Honey Bee Questions Answered, Removing Flow Hive Supers for winter, Honey Testing, Queen Excluder.

[@wtechboy18]

I don't know why but somehow these beekeeping videos have become my new favorite thing to listen to while I work. The buzzing still makes me a tiny bit nervous but they're so interesting to watch while they just kinda go around and work at whatever they're doing.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Hunter!

[@danskisbees7348]

They sure did a nice job of propolizing the rough-cut inner cover. Thanks Fred, have a nice weekend!

[@FrederickDunn]

Rough cut lumber facing the interior is definitely the way to go if we want that ever important propolis envelope! You too Dan!

[@hyungykim3538]

Hi Fred,I'm a biginner beekeeper in Korea. I have 50hives , which is different type of hives. So I can hardly understand bee equipments that you explain. I think the principle is the same wherever we keep the bee. Thanks for your good informations and knowledges.

[@Psyche8D]

Thanks for sharing your process of how to clean your flow frames for winter. I’ve been looking forward to this video for a while.

[@FrederickDunn]

Absolutely! and thank you for watching :)

[@mohammadsalah3319]

How are you Mr Fred this is Mohammad Salah from Egypt (Not the one who plays Football in England of course :):):):)) a nice video as always but I would like to tell you that all of us have missed the Question and answers videos they were amazing and the channel have lost so much momentum since you have stopped them. Thank you very much for sharing Yours from the Land of The Great Pharaohs where The River Nile has been running forever M Salah

[@FrederickDunn]

Always great to see your comments Mohammad! I will eventually return to my in-studio FAQ Videos. This is a very busy time of year for me so I apologize for not going more of those. They will continue. I know you like the long format! :)

[@mohammadsalah3319]

@@FrederickDunn You have no idea how happy I am with such a promise, I will be waiting........ ;)

[@jpthedelawarebeeman6239]

Hi Fred, I will have to say fume boards do work well especially if you just have a few hives. Its faster than using escape boards. Like you said spray it down liberally and the more the better. I tried making some DIY Honey Bandit using almond extract and rubbing alcohol but it wasn't strong enough. I will add more almond extract to it and see if it helps. I keep the fume boards in the garage I like the smell which is a good thing.

[@FrederickDunn]

Definitely nicer than the widely marketed escape boards because you don't have to lift the supers twice :) Also works better when the wind isn't blowing so hard. I think I need to to a test of several commercial bee-chaser essential oil mixes to see which works the best. They all eventually work if one isn't in a hurry. I think four fume boards is the sweet spot. By the time the 4th board is on, I can pull the super under the first one. Thanks for sharing and let us know how your formula works!

[@jeanniehiebert3169]

I love these close up videos! Bees are so cute! What a wonderful pet!

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Another excellent video Fred! Stay warm.. we are there!

[@NCReb1951]

Hi Fred, I’m in central NC and my bees did the same thing with blocking the vents in the feeder shim. I also use the round feeder. Regards from NC

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you for sharing that even NC bees are doing the same. I'm leaning more and more away from upper venting. The rapid round units are inexpensive and easy to use, I definitely like them!

[@harrellbeefarm7312]

Another awesome video. Have a great weekend Mr. Dunn.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, you too!

[@donbearden1953]

Thanks Fred! I always learn something from your videos.

[@FrederickDunn]

You're welcome Don, thanks for stopping by!

[@christopheleblanc9175]

very interesting, ,,, and it shows how much you care for your bee's

[@framcesmoore]

Ha Mr Dunn hope u had a wonderful weekend, we got some much needed rain here in Virginia I have a question for u and it has nothing to do with the flow hive. I have screen bottom boards on all my hives for heat and ventilation. I use mite away quick strips for mites, it is very expensive because of the amount of hives I have, If i was to use the vapor with the wan would the open bottom boards hurt the effectiveness of the treatment. smoke goes up I was wandering what your thoughts were Thanks for all the wonderful videos u do and for your willingness to help other bee keepers with your wisdom. Have a great day and thanks again

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Frances, you have to close up the bottom screens for the oxalic acid vaporization to be effective. The bees would just fan it out. :)

[@bradgoliphant]

Hey Frederick, an idea come to me about another video you made having an issue with not being able to clean five year old Flow Hive Frames. The idea that came to me is to clean them every year! Every winter when you remove them from the hive, soak them in boiling water. If they get cleaned every year, that build up is not going to happen so fast, if at all. Just an idea that I think can work. Yet we still need a better solution to clean them well if they get really dirty.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's a great idea Brad! Thanks for sharing!

