Beginner Beekeeping FAQ 36 when to feed what, Bees of a different color!

Another lesson for Beginning Backyard Beekeepers. Honey bees are complicated, and in this video we'll go over your recently posted questions.
Discussion points in this video are:
YES! in response to those generous viewers who have asked how they can support my work, please follow this link: / 3494368
1) Will there be more Live Chats about bees?
2) How is the Robbing Station working out?
3) Why are there different colored bees in the same hive, is it being robbed?
4) How can I get those Weaver bees if they don't ship packages or nucs?
5) Is it wrong to allow honey bees to swarm?
6) Can you use a vacuum to suck beetles out of flowhives?
7) Why do you mix Langstroth equipment with your Flow Supers instead of just of having straight flowhives?
8) Why do you tilt your FlowHives forward for winter? Why not just leave them in the tilted back position for honey removal?
9) What's the typical feeding schedule for fall & winter, when do I add Ultra Bee patties?
10) How long to we feed sugar syrup?
11) I'm feeding pro-sweet this winter, in round top feeders, is that ok?
12) You said to pull feeders and use fresh clean ones every time you fill them? What if I just want to refill the hive top feeders without removing them? Will they really get moldy?
Have more questions? Post them down in the comment section. KZbin has provided a new tool for channel owners, we see the questions from subscribers at the top of our feed so those will receive responses first.
Thank you so much for watching and sharing about where you reside and what you're challenged by.
No one is smarter than "everyone", please continue to share what you know and what is working out where you live and keep bees.
This was the most productive beekeeping year since I began managing honey bees. Going into winter strong, and the rest is basically up to mother nature.
Three hives are going into winter in single deep boxes. Late season swarms generally don't build fast enough for a long winter, but we shall see when February comes along.
Make your own feeder shim for any size box: • Honey Bee Feeder Shim ...
Removing Flow-Supers for Winter: • Honey Bee Questions An...
Bee hive stands that protect hives from minor flooding and strong winds: • Bee Hive Stand, Inexpe...
Unscented Clorox Bleach: amzn.to/36799y5
Concentrated bleach vs Regular
Concentrated bleach is an 8.25 percent solution of sodium hypochlorite, up from the “regular bleach” concentration of 5.25 percent.
Rapid Round Hive Top Feeders: amzn.to/2BJPczp
Sugar for sugar syrup: (use the cleanest chemical free water you can find) - 10 LB Bags of Pure Cane Sugar (RAW unprocessed sugars have been proven to harm bees)- amzn.to/31P62r0
If you're going to add bleach to sugar syrup as a sanitizer, don't forget to test it: amzn.to/2Jpzde1
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@polvotierno]

Absolutely excellent description of how to feed bees through the fall, winter and spring... !!!

[@1docg]

This one is certainly in the top 10 episodes Fred. Thanks for all the great information especially driving home the comparisons between "backyard beeks" and commercial bee enterprise. We new beeks need constant reminders.

[@donnadarter6845]

Thank you for your videos! I love your approach to beekeeping.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Donna!

[@masterbeekeeper30years18]

Another very well reasoned presentation Frederick! Works well as a podcast while I work! Keep em coming!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you!

[@framcesmoore]

Good morning Mr Dunn great video, I wanted to thank u for telling us to treat our sas a tras bees and the other bees even though they are incline to be mite resistant. I went out there and found deformed wing in one of the hives I treated every one with 1 pad of mite away quick strips will go back on Wednesday and put the other pad in. Mr Dunn the mite drop was bad they were loaded and there is no question about it I probably would not have had 1 hive left come spring if I had not treated. I recon there is no such thing as a treatment free bread of bees. I might lose them any way I might be to late but thanks for telling us to treat and that u treated yours. It would had been a very costly loss I have 24 hives. any way thank you u are great have a wonderful day and hope u keep the videos coming I so much enjoy watching them.

[@elizabethmorris2722]

Love your FAQ videos. Always great explanations Thanks

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Elizabeth!

[@hugabee2580]

Thanks for your time and effort

[@Zerkbern]

Love the long-form vids.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! I will try to make more of them this fall and winter :) There are others who want their information short and sweet... I fail at that :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@Zerkbern]

Frederick Dunn ....been subscribed for years...

[@FrederickDunn]

Links to PACKAGE BEES or QUEENS: Saskatraz: www.ohbees.com/collections/hobbyists-sideliners BeeWeaver Queens: beeweaver.com/bees-queens/queens/ SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR HIVES HERE: facebook.com/Freds-Fine-Fowl-167853353261108/

[@lindasmith6440]

Fred, as first year beekeepers, we have benefited greatly from your FAQ videos: the longer, the better! We were even able to harvest a little bit of honey and owe a portion of that success to the info learned here at Dunn University. 😉

[@FrederickDunn]

Wow, thank you so much Linda! I'm so glad to know that these are helping you out!

[@meloneycrews]

We absolutely love love love this format!!!so glad it’s back!! We enjoy all of your videos no matter the content. Frederick you are so informative and a valuable resource for all of us! We are so appreciative of the time and effort that you put in to help us beginner beekeepers! Thanks again my friend for all you do!! 💞💖💕

[@aaabbhddgf]

You have a nice speaking voice, it's real easy to listen to you 👍👍👍

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you!

