How to Install Honey Bees in Observation Hives, Walk Away Splits with Hive Butler, step by step.

In this video, I have two newly installed observation hives in my "Way To Bee" Building... I take you through the steps of transporting bees and resources from nucleus resource hives and installing them into observation hives.
I'm testing out new and relatively inexpensive observation hives that I purchased via Amazon and the Manufacturer's website.
They are a fraction of the price of some other observation hive manufacturers, but aren't "perfect".
Medium frame observation hive was purchased here: amzn.to/39wqffa
Eco-Wood finish can be found here: amzn.to/3tFeJVP
Hive Butler Totes are available from their website, mention Frederick Dunn and ask about a discount: hivebutler.com/
If you're curious about Premier waxed foundation, here is a video review: • Acorn Waxed Foundation...
The "amzn" links above are affiliate links and we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for Bee-ing here :)

[@mountainhobbit1971]

wow that was so cool to watch how they instantly 'changed their tune' and marched right in. Didn't take all that long really. Thanks Fred!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sitting through it Sean! :)

[@stansmith4054]

I would love to have a hive where I can smell it and hear it right next to my bed. Their night humming really helps me sleep.

[@dcrosco1458]

I just seen these today on amazon and thought it would be cool to watch the bees work. NOW your video showed up on youtube. SOmeone was listening because I really want to do this that you are doing

[@FrederickDunn]

They work really well, I wish I had glass instead of plexi in them. Otherwise, great units.

[@katherinesmith9751]

Very cool! Now I have a visual for ‘making a beeline’. Cadence coincided perfectly with my morning coffee. 🤗😍👍👏👏👏

[@FrederickDunn]

Perfect!

[@charlesdeens8927]

This was such an incredibly educational and interesting video that was also beautifully documented. I was captivated at the part where you were showing how the straggler bees eventually became aware of their queen and how they reacted to finding her. Thanks so much for this brilliant content!

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it! It's a pure pleasure to share about bees :0

[@lgalardi]

Fred, I also have the LaRue 9 frame observation hive. It was really interesting watching the bees over winter and the population growth this spring. The hive swarmed on me about 10 days ago and that also was a treat to watch.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's great! Thanks for sharing your success.

[@alanbiesemeier6930]

Man, what a treat. This was so cool from beginning to end. Nice, very nice Frederick. Loved every minute of this.. What a way to watch them live. You make it all look so easy. Nice Bee House too.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much!

[@billmurphy3346]

I really loved the bit showing bees entering the hive - I had never noticed the noise transition. I would advise people to be patient and watch it. ❤

[@FrederickDunn]

Patience pays off in beekeeping, thanks Bill :)

[@timcaron9049]

This was so fantastic. I thought that you would have made the hives yourself? I really enjoy watching this. It gives me so many ideas of making one. Thank you for your time and for sharing this. Happy Fathers Day.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Tim, yes, I had plans to make my own observation hives. But when I came across these and found out how inexpensive they are, I decided to just buy them in. I run out of time every single day and didn't think I'd get things done fast enough.

[@oneshoo]

Outstanding video Fred!! That last shot with the lady fanning was awesome! On my rooftop apiary (5 double deeps and 2 nucs ) I use nothing but Hive Butlers. I have about 10 of them and use them from catching swarms to storing my honey frames. They really are indispensable for my small operation. 👍👍

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm definitely a fan of the hive butlers, I was slow to get them and now don't know how I did it without them. When you go on a swarm call, it's so much easier to collect a swarm in a hive butler and transport them back to your apiary, no more hive boxes being bolted together for a road trip. :)

[@dennislintz1]

My calm bees have been Pissy in this heat. I thought 9 frame O-hive would be better and I could not find one. 4 months ago I designed my own. I designed 4 different ones. I have built 1 which is a 180 Degree Swivel with bottom entrance and Integrated Pest Management. Thanks for letting us know about the Amazon one.

[@Peter_Gunn]

Looking good Mr. Dunn.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Peter!

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Looks like the hardware cloth on the bottom needs a few more staples to hold it down tight. Awesome project Fred!!! Thanks!!

