The 5 W’s Behind Winter Bees! / Beekeeping 101

More of a scientific video for you today :) I have been learning as much as I can about bees so here are some of the articles I have been reading. Check them out because they are truly mind blowing!
A Review on Thermoregulation Techniques in Honey Bees’ (Apis Mellifera) Beehive Microclimate and Its Similarities to the Heating and Cooling Management in Buildings - futurecitiesan...
The role of Vitellogenin in the transfer of immune elicitors from gut to hypopharyngeal glands in honey bees (Apis mellifera) - www.sciencedir...
Varroa destructor feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph - www.pnas.org/d...
As always thanks for watching! And I hope you are staying happy and healthy this bee winter :)
beekeeping, varroa mites, winter beekeeping, overwintering, winter bees, Vitellogenin, beekeeping science, thermoregulation of a beehive, honey bees, hypopharyngeal glands, immune system of honey bee, dead bees, fat body of a bee

[@BrianCooper901]

The honey will act as thermal mass. It will retain some heat but it will also retain cold. It's like a brick wall that stays warm into the night because it absorbs heat from the sun. This thermal mass can help the bees buffer temperatures so the swings aren't so wild but it can also lead to the hive warming up slower on warm days. Thanks for sharing!

[@beefitbeekeeping]

That makes sense! Thank YOU for sharing that!

[@donbearden1953]

Emily, what would you say if I told you that my bees raise brood all winter long and bring pollen in when the temp gets up to the low 50s? I’m in central AL and our Queens do cut way back for the winter but do continue to lay. I watched a decent size orientation flights last week. The bees are so different here than in Michigan. Are you attending the Hive Life conference?

[@gregwaskom552]

Bees don't go broodless for 2 months. Only for about 2 weeks and it's usually in Nov. Although it varies by hive.

[@arcticbeekeeping]

@greg waskom what do you mean? At my place the bees go broodless for 6-7 months.

[@gregwaskom552]

They aren't keeping the queen at 94 degrees. They are that warm only if brood is present. If no brood then the cluster temp is in 70s

[@heavymechanic2]

Hey Emily, the science is pretty cool from your research, much better than just what works as the old timers do.. I built a ventilation/feeder box (similar to a quilt box) and laid R-13 insulation on the hive top in the open space. Other hives have a R-2 flat insulation board under a migratory cover, this helps prevent condensation. After this storm, all my colonies are active and I am not feeding anything at this time. I did two rounds of Oxilic vapor in November and not opened the hives since.

[@stevenkawano9746]

Easily one of ur most Interesting videos yet my friend and that Is saying something! First off, YES to a whole video on Vitrllogenin🤯that is seriously Amazing mother nature is a Mad scientist I had no idea they are 100% responsible for the next generation, that they have the Key for the next generation in them Amazing! Also, I'm here for the #teaqueen slups😂☺️🫖Curious, what about bees that winter in a not so cold environment, are there bees in warmer winter environments that don't have the same harsh winters as yours?🤔🐝🌞The cluster is Super cool too the fact that they Rotate like a volleyball team to make sure EveryBee has a chance to get warm and take a rest is mind blowing to me U and ur winged friends are Literally the Bees Knees☺️🐝💛Well Thank U for another Great video and can't wait for the next one and Hope u All are staying Warm and I'll see U in the next one my Favorite #girlpower Keeper💪😁🐝💛 #emilyisthebeesknees #teaqueen #girlpower #vitellogenin #slurps #beefitbeekeeping #beefithoney #beefit #myfavoritekeeper💛

[@ianleitch9960]

They work their flight muscles which they are able to disconnect from their wings. So they do not in fact flap their wings. half right.

[@michaelyoho4848]

Thank you for sharing your bee knowledge. As an engineer and have worked with insulating building, yes honey does store heat. Most all materials hold some heat but liquids hold heat better than air. And yes please educate us more about vitellogenin, you are awesome. Thank you Emily.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thank YOU for sharing! Good to know! ☺️♥️

[@gregoryscott5063]

Please use insects and not bugs. There is a big difference between the two. Other than that, I enjoyed your video. Thanks for spreading bee knowledge.🐝😎

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thanks for the tips! I’ll keep that in mind ♥️ thank YOU for watching!

