Splitting a Bee Hive in a Hive | A 'How I Do Production

[@tomkingsley4398]

Best review of Apimaye hive. Thanks for showing the value of that 7 frame box.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks Tom!

[@Mike_squarebeefarms]

Hey Mike, I got a 7 frame apimaye this year for the first time. I've used it as a cell builder, cell finisher and double mating nuc so far. One of the most versatile pieces of equipment I have now. Great product. Loved the video. Take Care!

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks for the comment. Confirms what I was thinking could be done with it. Hope to have a few more as I go on.

[@researcherAmateur]

This was a really good How to video. I completely forgot you asked for some pictures and we already brought the hives back from the islands. We're not used to take pictures. There's too much competition and we move like ninjas.. everything must be done secretly, moving over night. But I could've taken some of us extracting on the spot. I promise.. next time I'll keep it in mind. There was too much to do.. a very strange earliest year in my career. You seem to have a very good flow.. better start to pull off some. One year l had to open big holes in Jester nucks bottoms and put 2 of them on the tops. That was a great year. God bless...

[@MikeBarryBees]

No worries. Glad y’all got it done. Our flow is weird but seems good. It’s off some but there is definitely some honey in the boxes. I am on the ragged edge of whether I needed to pull more, being the flow was just about to shut down about the same time the supers were just about full. So I left them after the first two times I pulled some. We shall see. Hope to check some this weekend. I hate losing swarms this time of year since it’s so sketchy on queens making it back. Y’all take care!!

[@scottsteele4020]

I like your veil.

[@MikeBarryBees]

It's from HillCo. Nice for quick looks and being out on the run in outyards.

[@628DirtRooster]

I'm with you on Apimaye. Great equipment.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yep, I agree Randy.

[@timmorris7022]

Started using one of those for splits 2 years ago and bought a second one at expo i liked it so much .Your right so functional! I feel ya on work time .One day soon we will be retired and get to keep bees the way want ,Everyday! Hope to see more 7 frame apimaye hive videos.Thanks always for posting!

[@MikeBarryBees]

I sure am looking forward to the days of retirement!! Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[@edwardclark5211]

Dream Big brother 🙏

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks!

[@brucesbees]

Apimayes are very nice. I have found the 7 framers to be very versatile and useful for many different purposes. Great job Mike!

[@amfarmsllc5624]

@brucesbees, I agree. I have quite a few and just ordered more of the 7 framers and find them very useful in the apiary.

[@MikeBarryBees]

I’m looking forward to having a few more Bruce. Very nice unit for sure. My first experience with them at all was at your house and I really was impressed.

[@rpeebles]

I have had my 7 frame apimaye for a few years and haven't really found a better box for making splits. You can easily transport it to a big have and make 2 splits per box and close it up and take it to another yard. So simple.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Good to hear and I agree. That sounds convenient Robert.

[@DonaldFarmHoney]

Good to know I'm not the only one that talks to my bees. lol

[@MikeBarryBees]

Got to talk nice to them and I read the basic beekeeping book to all my hives in December so they know how to carry on the next season. 😁😁

[@russellaymond312]

Thank you Mike for sharing.

[@MikeBarryBees]

You are very welcome and thanks for watching Russell and for your co tiniest support.

[@316BeeManDan]

Great work Mike! We picked a 7-frame Apimaye at NAHBE to use as a mating nuc as well, and ended up using it to transport a nuc across town before utilizing it for that purpose. Versatility is off the charts, and it comes w/ everything you could want for any hive. They are very well thought out and we are happy w/ ours. So much so we decided to try one of their Defender hives next go round, as it has four dedicated chambers in the size of a 10 frame to raise queens in. I hope you sort out that work thing that keeps dragging you down, and come on over to the retired side soon. Best job I ever had. God bless.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks for the great comment and sharing your experience with one. Great post!!

[@mikesbeesllc]

Excellent review Mike. That's a very versatile box!

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks Mike!!

[@LisaBaker-cb7bg]

It’s very interesting to see different types of equipment and hear the pros and cons. Thank you for sharing your perspective Mike!

