Overwintering Bees In South Georgia

A report on how our colonies are doing in South Georgia including winter hive inspection, feeding and more.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

What a great way to start out a morning learning there will be another Seth running around before long LOL . Bob I was noticing with the lower temps it did not look like from the video there was a lot of flight an that monster colony there near the beginning that was switched out with the dead out would that be enough to keep it from swarming with in the two weeks. Seth congratulations to you an your wife an what a great Blessing . Bob good morning an thanks for the video. Thanks

[@bobbinnie9872]

Another Seth!! I hadn't thought about it like that.😊 These Colonies didn't have much drone brood yet but that's about to change. In most cases the colonies will wait for the drones to be coming on before preparing to swarm. I don't think that large colony will swarm that soon because they just had the shock of losing their entire field force.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

That make sense. I was not thinking about the Drones . Thanks

[@victorbailey5083]

😊

[@dividedacresfarm]

Congratulations Seth! My son was a March baby too but that was 18 years ago. Word of advice, cherish every moment because they grow up way faster then you could ever imagine.

[@rtxhoneybees]

Seth, I'll pass along some helpful advice that was given to me 23 years ago. Sleep when he sleeps. It's tempting to stare at him while he sleeps, but if you do, he is getting more rest than you. That catches up to you pretty quick.

[@brentstastny5179]

This is why I keep watching, the little tip about why we push the frames together. I feel so silly, ah duh. 😊 Congratulations Seth.

[@scottreese5492]

Congratulations Seth, another miracle from God on the way.

[@michaelmannino4335]

Hi Bob you talked to are bee keeping club last night ! there was 5 of us that met you at the expo from NH. I would like to tell you how wonderful your entire staff was at the expo,, I was great to met them all and you, I was the one that gave you and you staff Big Mike's Raw honey, we brought 7 blocks of your wax home with us. Enjoyed your talk last night and just want to thank you for all you do!

[@bobbinnie9872]

Thank you.

[@burleybeeyard]

I love these types of videos because y’all are typically right in line with me with this location. Your native yards up north are a few weeks off, so I always learn something new I can apply. The way yall are moving strong colonies I like.

[@chuckgross6024]

Congrats, Seth! March is the best month for birthdays! That's my birth month, lol! Bob, your bees look amazing! Welcome to the team, John! What a gift to learn from Bob! I can't wait to get into my bees this spring, we are getting some awesome warm weather here in Iowa, but im sure it won't last long.

[@timlewis9873]

Congrates Seth, love the vids. Bob, keep them coming.

[@bomchickawahwaaaaah]

Happy to start off an epic Sunday hearing & seeing this video. And congrats Seth on the upcoming baby 🍼

[@marywickenheiser2628]

Congrats on little nuc, Seth!

[@MagnoliaSpringsFarm19]

I have some Strong Microbials Super Fuel fondant on my girls, too. Congratulations on the new baby, Seth.

[@BucketListBees]

Bee boxes booming always makes the Sunday morning coffee taste better.

[@JessDugan-oq2nj]

Good bright and early Sunday!

[@jasonsouther5333]

Came into your store yesterday and you were kind enough to take a picture with me. Love the channel and everything you do. I spread your name to all new beekeepers that I come across.

[@odelllawson6250]

Amazing video Bob you are the best! Congratulations Seth and I fully agree with the comment.. cherish the moment!

[@lambbrookfarm4528]

mug up Bob and Seth! Good morning from central New Hampshire. Thanks for sharing your bees with us. My bees are well over a month away from collecting red maple pollen. We have to get through maple sugar season first and folks are just thinking about tapping right now. Congrats Seth!

[@mindylabean8363]

I love your advice to John! It helps me too😊

[@دعوةخير-غ6ح]

Very nice 👍

[@dcsblessedbees]

Planning on using those same patties come Spring here in the North West. One of my favorite ways of equalizing, I might have learnt it from you even. Thanks for sharing your time Bob and Seth. I'm wondering why YT didn't let me know about this one.

[@bobbinnie9872]

My wife has that problem at times. We can't figure out why.

[@dadu63]

Thanks for sharing Bob! Congratulations Seth on your new baby. Im in Waynesville this week and when I get home I'm jumping in my hives. Can't wait.

[@handsburyhoneybees893]

I knew it wasn't the other John. I was new clean pants, LOL

[@schammond8993]

Congratulations to Seth and his Bride. I always learn something from every video. I saw some red pollen yesterday and didn't know where it came from, henbit. Haven't seen it yet but it's somewhere. Also exchanging boxes and probiotic info. Thanks

[@brianbennett4374]

Congratulations Seth. 😊

[@thebeesmith9746]

Congratulations Seth! Looks like yall are having fun down there. Spring is right around the corner. Put your work pants on its coming lol

[@khraila_RockyRillFarm_Apiary]

Congratulations!

