Beekeeping: How To Check Your Hives For Swarm Cells

Beekeeping can be a struggle in the spring as bees want to swarm. I'll teach you how to check your hives for swarm cells. How I made a clear window on my veil: • Beekeeping | I Discove...
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Whoa, you made it all the way down here! Thank you ♥️ Love you

[@lindashoemaker9117]

To keep from getting REALLY old, keep learning. Something new every year! This from a 74-yr-old 1st year BK!

[@beek]

Good point, and running a KZbin channel certainly keeps me learning!!

[@andidhamo583]

I am a fan of yours, i would like to advise you get some tribulus terrestris honey and you will feel and look young again. I bought 10 kg of honey from a friend of mine some thirty years ago that I believe it was from tribulus terrestris as my friend told me the honey was harvested from an area where I know tribulus terrestris blooms in late summer. I would consume a spoon of that honey every morning. For 9 months I was a beast.

[@brendawydeven2934]

I thought I saw your queen in top box. 4th frame in I think it was.

[@7777russ]

at 4:22 when you said no hive beetles, one beetle moved from one cell to another cell.

[@slava790]

Thank you for another informative video. You placed the frames you removed from the hive onto the ground. Are you worried about the queen, if she were on one of those frames, falling off the frame and into the grass?

[@mikeyfred1]

2nd year bee keeper...Wouldn't you want to get rid of the queen cells while your inspecting?

[@beek]

Not since I didn’t put eyes on the queen 👍

[@davesmith9712]

David, I can't thank you enough for all you do. I am truly amazed at how calm your bees are and you working with no suit on. My bees......punk rock, anarchy bees! a couple of my hives are instantly in my face, with suit on, and are brutal, nonstop. I get stung while wearing my suit. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@beek]

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

[@brandonpiper6644]

I really appreciate that you take the time to help us new folks!! I finally found something me and my oldest son can come together and connect. This recently started adventure we started is amazing so far!!

[@beek]

That's great to hear and glad I am able to help. Great about you and your son doing beekeeping together!! Thanks so much for watching.

[@andreameeks6454]

Thank you for your help and support I can listen to you all day long

[@kmf9921]

David it’s the light switch effect of instant beekeeping. I’m an example of what you are referring to, not by intention I got thrust into it with the family but thankfully I have a great primary mentor. I had to learn fast, your videos are awesome! I think I’ve got 5-6 books, and signed up for another class. In essence if you keep bees you may not be as successful as a beekeeper. As a young beekeeper I’ve had to run fast and learn as much as possible in a short period, and that learning never stops. I also got to join my mentor as a junior mentor of sorts to visit people hives and see what my mentor sees and learn, learn, learn. The more hives and potential problems and success I’m exposed to the better. My son and I spent a day with our club learning from a notable beekeeper who specializes in Russian bees, what an amazing experience and the site has around 200 hives in the apiary. Sir, keep putting viseos out, your efforts matter to a lot of us! Cheers BEE safe.

[@danplatt861]

Great, raw, in the wild, informative, problem meets solution video David!

[@beek]

Thanks, I appreciate your kind comment.

[@IhmHomeFarm]

This is great, David! What a magnificent teacher you are. Thank you for your work🐝!

[@beek]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[@wpankey57]

Amen

[@framcesmoore]

It is the easy see cost 40.00

[@greensmash]

I just can’t seem to get my bees to live through March. 😢. Not sure I can continue buying bees to see the die in March.

[@wethepeople536]

Get a few swarm traps to catch swarms to offset the cost

[@remco6816]

Buy do a split it will increase your chances. Also feed them if you even doubt they are low in food. Its hard to always get a 100% survival rate but you can increase your chances buy having multiple hive.

[@timbervalleyhomestead]

Are you feeding? What’s the reason they don’t make it?

[@Goggles1]

Don't buy bees. You need to attract local wild bees as they know how to survive. They know the nectar flows, they know when to have a laying break for the dearth and they know how to setup for overwintering in your area. Makes sense to me.

[@Mr123Gladiator]

What was your mite count in the fall? After your mite treatment did you do another mite wash?

[@homercampbelljr5489]

Thanks David , fun inspection! Thank you

[@clydemurray4050]

Fantastic video David, I am always learning

[@beek]

Great to hear

[@HaroldKeiner]

David, I've got you by almost 10 years and if it weren't for the worn out knees and other achey joints, I would feel young. Just remember, "you have to grow old, but don't have to grow up". Enjoy your videos.

[@beek]

So true! Good for you!

