🔵Did the Insulated Apimaye Hives Survive?

Did the Apimaye hives survive winter?
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#Beekeeping #Beekeeper #Honeybee

[@kamonreynolds]

See Apimaye hives and pollen traps here: apimayeusa.com?sca_ref=108083.7Dl7FRkLNo

[@trilliumtraveler4737]

Not as pricey as I expected.

[@timan2039]

Laurel is the best bee camera operator on youtube. She does a great job of showing us everything from the tiny egg to a laying queen. Thank you for this.

[@kamonreynolds]

She is pretty awesome! Just wait till I get her a better set up!

[@charlesoneill466]

Thanks Kamon/Laura. I am surprised at how good your camera work is. I can see pretty well into the cells. God bless your beautiful family.

[@Nick-jr6qe]

Very encouraging to see how well they’re laying after that extended freeze last month. I’m here in Houston Texas and going to crack my hives today. Fingers crossed, pollen is on strong here.

[@strugglingbeekeepermarkcot9642]

They are doing well buddy. Those queens are rocking. Never heard of those kind of hives. But I am still very new to beekeeping.

[@saintjohncoleman8602]

Great video! I also have the Apimaye 10 double brood box hive and the 7 frame nuc, and got about identical results. Both hives overwintered as double deeps, both colonies have their broods up top with significant foodstuffs down bottom, and I’m breeding both queens this year using NICOTs. I added a third box to the 7 frame and pulled the queen into a nuc to create a 6 chamber queenless cell builder.. it worked last year, so I’m getting a head start this year. these are great hives! Thanks for the update.

[@paulahello7435]

My apimaye hive arrived today!!!! Looking forward to Spring. Thankyou for all you've taught me.

[@mountainhobbit1971]

I love it when Kamon says....(wait for it)....." food stuffs "! ;-)

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

why did u put the small hive btle larvee back in instd of just throwing it out????

[@ColDesignLLC]

I was really surprised by that too. Interesting, but even when he first saw them, he didn't really care.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Great looking colony. One thing i consistently notice in your videos is how thick and curvy the abdominal segments on your queens are. That alone should motivate a person to raise their own queens. I have never seen a purchased queen look near as good as yours do. Thanks kamon.

[@kamonreynolds]

Thanks Mr. Carter! Raising queens is a game changer. Buying from a commercial operation is like the lottery

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

@@kamonreynolds i can personally vouch for the lottery side of that.

[@kamonreynolds]

@@randallcarter-carterhillho2277 You and I both!

[@burleybeeyard]

That 7 frame Nuc looks fantastic!

[@kamonreynolds]

Fixing to add another 7 frame box on top because they need it BAD!

[@IFarmBugs]

11:00 This is the frame we all dream of pulling out our hives...

[@trevor311264]

I use high density polystyrene hives in the UK and often get frames that are completely full of nothing but brood, top to bottom, edge to edge. I have to be so careful or my bees will swarm in a matter of a few weeks the numbers grow so quickly. It is not even regularly 10 degrees celsius here (50F) and I already have four full frames of brood in all my polly hives.

[@weirjwerijrweurhuewhr588]

@@trevor311264 Yeah I love poly hives. Light, cheap, insulation etc. Only thing I hate about them is how easily they damage. On top of that, I just had a woodpecker absolutely destroy 2 of mine.. Would be the same for wood though. Wonder if they can get through apimaye.

[@harrisjoubertwithsleepycre1924]

we have just had 2 nice days here in Oregon, the bees are flying. All mine are still on vacation in CA, cant wait for them to get home

[@donbearden1953]

K&L, thanks for the video. Your hives always looks great! I found one of your super hives in my apiaries yesterday. lol If I don’t split it soon I’m scared it will swarm. I went through every frame and there were no swarm cells. I found a couple of Queen cups but nothing in them. It did contain lots of drones and lots of all stages of brood both drone and worker brood. If I didn’t know better I would have thought I was at your apiary! lol. I hope I can join in tonight.

[@kamonreynolds]

Sounds like a Saban hive to me!

