Profoundly Bummed - Beekeeping Frustration

[@eliotnessa3443]

I love this channel! I'm Italian and Philadelphian, so Queen Balboa was like family and may she rest in piece. Now her daughter is taking over! So happy for him and this amazing vlog. He's so connected with these bees. He gets so emotional and genuinely human over them. Best channel I have come across and I've learned so much. Thank you so much Vino Farms.

[@vinofarm]

Thanks, Vanessa!

[@azharl2544]

I've watched all your bee keeping vids from day 1. Just wanted to say that I love watching your vids and look forward to the next one you put up. Btw Its good to see that the Italian hive is getting in loads of pollen and nectar. It's a shame that queen balboa wasn't around to see this. God rest her soul

[@elizabethmorris2722]

I received my bees in August 17 and have been following your videos without fail. Love them. You are as attached to your bees as I am. Keep up the good work.

[@vinofarm]

You started bees on August 17th? Are you in the southern hemisphere? (Just remember, my videos are documentaries, NOT TUTORIALS. I am a beginner.)

[@elizabethmorris2722]

I'm in UK and started with a local colony. They are doing well, so well I had swarm cells with larvae so had to add a box for food as they were not leaving room for the queen to lay. 2 weeks on all is well as they are storing in the top box and the queen is still laying well. If it was earlier in the year I'd have had a go at raising a new queen but it was too risky this late on.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

When you smoked them heavy with two frames left the queen probably went to the bottom or side wall. Don't use smoke unless you have to when looking for a queen. The fanning was from the smoke. Also, you move your frames back in place one by one when you are done. This increases risk of smashing bees or your queen between the frames. You can move them all back simultaneously with your hive tool on the end and then replace your last frame.

[@emmagraham1774]

I have no idea how I stumbled on your channel. I've been watching for months even though I have no bees - now I'm obsessed!! I hope there's a fairytale ending for Queen B's babies. Thank you for the great videos. Roll on tomorrow. x

[@JohnKirsopp]

Just glad to know you've got something to be extraordinarily happy about in the next video. Long time lurker on your channel, this italian hive drama has prompted my first comment.

[@vinofarm]

Welcome.

[@zahrabrogden8244]

I am really enjoying this mini series, I always get excited when I get a vino farm notification but more so these last few days as we watch this all unfold. Can't wait to find out what had you dancing a jig.

[@fcmom2boys]

OMG!!! My power went out, so I had to watch the video in segments on LTD....and now I have to wait for part 5!? 😄😀. I can't wait to see which queen shows up. There are so many scenarios and opinions and circumstances when it comes to bees. I've decided that although there are guidelines and general rules, the bees ultimately decide what goes. We are all learning and doing our best. I really liked the advice that if a beekeeper claims that their way is the only way, then listen to someone else. You are awesome!!

[@mikele0o]

loved the dance bit at the end...could it really be that queen balboa is back!! What a brilliant epilogue to the series would that be! oh I I guessed nectar before it appeared on screen ;-)

[@Sqeptick]

Hives that are between queens tend to make a lot of honey because they don't have brood to feed.

[@NaturesCadenceFarm]

Hey hey...the flying hat returns!! The suspense is killing me!!👍

[@lucrative11]

So happy this series is continuing:)

[@rtenpin]

Jim: "How do you keep an idiot (me) in suspense? I'll tell you tomorrow." Grrr ;)

[@vinofarm]

Bobbee MacBees There's a happy conclusion, Bob. It's worth it.

[@dracarys6775]

OMG..queen "Balboa the II" OR BALBOA HERSELF!!!!!! MAN THE SUSPENSE IN KILLING ME!!😱😱😱😱

[@WhiTiger]

The jig made me smile so much I had to watch again. . . twice. :) Can't wait to find out!!

[@PaulOtis]

I think you should start all your videos the rest of the year with that jig! It was awesome!

[@steelehatch4141]

My wife and i agree lol.

[@domjames9007]

Honestly love you and the videos. This weekend has been a rollercoaster and it just keeps on going!

[@IcemanMobile]

Another great beekeeping video. Many thanks.