[@BackBeeBrokenBeekeeping]

Great video.... it is a rainy miserable day, and thanks to you I still got to inspect a beehive! I have found some very thin dishwashing gloves they sell at Walmart... think they are great value brand... that give you all the dexterity of bare hands while keeping your hands clean. They have a thing cotton lining and keep your hands from getting sweaty, they can be used multiple times and are only like 1.99. Also I have had the bees very mad at me due to having to shake frames and I feel them bounce off the gloves but not sting them.

[@beek]

Yes I’ve used them too before. They do quickly break after a use or two.

[@77harris77]

I'm glad I am not the only keeper that talks to my bees! Lol

[@beek]

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

[@garyRt23Bees]

I wonder what the record number of live viewers is. I know I saw over 600 the other day! Well done my friend !!!! I have no clue why but I did find one queen cell on a honey frame on the side this year. It was actually a beautiful sized cell! And no presence of any other brood on that frame. IDK LOL

[@wolfiemom7648]

ThAnk you this was awesome😊

[@beek]

Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Check out my livestream on Thursday nights, 7pm Central Time. Here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/live/

[@queuemaster]

Hello David, what device are you using in this video that informs you of the pollen alerts?

[@beek]

Weatherbug app

[@gene-sloca]

David, Thank you for your time doing these videos for us Beek Squad. 😊

[@brianw.520]

For beetles I always use extra long tweezers with thin points. When they run down in the comb I am usually able to get down on that cell and pull them out

[@sallyoffer4904]

Hi David, we see the Queen cup with royal jelly and a larvae on the 4th frame you pulled at around the 9 and half minute mark. Do you plan to show us what you will do with that cell in the next week or so ? You didn't say so I'm wondering ahead. Probably for your upcoming splits ?? Great video, super going thru the colony with you, that helped huge. Thank you for all your do for all of us.

[@AdamWorthington-xw4mw]

I have learned that getting old is a blessing from God, a lot of people didn’t get to, and I’m sure you know that already, just wanted to put it out here for everybody

[@gordonspond]

29:00 I've had broken frames like that. For a quick (although not permanent) repair, I'd slap some wood glue on the broken piece and then put a rubber band around top and bottom bar to hold the pieces together... then replace next time you are in the hive.

[@andreameeks6454]

I’m your age bee keeping keeps you alive and young

[@JoshC00796]

Love the long form inspection with you. How is that hive not a big swarm risk if there are swarm cells? I was confused by that.

[@beek]

Just publishing a new video tonight answering your question. Thanks for watching. And be sure to join our livestream every Thursday 7pm CST, here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/live/

[@tribblejones]

Good job David…. You were talking about hive Beetles In the top box.. did you notice at the very start of this video there is a hive beetle climbing up the wall of your shed…. They maybe about to abscond and not about to swarm….

[@beek]

It would take Ron more needles to make a hive abscond. We have lots of ladybugs on the walls

[@jasonseaward8506]

That drone larvae that you found was probably the larvae from the drone cell that you weren't too sure if it was a queen cell or drone cell but u had decided it was a drone cell that was torn open. Edit: you're only as old as you feel my friend! Keep yourself young mentally and emotionally and you will be great

[@francesscherz8720]

I’m wondering if you have a video on smoker maintenance? My smoker is ten times harder to deal with than my bees! I fail every single time to keep the smoker going and whatever I use has created a glue around the lid and it’s so hard to open each and every time. Do you have a past video on smoker tips and maintenance on tools?

[@beek]

I have made several videos, but maybe I'll make one specific on smokers. Thanks for watching. And be sure to join our livestream every Thursday 7pm CST, here's the link: www.honeybeesonline.com/live/

[@KurtisLukasik]

If you find a capped queen cell is it ok to leave it on that frame and place that frame in a hive that is queenless? Is it ok to leave the adult bees on the frame with the queen cell when you place it in the Queenless hive.

[@bligon11]

Does the queen lay an egg in the queen cup? Or, do the bees make a queen cup from a cell with an egg in it?

[@bligon11]

What do you do about the one queen cell that you found?

[@tekamin]

Even smoking the drone larvae 😂

[@artemusclyde9]

Thank you for sharing this David!

[@AndyBylin-q9h]

Thanks David, excellent video and just in time for re-inforcing what I think i know. !!

[@Grimthings]

Fascinating.

[@lavenderbridges]

14:22 your bees are so docile.

[@paulajones4999]

As far as getting old just don’t fight it and take breaks to rest up. It does happen quick. Ha ha . I told my son he’s will have to put up with me complaining about aches and pains now I’m 70! Can’t believe that’s happened.

[@beek]

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

[@sitivene4070]

Great presentation! Thanks.

[@brianbennett4374]

Great video I so love working the bee's 😊

[@naturalwitchery]

I found 1 empty queen cell. My drones are capped and about to hatch. I'm thinking of splitting a week after i see my deones are hatching...