[@BlanchardsBees]

I'm hoping to see some brood patterns like that when I'm finally able to do a full inspection.

[@BrokePhilanthropist]

11:34 gorgeous frame

[@yasminnilima2366]

AND I will try to do a mix of nicot system and Bob Binnies way of that board with doubble net between the nuc and the queen builderbox. Doing new queens will be interesting to talk about too!

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

you didnt tell us if thsoe are better then your langstrth hives or not? are you switchng all your hives to apiamaya? should we by them instead of langstrth equipment? i need to knw since were gettting our gear for sprig thanks!!!!!

[@kamonreynolds]

I have kept bees for 18 years on wood. Either way works. There are some advantages to insulated hives though

[@trilliumtraveler4737]

Ha, ha, ha! A cassette! BTW, I still have a cassette player, THAT works! Nice beekeeping there. Now, I guess I better add some pollen patties, today. I'm 20 miles north of Bob Bennie and Blue Ridge Honey Company. Otto, NC.

[@Digger927]

Sweet, I still have not gotten to watch this entire video, I recall now I started watching it when you posted it but every time I start trying to catch up I have to leave, lol. Good luck with your new hives bud.

[@fredfrond6148]

Nice we need more bees. I would be curious to see how well the colony does in the summer in the insulated hives.

[@kamonreynolds]

Last year they didn't beard or have to cool the hive near as much as the wood hives.

[@claudesully]

As usual great shots Laurel, tell that guy yammering away on your videos to get out of the way so you can show us the bees...

[@LarryLeesBees]

Too young to know what a cassette is... LOL!!! Coming from my favorite beekeeper that has never seen an 8 Track tape! 🤣

[@LarryLeesBees]

Just giving you a hard time Kamon! Thanks for the great video! Your bees look amazing!!!

[@mikesbeesllc]

Great info Kamen. With pro sweet, how much water do yo add to a gallon to make it 1:1? Thanks

[@kamonreynolds]

pro sweet would be 10 gallons of water to 14 gallons of prosweet for 1:1

[@mikesbeesllc]

@@kamonreynolds Thank you Kamon.

[@billholder253]

Don't know if you have this or not, just thought it was interesting. Here is the KZbin title. "How To Make Thin Sheets Of Beeswax For Foundation, Starter Strips, Candles And Modelling". also he has a follow-up video showing the results. "Using Homemade Wax Foundation Sheets And Starter Strips (In Rose Bee Hives)" video title.

[@burleybeeyard]

Top of the morning Beeks. Enjoy this perfect day in the SEC. Go HOGS 🐗

[@deathvalleyfinds7076]

Geaux Tigers!

[@kamonreynolds]

ROLL TIDE!

[@allisoncarter9827]

Hook ‘em Horns!

[@MikeB0001]

Looking good!..I had zero losses here in WNY. 14 hive still going..wish spring would hurry up here! Are you old enuff to remember 8 tracks?🤔😃👍🏻👍🏻

[@kamonreynolds]

haha I have never heard anything played on a an 8 track but I remember seeing some lying around as a kid

[@buzzofthehive8622]

My really small hive here in Ashland CIty TN survived so far with my apimaye hive... I could use some more bees if you are selling any this year.

[@kamonreynolds]

I am going to sell some nucs just haven't started taking orders.

[@gsmWF360]

Always love your videos. You talked last yr about moving towards Carni queens. Is that still your plan? How do you like those you have so far over your Italian mix? Request if you could doing your videos if you could elaborate per hive if it is Carni, Italian or such. Thank you again and wishing you a successful 2021!

[@kamonreynolds]

90% of my hives are carni type bees. They require less feeding and they have brood breaks in winter which our italians don't always give us. This allows us to kill mites easily in winter. Since they are more sensitive to flows they go thru our summer dearth better because unlike Italians they don't burn thru all their bee bread and honey from spring

[@seibelcrs]

@@kamonreynolds I live SE of Pittsburgh and I get most of my bees from swarms and cutouts. How can you tell the difference between Cani's/Italians or Russians...other than temperament?

