What Happened to Balboa... (When a Queen Gets Old, The Bees Know What to Do)

My ROCKSTAR queen. The G.O.A.T... The Champ... This colony is my oldest survivor hive but the queen was showing her age. I decided not to requeen or take drastic measures and let the hive work it out themselves. It took a little time, but the torch has been passed. The Balboa name continues. Check out what the colony did to make things right...
Thank you for watching and commenting.
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[@hymnodyhands]

Queen Balboa II ended her reign as mother did: slowed down, then laid like crazy in one last big push to make sure her daughter would begin her reign with a booming hive. RIP Queen Balboa II; long live Queen Balboa III!

[@ryancenord6768]

Stfu

[@lilith9027]

@@ryancenord6768 someones mad today huh

[@ryancenord6768]

@@lilith9027 ye

[@skyemorningstar166]

Hail Queen Balboa, third of her name! Long may she reign, long may she lay!

[@Digger927]

ROFL, very nice!

[@arogue469]

That’s what HE said!

[@AuraZero99]

Hail the Queen!

[@saylorpartyof5]

Long live the queen!!

[@timothyodonnell8591]

@Ben Louis Queens can live for years. Three to five is normal. Female worker bees live for 1.5 to 5 months, depending on the time of year they emerged. Worker bees who emerge in summer live the shortest.

[@dwarfbunni]

damn, I get a bee in my room and I freak out throwing shit and screaming and your holding a frame with literally hundreds on it with your bare hands, Respect.

[@vinofarm]

Art blender Keep bees for a couple years and you start to understand them and why they sting. Then you learn how to act around them. It’s something anyone can learn!

[@vinofarm]

P.S. “throwing shit and screaming” is the opposite of how you should act!

[@bloody_joker12bloodyjoker72]

I understand your panic but at this point I understand slow calm movements are best to keep from getting stung

[@2subswhitoutvideos250]

Vino Farm i handle bees but hate wasps

[@Diypics]

@@vinofarm Do you still get stung at least once? I'd like to try your method...

[@niciarex3957]

If he didn’t put an arrow where Balboa was it would’ve been like finding waldo

[@berenjervin]

Yea, I've been struggling to ID queens as well. But it finally clicked for me in this vid. Queens do not have black stripes on their abdomen.

[@erinaberden7597]

I saw her before the arrow went up. Just look for the honey colored long abdomen.

[@berenjervin]

@@erinaberden7597 OK, now I hate you, cause I still struggle!! (And I mean that in a joking way!)

[@ruzahel6287]

I still don’t see her

[@polydoesgames2906]

Good comment lmao

[@dalgrim]

You could probably retire to some tropical island selling Balboa line daughters! Those genes are great. Keep up the great work and don't worry about getting behind on videos. Dealing with the loss of a 4 legged family member takes time, go at the pace you need to.

[@labella9291]

Tell me about it. There are lot of Balboa fans. I'm one of them!! I would LOVE to have her genetics, IF I had a hive. If I had hives I might have to pay Vino Farms a visit to buy a Balboa queen from him, lolol

[@rockyirish8507]

For a second there I thought he was talking about the old queen and I was like don't they have six legs hehe

[@rockyirish8507]

For a second there I had forgotten about his dog and I had thought you were talking about the bee Queen herself lol

[@Chrisbuildsstuff247]

I lost my first colony ever I’m still dealing with the loss but I’m determined to keep going and my mentor lost every single one of his colony’s in Massachusetts

[@IISheireenII]

The Queen is dead. Long live the queen.

[@tonypasma1707]

yes

[@timothyodonnell8591]

Jim- I noticed that the last few videos were centered on a single colony over the span of several weeks. I like this approach. Dont get me wrong, I like the multi-colony inspection videos, too. In my opinion, the single colony videos contain a pinch more drama. I can't wait for the extraction video!

[@christengreene7018]

Agreed, I really like this approach and the calendar graphics are great!

[@Joshua-zw5zj]

Me too it’s way more interesting like that because you see the change and don’t have to remember the last update of the hive 3 weeks ago

[@vinofarm]

I agree, these make more sense and are more satisfying to watch, but they take WAY longer to edit. Condensing two months of bee inspections down to 10-15 minutes is painful. Soooooo much footage to hunt for and re-watch. And it helps to have a satisfying finish to wrap it all up. As long as you guys are patient, I'll keep doing these.

[@timothyodonnell8591]

@@vinofarm I promise to be patient. Is anyone else with me on that?

