Fixing Problem Double Nucleus Colonies

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Thank you to everyone for watching and supporting our videos! If you have any questions about our videos, please check out our list of FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS on our website, which can be found at honeybee.uoguelph.ca/videos/frequently-asked-questions/

[@cecilcrump2340]

UoG Honey Bee Research Centr

[@Johnmccarthy-k9p]

Hi Paul, Great videos, I am learning so much so thank you. A quick question. When you take off the supers off the double nucs do you have a problem with too many bees fitting into the nucs, or what do you do do once pulling the supers off the double nucs to get ready for feeding and Winter. Thanks

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi there Thanks for your nice thoughts. The bees do fit down into the brood chamber after our fall honey flow. We manage the nucs as separate colonies through the fall and winter - treating for mites feeding etc. We barrel feed them so don't need specialized feeders. They weigh a ton after feeding!!!

[@patthe14th]

Thank you for your advice :) @@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Kevin Lamberg commented: "Where do you get your canvas for your inner covers?" Hi Kevin I accidentally deleted your question. Not sure you'll get this but here is an answer. We have a hard time sourcing this canvas in Ontario but if you search for #8 or 18 0z canvas online you can find it. I've posted an online source link in the comments section of several other videos but can't access it at the moment.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Thanks for your generous comments Kevin. I agree about the singles.

[@kellyellingson2335]

This is a great video that I have watched a few times to catch all the information. Very well done! I sure wish you would consider shipping queens outside Ontario once again. :)

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi There Thanks. Glad you got something out of the video. Some of our Buckfast Breeders did ship to the US but the US doesn't allow queens from Canada now. :(

[@kellyellingson2335]

@@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre I am from Manitoba. :)

[@simplifygardening]

Great videos, I have watched them all a number of times since i subscribed. The canvas your using is it like floor lino?

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi there UKHWG Good to hear you appreciate the videos! We are working on a FAQ list and this will definitely be #1 on the list. I like the canvas inner covers for a few reasons. Easy to take a quick peek, cheap and easy to make, light, lids sit down well, less excess wax on the frame top bars, never need to scrape the inner cover. I could go on... We'll do a video about them since we are getting so many questions. We use 18 oz (#8) canvas - otherwise known as duck. Bees chew through thin canvas so a heavier weight #8 is better. It's a bit hard to come by here but I see it's available from online distributors.www.bigduckcanvas.com/number-8-18oz-cotton-duck-canvas.html We flip it over periodically when new so the bees thoroughly coat it with propolis. An alternative is a feedbag folded in half.

[@simplifygardening]

UoG Honey Bee Research Centre thanks for your reply

[@WilliamMcNett]

I had a double 4 frame nuc with 4 - 4 frame boxes on top, 2 per side. 12 frames per side Put an excluder on and a honey super. The box with the entrance pointed east ended up with a lot more bees in it.

[@framcesmoore]

Ha Paul great videos thanks for doing them, question by keeping the bees in the nuc, what do u do, how offten do u inspect the colony they are bound to run out of laying room for the queen I would think, wont it make them want to swarm., I have 6 nucs coming in the spring I was told as soon as I get them I have to tranfer them in to deeps by watching all your videos I have learned how to stop spending so much money and I know how to do splits my self now thanks for your help

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi Frances With a young queen and the supers above we don't have any problem with these nucs swarming in the first year. We do have to transfer them into a full size box early enough the following spring to prevent swarming.

[@greghill9958]

What kind of canvas do you use?

[@jannassary]

Thank u for this and many other informative vids.love them all this vid. esp. great idea and technique ......thumbs up

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

You are very welcome Jannassary. I'm pleased to hear you find the videos informative.

[@r.r.s4812]

Would 5 frames be enough to prevent them from swarming? Seems like they would get bound and swarm at some point.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi Robert We super the double nucs so they don't get honey bound. That's shown in one of the double nuc videos. With a young queen they are less likely to swarm and the nucs build up to strength after the swarm season is over.

[@johnparkerthegimpygardener]

First been enjoying your videos and want to say thank you !! May be i missed it or did not see that video yet ,but how do you know workers are the layers of the eggs ? Once again thank you for all the info.

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi John You are most welcome. Have to admit, somethings I just read about and trust. Wish I had a better answer.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

what is that fabric you use for the inner cover?

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi William That's our FAQ #1! Here is our stock answer and we'll do a video on that topic this summer. Why do we use canvas for the hive inner cover? A: We use canvas inner covers for a few reasons. They make it easy to take a quick peek in the hive, and are cheap and easy to make. They are light, the lids sit down well, less excess wax on the frame top bars, and we rarely need to scrape the inner cover. We use 18 oz (#8) canvas -otherwise known as duck. It's a bit hard to come by in Ontario, but it is available from online distributors (US: www.bigduckcanvas.com/number-8-18oz-cotton-duck-canvas.html, Canada www.jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/18oz-Cotton-Duck-Canvas-Untreated--Natural-60_p_15038.html). Bees chew through thin canvas so a heavy weight is better. We flip it over periodically when new so the bees thoroughly coat it with propolis. An alternative is a feedbag folded in half. Show less

[@jonathanwalker6521]

The laying workers will fight with the queen will they not?

[@UoGHoneyBeeResearchCentre]

Hi Jonathon Not when merged gradually with the other queenright bees as in the video. The smell of brood causes laying workers to revert back to normal worker behaviour.