[@liamwilson8924]

Can't wait for part 5. The hype is real

[@pjhonegger]

Greetings from a first year south african bee keeper. I have been thought that fanning bees at the entrance create an airflow in the hive to dry out the nectar and honey. Since they have so much uncapped nectar and honey, there is a lot of moisture in there that they are trying to get out... Could that be a possibility?

[@Smh1821]

I love how much you miss Queen Balboa and think of her. 💜

[@ponyvet77]

Bee dance, beekeeper style!! Better than the old veil flip! Lol

[@intrax2tv]

I thought a real bee jig was done running an eight, but this must be the balboa celebration jig! I hope I am right... Cheers great vids and storyline!

[@mittchobaroco1265]

Aaaaaah can't wait 😰 thanks for you awesome video it's always a pleasure to watch them 👌🏻

[@bwakel310]

Enough with the suspense! I can't take it anymore....*Sobs*

[@vinofarm]

The suspense will all be over tomorrow. I NEED TO EDIT THE VIDEO.

[@bwakel310]

Vino Farm Hopefully you don't have a laying worker!

[@diygardener4556]

When a hive grows with no brood in the box, that typically means a virgin queen came back bred, and brought new recruits with her. Newly bred queens can be laying between 3 and 7 days. Despite the fact it can take a virgin queen up to 3 weeks to start laying, it is uncommon for it to take that long. My analysis indicated a greater probibility your newly purchased queen never went in the hive that night, because she new a bred queen was in the hive. So the new purchased queen stayed far enough away from that queens pheromones, and as a result, the few younger bees that gathered around her isolated up there, tended to her because of those factors. Once the purchased queen when down into the hive, the bees probably balled her up that day, killed her, then carried out the carcass. I could be wrong, but I'm guessing your dancing the jig in the video 5 preview, because a balboa offspring is finally laying! I hope I'm right in my assesment, as it would make many happy. Though it is possible your newly purchased queen was just hiding in there on the inspection of video 4. I must say based on all the evidence regarding the situation, it's logistically and statistically more likely the new laying queens is Balboa offspring. Eye of the tiger!

[@vinofarm]

I'M NOT GOING TO SPOIL THE ENDING!!!

[@johntalton6805]

That was a lot of sciencey talk

[@guardiandogoargentinos1385]

@@vinofarm will y'all please tell me what is a balboa bee? I have only heard of Italian, Caucasian, Carpathian, Carnolian and Buckfast being good breeds. Never heard of a balboa

[@vinofarm]

@@guardiandogoargentinos1385 That's the name of my oldest colony. That hive has been in the bee yard for 4 seasons now and has many daughter colonies. It's a survivor Italian bee with the eye of the tiger... Balboa!

[@sabito1211]

I find when a hive is broodless or queenlees they have so much more honey stores. Brood eats a lot.

[@vinofarm]

Good point.

[@corymcdonough1655]

You might want to invest in some extra boxes and frames to keep on hand for those wacky and unpredictable bees! Heh. I've watched like all your beekeeping videos in the past few days and now I'm super interested in the subject. I spent several hours yesterday reading blog posts about someone else's experience and it's oddly interesting and exciting to follow these stories.

[@corymcdonough1655]

Also just watched a video on YT about telling when a virgin queen has mated, and it sounds like that's what might have happened! Can't wait for part 5.

[@Decentralized_World1]

I was going to suggest adding a frame of russian eggs in the middle box removing the frame right under it. they eventually will build comb where there is empty space that can be taken care of later. But based on that celebration dance seems like you spotted the queen.

[@vinofarm]

I might do the "deep frame/ medium box" trick if I need to. It's not ideal, but I know it's possible. Thanks!

[@bigleo122]

Well I will tell you this. Use the queen excluder on the bottom of the boxes will ensure they stay put but seeing you dance a jig at the end is promising.

[@justducky0]

Ironically the same exact thing is happening to one of our hives right now. We are going to give one of the emergency queens a chance to return if any made it. We had 5 emergency queen cells. I tried putting a push in cage over 3 but did not come up with a queen in any. All were either eaten through by the attendants I had left in or had eaten an escape hatch through the comb or both. So I will give her 2 weeks and then if there's no queen or eggs I will unite this hive with another strong hive using the newspaper method.