[@MikeBarryBees]

You are welcome and thanks so much for watching!! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@birdsherbsadventures3014]

I love the Apimaye set up, great for pollen collecting, great feeders. Living in Utah, I have never lossed a hive over winter in the Apimaye but have many times with wooden boxes even with added exterior insulation

[@MikeBarryBees]

Great to hear!! Thanks for sharing your experience and for watching!!

[@HaasBuzzHomestead9909]

That’s neat!! I like the divider. This would have helped me out in so many situations I’ve been in.

[@MikeBarryBees]

It’s a really nice tool to transition a hive when needed.

[@wildandfreehoneybees]

Mike! Thanks so much for this awesome video! I have all 7 frame. Apimaye equipment and I love them. I want to learn more about queen rearing using them. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you to show us more of your experiments with this equipment! I’m a subscriber now! Thanks again!❤

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks so much for the comment and you’re welcome. I hope I can do some logging of my experiences with it. I hope to have a couple more on hand next season.

[@lambbrookfarm4528]

I am still new, 4th year, new to the honey harvesting aspect. I am a fan of tending horizontal hives, although I only have Layens horizontal hives. I do have 3 Langs, 2 are currently triple 10 frame deeps and 1 is a 5 frame double deep and they need some attention. Raspberries are in full bloom here, my location here seems to have similar timing to Peter Cowin over in Hampden, Maine, and he's looking at honey harvest so that tells me I better get ready. Thanks for sharing, I hope your tallow flow pans out. Stay cool, Brice.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Well Brice, I can see myself with horizontal hives one day. My back screams at me now and with your layans hives, you’re essentially doing the same with insulation on the sides as the Apimaye is doing. I hope your harvest is a great one and take care!!

[@honeyandthecoop803]

Hey Mr. Mike, good video as always. if the dog pen didn't keep her caged up, maybe try the chicken coop next

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks! I need to put some wire over the top😁😁

[@rtxhoneybees]

Your voice over at 20:30 was exactly what i was thinking. Too many bees on 3 frames with a laying queen. I would have closed the entrance on the queenright side. Interesting video.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Actually, closing the entrance on the queen right side would have put too many field bees and older bees into the side of the virgin. That’s a recipe for disaster. Experiences I’ve had and more experienced beekeepers I’ve listened to have taught me that young nurse bees accept queens at a very much higher percentage than older bees and field bees. So closing that side would force the field bees into the queenless side. As far as the side with the queen, yes it’ll be tight, but it’s more of a precaution really since the flow is shutting down. She will probably be fine, but just not chancing it. In a wooden hive, I would definitely move her, but I’m going to watch the Apimaye. It’s not always about plugging the nest with nectar in the summer since we go into a dearth, but about heat and overcrowding of population. In wood, I know it’ll be very hot and more work for the bees to control the temp, but with the Apimaye, they claim the temp is easier to control. So I’m actually leaving her there and going to watch and experiment and see if she will stay as she slows down laying since they can control the temps easier in that hive in the shade than wood. Honestly the voice-over was to fend off comments I know I would get. We will see. It’s an experiment for now. Going to check her this weekend and what’s really nice is I don’t have to disturb the new queen at all. The bees took to her when I released her, but I never like to check until two full weeks after release of a virgin. Mating is so tough this time of year here where I’m at.

[@amfarmsllc5624]

I have about 7 or 8 of those apimaye 7 frames. I use them for splits and love them. I also have about 10 of the bottom board kits for wooden boxes.

[@MikeBarryBees]

I’ve glass see the pollen traps that can be put on wooden hives. I’m looking at those as well.

[@johncoleman6218]

Yeah, I agree that as my wood rots, I replace with Apimaye boxes. I’ve got 10 so far in my 20-30 hive hobbyist setup.

[@MikeBarryBees]

That’s good to hear. I think it’s a viable plan and they should last forever being plastic and all.

[@johncoleman6218]

It would be a good plan to have a 7 frame Apimaye super or two in your pile of equipment so you can grow the colonies up vertically, with the divided super and avoid the swarm impulse in the split 7 stack. I think the supers, medium and deep, are about $100 each and using them for making cell builders when rearing queens is great!

[@MikeBarryBees]

I do believe I am going to have a couple of the supers for the 7 frame box. Just so I can do just as you suggest in the case I can’t get to it for whatever reason. Plus it can make more brood. I do believe I can use the same cloake board principle with this 7 frame. Going to try it next year if my time permits.