[@brucesbees]

Wow great stuff guys. Enjoyed it. Bees looking strong!

[@altaylor293]

Really good info. Congratulations to Seth.

[@steliandone4078]

Happy New Beekeeping Year Bob. I enjoyed your new post for 2024. Surprised by the success you have on wintering bees. Question: you find just one gone. Seems like you have some nectar +polen + added putty + sirop. I wander around. Why not take bees+ queen from the very strong ones and try to see what happens. The queen less one should be able to recover…? Please come with a suggestion (teaching). Thank you Bob. From DFW Texas area.

[@TennesseeTim73]

I have did that trick of putting a weak nuc in a spot where a strong colony is, never seen that on full size equipment, excellent idea for equalizing!!! I appreciate every video you put out Bob!!! Thank you!

[@lenturtle7954]

Great to see another video Congratulation Seth . Life is about to become a lot of fun . Wow those are huge and about to explode

[@morrishomesteadgirls]

I live in new york state. I just put strong microbial fondant pattys on my colonies. I am hoping it helps them finish the winter healthy. Glad to see you using them too Bob!

[@tomkingsley4398]

Great teaching video, I used that same fondant put it on in December. Now adding second round. I am so impressed with that product . Thanks for sharing

[@solivaguswayfarer]

Thank you Bob and Seth for a great video. Congratulations to Seth on becoming a father-what a wonderful journey ahead! Seth's phrase 'going to college on us' is pure gold 🤓 Bob, have you ever conducted a side-by-side observational experiment using granulated sugar on paper, plain fondant, fondant with probiotics, super fuel, and a control? Would love to hear about your practical insights ☺️

[@bobbinnie9872]

Thanks. That would be a good comparison but I have not done that. Perhaps in the future.

[@gospodariadorinei913]

Very nice ,super,GOD bless you🙏😇

[@charlesoneill466]

❤swapping hive position...Great idea.

[@baniortiz797]

"OK this is not what I was specting" 😂😂😂😂 bees just doing what they do 😅

[@piffy5594]

Morning Bob. I’ll be at your store on Tuesday ordering some Nucs. Have a good Sunday sir.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Sunday morning coffee and Bob’s video. Bees look good Bob!

[@bobbinnie9872]

Morning!

[@alanporter2694]

It's great to be able to drive south and have your bees in a different climatic zone. Not possible here in Ireland.

[@oscarvilla6841]

Excellent thank you for the video, congratulations Seth family for your Baby

[@keithfaithful3989]

Must be some good honest people in that area not to lose any hives that close to the road. Look great.

[@aidanquick3151]

Great video thanks

[@briancraig6468]

Thanks for sharing!

[@codycarter5263]

Can you do an all in one video on the main bee diseases, how to diagnose between the types and your mode of treatment. In depth as the queen rearing video? Thank you 👍

[@framcesmoore]

Ha Bob wonderful video, I really like seeing what you are up to in the bee yard, are you going to put out traps for the yellow legged hornet, and if so, what are you going to do for bait the sec question about the hornets are you going to be a distributer of the veto pharma traps and baite. I have found 1 place foxhound bee supply that going to be a supply store I have bought some but the baite is only good for 3 weeks and you have to replace it. They also are not available till march, they are pre ordered, so it is going to be very costly if a homemade baite does not work I had called last week, and u were out, and they gave me your John that has been there forever he was going to ask u when u got back but. he forgot to call me back. Again, thanks for the video, have a blessed day.

[@bobbinnie9872]

Hi Frances. I am going to be seeing Lewis Bartlett fro The University of Georgia in a couple of weeks and will be getting updates on all of that. I hope to video his talk and share it. I'll also be looking into the traps, thanks.

[@kevinogden4363]

I lost one out of 17. I expected it, swarmed late and was small going in winter. Of course winter isn't over yet, warm now but could get a cold snap, Lord willing the rest will make it.

[@ROD_OF_IRON]

Good stuff here I appreciate your integrity and honesty Bob what is the syrup ratio

[@bobbinnie9872]

Thanks. At this time we are feeding 1 to 1 sucrose syrup.

[@MerrittHoney]

Nice looking bees!

[@bobbinnie9872]

Thanks. I'm sure in your location yours are ahead of these.

[@MerrittHoney]

@@bobbinnie9872 They’re in California for a while…

[@richardhyatt-beekeeping]

Daddy Seth, yea!