[@christengreene7018]

@@vinofarm I bet it's laborious - thank you so much for all the effort. I've learned so much

[@deepdragon2]

I have no clue of what is going on BUT i was just as excited as you to see they did it! @_@

[@AP-fd8iy]

I thank you for your documentation about the Balboa hive. I have a similar story. This was Queen Ruby's third season. She had stopped laying eggs. The colony was a bit testy. I took her out of her colony with some of her brood and put her into a nuc box. Within two weeks she have laid more eggs. I celebrated. A few weeks ago I found no sign of her and no eggs. I did find two beautiful queen cells. Yesterday, I saw the new queen. Queen Ruby's last gift was to pass her genetics to the next generation. I hope your new Queen Balboa leads her colony well.

[@mrcerclees]

*Don’t know anything about bees but watched the whole thing*

[@nurdamiainsyirah2826]

I don’t know a heck about balboa or cups or what😂😂

[@codytaylor2772]

i just love that feeling of “yes” when you get either a new queen or a new split to start laying. i recently split my main hive on my own, first time i’ve ever done a split on my own, and a few weeks back i looked in there to see eggs, larva, and the whole nine yards. i just love that feeling that you expressed at 13:56

[@vinofarm]

Cody Taylor It never gets old!

[@izices]

The fall of Balboa || and the rise of Balboa |||, hopefully she'll be just as successful.

[@markbaker9459]

Your 'Bee yard' is so very well maintained. It is a prize winner of what a good bee yard should be!

[@jasonlaughon2897]

Don’t worry about the videos being late. We appreciate them whenever they are posted. Keep up the good work. You’re helping us not make as many mistakes as we would otherwise.

[@1nsanejochem]

I love how docile bees are usually around their keeper.

[@laurabryan6938]

Is it just me or does anybody else think it would be cool if we could see the bee yard Queen family tree

[@vinofarm]

Here's the family up until this spring: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y52ll2h7j82HsMk I'll update that video over the winter once all these colonies wrap up season 4.

[@mikeries8549]

In reality my bee family tree would look like one from Arkansas. Cousins Billy Tommy, jeffy, randy, and eddie mated with cousin Jane etc..

[@tonypasma1707]

ooooh nooo

[@chloem955]

There’s nothing I love more than when you let the bees be bees. So cool to watch!

[@kimberella2105]

My skin crawls watching this but I can’t stop watching

[@mouhsoft15]

I've watched that colony grow from a little cluster that was at your neighbor's beeyard, way to gow balboa gald to see that they're still doing ok

[@jrbailey3208]

So very sorry you lost your furry child; they are four legged furry kids, who bring great joy into our lives, and make our lives so much the better for their love, their smiles, their enthusiasm, and their mere presence. Be well. Cheers from the Oil Patch in Central WY

[@vinofarm]

Thank you. We are doing much better.

[@HunterAlakai]

Been watching you for a while. I missed the celebratory "jig" you normally do when you are successful! Lol

[@vinofarm]

Hunter Alakai I realized while editing that I never did the jig. Then I just didn’t have time to go shoot it. I was dancing on the inside.

[@beru666]

Well let's hope this oversight won't bring misfortune to the new queen.

[@tonypasma1707]

oooh noo

[@aRedstepchild]

Your videos are like a TV series. I love watching your experiences.

[@sistakia33]

Dude you have me mourning an insect! And then I find you lost your dog too! Too much sadness! At least you're handling it well. My aquatic frog died and I cried for a week straight!

[@FireAngelVampire]

Long live the balaboa line!!!! As always, love your videos!

[@richardk5246]

Great video, thank you for documenting everything and explaining what you have done. It's been an enjoyable journey watching your bees grow. Balboa has never let you down. Love it, thanks.

[@vinofarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@xaneseke9405]

You got us so hooked with these episodes! Well done! Can't wait for the next one, really enjoy they way you treat and talk about them :)

[@RoflsaurousRex09]

Don't apologize for having a life!! You do you!! Hope you're doing better!!

[@sittingporcupine]

Yeah!!! Nice to see an update on your colonies. I found you this spring, binged watched all your videos in about a week. Have been waiting with baited breath for a 2019 update..

[@Boe-Temeraire]

I don’t know how this got recommended to me but I don’t particularly care, this is really interesting. It’s so cool how your bees are so calm for you. I wonder if they learn to recognise their keepers? Like I understand that a lot of it has to do with staying calm with them, the temperament of the hive, and general safety precautions like using the smoker to make them tired/a little more docile, but they seem so chill with you.

[@carlotta4th]

Chill queens have a chill hive. Usually it's just the queen that determines the temperament--it she turns aggressive the hive does too.

[@erinspruill1752]

So sorry for the loss of your canine buddy and your matriarch. Tough week. But I am happy that Balboa’s legacy lives on. Thanks for the videos!