[@esauer1014]

Great video as always Mike!!! I truly appreciate your candid approach to different products that you feature from time to time!!! May God give you the peace and time to get caught up and feel relaxed while working your yard!!!

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks so much!! Especially for the blessing at the end of your comment!!

[@vandubay]

I’ve been eyeing the Apimaye hives and I’m tempted to replace rotten equipment with them. It’s interesting that you’re seeing the same thing with the tallow flow. The ones around me have massive amounts of blooms, but the nectar flow is just a trickle. Hopefully it’ll pick up.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yea Van, the tallow was odd. Everyone is on and on about a huge bloom and harvest, but I do like I always do and that’s to just wait until the honey is in the bucket. That’s when we know.😬😬

[@dadu63]

They have a 1 frame slot for timing box if ya havent seen it. Thanks for sharing. I love my 7 and 10 frame apimayes.

[@MikeBarryBees]

With an Apimaye? I haven’t see that and need to check it out if so. I’ve seen the wooden boxes, and I can make one with a wooden box, but I am pretty good with identifying the right larvae. I think the divider will only help me. I also like the timing cages. I think better bee and the two major bee supplies carry them. I thought those were neat for sure. Thanks for the comment and info!!

[@AmandaDoll-hi4dr]

Hi Mike, have fun with the bee's and guys

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks!!

[@AmandaDoll-hi4dr]

You are welcome mike berry

[@ZelmaBees]

Thank you for the review on the Apimaye, Mike. I was on the fence about buying one due to the high heat here in Tampa (97*) and was unsure how the bees would do with an insulated hive. Appreciate your posting the video.

[@MikeBarryBees]

I have heard they do very well in the heat Zelma. I know Bruce has seen great performance in the summer there in Alabama.

[@johnmarshall6572]

Mike, if you look closely, that apimaye seven frame nuc has a slot to isolate one frame for a timing box. They work well! I love them.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yes, I’m reading that in the comments. That’s great!! Thanks for everyone shooting me that. I had no idea! I think Apimaye needs to add a little better info sheet in the box. Thanks again John!! I’m going to take a closer look at it.

[@SortOfaBeekeeper]

I just bought one of these 7 frame nucs, and this video was very helpful explaining the versatility of this hive. Thanks so much for always sharing❤

[@MikeBarryBees]

Glad you enjoyed it. How you have great success with it. I plan to get a couple more as we go along. I really like it.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

Hello Mike , ya these apimaye looks like they will have a lot of potential for us BUT I think if any for me it would be just one for a lot of reasons you spoke about. I think the Pollen trap would be more of a useful part for me . I think you have some great ideas an great plans for yours . Not sure if you saw my response on your last “ short “ the other day or not but if not . My season went straight to ( H ) this season. I think I had told you about the queens not making it back in about half of my colonies. Then the rain an storms washed all the blooms off It seemed like everything. The ground under the privet looked like it had snowed an the tulip poplar blooms were everywhere on the ground. WELL all that was the good parts of my season. About a week and a half or two weeks ago someone got the bright idea to SPRAY there gardens or whatever. ( BAD IDEA ) . Well my out yard is gone . I had a case like that about five years ago in my home yard but it was just one colony an with help they made it through . I sale probably 10-1 more dark honey than light honey an that was my dark honey yard . So I already have another yard lined up for next year to restart that one . Sorry this was so long. Thanks

[@MikeBarryBees]

Wow! So sorry to hear about the sorting. I do recall you telling me about the queens, but we can always recover when we at least have the bees, but to have them poisoned is awful. I’ve bees thru that myself where I lost 17 of 22 due to a poisoning and it’s heartbreaking. Sorry your season went so rough. How you’re able to strengthen things up and formulate a plan to move forward .