[@emilandrusko8597]

thanks for the video. I definitely learned something.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Glad it was helpful! ☺️

[@thehturt5480]

Thanks for sharing. We learn all our lifes no matter how experienced we are. 🤗❤️🐝

[@beefitbeekeeping]

The day we stop learning is the day we stop growing. Forever a student ☺️

[@scottdallenbach6683]

Have great day my friend ❤

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thanks for the visit friend ☺️♥️ right back atcha!

[@JarsOfHoneyTN]

Emily, I would be very interested in learning about the Vitrllogenin which blew my mind when you talked about it, You are an awesome teacher and thank you for the time you invest into your videos. Looking forward to seeing your upcoming ones. Thank you for the links too!!

[@gigibees9313]

I laughed every time you slurped your drink. You are so funny! 🤣 I enjoy your adventures in beekeeping. Keep the videos coming!

[@vladimirstajcic6451]

Food for toughts and vittelogenin freaks :) How to grow "winter" bees trough all seasson?

[@christopherroop4937]

Sugar break 1 cup water 10 cups sugar add quarter cup ultra bee and 1 tbsp of any feed supplement with Thymol 👍🐝

[@chrisr7746]

Thank Emily you always have great information keep up the great work

[@TennesseeTim38451]

I like that, a honey super acting as a heat sink all the thermal mass. Good thoughts!! Keep cranking out the great vibes!

[@SylantBill]

Please do a video on the protein, enjoying your videos thank you.

[@villain011]

Thanks Emily was worried about my dead bees but you have put my mind at rest. X

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Happy to do that ☺️

[@martindesomma9623]

I want to thank you for all of your informative videos. I especially love that you supplied citations to those research articles about the information given in this video. This is my first year as a beekeeper but I always had a passion for honeybees since my undergraduate years. I took a course called the biology of the honeybee and loved it so much that I enrolled in an independent study research program studying bee behavior. It's really amazing how these creatures live. Thank you again for your passion in beekeeping and your willingness to share all your knowledge with us.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thank YOU for your passion in honey bees! We always need more beekeepers so happy to have ya! That sounds like a fun class! ☺️

[@martindesomma9623]

@@beefitbeekeeping the class was fantastic. I got to learn and work with professor Alphonse Avitabile. He is a co-author of the Beekeepers Handbook and numerous beekeeping articles.

[@eliinthewolverinestate6729]

First get a therma break between ground or block. Wooden legs do this. I use ac cover over my lazutin hive. Honey acts as thermal mass. Big fat wide honey hives are worse for winter. I use 2 by for my hives so better R value. Think wood is from R1.4 softwoods to R.75 hardwoods per inch. Why don't you store your bees inside like the Yoppers and Canadians do. Canadians have bee insurance.Too cover looses buy must be feed and stored properly.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

For where I’m located there’s no need to store them inside. The winters are cold but they’re not as bad as I’m sure the UP and Canada can get 🥶 hope you’re having a great bee winter ♥️

[@dcsblessedbees]

😉Merry Christmas Emily I like your Christmas🎄I Hope you have a Blessed holiday season. Yes honey is an insulator, not the best but yes it can.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Merry Christmas to you too! I hope it’s a great one ♥️ thank you for always being here ☺️

[@michelelamantia5508]

Yes yes do tell!!!

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Thanks Emily!

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thank YOU! ☺️

[@raymondrobinson5251]

Very informative about winter bees. That was neat the way you explained it. Thanks, I learned something new to add to, about my studies of bees.

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Glad you enjoyed it and I could bring something new to the table about bees ♥️☺️

[@allandrouillard6861]

I love your smile and energy When You talk about Your girls and I agree they are amazing I'm only a 3rd year bee keeper And still learning something new every year I checked on one of my colonies last weekend and unfortunately They were all dead Not sure why they had plenty of food And there mites count Was very low But it is still very disappointing when you lose a colony Looking forward to other meet and greet opportunities in the future With your presentations,

[@beefitbeekeeping]

I’m sorry to hear about your hive 😢 it is never fun to see. That’s a head scratcher tho if mites were down. Maybe they got too moist depending on what you were using to prevent condensation under the lid?

[@beefitbeekeeping]

Thank YOU for watching tho! Happy to have ya here ♥️