[@jeffmazrimas1107]

Vino. Your beekeeper experience and confidence is definitely at a higher level when you compare it to Balboa's first re-queening. You knew exactly what you wanted to do. It's a great feeling when you know how the bee system works, and what they can do. You should have probably re-queened her when she started slowing down, but... I'm sure this hive will continue to supply Balboa drama to come! I've enjoyed watching your apiary grow. You have an awesome property. (You're too sentimental about your bees. M. Palmer names his queens Martha. Old Martha goes out, new Martha goes in.)

[@heatherwanderer777]

This was great. I like all your videos, but this was especially good...loved being able to see the saga from beginning to end. Long may Queen Balboa III reign!

[@user-re7eu9hq6r]

Their should be a Queen Bee rescue for all those beauties, that have worked their hearts out! Long live the queen!

[@zmanro]

I don't even beekeep but I must say I'm impressed and really love your videos! Thank you for everything Vino!

[@vinofarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@PilotMcbride]

The Queen is dead.... Long live the Queen!! Welcome to the World Queen Balboa III. We stand with you re Pepper, James. Sadly we're still grieving the loss of our PJ, my constant daily companion for his 18 years. We can wait for your vids, just keep doing what you are doing. 🇦🇺 🍺 🐝🐝

[@vinofarm]

Thanks, Pilot!

[@patriciabajcer8930]

Pilot McBride . . .my late hubs’ dog became mine 8 years ago when he passed. . .i moved across country driving a uHaul and towing my car but with Samantha as my constant companion and my copilot. I am soooo sorry for your loss, and as I watch my Sammie slowing down. . .turning 16. . .she has had a good run but I fear it’s ending so I am telling her about your PJ so she can look for PJ when her time comes. There must be heaven or an afterlife for dogs. . .so few of them have done as much wrong as the humans to whom they were devoted. . .

[@PilotMcbride]

Patricia Bajcer my most sincere condolences to you on the loss of your husband,and I know exactly what you are going through regarding Sammie. It has been 13 months since PJ passed and I am still grieving. He was with me through 2 horrendous bout of treatment and did not ask for anything. He was a broken little fellow, a survivor of a really screwed up mother who killed 2 of the litter, PJ being 1 of 2 survivors. All he knew to do was snarl if we tried to show him an affection at all, but that only increased our love for the little fella and a desire to give him the best life we could. Through the first treatment period, he would come up on our bed, walk up on my chest, bare his teeth and growl at me. I’d lift the blanket and he’d crawl in and settle with me. If I patted him and say thank you”, he’d growl in response. He was a Pomeranian Jack Russel cross, never bit anyone except when pushed beyond his tolerance, which was quite a bit. By the time the 2nd lot of treatment arrived, I didn’t think I’d make it, and my thoughts were about family and PJ, I did what him left if I passed. If I had to go out and couldn’t take him with me he’d drive my wife crazy, barking and moving around the house whining and barking. At 15 he was totally blind and basically dependant on me for everything. I loved loved that little fellow. On his final day, Mother’s Day, he seemed to me in a lot of pain so I rushed him to our vet, who broke down when she saw him. We talked, and I said no. We sat in the vests for hours, then he stood up, wag his tail, looked at me then laid down and passed. Those in the room, my wife, the vet and me, well cried and cried. I know there are little dogs out there that need a protector, but I just can’t bring myself to replace him. I hear his little yaps around the house everyday,it is really strange, my wife can’t hear it but I can. Sometimes at 2am he (his yap) will wake me and I have to get up and walk around the house to make sure all is ok. And I’m still surrounded by the little bugger, on my phone, iPad and desktop. My friend made me a plaque with a pic of PJ & I together which is by my bed with his ashes. I’m a big burly ol’ fella educated in the school of hard knocks, but I loved our little bloke so much that, well, some might say it is unhealthy, but he was worth it. He didn’t know how to play or take commands, except “sit”, lol. For the final 4 years of his life he was totally blind and dependent, but he did know voices, smell and footsteps of most he met. We’ve got 8 in our little house and accepted everyone, except when the little ones were running around, that is when he would go and jump on our bed, his safe spot, which he could find even blind. Thank you again for your comment, I wish you and Sammie all the very best. Sending love and best wishes your way my friend.

[@Sqtgdog]

Balboa is a champ, no surprise there. I wonder if you couldn't sell those queens for big $$$ considering how well they perform with consistency.

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Glad Balboa is queen-right again! Thanks for sharing!

[@theraVen27]

Sorry about your dog. Appreciate the videos

[@hisimagenme]

Wahhooo!! Balboa is the the heavy weight champion of the Vino world!!!🤸‍♀️ Smiles and blessings...