[@pilsplease7561]

My issue with italians is that I have a exceptionally long beekeeping season because I have such a mild winter its really 1-2 months long like it starts warming up almost right away and we can get a december flow so italians end up just eating everything constantly and you get significantly reduced yield. Mites are also a much greater issue here so Russian bees are pretty much universally dominant here. @@kamonreynolds

[@pilsplease7561]

Russians are the best in my opinion and should make all other bees obsolete and dead commercially, they produce 20-30% more honey and they also use less during winter and are resistant to all bee pests. Especially mites, and will fly in the rain and on overcast days. And they always keep queen cells so you never need to requeen they do it for you. @@seibelcrs

[@drumcdoo9050]

This shows the importance of insulated hives and how much better they work than convential damp, cold and dingy hives which is ideal for spreading disease. Apimaye hives have been on the market for over 20 years and have been scientifically proven. The plastic is food grade and anti-bacterial and they are thermally six times more efficient than conventional hives. One thing not mentioned is why they propolise the top, the same as in a tree. Their bodies slow down in winter when this happens and water vapour they produce goes down side of hive to bottom. In a tree there is always a gap beneath the entrance and likewise an empty shallow box on covered base makes for efficient ventilation. This combined with large brood frames in top box is an excellent way for winter survival. The other benefit being because hives are insulated they remain cool in summer, therefore bees spend their time making honey instead of wasting it wearing their wings out fanning. Results in around 10% more honey on average...

[@lettersonapostcard]

thanks Kamon. I'm in southern Indiana. you're bees about 2 weeks ahead. I've seen a lot of hive beetle . Curious why you're not bothered about hive beetle larva in the pollen patties?

[@kamonreynolds]

I Just see them all the time in patties. My bees can handle it

[@marciagilroy2183]

Thanks for the review. Would you say the apimaye work just as well as wood? I have apimaye now and need to purchase more so trying to decide to switch to wood or stay with apimaye. Cost not an issue.

[@kamonreynolds]

Apimaye at the least are as good as wood hives. The bees are not as stressed in our hot summers in them as they stay cooler and have the screened bottom option if we remove the tray in the bottom. I think it is less work fro them to warm as bees are brooding in spring also The apimaye pollen traps that come with the big hives are the awesome as well. Both wood and apimaye hives work but the apimaye has advantages

[@CountryBumpkinHomestead]

Great info

[@PGrace-ch8mj]

You said that for a hive like this you could drop a frame of drawn comb in the hive - where do you add it? On the outside of the brood or on the outside of the food? Thanks!

[@kamonreynolds]

Hey P grace. Outside of the brood is where Is where I like to put them

[@PGrace-ch8mj]

@@kamonreynolds Thank you, Kamon!

[@krispapas9834]

In cold climates we have to have upper ventilation. Otherwise we get condensation that rains down on bees.

[@kamonreynolds]

That's what some tell me but then I have beekeepers in extremely cold climates (canada, sweden) who say it is better not to. Strong clusters I believe force the moisture to the wall of the hive if the lid is insulated.

[@Noahsoak]

You can't even put pollen Patty's in a tbh. I slide it under the combs, but it's so cold down below don't know if they use it. Re feeding bees.

[@AKshooter100]

This is my first time using apimay products. I have the 7 frame model. I am using it to make splits. Can the queen come and go from the openings at the bottom or does the dial opening have to be used for queen mating?

[@kamonreynolds]

Hey Mike I think you will like it. Yes the queen can go thru the entrance or the dial entrance with ease. I love using this setup for mating queens and overwintering.

[@daverowden-RowdyBeeFarms]

Going back one year to see what was going on at this time last year. Your wife needs more credit for the photography on your videos. Camera work is great

[@alexbiggs8131]

Would be helpfull if you identified the model of apimay box. The one in the beginning with multiple entrances looks interesting but is hard to match up with the manufacturer site.

[@BadgerNNN]

The first was the 10 frame Ergo. The 2nd was the 7 frame Nucleus.

[@donnaboshell7515]

Kamon, do you have a video of how you go into winter with the Apimaye? the way you set it up? Do you put the feeders on and leave them on all winter? I am in Michigan Thank you.