[@Matescium]

How much temperature below freezing point can a honey bee tolerate?

[@FrederickDunn]

The hive can tolerate extreme cold. Inside, so long as there is not a draft, the bees cluster and can keep their brood warm and do very well. Shelter from wind and rain is critical.

[@MrEricH5470]

THANK YOU!!! This is a great video.. Can you make one of dis assembling a flow frame and re-assembling it? I have a few frames that do not open nor close, and I would like to repair them. I think the bees propolis'ed them together for some reason.

[@FrederickDunn]

I think I do need to make a video like that sometime this summer. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@brucekellman821]

Hi Mr Fredrick! Realize this has absolutely nothing to do with this video, but I have noticed you use Bee Smart products and was wondering if you use the Bee Smart Ultimate Hive Cover and if so, do you leave them on during the winter months? Of course I'm not referring to the Flow Hive, but Langstroth hives. Thanks so much for all you do to help all of us and ESPECIALLY our BELOVED lil 🍯🐝's! VERY GRATEFUL! 💯👊

[@FrederickDunn]

I do like the beesmart ultimage hive covers, but I swap them out for insulated covers in winter these days. They are good covers with good venting and weather durability, I use a little of everything around here. The bees sometimes chew the polystyrene covers, but don't chew the Ultimate Hive Covers from beesmartdesign. I LOVE their hive stands!!!

[@brucekellman821]

@@FrederickDunn,thank you sir! Yes I was wondering if you used them and if you left them on during winter. That answers my question. We live in southern Appalachia north Georgia where it sometimes falls into single digits and even - 1 or 2 Fahrenheit, but I never rap. Make candy boards which helps with moisture and I provide good ventilation. And as you mentioned the Ultimate Hive Cover does the same. I'm going to try and leave them on a few colonies this winter to see how they fare. Good luck to you and thanks again for your reply!

[@Psyche8D]

What environmental and behavioral signs do you look for to determine it’s time to take off the flow frames? Nightly low temp? Certain flowers faded? Certain plants turn brown? When maples drop their leaves? Drones kicked out? My local bee club has a recommended date to have everything locked down, but the bees don’t have calendars. After watching my bees through the winter, the date seems way off by at least 6-8 weeks.

[@FrederickDunn]

I shut them down when the asters are half gone.

[@gregmckay666]

Another great, informative video. Thanks Fred.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Greg!

[@robertmathurin3716]

Happy Friday too You Also Mr.Dunn..🇱🇨👊👍🖤

[@TerryRomanko]

I appreciate your thorough explanations and great insight. I especially like your thoughtful approach to beekeeping (e.g. sending as many drones out as possible to spread the BeeWeaver genetics, using robbing stations to help protect weaker colonies, focusing on healthy bees not honey production, etc). We are new to beekeeping (with just enough knowledge from your videos and having attended some local beekeeper group meetings) and have ordered bees (two boxes with queens from Georgia) in for April delivery. I have also ordered two queens from BeeWeaver, as I want to benefit from this survivor line and their varroa resistance. I will find someone, hopefully far away in another county :), to take the queens that come with the box. Do you think there will be any issue with the bees accepting the BeeWeaver queen after the bees in the box have possibly "gotten used to" the queens that were shipped with them?

[@FrederickDunn]

As long as the Package hasn't "blended" with their transport Queen, They should just as easily accept the mated Weaver Queen. Leave the candy plug in, so they have to chew through to here and this will give them more time to accept her scent. (three days queenless is optimum).

[@gatorstays7785]

Mr. Dunn, thank you for sharing your knowledge with these videos! I saw in another comment response, where you mentioned trending your hives towards traditional hives, topped with the Flow super. Can you elaborate on why the mix, rather than the full Flow stack? I am looking to get started this coming spring. Thank you, Oscar

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Gator Stays, I've added your question to my FAQ for this Friday! It's something many may be confused about, so I'll elaborate then. Some hive components aren't made by Flow, such as the medium supers which I use most in-between the deep brood box and the flow-super. I also like some of the advantages of the solid bottom boards over screen bottom boards. Though I consider the FlowHive 2 bottom system to be superior, it's more money than most want to spend and I don't personally like the pull-out corrugated inserts that came with the original Flow-Base. So it's advantageous to mix and match. I'll give more detail on Friday. Thanks for asking!

[@gatorstays7785]

Thank you sir. I’ll be looking forward to your video!