[@kathyhathaway8823]

@@MikeBarryBees Thanks Mike . I had the state inspector came over an we done inspection just to look at frames an get samples to take to the labs for testing. She called me back the next day the first lab done a bunch of test an all looked great . Then they sent the bees over to another lab for different kinds of test like poisons an would call me back when that was finished but said it may take a while from that state lab . She an a few other people said it really looks like poisons an the bees were acting just like the one I had five years ago an a long long time ago I had a few hives with the same symptoms. I need to get up with you some time down the road maybe in a few weeks or so when we both have got our bee season to cool down a little more. I will send you my Email. Thanks

[@tommychew6544]

Great episode, I really like your truthful description! On your last one I was in the middle of responding when my internet went out for almost a full day because of storms, I think. Your showing hands on just feels like a diamond in the rough compared to most, even though I am choosing a different route hive design wise. Thanks for the knowledge and teaching Mike, it really does help more then you know!

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks again Tommy and appreciate the comment! Yea, just want to show what I found and it’s not for everyone. I just thought it best to lay everything out there as I saw what uses I could find and the folks make their own opinions. Have. A great weekend!!

[@GEEZBEEZ]

I’m going to buy some apimaye hives at conference this year. Got some pollen trap bottoms last time and love them. Thanks for the video. Take care Mike.

[@MikeBarryBees]

They already have their specials posted as I understand Garry. I plan to line up a couple more of the 7 framers.

[@amfarmsllc5624]

Mike, for me the 10 frame supers are a little expensive when I am stacking 5 supers high. I do love the 7 frame versatility.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yea, for supers, I would just stay with wood and then stack on the Apimaye brood boxes since they can be mixed and matched. I agree, the supers are a bit too pricy for me.

[@amfarmsllc5624]

@@MikeBarryBees great job as usual and I do use the wooden boxes interchangeable.

[@thomasbroussard3761]

Hi Mike. I was glad to see the tallow bloom this year. Only problem is that I never saw bees on them. Did I miss them or did they feed on other sources?

[@MikeBarryBees]

They feed on them at different times and then at other times they’ll be on other sources. But the blooms are drying fast this year.

[@TennesseeTim73]

Always excited to see your videos Mike!!

[@MikeBarryBees]

Th aka you my friend!!

[@illumi-Nate]

I have a few full boxes of all sizes of wire wax foundation & the boxes say year 1989 Walter T Kelly, so its very old but works just fine, its perfect condition.. when I started beekeeping a family member passed away & all the beekeeping equipment, electric extractor , hives, escape boards & other stuff was all going in a dumpster so I got as much as I could & the following spring I got 2 nucs & away I went with it... & then come to find out the owner of the equipment was head of the county bee club for like 30+ years... the extractor is only a 4 frame but atleast it's electric..after being a beekeeper for a few years I'm like wow this foundation & free equipment would have cost alot of money

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yes indeed, that load would’ve cost a fortune in this day and age and was not cheap then relative to the cost of living. I used to use wired wax with hooks and would get my wedge frames from Walter Kelley. The bees loved it!! I still have several worked was medium frames that I reuse every year in honey supers. I’ll be extracting the soon I hope. I’m not so sure which is really more practical than the other when it comes to plastic and wax. Honestly, plastic takes a ton of work and time to clean and re-wax. So really, either one are a lot of work. Thanks for sharing your story!!

[@daveshearn2743]

This was my 1st hive in 2019. Overall I like it but it is very tight with 7 frames in it. Works much better as a double 3 frame mating nuc.

[@daveshearn2743]

Also, I hope you have better luck with getting your purchased virgins mated than I did. Bought 5 to the tune of $280.00 and got 1 mated queen out of it.

[@MikeBarryBees]

I like it so far and with the two Apimaye frames it was roomy enough. I’ll have to see how tight it gets when I go back to 7 with all wood. Glad you let me know to look at that.

[@edcoffin3514]

Mike, I really think all the bees world wide decided this is the year we are all gonna swarm., maybe they are thinking., we gotta do mite control ourselves

[@MikeBarryBees]

Maybe so because I sure heard a lot of folks talking about it. You found the bright side of them in the brood breaks. Anything helps😁😁

[@terryhagen2711]

I’ve been thinking about trying one up here for over wintering my bees

[@MikeBarryBees]

Air is one of the best insulators, so it should do just fine since there is some air in the walls. They’re supposed to do well in both extreme cold and extreme heat. I know about the heat from Bruce in Alabama, but obviously I can’t make any assumptions on cold😁😁😬😬. And you get COLD. Worth a try and I bet it is as good or better than wood.

[@beehivewithaview9760]

Reminds me of the decoder ring scene from "A Christmas Story."