[@bwakel310]

Be careful. Cody's lab went through this same thing. His queen died, the bees made a new queen. The stored a lot of honey. The bees died out and the hive got robbed.

[@DreamofaHive]

Carniolan queens are very expert hiders :) I know this having finally found a queen in a hive that I have never managed to see the queen in over 5 years :) Caged queens go off lay, and can take up to 4 days to restart depending on how long they have been caged. (That is what makes the push in cage so successful ) So ...tip of the day for anyone who needs to test for queenlessness and only have a different frame size available...you could take out the middle frame in your bottom medium and then the middle frame in your middle medium and place a deep frame in there. The bees may draw comb on the bottom if it is in long enough but lets face it that is very easily corrected afterwards :) Loving the jig ....and looking forward to part 5 of 3 :)

[@DreamofaHive]

hope you have given all your hives extra boxes with that fab flow on :)

[@vinofarm]

DreamofaHive Stay tuned!

[@NewEnglandgardening]

I recently had the same thing happen to me during an inspection. At the end of the inspection and still not seeing the queen I noticed the bees getting loud all of a sudden and acting differently. When I was putting the hive back together I finally found the queen on a frame that had been outside the hive for a while since it was in the top box and I missed her because she is not marked. Once the queen was reunited with the rest of the hive they acted like a new package of bees were installed and started fanning. Maybe the queen was on the bottom of the inner cover and you did not notice her? That does not explain why you don't see eggs yet. How is your eye site because I honestly find it very hard to see new eggs and purchased a pair of those magnifying glasses. I always hear people say they are like a small grain of rice but they are extremely small and difficult to make out in the cell.

[@justinmk79]

I was going to tell you how to try to fix things. But it appears you don't need my advice.... according to the end of the vid. I really hope it's what I think. They are looking so good. I would put a deep box with Drawn comb on the bottom to give them plenty of room. You don't want to get honey bound in the middle of a honey flow.

[@Stikker021]

I vote to wait a week, if no queen sign, combine it with the smaller Russian hive. Episode 4 of 3!? LOL I'm bummed, you must be devastated. Thanks for the video.

[@BrandonsBees]

I was going to suggest you wait and see but, from the teaser at the end of the video, I assume you got some good news. Looking forward to the reveal. 💛🐝💛

[@beehinde]

Looks like an Italian virgin got mated and has started laying in part 5, your introduced mated queen has been bumped off. However sometimes the queen will be on one of the walls of the hive and can be easily missed. 6 to 7 days seems too long for an introduced mated queen to start laying, but about right for a virgin queen. You talked about not being able to add a frame of brood from one of your Russian hives. It is possible with an empty medium frame, all you have to do is cut out part of a deep frame and tie it into a medium frame using elastic bands. Some beekeepers have even tried it with one grafted larvae.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

If you ever need to put a frame of say, deep brood in a medium box, you can remove 1 frame from the medium box, then place another medium box on top, place the deep frame right over the empty slot. They will build on the bottom of the frame, but you'll get your eggs inside without much trouble. ...just an idea...

[@vinofarm]

I've thought of that. I didn't know how common it was. Thanks for the tip.

[@tvtecna]

Jim the suspense is killing me!!!!

[@richardreid2020]

When you put a queen in, you take a quick peek 3 days later to see if she has escaped. Then leave it for 2 weeks and check. You checked it too often and the bees killed the queen.

[@real_wakawaka]

i know this is old! you got a dud queen :( it happens. Also the fanning at the entrance is to bring air into the hive to reduce the water content of the nectar when producing the honey (fanning the water out) bringing the hive at a specific temp and nothing to do with a queen being in the hive. Also you need more frames but would of been filled with more nectar as the queen is a dud so im surprised they didnt kill her but i think they knew it was too late with no new eggs to make a queen. What you should of done is wait approx 3 days of queenless. If its a split than no more than 2-3 days max. Dont let them get to the stage of making queen cups. If you do then wait to see if you have a queen. After an emergence leave it another week to see if she is mated. If so you need to find her keep her or replace her then.