[@kamonreynolds]

Hey Donna, I leave the feeders in. The only thing I did for winter is reduce the white hive from 2 deep boxes to 1 deep box since the cluster was only about 6 frames strong. I placed all the honey with them in that bottom box. This helps them heat the cluster better. If the cluster would have been 10+ frames I would have left both deep boxes on. Other than that they are ready to go for winter. As long as the bees are healthy they should overwinter nicely in these hives or most hives you use.

[@weirjwerijrweurhuewhr588]

Do you know if these apimaye hives withstand woodpeckers? Just had a woodpecker destroy 2 of my hives during winter.

[@allglad]

I forget if I’ve seen Beatle traps....preferred?

[@laninunu5125]

Thank you for your videos. I have a question for please I use the same box for my bees but they dies, they can’t go back inside. or they can’t go down in the box

[@turan_hoca]

For your country it's cheap to have one of that hive. We can buy five wooden hives by that's prize. If I build (by buying all wood and other parts and cutting screwing all parts )my own hive I can have 10 hives.

[@alvinsbees518]

Lou Ottens, the inventor of cassette tapes died March 6, 2021. Seven days later Kamon makes a cassette remark. Coincidence?

[@kamonreynolds]

Wooooooow! That is odd. Lou Ottens gave a lot of folks some happy times

[@yasminnilima2366]

2 oclock in the night it is then! I am looking for more knowledge about jow to mix feed! There are soooo many recipies! What too use, when to use.... Syrup, water, eggyolk, soyabeenflour,sugar, honey etc... Wintering bees in the fall with only sugar and water. Give a lot of protein in the spring and to nucs to help build up the hives. If you can lend me some of your knowledge I would be happy😉🤟❣🥰 As allways, lot's of love from Sweden!

[@whitesnow6357]

How about at winter time, do you keeps screen at bottom?

[@deathvalleyfinds7076]

How old is that smaller apimaye hive? The options seem awesome, but being in the South worries me about sun-bleaching and deterioration or chalking of the plastic. The smaller hive looked a little aged. Could be that it just shows more dirt?

[@kamonreynolds]

They just need a wash. The plastic in very high quality. Perhaps I should do a before and after on cleaning them! Both are 1 year old

[@MrBigjoecincy]

Nice. Mine came out of winter like crazy too, noticeably better than my wooden hive. I'm in AZ though haha. By the way I'm moving to Horse Cave Kentucky so I'll be near you here soon.

[@kamonreynolds]

Been thru horse cave area dozens of times. Good place for bees I think.

[@MrBigjoecincy]

@@kamonreynolds my location should be perfect for them. I'm right by Mammoth Caves and there's a bunch of trees and crop lands around me. I think my next purchase is going to be one of those queen mini split things Apimaye has. That would be handy for making some splits for sure. I bought it straight from the real deal guy here in AZ. Very well known in the bee business.

[@happygardener28]

1:01 The bees would not have sealed the whole seam if they needed the air flow upward.

[@davidlewis4179]

I was a little surprised when you put the old pollen patty infested with SHB larvae back in the hive. Is that a common practice?

[@kamonreynolds]

Not on the hobby level I would say.

[@donnaboshell7515]

Kamon, do you use plastic foundation and if so what brand? thank you

[@kamonreynolds]

I have used Acorn, peirco, ritecell, and now premier. Acorn and Premier look the best to me

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

If this were my bees here in the north with no place left to lay with this much brood my bees would be swarming in about 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 weeks if I never put a deep atop the first box with no queen excluder. In the first rotten tree hive in 6 weeks I would fill 2 to three half height supers by mid July barring huge rain wind or queen malfunction. I would have squashed those beatle larva cause we don't have any here just Nosema, mites and wax moths. In a strong hive this spring I pulled out a wax moth larva. I couldn't believe it full of bees.

[@christopherdavis9012]

Will bees eat dry up pollen patties? I see your pollen patties stand wet how do y’all keep your pollen patties wet?