[@MikeBarryBees]

Well, except I came out happy and Ralphie was terribly disappointed…..”A commercial”. 😁😂😂

[@beebob1279]

'I can't keep bees the way I want to keep bees'. As I get older and continue to work myself I gave up a lot of colonies and apiaries and only have two apiaries and much less hives to manage. I'd love some land to live on and keep them there.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Well, I did that a few years back and went back down to about 15 to 20. Then when I got my previous job, time was on my side for about 5 years and I built back up and got to where I am now and was happy with that. But then a couple years ago, I switched within the same entity to this present position and wow, I underestimated the time I’d lose. I have to make a change one way or another, that’s for sure.

[@rileyjolma2006]

when making the split if you left on queen excluder setting for 5-7 wouls that eliminate the need to squish cells?

[@MikeBarryBees]

It would, but then they’d think they had a queen and would kill the queen I introduce. So they have to be made queen less and when we make them hopelessly queenless, they’re more apt to accept the inmates queen. Thanks for the question.

[@chicken6946]

Quick question mr.mike.i have the same bee suit except mine has the hood.well its supposed to be the new sting stopper,but i've been stung abfew times around the wrist area.i only got the suit because i caught a wild swarm which i really did'nt want to,but they grew pretty quick and made plenty of honey since the beginning of this year.but i wanted to know if any bees stung you with that suit?

[@MikeBarryBees]

I don’t normally get stung in this suit. But I wear the gloves a lot. But as far as around the wrist, only when I don’t have gloves on and they hit the expose skin. I mean I have been stung over the last two seasons and time or two thru the suit if the bee is burrows into the material a certain way, but it’s few and far between. How that kind of answers your question. Thanks for watching and for asking!!

[@josephrawls]

You left the gate open and she came back.😆🤣

[@MikeBarryBees]

Had to be it Joey😂😂

[@jarrodcarrigan3498]

Mike I know you build some of your own equipment try to build you an insulated hive I’ve got a freind that did that and bought an apimaye I’d like to see you do a comparison just a thought 🙂

[@MikeBarryBees]

I really don’t build my own anymore. I do think both the Layans type of insulated and the Apimaye are very similar. If I had time, I’d sure try some comparisons like you’re talking about. That’s the fun stuff I’d love to do if I could retire.

[@Brianbeesandbikes]

very honey bound frames ....

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yes, that’s why they were given an empty and drawn frame. We were right in the middle of the flow. But having 3 frames out of 7 that had brood is really not terribly honey bound hive, but definitely on their way to being honey bound. When I reduced them to 3 frames each, I was sure to give the queen that empty frame.

[@christalakebees]

Oh my gosh. Did mr. Ed really break your camera? Me and bug farmer laughed when you said “or did he” hhhmmmm

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

Same

[@MikeBarryBees]

He knocked it right off the scaffolding 😁😁

[@Peter_Gunn]

Hey Mike, I think your apimaye hive will just isolate one frame

[@wildandfreehoneybees]

Yes it will. You’re right about that. 😊

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yea, I just read that in another comment. I need to check that out. Thanks!

[@wadebarnes6720]

Lol

[@MikeBarryBees]

Thanks for watching Wade.

[@jaywrittenour5770]

Defiantly sounds like it's time to retire and drive Mr. Ed crazy.

[@MikeBarryBees]

Yea, I’m sure dreaming about it right now. I’ve made time to in my schedule drive Mr. Ed crazy. I even called him and bugged him just this morning g😂😂

[@dcrosco1458]

one when a company set out a comparison like that they do not tell the truth. Companies want to sell. Do your own research

[@dcrosco1458]

NOT a troll but a truth teller

[@MikeBarryBees]

I agree to an extent, but I looked up the prices at the regular suppliers, and the info is correct. Some places a a bit cheaper where and there, but the info is very close and accurate. That’s why I said, people can see for themselves, I’m not here to tell them one way or the other. Thanks for the comment.

[@andr6058]

Apimaye pushing these expensive plastic boxes!I bet they are giving them away to KZbinrs so they can push them on everyone.Until y’all have all apimaye hives in your apiary I’m not even considering😂😂😂

[@MikeBarryBees]

To each his own. Just showing some features and what I like about their setup. Appreciate you watching.