[@phildelng3424]

Wonderful!!! We really want to start keeping bees :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Just let me know if there is anything at all I can do for you! Do you reside where you can have honeybees? I hope we work together on a bee-music video some day :)

[@mrcreditunion1]

Thanks for the insight and taking my question. Never thought of supplements in that way. Appreciate your help Fred!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for being a subscriber! :)

[@tomcrynock37]

Great video. Thank you again

[@jklin2987]

You always share so much information. I try to remember everything but I just can’t. I wish there was some sort of search feature so I could look up whatever it is I want to refer back to. The list of topics covered sure is nice. Thank you for the video. Excellent.

[@gatorstays7785]

Thank you! Very thorough answer to my mix and match question. I am in the SF Bay Area, and hope to begin beekeeping next February. BTW, Gator Stays was a product I created, a type of shirt stays, and was selling for a while. Thank you again for investing your time in teaching us. Oscar

[@FrederickDunn]

OOOhhhh! If those are still for sale, please feel free to share that link! :) I could use something to keep my shirt tails snug! :)

[@gatorstays7785]

Frederick Dunn Thank you, but I completely closed down that several years journey. It’s buried in the somewhat regrettable, “live and learn” graveyard.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@gatorstays7785 Dang, I wish it had worked out for you!

[@ianmackintosh7278]

Thank you Mr Dunn every good show with some good info. Please keep them coming.

[@roberthowells]

Another very informative and useful learning experience! Thank you for sharing your vast expertise!

[@FrederickDunn]

Always great to see you here Bert! And thank you so much!

[@memyselfandi1512]

Very true we do treat them as pets and why would we not as their beauty their intelligence moves the heart

[@FrederickDunn]

You "can" overdo it though Russ :)

[@dianeburgess3899]

My friend has a very very very old Cork hives we harvest some honey comb the Honey is really dark ,it taste good but wondered why it’s so dark all her hives were abandoned so when she bought her property the bees were there and a lot of them and they got through the winter on there own amazing

[@johnmcneill923]

Hope the photography keeps you going thru the winter. Glad you had a good season and confident all colonies will survive winter. Gr8 QnA as always. 😊🍺🍺

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you John, photography is seven days a week, I actually could use a break on that!

[@harryweyer2174]

Was a brilliant post

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@weasleoop]

Great video Fred. One of your best.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Carlos! Are you all buttoned up for winter?

[@weasleoop]

@@FrederickDunn We are still having decent weather here. Bees flying daily. Tomorrow going to be 71. I am going to probably put in my burlap and do whatever winterizing I need to do tomorrow. It is the last really good day before the weather starts to plummet.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@weasleoop While I have your attention, would you test my FB page for me Carlos? I think I have it set so that visitors can post photos of their hives and so on, but I may be wrong. Would you please test the page as a visitor and see if you can post a photo? facebook.com/Freds-Fine-Fowl-167853353261108/ Thanks, and I really appreciate it when you take the time to answer viewer questions! :)

[@weasleoop]

@@FrederickDunn It works.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@weasleoop Thank you Carlos! Finally! Viewers have sent me some truly amazing custom beehive configurations and I hope they share on the FB channel for all to see :)

[@LarryLeesBees]

Thanks Fred for a great QandA! We’ve missed them! LoL!!! You mentioned the Broodminder, funny I had been researching these for a little while and actually ordered one set to start with. Obviously I won’t have any data til next year when I put it on one of my hives (I’ll probably put it in a brand new hive with the bettercomb, so I can see the results build up from the start). When I start getting the results, I’ll keep you posted. 🐝😎

[@FrederickDunn]

Larry.. you're in my "not subscribed list" are you subbed to me? My filter may not be working correctly...! :)

[@LarryLeesBees]

Frederick Dunn I am most definitely subscribed and have tapped the bell for notifications. In fact my phone just lit up saying I had a reply from you... Weird...

[@FrederickDunn]

@@LarryLeesBees That's a testament to the new KZbin "show only unsubbed comments".... there you have it, analytical fail! Thanks Larry!

[@LarryLeesBees]

Indeed Sir!

[@FrederickDunn]

@@LarryLeesBees :)

[@coziii.1829]

Keep doing live feeds preferably about 5 or 6 at night central time . God bless

[@RaySarasin]

I enjoy any talk about bees

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Coz, you are the first to recomend a time frame :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for being a subscriber! :)

[@michaelkisil4052]

In Dentistry most podcasts, continuing education programs and live events are started at 8PM EST or 9PM. This is done for very specific logistical reasons. Just fyi..😁

[@FrederickDunn]

@@michaelkisil4052 So glad not to be in Dentistry :) that's too late for me :)

[@davidtolley7145]

Thanks good info

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@framcesmoore]

Wonderful Mr Dunn I have 5 sas a tras hives already, and come spring I have 10 more queens coming I am so glad they do great for u I also have 5 bee weaver queens coming in april as well so that is 15 queens coming come April U just praise the bee weaver queens and the sas a tras bees I so hope they do good for me this was a great video thanks for all u do

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Frances! Sounds like you're going to have things really buzzing there in spring!

[@tolnaijani]

I'm a new subscriber from Hungary. I really enjoy your videos. Thank you very much and I'm really looking forward to the next one :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, and welcome to my channel!