[@vinofarm]

Yeah... this was all the experimentation of a newbie. Luckily, the bees knew what they were doing and I should have just stepped aside. I learned SO MUCH and hope my experiences help others. Thanks!

[@MayBeYouTubin]

The suspense is killing me!

[@BzzzantHoney]

When the bees have no brood to work with they have nothing to do but make and collect honey, they will collect honey faster than they will with a queen because of that. they just do what they know to do and nothing else. If you take a frame of eggs from the other hive and leave it here for 5 days or so you can see if they think they have a queen, they will draw emergency cells if they dont. im assuming your jig is a good thing, suppose we will need to see part 5.

[@vinofarm]

Bzzzant Honey Thanks. I hadn't thought of the "no brood=more honey" scenario.

[@mtlehmankid]

If you need another queen have one of your other hives make one, a beekeeper I know says that if you make a cross with your hive tool in cells that four eggs are in with out hitting the eggs they will turn one into a queen so then you can just put a queen separator and take the queen when it emerges I haven't tried this and I'm only a first year beekeeper so not 100% sure this will work I saw you found the queen awesome but this is just incase it happens in the future also a lot cheaper than buying a queen every time

[@bdanza]

The fanning could be just to get smoke out

[@shaunbarker9201]

Excellent ok we are waiting with baited breath

[@scottrobbins9320]

I've watched HOURS of "Bee Keeper Pro's" do these in preparation for my own journey this upcoming spring. But your videos are the best ones. You don't get cocky and you explain things. Love it. Anyway, I wanted to mention... your new Queen moved like a rocket down to the bottom box in in that video you introduced her. She might just have a "flight" instinct and hide when presented with someone in her nest. She could be darting between frames as you move through. Hang in there and I hope this next video with the jig is that you found her. Also, hate to repeat it, but second swarm season is on us with hives getting honey bound. Maybe you can swap some empty frames from the other hives into this one?

[@vinofarm]

Thanks for the kind words and the tips. Stay tuned for tomorrow's video. You will see we had the same thoughts.

[@johntroy3910]

If she is there and not laying it's because there is enough bees right now AND a honey flow on some of my new queens gave 4 weeks even longer before the got going IF she is there she will lay when she is ready and the honey flow slows down ?

[@kriloxta3000]

Vin you are someone star and he's messaging you now 🤙🏻🐝

[@michaelgilbert7851]

Ive had 2 hive do the same thing this year! Requeen then the queen starts laying worker brood then the queens just vanish! You got me!

[@annasrandomness1719]

Oh man bees can be so confusing lol

[@GasparJac]

Man...Queen Balboa was a Champ. I whish she was here to see how good the hive is

[@JMM_123]

Happy you are happy...but come on man don't leave us hanging 😀 Thanks for the video as always !

[@vinofarm]

Jeff Messina I'm editing these as they are shot. 5 days, 5 videos. I'm not teasing you... I'm taking you guys on the roller coaster that I experienced.

[@JMM_123]

Vino Farm Wait you mean this isn't you full time job?😉 I look forward to the next update, but all can be forgiven for the low low price of a new veil flip. In all seriousness I hope this all worked out for you!

[@patrickw6303]

The queen is probably present. You don't have laying workers by the comb pattern (and absence of a queen). I think the hive is just going through a heavy honey flow, storing the honey anywhere they can, and have honey bound the queen. As soon as they finishing building out the new comb, they'll move the honey around and give the queen space to lay. I bet it'll self-correct or she'll swarm. Maybe... add more (empty) brood frames in the center from another hive.

[@vinofarm]

It's like we're thinking the same thing. Stay tuned for tomorrow's video.

[@SimoneFabris]

Even of you have a queen, does it have enough time to make winter bees? I mean, a full box of winter bees?

[@vinofarm]

This has been my concern for weeks. This is the whole point of the series. Need a queen to lay some brood ASAP.

[@AnatoliyStrelec]

Спасибо за видео.Лайк

[@stonerman2k]

I know this is premature being as u are dancing... But, don't let the different size boxes keep you from considering putting a deep frame in a medium box. All you need to do is pull a frame from directly below the deep, and it will have room... Should that be needed at a later time, keep that nugget... 😎. Love the channel. Good luck!