[@TheMunderous]

Great! Thank you! Haven’t seen a video compilation like this before. It really helps to have the whole story.

[@snyper7979]

Sorry for your loss. Glad to see your Bee Colony's are doing great. Queen Balboa III will rule for years to come. Thank You for posting your video's and keeping us up to date on your progress.

[@DreamyDuskywing]

This is the first video of yours that I watched, it was in my recommended. I have now, over the last few days, watched all of your bee videos and only have one left! Queen Balboa and her Daughters are truly rockstars! I love learning about bees and would like to be able to keep my own someday. Watching your videos has been very educational, thank you for sharing your mistakes and lessons learnt as well as your reasoning. I’m sorry for your loss, it is hard to lose a furry family member and I understand the need to spend time with those you love and step back from extraneous stuff.

[@jpthedelawarebeeman7887]

Hi Jim, It's nice to see all is going well with you and yours.

[@ericknight968]

Good stuff. Hang in there. Can’t tell you how much we look forward to your vids.

[@davea4889]

Great news ! I also like the way you’re doing the videos lately..love seeing the whole story of an individual hive on a single video !

[@vinofarm]

Thanks.!

[@ThePorrustyFox]

Im glad to see a video from you again, and lots of hugs, man.

[@northeastrailway.]

I'm sorry but this was one of the most amazing, awesome, interesting thing I have ever watched lol.. watching a hive going from having a queen, to removing the old and tired queen, and adding a brand new one. Just amazing. Awesome video👍👏👏👏👏

[@bluzervic]

Yay queen balboa the 3rd. The balboa queens have built quite a legacy. You must be proud. The queen I lost last winter also built 2 hives in my yard. One of which is a monster layer.

[@bluzervic]

BTW, I was waiting for the...ta da music when you found eggs 😜

[@vinofarm]

bluzervic I went with the uplifting score instead. Had the bring the story to a close.

[@westernbotanicalmedicine]

Thank you so much for putting all these videos out. They are a real source of inspiration.

[@peter4210]

When you think about it, bees kinda work like a constitutional monarchy. They may have a queen, but the workers are the one's with the power

[@kathyb395]

I just wanted to say that I have a new appreciation for bees. I'm still a little nervous around them but don't as much as I use too. Thanks for everything you do to make these videos.

[@musicman195959]

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing. 🐝

[@dlou3264]

That was so interesting! I didn’t realize how proactive a beekeeper is! Your bees are so calm...you’re handling them without bee suit and gloves.......whoa!!!

[@cyberquasar2267]

When I was younger, about 5 or 6 I went to my town parade and they had this animal observation place, and there was a beehive there, so we could watch , as a child I was amazed with the delicacy and organization such small animals could make . Bees have a special place in my heart. Not to mention the sweet honey I love to have. Great video!! I had no idea that they struggle to survive winter :O

[@AndrewAHayes]

I wonder how long it will be before we see you grafting your own queens? Balboa is an ideal candidate!

[@matchfishinguk6986]

Need to happen

[@vinofarm]

I get this request every video, but I am sad to say that I have no interest in grafting queens. I am at capacity and do not intend to get any bigger. I just want to maintain my bee yard and propagate by splits. Eventually, my bees will all be hybrids (they already are!) and will hopefully become hearty "Northern" stock. I'm pretty much there as it is. These colonies all survived winter.

[@kellylea]

Congrats on the new line of Balboa! I've been with you and them from the beginning so I got to see and cheer each new daughter that has come along. To be honest, I still miss the original Balboa, she was something else... I'm hoping this new daughter fills out more and gains her size as she ages in the coming weeks. I will be keeping an eye on her and the other Balboa's in the yard. Wishing you, your family and of course, all the bees the best! :)

[@vinofarm]

Thanks, Kelly!

[@julieenslow5915]

Well thank heavens! The queen is dead, long live the queen! I'm expecting in a few weeks to hear you say, "Whoa! She grew! She's HUGE now!" LOL You do that for every new Balboa queen!

[@vinofarm]

It's always so AMAZING how big the Balboa bootys are.

[@julieenslow5915]

@@vinofarm agreed! Lol

[@Digger927]

Balboa II probably took a small swarm with her. Pheromone levels were probably way low. So Jim, what happened to the second queen you removed from that Balboa hive and put in a nuc? Loved the use of the music uptic beat as a bit of a spoiler, well done.

[@vinofarm]

Do you want a spoiler or do you want to wait? Ha ha.. there is a clue at the very end of the video when I talk about which hives are queenright!