[@rugerdogg5316]

2nd year bee keeper. thank you for your videos! Refreshers appreciated.Am I seeing winter bees in my hive still? looks like some larger bees still running around in my hive but smaller than drones.

[@Haldir89]

Can you do a split if there only queen cups present?

[@beek]

If queen cups have larvae in them, then yes, you can use them in a split provided the weather is warm enough.

[@Haldir89]

@@beek ok. So no larvae then don’t split got it. I better go fix my error.

[@JustinSmith-ic7xk]

I’ve been told to not hold frames with queen cells upside down as it can kill it. Is that true?

[@beek]

True, an underdeveloped queen can be damaged, especially her wings.

[@jasonlagasse3623]

How can you tell what type of pollen it is?

[@bryanbetournay5557]

Happy Easter To you Guys David. Thanks for all your time and thoughts

[@tmgibbs18]

Great video David. Quick question. I have one hive and that's all I really want. This is my first surviving winter. 3rd year with the hive.. what do you suggest for those who don't want to split or have a swarm? Trap the queen? Demaree method? Just throw a super on?

[@novarandy79]

where is your general location mine is west central mo ,trying to guage the growth of bees gettng ready for swarm season and working the only good hive i currently got ,get some early eggs ,brood hopely soon

[@novarandy79]

thanks for the info

[@beek]

Central Illinois

[@raleighsistrunk7123]

Always learn something new. Thanks David!

[@DraganaMitic-m5m]

Plastici visualisation?

[@ThaGodprintNation2024]

🙏🏿 for sharing your wisdom‼️

[@e.l.1303]

What do you plan to do with the queen caps, etc.? In Cslif. we're a month ahead of you weatherwise. One of my colonies swarmed this last week. Found dozens of full queen cells & queen caps in there yesterday.

[@davidpatrick1813]

I am hoping to go into my one hive and see progress plans for making a split. That said, I have one coat of paint on some 1 x 2 boards and will be putting on two but cut them at 16 1/2" and then screw them on the top edge of my boxes. Then I can lift, tilt an and look without the hive sliding off the hive below. ... Then of corse there will be better handles to move the boxes. The sacrifice is to change how my top or covers are made etc. ..

[@rickydavis5422]

Buckwheat has green pollen per Alexa

[@beek]

No buckwheat this early where I live.

[@jscfb]

👏Nice video so whats the next step with that queen cell that was in that top box🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@pirateprospecting707]

Great vid all around!! Sherie was clutch!!✅️🏴‍☠️

[@AdamWorthington-xw4mw]

Thanks for the video David, only 4 shb is great, and a good job repairing that frame on the fly

[@TimSanders-v7m]

David, not in this video but was wondering which weather app that tells you pollen warnings?

[@beek]

Weatherbug

[@ildarmingazov2304]

Hey there! Good job sir

[@stevewelches1955]

I have a question pertaining to bee keeping in general. I have watched bee keepers move bees and brood from one hive to another saying they are equalizing the hives. Why is this a thing? Is it to stop robbing in the dearth,make it so the keeper can put the same amount of supers on all the hives . No one really states why they equalize the hives. I do understand helping a weak hive to give them a boost in numbers so they can grow and expand in to a bigger and better hive. I watched some vedios from (I think)Tim Ives and he ran 3 deep brood boxes and had 7 to 9 medium supers on these. He stated he did NO swarm prevention because there were so meny bees it did not heart the production of the hive(his words not mine) just an example of not equalizing.

[@BackBeeBrokenBeekeeping]

You equalize hives to give the weak hives a boost, and to take the population of booming hives down a bit to help prevent them from getting the urge to swarm. This makes your beeyard consistent across the field and thus easier to manage as you don't have 3 hives dwindling, 5 hives about to bust, and 2 hives that are just right.... Instead you have them all in about the same population/condition and are able to keep all treatments and yard actions the same. I hope this helps.

[@jayglosser2014]

Great Video David. Only 50 today, we had low 20's and highs of 40's for the past week and this week about the same with 1 to inches of snow by mid week, so should I be concerned about swarm cells and take off all the insulation? Noticed a bug on the side of building, was it a SHB ?

[@porsupuesto13]

get an intern, trade with product?

[@davidpatrick1813]

I didn't know I could tell my watch to call such and so. ... My first apple watch is series 9 last october ... Cellular feature of course. I am wondering about the watch band. I have the original and it is working but I notice your's .. seems to look like it works (lapses) like a regular strap. I'll have to try to find one.

[@BucksBeesS.C.]