[@Grimthings]

Hi Fred, As this is my first year keeping bees, your videos have been invaluable. I tell anyone and everyone about your channel. In this video, I've noticed the yellow jackets around. It's been cold here the last few days, down into the 30's F. I've noticed my bees are not active at all, but the yellow jackets are active and aggressively scavenging. I've started to notice the yellow jackets going into my hive since the bees are not out defending the door. Since the bees aren't that active, maybe a little in the afternoon, should I close the hive up completely and only open it up for the last few hours before dark? Oh, it's deer/elk season here. My wife and I both tagged out and the neighbor tagged out today, so there has been a lot of butchering in the garages. I'm wondering if this could have attracted more yellow jackets to the area than normal. Thank you!

[@FrederickDunn]

The few yellow jackets that get in during the colder hours of early morning and late evening really doesn't have much of an impact inside. The bees cluster over their critical resources and the wasps just scavenge around the edges most of the time. Not worth shutting down the entire entrance since the bees soon swing into action as things warm up. The wasps will be gone soon as the real cold sets in. I also don't think the butchering will add numbers, but may just draw them in, this time of year, the wasps are backing off on brood rearing and are concentrating on sweets. Thanks for watching my videos!!

[@Grimthings]

@@FrederickDunn Having no experience, I immediately thought the hive was being robbed out, or they were killing everything inside. Over the weekend, I killed approximately 30 yellow jackets as they tried to get into the hive, and I was pretty stressed over what to do. Today, it was around 60 F, and I felt comfortable opening the top of the hive for a quick look. Everything looked, OK, and the bees appeared just fine. After reading your response, it all made sense about how they are clustered inside and the yellow jackets are scavenging the areas below. I even noticed the bees removing the bodies of a couple dead yellow jackets from the hive. Thank you for the timely response and helping put my nerves at ease.

[@stephendavio2136]

Any recommendation for how you built your robbing station. I like the idea and have a few 5ft T posts. Thanks for all these videos! it has helped immensely

[@FrederickDunn]

I'll talk about this on Friday.

[@arogue469]

Interesting observation on the shim vents. It has always seemed to me that ventilation is a much bigger deal for beekeepers than it is for the bees. I actually wonder if some take the idea too far, since there seems to be evidence that the higher heat/humidity levels of ‘unventilated’ hives is less favorable to varroa. What’s your take?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Adam, my take on it is, after visiting and observing every feral colony I can find, that the bees prefer a single entrance and that entrance is at the bottom 1/3 rd most of the time. If we are observing what the bees will do on their own, then upper venting is definitely a human preference that just may not be benefiting the bees. They did the same in my observation hive, that is, they plugged up all four of the side vents (top and bottom) leaving only the 1.5" diameter entrance for venting and egress.

[@Psyche8D]

How do you store the flow frames? Do you just stack them in a garage? Stack with newspaper? Do you do anything to prevent wax moths, SHB, roaches, mice, etc. from colonizing them? Fumigate them? Freeze them?

[@FrederickDunn]

I've had no problems with wax moths. I stack them with plastic trash bags between them.

[@timothymitchell9956]

Hi Frederick, nice videos! Have you ever propped the super up near the entrance and used the drumming method. I watched a video of this and all the bees left the hive because of the tapping. I hope that you will be able to try it, I would like to see and hear your thoughts.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Timothy.... I'm sorry to say that drumming doesn't work, though I understand the theory of a woodpecker drumming on a hollow tree... it's a fail, sorry. I wish it did work!

[@bradgoliphant]

Hello Frederick. How was your Christmas--I hope peaceful. And Happy New Year to you as well. Question. Do you have a classic Flow Hive? I ask because I just ordered one to expand my apiary and was wondering if a standard entrance reducer can fit into the entrance of the Classic? Please let me know. thank you

[@FrederickDunn]

Same to you, Brad. I don't like the classic bottom board configuration. The screen with the removable insert wasn't what I wanted to deal with. The entrance is elevated with the standard flow hive. I'll touch on this today.

[@bradgoliphant]

@@FrederickDunn I get it, yet I want another Flow Hive and want to same a few hundred dollars. So I'm guessing an entrance reducer won't fit on it?