[@michaelhall7921]

Frederick best wishes.... The flow frames are not quite ready yet but it might be just hours from the event! An observation you will more than likely have an answer to is I see with my magnifier that the odd bee appears to be either dead or sleeping particularly in the bottom most cells of the Flow Hive...... I understand through research they do sleep at times but are they 'sleeping on the job? They are so fantastic in every aspect = a miracle of nature..... I like you will never tire of watching them in all their complexities. A sensible shooter (ONCE SAID) Never point a salt gun at ANY wasp unless your intention is to kill it! ( Father's advice )

[@FrederickDunn]

They are often sleeping, coasting, skating out on their duties, malingering, or just hiding from hive mates :)

[@michaelhall7921]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you for the reply.... You must be one of the busiest guys on the planet. I am in awe not just of the bees but of your photography. I for one know from a bit of experience that it is in no way easy to turn out such quality..... and consistently too. The resolution is absolutely amazing..... many have said that already I see..... Incredible.

[@robertmathurin3716]

Hey Mr Dunn..Have a Great Weekend..🇱🇨👊👍

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Robert!

[@mohammadsalah3319]

WOoooooooooW welcome back my friend I have missed you sooooo much

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@mohammadsalah3319]

@@FrederickDunn I am Mohammad Salah from Egypt of course I am subscribed to your channel I mean that I have missed your long videos :):):):)

[@FrederickDunn]

@@mohammadsalah3319 The new KZbin "tool" that shows who is and is not a subscriber, is not working correctly :) I won't be relying on that anymore! I know you are always right here watching and commenting! Thank YOU!

[@thinless4439]

I have been watching your videos on different types of feeders and wondered which one or ones you liked best.

[@FrederickDunn]

I will say that the ones I use most often are the Rapid Round feeders inside a feeder shim.

[@susanbrockbank4670]

Great to hear you mention backyard beekeepers all to often greed for honey takes over. All my girls have a full super of honey. Am hopeful they will have enough to make it through winter. Still flying in tthe uk and collecting ivy pollen

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@HMallory1]

For those that do not want to add bleach , I found that a table spoon of apple cider vinegar works well. Thanks love learning new things about managing bees. I just orderd the synthetic foundation from betterbee , they have it in stock

[@FrederickDunn]

Oh, that's great! I'm glad that people can now stock up for spring. It works best in colder climates, some southern beekeepers had problems with the synthetic comb sagging.

[@HMallory1]

@@FrederickDunn The person that I talked to gave me that info. ,he suggested using fishing line to help support it. I may try wooden skewers not sure. Thanks again for the time and information.

[@johnvanderslice7966]

Good video Mr. Dunn. Hives are kind of like rabbits, it's hard to find a good stopping point.

[@awestryker3268]

As to swarming, swarming = less honey, or so I beleive, so I will try to avoid it but I understand the brood break aspects. I plan to beekeep using no extraction equipment, instead I will use Flow Hive suppers for liquid honey and Ross Round suppers for comb honey. Each spring, early, I will take (2) strong over-wintered hives and perform a double shook swarm into one hive with a center divider to create a double queen hive, and place a queen excluder on top of that brood box and then several Ross Round suppers on top of this new two queen hive. The (2) queen hive will act like it has swarmed and go nuts building comb, and hopefully be ready for the spring flows and rapidly fill multiple Ross Round suppers. I will re-queen the original two hives. The new queens in the original single queen hives will be delayed to create a brood break. The (2) one queen hives, having new queens, and just going thru a brood break, should not be to prone to swarm if given enough space, 1 brood box and 1 supper plus a Flow Hive supper. After 6 to 8 Ross Round suppers are full (I hope), likely by the summer dearth, I will likely break that (2) queen hive down, ending their lives or starting a new one queen hive, and get it ready for next spring. Meanwhile the two (1) queen hives continue to work on Flow Hive suppers the rest of the year. Then repeat this process every spring rotating my queens into the (2) queen hives, etc. I will need to move hives around a bit to ensure foragers get back ok.

[@58Kym]

Dont be sorry about the length, :I love it!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for being a subscriber! :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@masterbeekeeper30years18]

same here!

[@gregwaskom552]

You can also buy queenless packages and then add the queen of your choice. There are places that will ship queenless packages

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Greg, I've never heard of Queenless packages, that's a great idea, please feel free to post a link to a reliable source for those.

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@gregwaskom552]

@@FrederickDunn just call around to your package suppliers. Several will do it as it dosent change their process. Just order early. If you have a bee keeper around with several hives. You may be able to buy brood frames and start your own nuc with your preferred queen 3 frames of brood with the bees and a shake of another frame gives you a pretty strong nuc.

[@wendyme4835]

Small hive beetles can be a problem where I live. Adult beetles do not slime out a hive, it’s the SHB larvae. The larvae spread yeasts through the honey & comb as they burrow through feeding, and it’s this that causes a slime-out by fermentation. If bee colonies are healthy & strong they can usually keep beetles under control on their own, but leaving too many stores or too much space on a weaker colony is asking for trouble.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Wendy, I didn't realize I said it was the adults that slimed the honey super... thank you for sharing and clearing that up :)

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@wendyme4835]

@Frederick Dunn already subscribed 😊

[@fredsfinefowl538]

@@wendyme4835 OOOhhh thank you :)

[@BeeDubyew]

I've followed your channel for a while now and I'm not a bee keeper. This channel has such awesome footage in general! If I'm ever able to afford land, I'm going to buy. It'll probably be inner city type land. Would you maybe not consider bee's in those environments? It would be about 2-4 acres of overgrown property

[@FrederickDunn]

2-4 acres would be more than enough property to stage an apiary. The rest is based upon what forage is within 2-3 miles in every direction. :) Completely doable!

