on sugar syrup too soon in spring a bad idea?

[@beek]

Not really, but depends on where you live and your weather condition. In most cases where bees can fly a few days a week, it's fine to feed sugar water with additives.

[@reck9953]

It’s been a few days of warm weather… so I started community feeding… I put out liquid and protein powder… they haven’t touched the liquid but they’re tearing up the protein powder! Why is that.??

[@beek]

They may have honey in their hive but no protein.

[@glorianelson6468]

Lost two, one left. Done everything that I was supposed to do. Busy cleaning out the boxes to put away. One still left. They have plenty food so alright there. Just put a hive alive on just in case