[@FrederickDunn]

I agree :)

[@dsummerscm]

Very cool video Fred! I really like those observation hives.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Dawn! Thank you so much, having an educational space full of live bees is a huge bonus. I hope everything is going well for you and your family. Please give my kind regards to Natalie, I need to check in on her latest videos :)

[@charlestanner6093]

They ere some good looking hives.Your new building looks nice from what i could see. Thanks for the video Chuck Tanner

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Chuck, it's fun to have a building just for the bees and sharing about them.

[@carlsledge3868]

Nice video Frederick.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks!

[@trishwestberg6982]

very interesting! I'll be watching for updates on these observation hives.

[@sonofthunder.]

today i finished seeley ...the lives of bees,good read

[@FrederickDunn]

Everything from Dr. Seeley gets an A+ from me :)

[@downunderfulla6001]

Great looking observation hives. I like the frame mixes and the sneaky queenless swarm trick🍺🍺

[@TrickyTrev01]

Interesting and very informative Fred. All the best with your new school for beekeeping. Fantastic to see how the bees find their way into their new home/hive. 🇦🇺👍🐝🍯

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Trev!

[@TrickyTrev01]

@@FrederickDunn all good Fred, I and my family all enjoy watching your videos. Thank you again we learn so very much from you and your experiences. Always enjoy watching bees and all the different ways they’re looked after and housed. Like your observation hives we also do something similar with our native bee hives as well. I’ll have to share some more videos on them when spring comes around again. Thanks again Trev 🇦🇺👍🐝🍯

[@weregonnabzzz4648]

For the record... I DID NOT fast forward. I enjoyed every second of their journey into their new home. Thanks for posting!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you!

[@thegr8stm8]

Fantastic Fred… let our education continue. Have a gr8 weekend…

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, John, and the same to you :)

[@buddyguy6153]

You do well.. I would like more about native bees. You can bee that guy

[@FrederickDunn]

Native bees definitely need out help and support at every opportunity.

[@peterlightbody8443]

Very interesting video , the ongoing updates , looking forward to. Peter 🇦🇺

[@thatryguy5]

I would love to see an observation hive with a flow hive super frame. 🍯 🐝

[@FrederickDunn]

There are endless design options for those wanting flow-frames. I personally just leave the frames in observation hives for the bees.

[@almostagardener4549]

Very cool video I hope to have an observation hive someday. Look forward to updates on them also on your Layens hive.

[@FrederickDunn]

The Layens and Long Lang are both doing extremely well this year. Filling frames almost as fast as I can add them :)

[@svgs650r]

Endlessly fascinating, Danké

[@SteveDratwa]

YOUR HOOD IS GREAT,,,,i made your hood over entrance today,,1x8 slightly tilted to the east worked well for hot sun and im gonna use a 1/2 inch round insulation foam pinched where the hood meets the brood box so rain dont run down the front

[@FrederickDunn]

Shade visors have definitely proven to help shield those landing boards. I run them at a 30 degree angle.

[@claudesully]

Got out the popcorn and chocolate covered raisons.....😎

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I cannot smell the alarm pheromone or the swarm/queen scent.

[@robertmalis4493]

What a amazing video Fred I really love observation hives and I love seeing them do their March

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Robert, it's great to see your comment :)

[@kimberlypaulson4545]

Amazing, Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Krptokrayon]

The comb made from scratch is made of cubes. little baskets of honey. it just looks like hexagons.

[@tonyjetton8352]

Good job.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks!

[@cobberpete1]

Fascinating as always. Makes me want to go and get an 'Ob' hive. Can someone please tell me... What is the Hole with the slot used for on the J end of the hive tool??

[@FrederickDunn]

The metal access is a chamber that can be used for inserting a replacement queen in her cage if that becomes necessary. There is a transparent connector so observations can be made regarding her acceptance or rejection.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Peter... J Tool "Hole" ... Is for removing Nails in Timber ! Frames/Boxes Etc...👍 Mystery use Solved ! 🤣 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2022. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@Fr_Dae]

Hello, why don't you treat your wooden structures with warm linseed oil? This would give a better finish and prevent the wood from deteriorating.

[@FrederickDunn]

I use eco-wood.

[@Fr_Dae]

@@FrederickDunn and? it's all very well to be concerned about where the wood comes from, but it's still raw wood that's not going to like being exposed to sun, rain and insects. Protection such as linseed oil applied warm or sweet almond oil will protect the wood and prevent moisture problems.

[@SouthBayFamily]

I made it to the end yes

[@FrederickDunn]

Yay!