Getting old is not for sissies. Arthur is not our friend. Having to get ankle fused this month so my year is almoat done. Hope my bees get thru with some help

[@Farlomous]

it was 75 one day here in Oklahoma and the next day we had snow...looks beautiful up your way

[@joer5627]

Swarms are crazy in Ga

[@colecloren8525]

Where did you find the app for the Bee trees and flowers where the plants?

[@RFDarter]

16:10 not a waggle dance at all. That was a tremble dance

[@janasharooni5203]

Is it a concern that the comb is so dark.

[@beek]

It usually depends more on the time in service than the color.

[@jerrycoon2797]

You’re a month ahead of us weather wise. Just daffodils and crocus flowers poking through here 50 miles east of Lake Ontario here in New York State.

[@davidoligny1051]

No good inspection weather here in Cleveland Ohio until the 8th or 9th.😢 I'm 76 and I have some pretty creaky days. One day at a time. I too love being with the bees.

[@gregsmailes4170]

I'm old too ..... just enjoy life anyway you can.

[@ericshipplett3517]

Happy Easter.

[@charliegioe3158]

David, another question I have one of the hives there outside quite a bit and gathering up. I’m worried about them swarming but the bottom deep is pretty much empty. I want to switch the boxes but I’m still waking up to 35° weather. The highs are 45° maybe the high 50s do you think I should make that move and move the top box to the bottom or do you think it’s still too cold very confusing with this weather what would be your opinion just opinion I know you can’t commit yourself to it. lol

[@kellymoore4517]

Wait for warmer nights.

[@Ambees_Honey]

Good morning and happy Easter! In my area we are now seeing multiple swarm posts in Oklahoma. My hives I am seeing "charged" cells. One hive I decided to experiment with a Demaree Split, one hive I split, and one I left like you did because the cup was just charged, I put a mark on the top of the frame. My question, in your hive you just posted, it had a charged cup also. What are your thoughts and plans about that? Will you recheck in a week? Your thoughts moving forward for this hive is much appreciated! Thank you David again for the awesome content, and shout out to Sherri that saved the day with the battery!!

[@brokeone4876]

Do you worry about the Queen cup that was charged?

[@lynnehrhart5789]

Regarding growing old, my mother used to say, “Consider the alternative.” She also said that growing old was not for sissies. I’m your age, by the way. This vid is very helpful, thank you!

[@jamesowens2781]

Got my first packages of bees today my bee yard is small waiting for 7 days to inspect

[@storminmoorman7444]

My phone was next to my computer and Siri called my wife!

[@beek]

Oh wow! That's funny.

[@naturalwitchery]

My bees were so gentle and happy today, coming in with pollen...only one queen cup...

[@stewartpaul2553]

I am new at this so if you find a swarm cell what do you do?

[@RFDarter]

it seems like they dont like your plastic foundation at all. I have never seen so many old unfinished combs

[@beek]

That was in my storage and I brought it out for my package. My bees love plastic for the most part.

[@legobrickster1]

what microphone do you use?

[@jefferyevans7299]

We are the same age and I'm always asking who is that old man in the mirror, lol. I feel your pain. Body aches, lousy sleep patterns and overweight. Bee well :)

[@patrickstevenson17]

I think it's pretty cool that you gave your smoker to a younger beekeeper. Very nice gesture.

[@JH-ds2dt]

Getting old beats the alternative.

[@okeybrewer8962]

no getting old sucks

[@waynelivernois5412]

Getting old is better than the alternate

[@silvarios5381]

Over population I think .sworm to expand the hive.looking for bigger. Maybe I am guessing.

[@oldguy1458]

zip tie for a quick fix for your frame

[@halfasshuntingclub5330]

My brother, it’s better than not getting older…

[@aaronparis4714]

I wish my bees were ready to swarm 😂

[@kjbaran]

Man who looks 45 asking for advice on getting old. Lmao. Eat more honey?

[@beek]

You're too nice. It's being married to Sheri. She's keeping me young 😃

[@jvm3753]

Enjoyed your hive inspection. I'm new into the bee thing. I've got 2 hives. Did an inspection last week, and may do a split in another 1-2 weeks. I'm in Upstate SC.

[@davidpatrick1813]

Talking about being or getting "old" ... don't believe it .. just keep living in real time. .. and then if you think you are getting old, .. an old timer friend told me .... "... we just need to grow old gracefully"...

[@michaelvalentine4867]

Why sworm why do bees sworm i saw 150 /200 bees 🐝 swarming like a dog fight then saw 25 bead bees on floor under the sworm

[@pugsabi]

Bees swarm in order to spread their species. Instead of overcrowding the hive, half of them go away to start another hive while the bees that left behind make another queen and continue to grow.