[@MonicaYoder]

Hi Frederick, I recently harvested my first harvest with the flow hive and I had a cleaning station but my bees didn’t clean it very much, but it did attract a lot of yellow jackets. I was just wondering if I need to clean the frames a bit more myself, since there is still some wax and propolis on the frames, before I store them for the winter. Thanks!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Monica, I am perfectly fine with the yellow jackets cleaning up the frames also. Cleaners are cleaners in my opinion. The bees must be doing well if they aren't working over the frames for those honey tidbits. Wasps will chew into the wax and leave no sugary residue untouched. Just my opinion there, but I'm just happy to have them clean it up. I do grab the Bald Faced Hornets when I see them at the station. :)

[@MonicaYoder]

Ok, thanks so much!

[@RaMa-kr9gm]

Hi fred, thanks for this info. ive got an essay coming up about AFB and EFB, do you remember talking about them on any of your vids? would really like to hear your take on those nasty diseases. thank you for everything!

[@FrederickDunn]

I haven't seen an example of AFB since 2007. The only thing I can share about it is that having a complete propolis envelope will have a profound impact on the AFB spores in the hive, greatly reducing the chance of infection. Check in with Marla Spivak, she's right on top of that subject. I'm happy to say that AFB and EFB is very rare in my neck of the woods these days.

[@RaMa-kr9gm]

@@FrederickDunn SO GLAD that your 'girls' are safe from this, greatly thankful for your answer and sharings, will definitely be checking Marla's information. Thanks and many blessings !

[@danskisbees7348]

Mary, Steve sure would have a field day with me if he were to see that golf cart, Lol!

[@FrederickDunn]

Solar powered golf cart... just doing my part Dan ;)

[@SmallTNHomestead]

@Dan Ski's LOL that is exactly what crossed my mind when I saw it. Seems to be what he described! Lol

[@SmallTNHomestead]

@@FrederickDunn I would expect nothing less from you Fred! Lol Thanks for the detailed video. One thing that always crosses my mind during most of your videos is your efforts to keep the bees as calm as possible during all circumstances. This will stick with me! Have a great day!

[@FrederickDunn]

@@SmallTNHomestead I was all finished, took off my bee-suit, walked out to pick up some tools and while walking away, one friendly little bee stung me on the temple (';')( ';')... it only takes ONE ; )

[@SmallTNHomestead]

@@FrederickDunn that's because he didn't recognize you without the space suit! Lucky he didn't get your eye, yikes!

[@Mini-Driver]

Question on your Flow winter prep. Could you leave the flow frame OPEN, after your last honey collection for the season, while the flow super is still on the hive? Wouldn't the bees just clean out the frame, but not be able to fill that frame again? Just wondering. Thanks.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, that is a viable option. But remove it within 48 hours give or take :)

[@Mini-Driver]

@@FrederickDunn Thanks, I got my Official Flow Hive (Cedar) delivered two days ago. I want to use pure linseed oil to finish the exterior before assembly. I have to work in my living room since my shed is not heated and a bit crowded. Right now the grandchildren have their train sets all over. We take them back home in two days.

[@LarryLeesBees]

Thanks for that info Mr. Dunn. Love that robbing station idea. I did not see a link for the digital refractometer that you used. Do you have a link for that Sir?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Larry, I didn't put that link in because I just shared the website in the video, but I'll add one! :) it's at www.misco.com you're not going to like the price!

[@FrederickDunn]

www.misco.com/digital-handheld-refractometer/digital-refractometer/honey-refractometer-honey-scale-moisture-bkpr1

[@LarryLeesBees]

Fred... Yep, wow!!! They’re proud of it... And yep, I ordered one... LoL!!! 🤣

[@JandARettig]

Will they uncap honey at a robbing station? I have flow frames that are half full that I would like to harvest but with the uncapped comb half full, I'm sure the water content would be too high. Otherwise, are there any other tips to harvest half a flow frame to keep the water content down?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, they get right into the cells and do more of a piercing into the caps rather than uncapping completely.

[@michaelbrand8590]

Regarding pulling flow hive super for winter. Robbing station - how far does it need to be from your hives. We have 2 and I was looking at a site 55 yard south of my hives.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Michael, I'd consider 55 yards more than enough.

[@michaelbrand8590]

@@FrederickDunn thank you

[@ExplodingBones]

If you knew what hive you took honey from could you feed it back to them in a harsh winter?

[@FrederickDunn]

It's far better to leave enough on in the first place. By the time they need more, you'd have to break those valuable propolis seals between the boxes at a time when they can't really seal them back up well. But yes, you could restore a honey super if they have used up their resources.

[@ExplodingBones]

@@FrederickDunn thanks for the quick reply!