[@SouthBayFamily]

Hail marry full of pollen

[@framcesmoore]

This was great Thanks for doing it. You do a wonderful job with these videos, and the bee house is just beautiful Hope you have a wonderful week end and happy fathers day. Where did u get the vented suit Thanks

[@FrederickDunn]

My favorite vented jacket is by Guardian Bee Apparel, but the one I was wearing in this video is from Flow: www.honeyflow.com/collections/protective-wear

[@framcesmoore]

@@FrederickDunn Thanks hope you had a wonderful farther day

[@andrewlaughbon9468]

You made that look easy and straightforward. When you took the queen from that nuc are you going to just introduce a new queen?

[@FrederickDunn]

Nope, I leave them with eggs and they will produce a replacement queen very soon. I'll inspect that nucleus again in 3 weeks and expect to see new eggs and larvae. If they end up queenless, then I pull a frame of eggs/larvae from another nucleus and get them back in business. The challenge is keeping those nucleus hives under control as they recover very fast.

[@andrewlaughbon9468]

@@FrederickDunn I see, that's good too know. I never would have thought that.

[@peacepeople9895]

Very cool...thank you. Now what do you do to the nucleus hive you took the queen from? Were there queen cells in it and you let it take its course, introduce a new queen? Maybe you stated what you were going to do, but I missed it if you did.

[@FrederickDunn]

When I remove their queen, they produce another queen cell from remaining eggs. It's known as an emergency, or supercedure cell when the queen is suddenly absent. They are excellent for producing replacement queens. IF I was too late in reducing their resources, you can come across several queen cells already in the nucleus and you're in business by pulling those frames (leaving some queen cells behind) and using them to restore a queen to a queenless colony.

[@peacepeople9895]

@@FrederickDunn Ok, just so I'm clear. If they don't have queen cells already in the hive, they can take a cell that has an egg in it already and make that a queen by, might be wrong, building a queen cell over the top of the cell that the egg is in?

[@dcsblessedbees]

Way cool Fred, nice to see ya aren't just Q&A. (-: just joking, great to see ya in da bees. :-) I agree the triple is a better way to go. Gives the queen some place to feel more secure on center frames, nice and dark for her. That's a real great price on those hives, materials would cost 1/2 of that now days. Most likely they have not updated their security cert for their website can happen from time to time, but ya I wouldn't shop there tell they get it fixed now days. Love the duct-tape insulated covers, are they insulation board? :-) Have a great day/night Fred, ty for sharing your time.

[@FrederickDunn]

yes, those are insulation board from the building center. btw, the best glue for them is expansion foam like great stuff! :) I think you're right about banterra bees web security certificate. My software won't even allow me to accept the risk and continue to the website. They may not be wanting any more shoppers anyway.

[@dcsblessedbees]

@@FrederickDunn Have a great day Fred.

[@enricotoesca3941]

Hello Master ☀️

[@FrederickDunn]

Hello Enrico :)

[@enricotoesca3941]

@@FrederickDunn Hello Dear Frederick . I l❤️Ve your videoes ❤️❤️❤️

[@chriss2838]

So amazing, love it 🙂

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you!

[@Gfthce3426]

Hi Fred Thanks for the video watching it for the second time now. Hey what's k wing ,could you talk a bit about that and maybe other behavior indicators and such?

[@FrederickDunn]

I'll add this topic to today's Q&A video :)

[@jamesbarron1202]

Do you think it would be a bad or a good idea to spray sugar water on the landing boards on my new unoccupied horizontal hive to draw scout bees to inspect it as a future home. I have lemongrass oil in plastic vials I got from Dr. Leo just inside the entrance and a Q-tip dipped in it also. I also put a water pan underneath the hive to lure them to it. My beekeeper has her hives about 15 yards from my hive. I'm hoping some of her bees or a stray swarm will move into my hive. She's retiring all her hives except the ones she has at her home after her fall honey harvest and gifting me her 3 langstroth hives on my property to keep for myself. I'm not sure if it will cause future robbing when I start feeding the new swarm with Rapid Round feeders to get them started with resources. I would stop spraying the landing boards as soon as some occupy it.