[@vinofarm]

Yup, that's what I was thinking I could do if I need to. And I might!

[@JustinTurner000]

haha I'm doing a jig here! thats awesome! the bee keepers jig

[@KleinerDrache]

Holy cow, a part five ? Oo what is happening there :D I´m too curious about tomorrow´s video! Though about the no visible queen, that she may walk to the other frames while you checked one ...

[@EvilSl0th]

well, i assume you found a laying queen for part 5. but my father always had a rule. if there is honey in the box below, give them another box. sometimes he would give them two boxes if the flow was high enough because we would not be back to that yard for about a week. the only exception was when we ran out of supers on the back of the truck. as for a smaller situation such as yours, you can monitor weather closer and take the time to check your boxes more often if you have a string of warm days with low wind. i would recommend giving the hive a super. the bees would likely relocate the honey from the lower boxes to give the queen room to lay. check the top box in about 5 days to see the progress. if the top box is getting full, toss another on.

[@vinofarm]

I was away for a few days before this video and was shocked at what had come in while I was gone. I had never experienced a flow like that. I'll be more prepared in the future. I was ahead of you with the supers! Stay tuned.

[@EvilSl0th]

no doubt. but up here, our honey flow is now over. this is the time of year we allow our bees to collect some honey for winter and to boot out the drones. but i live in the middle of a fairly large farming area. a bee can fly up to 5ish miles (if memory serves) and all our yards have pure fields for those 5 miles all round. yearly, we can easily have hives average 200 pounds of honey. if we had the manpower to cover all the bees needs when they came, we could likely hit 300 pound averages, but with any operation... once you reach a certain size, you cant give too much attention to any one hive in a yard. that said, after wintering, should we find any particularly weak hives, we leave them at the shed where they can be checked more often. (it was one of these hives that had swarmed.)

[@justinmk79]

If they start capping honey I would also add another super on top.

[@thedutchhomesteader3775]

Do you still have drones this time of year ?

[@MatthewSelkirkKey]

Argh...i can't wait until tomorrow... 😲😲😲😂

[@dagnygrant3461]

I love your videos!!!

[@romarwright3341]

Hive's like " who needs a queen "

[@MissMerc007]

I'm not a beekeeper (just a fan viewer), could the queen have gone on a mating flight? Could you put in a deep box and put some brood frame then the mediums? (I'm not sure of the size differences). Great dance btw, made me laugh.

[@steelehatch4141]

Is there any nectar in the bottom box? Or had they polished the cells?

[@vinofarm]

Nectar, lots of pollen and a couple empty frames.

[@GoogleUser-eq7bz]

I'm not a Beekeeper, just a well read wannabe(e). Suggestion, Somehow slowly transition all your hives to the same size brood boxes. Your bee yard looks like it will hold more plenty more hives so planning now will help your future new hives come on quicker. Also, this will aid when you have problems like this one with the Balboa orphanage.

[@vinofarm]

If these hives make it through winter, I hope to do some splits and expand.I've just never really had strong hives so i never have any extra drawn comb. I like the idea of consistent size frames, but these Italians were adopted on mediums and they've never been strong enough to transition into bigger boxes. Next season will hopefully be different. Thanks for watching.

[@George-nx5lo]

I think you need to install a camera, my have neighbors that find it entertaining to add some drama to the series! lol great stuff though, bees are like having drama tv show that never ends!

[@Lombricompostagefacile]

Balboa's daughter was hidding there and killed in a 10 round fight your new introduced queen. That's my bet after seing your celebration. Or is Balboa back from the dead ?

[@garydunlap1733]

Hope I will be dancing soon as well.....same issue in Northern NJ. Same path as you and close to same timeline.

[@vinofarm]

It's a rollercoaster.

[@garydunlap1733]

Vino Farm ...rollercoaster indeed. 2 weeks ago I was sure 2 out of 3 colonies were without queen.....frustrated and discouraged. After inspection today, all 3 swimming in brood and eggs! What is it u say? "Let them be bees" First year lessons :) Are you treating this season for Varroa?