[@dandevaul1224]

Another great video I liked that you stressed that we are keeping bees for pleasure and enjoyment I tried commercial beekeeping years ago a lot of work backyard is much more enjoyable thanks for the video I would like to know when and where did you order your saskatraz bees from Thank You

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Dan, I ordered the Saskatraz bees through Mann Lake

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@masterbeekeeper30years18]

I vote for Sunday afternoon live chats!!!!!

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope I can do one! I can't imagine what a Master beekeeper is learning here, but you are always welcome and thank you for your frequent comments!

[@colinhills5249]

Thanks for the info on feeding. I bought some Round Feeders as you demonstrated but was not sure exactly how they worked since there were no instructions but now I know a little more. Could you please confirm that if you fill the basin with syrup, the syrup seeps under the inverted transparent cup and the bees crawl up the centre hole to feed? I'm in Germany and will end feeding certainly by the end of September if not sooner when I check their resources.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, that's how it works :) Here's some more information on that subject: kzbin.info/www/bejne/opLMYqWvi5d2qKM

[@ronadelman1312]

Do you put bottom boards on flow hives on the top slot or bottom for winter? Also do you close up the front entrance on your Flow Hives or just on traditional Langstroth hives? Thanks, and much appreciation for all you contribute to our community....

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Ron, I put the bottom inserts in the top/closed position. For the FH2 units, I close the back vent. As for the entrance on the flow units, I just roll up window screen and reduce the physical entrance while allowing venting. I put those in place before it gets cold so the bees can seal the screen up if they want to. I try to leave a 2" entrance that is unobstructed.

[@wayneparker9782]

If you can discuss feeding in warmer climates such as central florida. 20% to 25% of all United states bee keepers winter there bees in florida. With this, you have access to all resources for new bee keepers to start. Even though you are in warmer climates winter months are still a challenge. With feeding...pollin is not a problem but when feeding syrup the colonies can grow fast...the problem is how much and how often do you feed to keep growth under control.

[@FrederickDunn]

Because I don't have any direct experience with southern beekeeping, I would just be making an educated guess. Dr Delaplane would be a great source for that. I'm sure he's published online somewhere.... his first name is Keith and he's who I learned from many years ago. He's at the University of Georgia and was/is the Chief entomologist there.

[@clifftonwhitaker8]

I watched your video you posted yesterday about feeding bees dry sugar in the winter. Would it benefit the bees more if you added pollen or a pollen substitute in with the sugar? I live in a residential area and even tho my city doesn’t have a specific number of hives as a limit, I’m planning on having no more then four hives. My bees yard should be finished next payday. I’ve put weed blocking fabric on the floor of the bee yard so I don’t have to mow around them. I’ll try to get my wife to post pictures of it on your Facebook, since I did away with my Facebook. Thank you so much Sir for everything you do for bees and bee keepers

[@clifftonwhitaker8]

Nm you answered my question in this video lol guess that’s why I should watch it all before commenting lol

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Another excellent video Fred... Glad you "wasted" an hour of my time... I couldn't have wasted it better if I tried! :)

[@FrederickDunn]

:) !

[@harrellbeefarm7312]

Mr. Dunn another fine FAQ session. I have a question have you ever used white vinegar instead of bleach in your rapid round feeder with sugar and or water solution ? To control the black mole problem.

[@FrederickDunn]

I don't use vinegar... when given the choice, syrup with nothing added is #1, syrup with bleach #2, Syrup with Essential OIls #3, Syrup with Vinegar is taken last, so the bees demonstrate their preference. Vinegar doesn't have the sanitizing power that bleach does.

[@masterbeekeeper30years18]

@@FrederickDunn I like that answer!

[@harrellbeefarm7312]

@@FrederickDunn I agree but there are beekeepers asking that same question. Seems to be a trend :) Mr. Harrell

[@FrederickDunn]

@@harrellbeefarm7312 I may have to add this to my "practical test" list.... to see how quickly one spoils over the other and also revisit bee preferences.

[@fortnus]

When should you put on the mouse guard? I don't want to put on too early as I'm afraid it will make hard for them to get rid of the drones at the end of the season.

[@FrederickDunn]

You can put on 1/2" hardware cloth fronts at any time. The bees get through that pretty easily. Try to make them easy to remove so you can sweep out dead bees during winter :)

[@roberthowells]

Question: What is the best was to clean feeders, hive parts, and tools that are covered with wax and propolis? Hot water doesn't seem to do the job by itself. There are some occasions when items get so cruddy that they simply have to be cleaned. Thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

Boiling water! I also sometimes use a heat gun, for example on the metal Queen Excluders. If you wrap your hive tool with a paper towel, hit it with a heat gun, the wax gets absorbed by the towel, it's kind of cool. :) (FAQ 37) !