[@kamonreynolds]

They are made with syrup that is hygroscopic. Bees unfortunately won't eat dried up patties.

[@allglad]

Wondering if anyone at 6+ hives have switched from wood to mostly Apiemaye and not looked back.

[@opsydul0175]

hi sir my country is Bangladesh yah kaun si Jaat ka hai chhena naki MilePhera please bolna sir🥰

[@adamfredrickson7908]

Send that equipment to northern Wisconsin, ill test that baby out.

[@BadgerNNN]

Mine did well in EC, WI.

[@graemediesel2936]

Your bees look great and I’m jealous of your weather. Still more than a month of snow to go here. I’m a little bummed right now. I’m a little bummed right now. I just checked my hives and found only one is left alive after the ten days of -30s and -40s western Canada had.

[@kamonreynolds]

Sorry to hear that Graeme hang in there!

[@jeyk7188]

Hi, Can you please tell us the model of animate you have? Thank you in advance!

[@AlpineWarren]

Love that hive tool who makes it?

[@carolyngildonjones64199]

Would you recommend to get one of these hives I seen them at the hive life conference and I thought it was pretty cool

[@kamonreynolds]

They are cool but while they can help your bees they are not good enough to save a weak hive. I don't think you or I live in an area so extreme that the insulation factor is necessary to our bees survival. I do like my Apimayes

[@carolyngildonjones64199]

@@kamonreynolds ok thank you

[@marvinspevack8238]

Kamon, just ordered 4 Apimaye hives but am wondering how you plan to do nite control. I normally use OA in my vaporizer. Can’t use it in with a plastic floor.

[@honeyspoonbeewrangler4550]

Check out the oxalic acid Swedish sponge video from Randy Oliver.

[@mark-wn5ek]

Not a new question, but where'd you get your hat veil?

[@kamonreynolds]

Kelley's bees. call and ask for Jesinda she knows which one but they are like 58 bucks not a cheap veil but they work good!

[@mark-wn5ek]

@@kamonreynolds everytime I call there, I get somebody in Texas or Minnesota! Son in law went down last week..it's a 2.5 hour drive from Eastern KY where we are....they loaded wrong(bulk) patties...ups picked them yesterday, still waiting for right stuff. Since ML took over, gone to the dogs. I like your veil, I've been using one like Bob...but still get visitors...I'll pay the price to keep them out!

[@d.spencer1195]

Hello Kamon, I’ve been a beekeeper for 5 years now. I usually have 4-6 hives each year. I’m looking to purchase my first Apimaye hive. I’m not sure if I should get a 7 frame or a 10 frame. What are your thoughts?

[@kamonreynolds]

Hey D spencer. They both work well. Keep in mind the 10 framer comes with a divider also so if you want to shrink the space down you can. Really depends on what you want. 7 frames with another couple of boxes can be really handy and light weight. The 10 framer comes with a pollen trap (the little one doesn't) and has bigger feeders. Really is just a matter of personal preference!

[@d.spencer1195]

@@kamonreynolds Thank you so much for the reply. I’m really enjoying your videos and wealth of knowledge. Take care.

[@toddashlinr1732]

can you add a flow hive supper to it

[@RyanCook4124]

Appreciate the video. Embarking on the journey this year, and building my stand for my two Apimaye hives today. Nucs (saskatraz) arriving in May.

[@rickywallace2067]

Nice

[@dogalarclk1541]

🇹🇷🇹🇷👍👌

[@stevechubb5791]

How do I join live chat?

[@kamonreynolds]

At 7pm central if you go to our main page on youtube (you can do so by clicking my name) you should see a video that says Live Beekeeping questions and answers. Click it and you have join and can type and ask questions

[@J.RRandallIllinois]

Why aren't the bees stinging your hands?

[@dcmirk]

How do you not have drowned bees? Those Apimaye feeders are killing so many of my bees by drowning

[@cjsmith2685]

Why are you smoking the bees when they're not even agitated

[@johnoliver9885]

Micro sized pieces of plastic are being found in the deepest part of our oceans to smallest organisms in our bodies so why not plasticize our domesticated honey bees?