[@FrederickDunn]

Sugar syrup will only attract robbers and those seeking syrup rewards. Not easy to get a swarm to move into an unoccupied horizontal hive. You may have to hunt up a swarm and install them yourself :)

[@jamesbarron1202]

@@FrederickDunn I’ve been searching daily on 2 of my local towns Facebook groups. Sometimes people post swarms on their property. I went to one this week and they were actually in the walls of a house. The renter said she’d never seen them before but they’ve been there for years. The bricks were yellow from pollen and nectar. It was near 100 degrees and they were bearding and that’s why she saw them. She said they were on the outside so I thought I finally found a swarm.

[@WIBeek]

What's the link for your triple deep observation hive?

[@FrederickDunn]

You'll have to do a google search for Little Larue Observation Hives, I think they have turned to Etsy for their sales.

[@carlsledge3868]

I always wonder why there seems to be 2 or more over aggressive guard bees that prone to stinging where others maybe come and light on hands or arms, check you out for a bit then fly back into the hive.

[@FrederickDunn]

Individual personalities that don't represent the rest of the colony. And they often come from another colony, not the one I'm working.

[@Fellowtellurian]

What happens to the bees that escape the side and get stuck inside the house?

[@FrederickDunn]

They fly to the windows and are released outside.

[@lincqimiq5265]

Where I can buy empty plastic box with 10 frames ??

[@FrederickDunn]

hivebutler.com/

[@billymac9330]

Fred was that a yellow jacket queen buzzing the entrance? Looked like one to me based on the size. I've killed 7 so far this spring, which is 7 less yellow jacket nests I have to deal with later in summer. Great video thanks for sharing!

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, it was indeed :)

[@enricotoesca3941]

I l😍Ve 🐝 😍😍😍😍

[@jamesadkins9904]

I'm watching this with headphones. My head keeps jerking involuntarily every time a bee buzzes the microphone. It sounds like a bee is dive bombing my ear.

[@bradwamsley3465]

Great video Fred, as always.

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Have you named your hives yet? How about Veni, Vidi, and Vici?

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

Wasnt that an European Hornet and not a Yellow Jacket?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Michael, nope, it's a queen yellow jacket, we do also have the European hornets and they come in like loud helicopters, very distinctive rust red.

[@dochonni1586]

Buddy, 5 seconds and you killed the first bee. Give them a chance to leave the corner before you rest the frame. Maybe than you can do your job without your protective suit. I do mine in shorts and t-shirt. And if you hold your stick chisel ( is that the right word?) horizontally right between the top of the frames you can use it easily as a "crowbar" to seperate them. That way you dont have to press it into the gap. Just some well-intentioned advices, i enjoyed your video.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Doc, thanks for the instruction. I press the hive tool between the shoulders of the frames to part them in order to take any stress off that joint that occurs when you pry them apart via the top-bar. Propolis really can pull on them. Compression force never pulls frames apart. Interesting that you're bothered by my wearing a protective suit for this video. Glad you are doing your own thing in shorts and a t-shirt. I often wear just a veil, but I reserve the decision to up or relax my protective gear based on my own judgement of the bees I'm working on any given day. I'm glad you found something in the video to enjoy :)

[@dochonni1586]

@@FrederickDunn Oh no, i am not bothered. Never in my life i would give the wise master beekeeper an instruction. I just saw that video and was thinking that this could be done better. Thats all. :)

[@Typhus-th6ud]

I would love to stop and look at that you should give tours

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm giving video tours :)

[@austingiatran5349]

Also, there is a study where bees contribute $15 billion each year for the US Economy. The website can be shown here: www.ree.usda.gov

[@austingiatran5349]

Any replies?

[@gary5172]

Retirement is wonderful Fred-I too...getting a chance to enjoy the things I never had time to do : )

[@CastleHives]

Maybe one day. . This is a slick unit. If I ever get one, I’ll probably call up Rickey Roark and see what thoughts he has.

[@FrederickDunn]

I've asked Rickey about Observation Hives, I think he has his hands full with current designs. But I'd definitely purchase one of his if he even went that way :)

[@rinaarling1065]

Wau that was so informative that time went fast, did not even realise it was 35min video. Only considering maybe 1 day in far future having beehive. Interesting.

[@happybees9693]

Hi. I always enjoy your informative videos. I am a very new backyard beekeeper and Your videos have encouraged and helped my confidence.

[@daletiger35]

For the record, if you use headphones, you can hear a couple of the buzzing around.