[@SmallTNHomestead]

Hi Fred! I really appreciate the time and valuable information you provided In this video. One thing that stood out to me or scared me a bit is you didn't seem to be too keen on packaged bee purchases. I have 2 3lb bee packages coming with mated queens. I plan on immediate nourishment for them and of course, applying everything I have learned to assist a healthy hive for the future. What are the specifics of your concerns so I may nip it in the bud? I am located in S FL. Thanks again, great video for me!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Mary, Noooooo.... I do endorse getting complete packages with Queens that have been mated! The Question was from an individual who lives out of range for package shipments. Mated Queens can be sent from Coast to Coast and that's one way to get the Queens you want, no matter how far from the breeder you reside. I'm a fan of package bees for beginners! :)

[@SmallTNHomestead]

@@FrederickDunn Whew! Thanks for clearing that up. Not sure how I arrived at that conclusion. Have a great day!

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@SmallTNHomestead]

@@FrederickDunn I have been a subscriber for quite a while, enjoy your videos and appreciate them. 🙂

[@FrederickDunn]

@@SmallTNHomestead So much for KZbin showing me who's comments are from subscribers and not (';')( ';')... sorry Mary, I knew you approved of me :)

[@billbaskin4631]

Mr. Dunn, perhaps you have answered this question elsewhere...But, what is your recommended method for removing a Flow 2 sloped outer cover when the inner cover has been propalised to both super and outer cover? The design locks it all together without a place to use a tool to pry loose without damaging wood. Thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

If you keep the plug in the inner cover, they can't get up into that area. If they glued it up, I would remove the inner and top together and heat it with a hair dryer to pull it apart while temporarily replacing it with a standard cover.

[@6Deep6]

Hi Fred, keep'em coming mate. Thank you for the efforts. I wonder if you could mention how your slated racks worked out this past season and also follow up if your bees let you keep the upper vents open or did they continue to block them up? I just installed my first ever bees from 3 nucs on Sunday. Went off well thanks to educating myself over the year with videos such as yours. I also put out some rolled mesh to make a screened entrance reducer. Today I was sitting next to the hives watching the landing board activity and noticed that the bees seem to be confused how to get in a lot of the time. I wondered if it was because the mesh is allowing the hive 'smell' come through and they think they can get in there. Have you noticed this with your own mesh rolls? I am theorizing that if it was a solid piece of wood entrance reducer, then it may be easier for them to find the gap due to the tighter seal of the entrance. With kind regards, MK

[@FrederickDunn]

I will address this on Friday for FAQ 38! Thank you so much 6Deep6 :) and they sealed up all of the upper vents solid and have not chewed them back open. I will still put screened vent holes in the feeder shims that I make so they will at least have that option.

[@RaySarasin]

Its snowing today here and below 0 so my bee season is over next week I put my hives inside till spring

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope they do well Ray!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for being a subscriber! :)

[@leonardohenriquez5041]

As always very informative. I would appreciate it if you could provide me with the link on where you purchase your saskatraz bees thank you. I am in New Hampshire first-year beekeeping and I would like to try them next Sprint.

[@FrederickDunn]

I got them through Mann Lake... they have not posted dates for 2020 yet.

[@leonardohenriquez5041]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you very much I will try to look periodically on Mann Lake website until they're available again.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@leonardohenriquez5041 www.ohbees.com/collections/hobbyists-sideliners

[@damonlinthwaite4671]

Curious question i caught a small swarm yesterday in southern oregon checked all hives all queen right , stuffed with bees how would you help this small queen right swarm survive winter? Combine? Leave them be? Add a frame of brood from another hive? Or what? Mind you its late fall "november" Thanks in advance

[@FrederickDunn]

Most keepers would leave them be. You "could" put them in a small nuc box and feed them through winter, but you'd end up with a small and unprepared spring colony in my opinion. So, I'd not hive a swarm this late in the year. If you have the equipment handy and don't mind exhausting some resources, their chances are better if you hive them than leaving them to expire. It's really a toss-up but their chances of coming through winter are slim.

[@jarnold8803]

Went to the hive and bees were flying. There were a lot of bees on my screened vent holes Does this mean they are trying to rob the hive? I checked the bottom board and did not see any wax capping your thoughts. North Texas

[@FrederickDunn]

Just pay attention to the bees on the screen... do they have pollen? Are they rushing in and out? If there is no debris field so to speak, it's probably not a rob-job :)

[@MikeChamplin]

Not adding Protein patties....but I do have a pollen feeder the bees are still hitting very well. Daytime temps here are into the mid 60's. Should I cut off the pollen feeders now using your same rationale as not using patties? FYI - 2 double deep hives with a Med honey super on each located in Southern IN

[@FrederickDunn]

I personally would reserve the pollen feeding until spring also. Yes, the same logic applies as foragers would be bringing it in which could stimulate them into thinking there is a natural resource still available.

[@michaelsulser6906]

What is the name of your round feeders. I’ve bought some, but can’t find the ones that have the “extension” that goes down in the hole of my Flow hive .

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Michael, I put a link in the video description. It seems to be hit and miss, sometimes that center tube extends down, and others are neatly cut flush. Either way it will work with the flowhive inner covers.