[@dano1234v]

I have mini flow frames 4-9x9 inch , they are full now and just a little to cap on outside frames, I was going to just remove the two inside frames and leave the outside ones for the bees for winter, is that a bad idea,

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm not sure where you're located. Here, I'd pull them completely now. But if you're in a warmer climate you may have some time. I don't change the order of the flow-frames personally.

[@dano1234v]

@@FrederickDunn thanks for the reply

[@billmaher1010]

Do you keep the super on the hive when fume board is on? Wouldn’t that lead to bees leaving the entire hive?

[@FrederickDunn]

No, they just move down out of the super. I no longer use any fume boards and now use escape boards exclusively.

[@billmaher1010]

@@FrederickDunn appreciate it. Will do this tomorrow but will keep the flowhive super on as you suggested. I assume also you don’t clean the hive out when storing? I guess the wax, etc encourages next years acceptance. Thanks Fred.

[@bradgoliphant]

Will the chemicals of "honey bee gone" effect open honey?

[@FrederickDunn]

You'd have to do a blind taste test to determine that. Escape boards are likely a better choice.

[@brandishoogy]

💛

[@brendaramler7070]

HI Fred, A few years ago I thought you had left the flow frames on over winter? I live in the northeast corner of Texas, no snow but it can get cold. What do you think about leaving them on as supers for the winter?

[@FrederickDunn]

During my original Flow-Evaluation period, I did leave them on in winter to see if the Queens would lay in the flow-frames. They did, and then migrated the brood down to the lower boxes in spring. After satisfying that concern, my practice is to remove the flow supers for winter for several reasons. First, to keep the bees out of the flow-supers when they move the brood towards the top during cold months, and Second, to allow me to clean them out and place on the strongest colonies only, in spring. Some of my hives never get the flow-supers unless they demonstrate adequate numbers AND build a full medium frame of honey.

[@brendaramler7070]

@@FrederickDunn Thanks Fred for your advice, I remember you video regarding removing the flow supers, my mistake was not putting on a medium before the flow super. I had no luck last year with 2 hives they just looked around and filled most of the cracks and then I did remove them before winter. I am afraid that I have waited to late to remove the flow supers as these were new Weaver bees and they did fill the flow supers to 95% and I did put a medium between the brood box and the flow super about 3 weeks ago. I have not looked since as our weather has had its ups and downs. I do have a queen excluder below the flow super, but I don't think that the medium will be enough to get them thru the winter. I plan on checking them next week as I have to be out of state for 10 days. I have started changing over to mediums above the supers as I am older and just can't lift the weight. I did not harvest honey at all. Any other input is appreciated if you have any, don't you think a medium by itself is not enough? Good luck with your very cold winter and your bees. Brenda

[@FrederickDunn]

@@brendaramler7070 HI Brenda, at this point you'll just have to wait and see. I had a colony of Weaver bees make it through winter in a single 8-frame deep box with nothing else. It's really depending upon the hive strength and numbers that will require those resources. At times, smaller clusters make it all the way through winter.

[@brendaramler7070]

@@FrederickDunn Thanks again Fred for all you do and for sharing it with us all. God Bless you and yours

[@kecoakMVJAMBI]

Nice bg

[@dirtwasp09]

do you have a video that explains all the word salad you use for descriptions - thx

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm not sure I understand the question? The words I used or descriptions of the hives and bees etc?

[@dirtwasp09]

you are a professional and are quite familiar with the names and terms used for all the equipment and procedures, but is very obscure to new keepers..you make very informative and helpfull vids.thx- we apreciate your hard work to make these vids! @@FrederickDunn

[@noahzegart5190]

Where do I buy rapped round feeder

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Noah, there is a link in the video description for our convenience :)

[@mrcreditunion1]

Hi Fred, had a big black bear take an interest in my two hives several nights in a row. To keep the hives from being destroyed before finding a more permanent solution, I moved both hives to a 2nd floor deck (30 yards away) that is not accessible from the ground. Thought it was interesting that after a week many foragers still flew to the original hive location. 10-14 days later they all appear to have adjusted. Any other negative side affects I might not have considered from changing locations?

[@FrederickDunn]

Other than having some of the foragers lose their way, there really shouldn't be a problem with the move. This is actually a great time of year to move and relocate hives. Maybe that deck may suffice as a permanent location for your hives? I have a friend using the hayloft of a large old barn and that's another pretty nice spot! let me know if you learn something new after that relocation!