[@sting1111]

Yesss love the Observation Hive! Channel escalating! Next-level filming combined with extra-human science observation.

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@billmeeks9860]

Wow!!! What an amazing setup you have! Thank you for sharing.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for watching! Always great to see your comments my brother :)

[@timfeckley1689]

Very nice

[@timfeckley1689]

Very nice

[@stgermain1074]

Fred, for extra space on the bottom, why don't you medium frames in the lowest level?

[@FrederickDunn]

Because they are already too small and I needed the frame-space over empty space. I was thinking these hives would have four levels, but only have 3. If they had four, then yes I'd have the bottom level with mediums, orrrr foundationless.

[@jerrymaler4099]

For more bee space at the bottom of your new observation hives have you considered medium frames for the lower set of three frames?

[@FrederickDunn]

You "could" do that, but then they would not have the much needed brood space and would most likely draw out drone comb beneath the medium frames. But you could certainly do that. I hope the manufacturer considers a 4-level deep frame version :)

[@enricotoesca3941]

❤️ 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 ❤️

[@Sebastian-Florin]

27:49 💪❤☝️

[@AppalachiaBeekeeping]

Very nice having 3 Ob hives , I just built an observation hive 9 deep frames and 24 medium frames

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

When you were talking about bee space at the bottom and sides I was thinking about the same thing with the horizontal hive I just built partially with Dr Leo’s plans , I didn’t rout the linear entrance as a lot of horizontal builders do , instead I did a landing board and then I drilled a 3/4 “ hole and put the 2.5” rotory vent , after it was all said and done I have 1/2” all around so the travel is tight however, I did glue 1/2” shim blocking under the inner cover planks so I will have 1/2” over the frames in the Event they should need a pollen patty, I think on the next one I will add a pinch of space , also I’m going to have to build a horizontal flow hive 😄

[@FrederickDunn]

Always lots of room for experimentation and alterations :)

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

@@FrederickDunn I just bought a cart full of lumber last night to build another horizontal hive and I am changing a couple dimensions for depth and length , the round vent type entrance is right up against the frames which doesn’t allow much guard bee access on the immediate interior, I was iffy on the design anyway because of an entrance without a staging area has me wondering, however I’ve seen these types working for other folks . I added vents down low and up high which open in the summer months should create negative cabin pressure sufficient enough and flexible enough to maintain the proper humidity and temperature. I will probably build 50 till I perfect these things lol

[@michaelhansen6481]

🤘👍

[@rickwarner516]

Good information Fred thank you

[@FrederickDunn]

You're very welcome :)

[@chrisf6934]

What would you think about this type of observation hive with a top entrance? The outside wall of where I see myself installing one is close to a place where people walk by.

[@FrederickDunn]

I would run the entrance out of the hive in the lower 1/3 of the hive, but then you can run the tube up the side of your building to move it out of the flyway of people. That's been done with pretty good success.

[@chrisf6934]

@@FrederickDunn Thanks. I will give it a shot.

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

This video inspires me to build an entirely climate controlled bee facility lol , where all the bees live and the other side of the building will be honey processing, I will even build bunks so I can sleep in there and watch bees till I fall asleep 🤓😋

[@FrederickDunn]

I have to say that there may be something to the health benefits of being in a building full of bees. We're adding more colonies to this building when spring arrives. I can understand the desire to build a structure around the bees where people can gather and enjoy it well out of any weather events :)

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

@@FrederickDunn I could literally sit and watch bees work endlessly, if I didn’t have so many things to do I would watch bees , it calms me in a way, I know you will know what I’m talking about but watching bees and spending time with them in an observation hive can put you in a meditative state ❤️

[@emilandrusko8597]

absolutely awesome! looking forward to all the updates.

[@Darren_Nicola]

This is absolutely amazing Fred well done beautiful build all of it , have a great Friday and look forward to the next video 👍🏻🇬🇧

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much Darren!

[@maggiewatte7911]

I can watch these bees all day long

[@bradgoliphant]

Wow Frederick. Your rock!!! Hey, Are the cells sizes on the Premier Foundation larger than what bees would make drawing out their own wax? Are the close to 5mm?

[@FrederickDunn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmrThGR3qsmEpc0

[@Calypso4me]

This was Awesome to watch Fred. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful knowledge of the way You Bee!

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you enjoyed it! And thank you so much :)