[@craig6903]

I think she just hiding from you. I think you take it for granted that you always find her. The queen could easily fly off the frame when you pick it up. If the hive is acting like there a queen, then there probably is one.

[@Silentsouls]

I dont know, but something seems off with the hive, adding another queen will probably not work.

[@hazelhazelton1346]

I never expect to see eggs in September, new queen or no.

[@souficoufi5763]

Merci pour la vidéo (Algeria).

[@kriloxta3000]

I know how you feel but don't give up

[@kencollins3565]

I'm bummed but maybe you just missed her... a virgin queen un-mated. I just lost a booming hive due to varroa and beetles...while I was in the hospital. I KNOW bummed. The bees were all gone and the hive was robbed out completely! 3 deep boxes :( As an option, maybe give it a few days, look again for the queen or signs she is back. Is it possible you are there when she is out on the mating flight? It takes 2 weeks before she would even lay the first eggs. I'm hopeful you have a queen just bred and ready to boom! Or Blossom !!

[@periplanetamissionary]

Plot twist, they are in your swarm trap. I can see the past. ;)

[@ThelaziaCafe]

This is crazy! How can there be so many bees yet no queen to lay eggs!? Or eggs to begin with for that matter... And where do all these queens keep going? Are they some rare breed of "self reliant" bees capable of budding and reject their queens in favor of genetic mutation?

[@wisewomanmary2242]

Nice jig...lol...the suspense is killing me now....so was this (part 4) on Sunday? Yesterday?

[@vinofarm]

This was shot Saturday. Then SUNDAY HAPPENED. I'm editing that now. It will be up tomorrow.

[@wisewomanmary2242]

Vino Farm... Can't wait for the happy ending ( I hope)

[@T289c]

I was saying this is what happened to me early in the season. I thought I was queenless. They made cells. They made a queen . I searched numerous times for her. I got a new queen. That new queen disappeared. And about a week later I found a queen. She was smaller, unmarked but a queen. The queen they made. And like I said that hive is now a MONSTER. Strong like I have never seen. Hive boxes I can not lift because of all the nectar. I am hoping this sounds like Part 5....When the Bees decide their fate and make their queen...It is truly "Queen Right" . Sound right to you?? I am going to guess this is what tomorrow's story brings.

[@vinofarm]

Thomas Gordon I will not spoil the ending!!!!!!

[@beezerk4623]

You can put deep frame into mediums. Just remove two frames up n down above each other. "She killed her and hid the body" lol!

[@wisewomanmary2242]

I'm going with queen out mating...just a guess from the fanning

[@wisewomanmary2242]

Oh wait...it was a mated queen, right?

[@davidlazarowych9217]

What are calling an epilogue to an epilogue?

[@kriloxta3000]

Don't stress over

[@ponyvet77]

This also might be a good time to swap them into a deep.

[@natserog]

something here reminds me of a Woody Allen movie? i like it!

[@dianemilligan7370]

A mystery!😱

[@DragoonEnder]

Have you checked the poop tray????

[@vinofarm]

The inspection board? Yes. It's all clear. There's been no brood for weeks... so the varroa cycle has been disrupted at the perfect time. Silver lining?

[@DragoonEnder]

Vino Farm indeed!

[@jeremygarwood]

Fanning Dos not mean theres a queen they are regulating the hive temperature

[@TheSoilandGreen]

You don’t even know if a queen is in there. Check early mornings for queen, my bees seem to be spreading out that time of day. I think you found a queen in the next video so. Next time. My mentor has boxes that when opened are stuck with drone brood everywhere. That would drive you nuts ha

[@romarwright3341]

They won't swarm without a queen.

[@kennapop3]

She might just be hiding, or the hive will raise one and swarm/mate stay or go.

[@celticqaidbear]

She is probably looking for a drone to mate.

[@budlefebvre8811]

The queen probably ran down to the bottom board.

[@smokeydops]

ROCKY

[@akajolly8616]

team mutt #yellodotstrong

[@Billy-mk3ep]

No fair on that ending....

[@ChiakiNanami736]

The Italian queen hiding a body...can't make this stuff up ;p

[@DScritchy]

You tease!