[@richardmorrisette8316]

I said out loud “YES!” When he saw eggs! 🤣👍🏻 very cool content

[@jessabeebees956]

I'm so sorry to here about Pepper 😢I would always look in the background. Love the video with a quick shot of Pepper with a heart emoji. Definitely looked like that dog was loved, happy, and blessed with such a wonderful family. I'm saddened by your loss.

[@yohanneslucky5538]

Thank you for educating me.

[@ibarbadillo123]

Loved the video Jim ... thank you Looking forward to the next

[@ItsSupafly2U]

I have no idea what just happened...but I'm super excited! 😆 Bees are amazing!!

[@SERIAL_Designation-N13]

Long live the Queen!! You're amazing Balboa! Thank you for these amazing videos. I appreciate everyone of them. :-)

[@dianemilligan7370]

I know this was several years ago. But my sympathies for what you and your family had to go through when losing a wonderful dog friend. They are a special blessing but it’s so hard to let them go.

[@Dez_blank]

Yayyyy so happy Balboa hive is alive!!! 😁💜💜

[@fabiandaroca]

WOW! this is a very educational video. Thanks for sharing!

[@Gafusaf]

Thanks for the informative video.

[@rice_to]

happy to finally have some background music!

[@CuriousCreature]

Good girl! The legacy continues.

[@reomarcilo4648]

Queen Balboa🐝🤩🐝

[@sorfinaghazali5500]

i loved this video!!! it was amazing learning about bees and how they make their queens!! just wanted to pop by and say i appreciate your work!!! keep it up!!!

[@marcleblanc7021]

Long live Balboa#III !! Balboa thats a really nice queen and seems strong gentics

[@jman414999]

Nice 3rd gen queen great job..

[@prof.victormartins7762]

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE!!! I miss your victory dance! LOL It's your trade mark!!! Don't miss it next time!

[@cathybaldry7822]

Thank you I learned a lot about bees from this one video

[@sandymilton7633]

Loved this video! Thanks for sharing your bee knowledge

[@swampcrawlerls1267]

Very helpful video, thanks.

[@jennih9884]

Thanks for the video. Loved it.

[@kamauwikeepawikk9520]

Thank so much, yes we sown wild flowers for bees, bumble bees and butter flys.

[@smicksmookety]

Thanks for the videos, they're informative and to the point.

[@kamauwikeepawikk9520]

Absolutely fascinating, great video.

[@ksanurse]

Fascinating. I would love to have a hive but but I’m quite disabled my family think I couldn’t manage it. So I just watch the videos and enjoy how other people do it. I have had as many as five natural colonies in my house and on my land I think bees and me would have got along😉.

[@racheene]

Amazing! Long lived the Queen 👸

[@MamaToFive]

I watched this fascinated through the whole thing...even though I am terribly frightened of bees. This is giving me much more respect for honeybees now!

[@Veravanwhoop]

It’s amazing how the hive is so calm

[@PUGSLTD]

Beautiful video and very interesting

[@skylah1686]

Balboa as in Rocky Balboa? That is awesome dude😂

[@markkarstad2899]

What i have learned this year after going through what you documented here, is to not knock down all the queen cell i find without FIRST ensuring there are eggs being layed. You get small runty queens from larva that are too old.

[@vinofarm]

Yes, this is a good tip.

[@George-nx5lo]

Just love this channel to death, I recommend ALL new keepers and even some people who don't keep bees to watch your playlist.

[@vinofarm]

Thank you! Disclaimer... I am not a "how to" channel. I am a documentary. I make no claims anything I do is right!

[@timothyodonnell8591]

@@vinofarm And that is exactly why we love your channel!

[@markord]

Just. Caught up on all 4 years of your bee keeping journey. Incredible. I can’t believe you went from a single hive to this entire yard of bees. They are all doing incredibly well too. Have you gotten much ho eh this year? Looks like you had a few full supers from balboa III there.

[@michaelpisapia]

Wonderful video- I'm waiting for the continuing saga! Great news about Balboa III... Keep up the great work ;-)

[@vinofarm]

Thanks, man!

[@justwinks1553]

Hugs. Sorry to hear about Pepper.

[@Damienggj]

Really enjoyed this

[@Jessebella1]

No idea what I was watching or why it was recommended or what the guys talking about, but it was cool ! Great video

[@sweettea735]

Wow your shaders did wonders for this new bee update!!!

[@davidwedell6167]

Great news and video!

[@bidyutsarma3725]

Why am I so fascinated by this can't stop watching damit KZbin

[@scythwing]

love music choice really fits

[@josephwoodall832]

Very cool I'm thinking of experimenting with a two queen hive next year.