[@dannyhiggins6095]

G'day Fred another gr8 video just wondering if you ever have problems getting bee's to go into flow supers as mine don't and just found swarm cell in brood box any tricks would be very helpful cheers Dan from Aussie land 🍻🍻

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Danny, I don't have any tricks up my sleeve for that. I have found that some bee lines (in the past) did not use the flow supers at all.... my Saskatraz and BeeWeaver bees do use them, while some of the Italian lines never did. So the line of bees you use may have something to do with that. I would suggest finding out who is having success with Flow Supers in your neck of the woods and learning about what line of bees they are using that brought them success with their flowhives :) Other than that, just vibrant healthy colonies that continue to grow would be key. My setup involves having a deep brood box, then a honey super, and then the flow-super without a queen excluder. I've had bees seal up the queen excluder with propolis during a nectar flow, there is a lot to be aware of. Priming the flowframes with bees wax or honey, or sugar syrup just seem to be a waste of time.

[@sojourner57]

What is the average life-cycle for worker bees and drones in the colony (days) and how many cycles does it take for the colony to completely turn over its numbers, excepting the queen? I thought I read that the egg-to-adult stage was 21 days, but how does this play out in colony management?

[@FrederickDunn]

21 days from egg laying, then add six weeks and you've got 99% Queen genetics occupying that hive.

[@patrickmckannan4865]

this is y first year with bees. both my hives have screened bottom boards. what is your suggestion for the best way apply Oxalic Vapor considering that the bottom screen is open????

[@FrederickDunn]

I would put a large folded towel on a piece of osb or other suitable board and press that up underneath to block the air flow during vaporization and then just remove it after 10 minutes have passed.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for being a subscriber! :)

[@beegorgeous9373]

Hi Fred! Thanks for your video I always learn something new, I live in Bolivia, and started beekeeping this October (it's spring now here), I saw a good number of drones in my landing board and other beekeeper told me that drones travel from different hives and are the only ones that are accepted to enter in a different hive. Is that true? What would that be? Greetings

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Cecilia! Wow, how nice to have a message from Bolivia! Drones do often tend to just land on any landing board when they are tired and near the end or their mating flight range. They need to eat every 1/2 hour roughly and are basically starving when they return. They may be allowed to enter, but may not be fed by the resident nurse bees. Because they are non-threatening and can't rob a hive, they are often given a pass by guard bees. BUT, most often, they are not fed and they simply end up back on the landing board, or departing in an attempt to find their true resident hive. Foragers from other colonies do gain acceptance from other colonies when they arrive with pollen and nectar... this is known as bee-drift, and they also get in and become part of another colony. If they are not carrying resources, the guards stop them at the entrance.

[@beegorgeous9373]

@@FrederickDunn thanks Fred!!! That's something really interesting and explains really well what's happening on my hives, there must be other colonies in the area that are drifting

[@CMT.STM.]

Like the beard!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you! I've been getting mixed feedback on that!

[@lizmichel8239]

Where do you get the rapid round feeder

[@FrederickDunn]

Amazon... Blythewood Bee Company also sells them.

[@W3BKY_73]

How do you store your extra frames / supers? We have a barn (with no animals) and thought to set supers with frames on plywood bases / tops to essentially “seal” from rodents. Or separate the frames and place / hang them in clear Tupperware bins? But should drawn out comb / honey frames that you want to save to feed back to bees go into a freezer? Trying to plan ahead to avoid pests/moths/beetles..we are very close to you in Allegheny National Forest. thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Rebecca, I expained that in my most recent faq.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3LFo4OvfM6aiMk

[@W3BKY_73]

Frederick Dunn thank you - I am just learning how to see ALL your videos and not just the ones that are suggested in the subscriptions tab. Looks I need a few rainy days to catch up!

[@memyselfandi1512]

So when a colony is preparing to swarm we first see the bees gathering outside the hive while the queen (I prefer Mother rather than Queen) is still inside and then off they all go. Yet a queen/mother goes off on her virgin flight and she is solitary correct? So she tells her family when to gather outside and when she leaves to mate she tells them "you guys stay here don't follow me" Bees are even more intelligent than I already gave them credit for.

[@harryweyer2174]

russ macomb information is passed back into the hive that another colony is within flying distance so they have the direction to fly(takes foot and puts in mouth)I’ve seen a first ball of the swarm appear and then the next day another ball appear which I assume contains the Queen they sat on posts outside my buddies apiary for three days from the first cluster arrival till the departure where the Queen did her business and the swam then moved on even tho he had a robbed out hive they didn’t hang and colonise it,cleaned it out a few days later and the frames were mostly bare,moth and beetle still active,hope that helps.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Russ, this is the best way I can explain the swarm dynamic :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2nGeYOYbcugd5o

[@thinless4439]

Did you have to manage mites with your Saskatraz bees?

[@FrederickDunn]

I did! Here is that video: The results were fantastic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnPXqpiOm5uZoMU

[@memyselfandi1512]

O h thank you my question was just answered I do not harvest honey

[@terrykleineweber1295]

If my hive swarms my queen has a clipped wing and can,t leave with the swarm, how do they get a new queen and what happens to the the old queen?

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Terry, this is a somewhat involved topic, so, I will be talking about this on Friday - FAQ 37. Thank you so much! I hope you'll be watching!

[@terrykleineweber1295]

@@FrederickDunn I'll be watching and thank you for answering.

[@235112347]

Do you wrap any of your hives to insulate them during winter? If so, what do you use?

[@FrederickDunn]

I never have.