[@dcsblessedbees]

Bob the bees made a small amount of early Spring honey last year that had a light color and light sweet flavor to it, with a hint of what I'd describe as cotton candy almost. Most of the sweet was on the front end and finished with that light almost cotton candy taste. It wasn't anything like the blackberry we get. Does that describe anything that you hay have tasted up here in the NW?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Possibly meadowfoam or cabbage blossom. Both reminded me of taffy or marshmallows.

[@dcsblessedbees]

@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks Bob, I knew you would be good to ask, have a great day.

[@kmichal9648]

Bob. I have a question in regard to doublescrean boards. I have never used them because I practice mainly walkway splits with my nice 6 frame hives. I am considering making 20 double screen boards and have some additional questions. How thick the board should be. I have different kind of hives (Insulated with feeders). Hence, mmly question might seem stupid but I wonder if bees start a queencell if you take frame with eggs and put it on top of the brood chamber divided by double screen? Thank you ahead

[@andrewsherwin2664]

I just left some small ones near Tifton. Hope they look like that when I get back to them!

[@bobbinnie9872]

Sylvester where Richard was I presume. I remember a lot of wild radish around there and plenty of maple. 👍

[@andrewsherwin2664]

⁠@@bobbinnie9872I’ve moved closer to Ashburn and stay in Tifton now. Although I store all my stuff in Sylvester. The maple was JUST starting to hit last week when I was there and they were bringing in a good amount of pollen from the wild radish.

[@beebob1279]

thanks for the cheer up. We're still clustering up here. I'm waiting for better weather to at least check the hives for food supplies. Do you have contact information as to where the patties are purchased?

[@bobbinnie9872]

I'm not sure who distributes them in your area. We carry them but freight might be high. If interested you can call our store at 706 782 6722.

[@bradgoliphant]

Hey Bob-what temperatures spark the blooms on the maple trees? Is this your first sign of spring?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Above freezing at night helps a lot. Maple pollen coming in sure makes it feel like early spring to us.😎

[@nszucs1]

If you could wave a magic wand and have bucket feeders for those hives instead of the frame feeders. Would that be better for early spring feeding and giving the colonies two more frames to expand into?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Now that the temperatures are warming up it would. However these bees are going to be traveling and I don't want to deal with buckets. When they get home that's probably one of the things we'll be doing.

[@KodavistaKommuneApiaries]

If this is your 1st time with the Apis biologix.. you will see why they call it rocket fuel very soon. 😂 You are gonna love it for building bees. After last season with it I was sold on it going forward.

[@seanrichardson881]

So I noticed your ladders in your frame feeders look different than mine. Division board feeders. Are yours replacements? If so can you give a little info about that? As always thanks for the video

[@bobbinnie9872]

These are from Mann Lake. The ones with the rim on top are a newer version. They changed a couple of years ago.

[@randyblankenship2115]

I run quilt boxes in the winter but thinking about not using them this year what are your thoughts on them.I’ve always had good results with them but not sure they are worth the extra work and equipment.what are your thoughts on them Bob ?what is everyone else’s thoughts?id love to hear everyone’s opinion….I’m located in eastern ky.Lawrence county to be exact

[@bobbinnie9872]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with them or have any acquaintances that use them.

[@saeedsalimbamerdah3594]

Hello Mr. Bob, when exchanging boxes to strengthen the weak and weaken the strong. Is there a fight happening?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Usually none or very little.

[@joshreeder6881]

Do the mason jar lids on your hives have holes in them or do you pull them out and put ones with holes when feeding with buckets?

[@bobbinnie9872]

We pull them out when using buckets. Works fine.

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Looks like you got feed on those just in time.. think you could do video on the USDA .. son and I are at 200 units at that point were things grow fast.. going for 600 here in Michigan doing honey plus the queen and nuc production.. should we be talking to the USDA ? Best to leave them out of it? Is there helpful programs thru the USDA ? Nothing on KZbin about bees and the USDA ...picked up 6 new bee yards and they keep coming.. visit one and they have friends wanting bees .

[@bobbinnie9872]

I don't have any experience dealing with the USDA and bees except filling out their colony loss survey each month.

[@NevadaBeeMan-nq3po]

Bob you hives look amazing! What ratio of sugar syrup are you feeding ? It looks pretty thin. I wish my bees look half as good as Yours !!! Thanks for the videos I love them

[@bobbinnie9872]

Thanks. In this instance we are feeding 1 to 1 sucrose.

[@NevadaBeeMan-nq3po]

@@bobbinnie9872 Bob I am have a lot of problems with fermentation of my syrup in the feeders then my bees won’t touch the stuff .. how do I fix this ? Can I add something to it to stop fermentation?