[@awestryker3268]

Fred, why do you not leave Flow Hive supers on your hive over the winter?

[@FrederickDunn]

Because the Queen will rise with the cluster and lay her eggs in the Flow-Frames. IF you leave a queen excluder under the flow super, then the cluster of workers will rise into the super and possibly leave the queen trapped behind. :)

[@stgermain1074]

Fred, I figured that if the bees weren't consuming the feed within a day or two, they probably don't need the extra resources. Is that wrong?

[@FrederickDunn]

That's how I see it :) If they aren't taking it, they don't need it.

[@thinless4439]

If you are feeding bees for some reason going into winter, can you just feed them dry sugar?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, you can have dry granulated sugar on top of your honey super, spread on newsprint or wax paper. It can also take on some of that condensation during winter which kind of turns it into a solid mass. It's considered an emergency insurance policy just in case they run out of honey. And by news print, I mean the plain paper that is sold for that purpose as you can get it by the roll.

[@thinless4439]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you for that information.

[@mayimbe0275]

Hello

[@kareno8634]

HI! Your 1st 'Live' was a great start. = ) How's one to learn? I learn more from mistakes, lol Just how many times trying does it take? = \ *I Thank ALL For the questions!!* I'd like to know how to be confident to do this - Want to 'House' Wild Bees that are in yard. I Don't want to fail! I noted different colored Bees in Videos, Never thought about One particular 'variety'. -How would you keep them, 'pure bread'?- < answered. Why called "Synthetic Tone"? @ 14:37 Just this questions now of (my) Wild Crew. (Florida) I'm trying to learn what's happening via view of Comb. >> Wild Bee 'Hive' - survive without my help - ha ha *Does \ Can RAIN Destroy colony?* I Worry about those in Shrub - Lower part of 5'. Was larger group of Bees, [?] Now looks less, (rained twice this week) but New (White) Comb showing. Good? I need to take more notes. - just keep Shrub Healthy well - They choose area that's sparse at top. ~ hmm *I Thank You!* Anyone w\ ideas, I'll be glad to hear. : } Cheers!

[@kareno8634]

I think I Know - Now - answer to (part) of question. per kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZCXpJKrjdd3e7s BEARDING - what I saw. @ 14:00 lol Saw your Wonderful video of Bearding Bees! Well, I have them too! : ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ol6xgJ2bZ7N3bbc#password I put Palm Frowns over shrub. Shrub sparse at top - silly me. Why I saw New Comb (suddenly) Most WAS covered w\ Bees > > Guess they ditched the Rain by GOING WITHIN. How Logical! _Oh Brother_ I need a Bee Brain. : } *Bees are So Cool!*

[@FrederickDunn]

That's drawn-out synthetic "comb" which has really allowed me to hive late season swarms that otherwise wouldn't have time to build up.

[@beegorgeous9373]

How long does the sugar syrup lasts ok for the bees to drink it?

[@beegorgeous9373]

I think you already answered this on this video, thank you

[@FrederickDunn]

Please consider subscribing so you'll know when I post another video :)

[@beegorgeous9373]

@@FrederickDunn yeap, I'm already a second scriber since 2018!!! 😁😀

[@FrederickDunn]

@@beegorgeous9373 Thank you Cecilia! The KZbin analytics have failed me once again

[@beegorgeous9373]

Ooops, I meant *subscriber. Jajajaja. But you understood fine. 😂😁

[@gregwaskom552]

Do your saskatraz bees fly on colder wetter days then your beeweavers.

[@weasleoop]

My Saskatraz do not go out on colder and wetter days. My beeweavers do though, but the Sas stay in until the weather gets sunnier. So, in terms of cold it seems they do not like it as much. I dunno it is your mileage my vary I guess.

[@FrederickDunn]

Mine do fly in the rain and they have longer tongues than my Weavers do :) BUT, there are variances in my Saskatraz colonies, they are not all behaving the same.

[@jamesnoell5848]

what is the life span of varroa mites ? how long do adult mites live ?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi James, an adult female varroa mite generally lives about 2 months. BUT, if they make it into winter with the bees, they can survive the entire winter attached to a honeybee host. My BeeWeaver bees do a great job of grooming them off of each other and chewing their feet. I think the Saskatraz Bees will end up with some percantage of varroa in the hive through winter and may need help coping with them.

[@jamesnoell5848]

@@FrederickDunn ILL BE BACK ! (THANKS)

[@beegorgeous9373]

Hi Fred! I'm having a hard time with ants on my hives, I tried with motor oil, and it did helped a little but they are still getting to the inner over, and in one hive the enter to my rapid round feeder, it seemed there was a fight because there were dead bees also on the inner cover. Could you please advise me something to fight this pest? This ants are some big black ones with the abdomen color brown

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Cecilia, what sort of hive stands are you using? If you have them on iron T-Posts as I do, then it's easy to block ant access. Larger supports can present a more challenging problem, or low stands with grass against the hive bodies. You can sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the hive particularly where the ants are entering the ground. If they have taken up residence under your outter cover, then you'll have to do a cleaning first. Also, some people make ant-motes around their hives or hive stand legs and fill those with soapy water -ants sink into soapy water and die quickly - use Dawn for that and it won't harm the environment. You can also rub Dawn liquid dish soap on all support legs and refresh it after a period of rain. That stops them in their tiny tracks.