[@bobbinnie9872]

In warmer weather we add 1 cup of bleach to every 50 gallons which will make it last about one extra week. We also only make what we can use within a day or two. @@NevadaBeeMan-nq3po

[@notspcl9304]

Is that a jar lid in the holes on the top cover and when do you feed in those as opposed to the frame feeders?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Yes, they are a meta 70mm jar lid that fits a standard mayonnaise jar. With that lid removed we can feed with jars or buckets. We use inside feeders when we want to to put on weight fast. For more on this watch our video "The Chemistry Behind Feeding Bees Part 1" kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3-XY2uKf9V3q9k

[@filipvernica258]

Do you have treats for varroa mites this year? When are you going to?

[@bobbinnie9872]

We will be treating this spring and fall but haven't settled on how yet.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

No wonder guys winter south. How do you keep your 1:1 from fermenting?

[@bobbinnie9872]

These bees will use it up within days and of course the low temperatures at night are still cool which keeps the tote cool. It's also one reason I like making our own syrup so it's not around long..

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I have not used those sugar patty’s with the Apis. I do use Apis. There is a reason why I use it :)

[@koz6670]

Hey Bob, I have a question about you using migratory covers I am in the northeast Maryland and I had a few colonies with migratory covers 2 out of the 3 were super big but they died due to condensation and moisture problems in the hive. How do you keep your moisture levels down with migratory covers? Does the hole in the bottom board help? Thanks!

[@bobbinnie9872]

I'm sure condensation is more of a problem in your colder weather. If I was up there I would consider using "Reflectix" insulation under my flat lid. It definitely helps. I don't know if our small holes in the bottom board helps or not.

[@filipvernica258]

You have 4.5 frames of cap brood and in 2 weeks you will have 80 percent full?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Yes. A full frame of brood (these weren't quite full frames) will turn into 2 frames of bees. Add that to the existing bees and it will be fairly full.

[@robinkennedy9974]

Morning Bob

[@bobbinnie9872]

Good morning!

[@scottreese5492]

Question, what was the three deep hive on last yard at end of video?

[@bobbinnie9872]

The two extra empty boxes were just sitting there waiting to be used for nuc installation on dead spots.

[@turtulara]

How you find the place for the beeyards? Maybe you can touch this topic on next video?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Good idea. These yards belong to a friend that lives in the area.

[@gardinaconstruction]

What is the number difference in grow zones between down there & your home yards?

[@bobbinnie9872]

7a at home 9a in Hahira.

[@gardinaconstruction]

Gotcha, thank you for all the great info you share. Always pick up something! Also 9a here in Calaveras county, foothills of the Sierras CA.

[@MCTGPopcorne]

Green Drone frames for mite control or Drone production? Will a green frame decrease Drone cells in other places?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Yes, drone frames for good drone production and decreased drone cells in our worker comb.

[@mihai.r-beekeeper5694]

Hello Bob. They have grown up nicely and have a future. As we saw, you had experience with the Caucasian queen. Please let me know if it is worth investing in this direction. Thank you very much.

[@bobbinnie9872]

The Caucasian is working for us.

[@ishaksoukkou4195]

You fed with the sugar solution what is the temperature

[@bobbinnie9872]

Highs in the 50s and 60s f.

[@ishaksoukkou4195]

@@bobbinnie9872 I didn't understand Bob, Does it exceed 20°

[@bobbinnie9872]

We don't feed syrup unless the high temperatures of the day will be 55°f or more.@@ishaksoukkou4195

[@ishaksoukkou4195]

@@bobbinnie9872 So you feed with sugar at about 13 degrees Celsius

[@williammiller5449]

Did you see any drones?

[@bobbinnie9872]

Not yet but some drone brood.

[@BellahWorks]

What kind of shoes is Seth wearing?

[@laxmanchamlagain5460]

Sir, please make a video on how to artificial insumination honeybees.

[@laxmanchamlagain5460]

see I am from nepal.

[@bobbinnie9872]

See this video: "Artificial Queen Bee Insemination with Shibu Raj". kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXmXl4yLp76eZ9k

[@Котик-ч8ш7х]

How do you live without broodless period? 😮

[@bobbinnie9872]

I actually prefer it. It gives us a chance to do oxalic acid treatments with no brood.

[@rodrigogabrecht7945]

✌👍💝

[@Drewjober]

Lol Seth called his son a Nuc

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Just got off the phone with that scientist developer of that AFB vaccine said it's also 83% effective on deformed wing virus and everything points towards faster build up

[@killlinepestcontrol]

I thought you would be interested to know that for the summer of 2024 in the UK one of the main European breeders is offering a carnica/Caucasian queen. I can only presume that this is due to your influence. #needlemover

[@bobbinnie9872]

That's a good combination.

[@davidmaloney2724]

What one dead you are slacking bob haha

[@Sebsbees]

I wish my double deeps after winter looked like these singles here 🥹