[@beegorgeous9373]

@@FrederickDunn mmmm. How could I describe it? I have a photo but it seems that here I can't upload it

[@beegorgeous9373]

This is the video when we installed the nucs in our apiary and you can see the type of stand installed. 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6i3hICQdsh4gZY Hope you can see it, I changed the link

[@FrederickDunn]

@@beegorgeous9373 You can share photos here: facebook.com/Freds-Fine-Fowl-167853353261108/

[@gregoryircink8797]

I was surprised to see that anti-ant toothpaste wasn't mentioned. Also, I'm suspicious that one of the reasons Fred Dunn has no ant (or small hive beetle?) problems is using solid bottom boards?

[@Basca112]

the video at 09:50 i could just hear the drone screming Nooo!, Not yet!, I dont want to go!.

[@argentvixen]

I realize changing vernacular is a difficult thing but perhaps it would help if we came up with a different word for when bees reproduce by splitting their hive to a new location. The word "swarm" has dangerous connotations in common English. We need to use a word that most people do not associate with a mass of aggressive stinging insects that should be avoided at all costs. A reproductive ball of bees does not have those characteristics so using the same word is confusing. Maybe call it "self split" or "reproductive flight" or "congregation". Really, anything that would help people understand its purpose and not associate it with aggression of defensiveness.

[@FrederickDunn]

We also have the problem with the general public referring to every venomous flying insect as a "bee". We have lots of educational hurdles to clear these days.

[@nunyabidness517]

You have a great channel. I can't find any patreon info for your channel. Do you have an account? I give to a few channels that provide info I find usefull and yours definitely qualifies. The $1 a month option works for everybody.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, but I'm sorry I don't have a patreon account.

[@PAPSROYALAPIARY]

Fred I am surprised that you only have 15 hives my friend; you can do a lot better, lol; how do you deal with swarming if you don't split manage them? I ran a little test this year on feed and treatment, brought 3 5frame solid nucs home from my apiary that I co-own, about 500 +/_ varies with the splits and sells, but anyway, I took those 3 nucs and turned them into 18 solid 10frame one deep hives, at times I had about 22 but combined them due to some queen issues; but those 18 hives happened in about 3 months because of the essential oils and proper feed; I think you should be around 40-60 hives even if you have a full job; I like what you do, but to be taken serious by the beekeepers that deal with more than 10-15 hives, you will have to step up to the plate my friend, lol. Have fun and keep it up, and consider that a challenge by someone that do have a day job (in cardiology of all fields) and still can keep up with quite a few hives, aside from the fact that I build majority of the equipment myself, you don't believe me, subscribe and find out. Dan

[@FrederickDunn]

I shall remain "not taken seriously" then... I have no plan to expand my apiary. 10 colonies is my target number. I prefer to be intimitely familiar with each of my colonies in order to really comprehend their social dynamic. I'm glad you are enjoying your bees in greater numbers and each individual will ultimately settle on the appropriate size apiary. I won't be stepping up to the plate, but I will dive deeper into the science of beekeeping with each passing day. Those Who elect to judge my knowledge based on numbers alone will simply have to dismiss me for lack of scale. :)

[@masterbeekeeper30years18]

Quality over Quantity! agreed!

[@PAPSROYALAPIARY]

@@FrederickDunn Ahh, don't be so sensitive Fred, I like a lot what you are doing; I was just wondering, what was you afraid of? you know, to be able to understand the science of the beekeeping and be able to learn from the bee behavior, one has to be able to split, manipulate bees to see how they are behaving, that is the science learning approach; Even that I really enjoy your approach to the bees, if one is not looking for the future and not keep up with what is happening in the present, it is like we still ride horse and carriage vs driving the latest model cars; so disease, foreign breeds of bees are changing the today's bees that we observe on the daily bases and if we don't keep an open eye, we are looking to failure in the future. take it as a friend's advice and not as criticism, reason I mentioned you can do a lot better than 10 hives is that you have the ability and knowledge to do that and in the same token, help bees by having more than 10. Keep up the good work.

[@PAPSROYALAPIARY]

@@masterbeekeeper30years18 Always, that is the only way we keep up with what's coming on bee behavior.

[@PAPSROYALAPIARY]

@@masterbeekeeper30years18 Why don't you post something for us, let me see what that title of yours can do; you don't have to be so complicated like Fred, all you got to do is record with your phone and post it, just like I do, because I can't do what Fred does, I just don't have the time and the nice equipment he has. I am not picking on you, I just want to learn from anyone I can, and if you say you got 30 years of beekeeping, I am sure you've seen a thing or the along those years, maybe I can pick your brain. Dan

[@brendasmith5937]

Why would robbing stations be illegal?

[@wendyme4835]

Brenda Smith open feeding is illegal in many places in Australia to reduce the possibilities of pests & diseases spreading through the interactions at feeding stations.

[@brendasmith5937]

@@wendyme4835 interesting. Makes sense. I dont have bees, so I just wondered.

[@brendasmith5937]

Kind of like sending your toddler to daycare and all the kids drink out of the same fountain.

[@FrederickDunn]

If you watch my robbing station video, I explain my logic as to how a robbing station can keep your foragers from raiding diseased and dwindling hives... (';') there is a method to my madness.

[@brendasmith5937]

@@FrederickDunn I saw it.