Yellow Jacket Wasps Continue to Attack Bee Hive #7 follow up. How Honey Bees sting and Kill Wasps.

[@TheUnknownBeekeeper]

You've taken it to next level with your videography, very awesome Thanks

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks :)

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Real StarWars strategies directed and produced by Frederick , you’re the man

[@anthonyc9911]

Love this video. And I Love my hive gates. Big brown paper wasp at 18:42/18:46

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, and it's odd to see that paper wasp in the hive, I actually keep the paper wasps around and don't remove their nests. Very passive normally.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

Watching the bees dying makes my heart sad. Bee vs bee is ok but wasp vs bee doesn't seem like a fair fight. What the heck kind of wasp was that at 18:43?

[@BlackKEMET_]

Why you have to use Jesus name in vain would you use your mother name in vain?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Christina, honey bees vs wasps is an age old competition. It's not a fair fight head to head and this is why the honey bees prevail with superior numbers and a reliance on social behaviors that include bees that are divided by task. While the guards are fighting the intruders, others are still foraging, feeding brood, providing for the queen etc... The wasp at 18:43 is a paper wasp and it's very rare to see one inside a bee hive. They are also after any sugary liquid this time of year. Things with this colony are not as bad as they seem. They are still foraging and making winter preparations in spite of the wasps.

[@ChristinaTodd1970]

@@FrederickDunn The "Rocky" hive!

[@FLOWERSANDSUNSHINE22]

I realize this is part of "nature" and how our eco-system works. It's still quite heartbreaking to see bees killed due to the Wasps. :(

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

I think he said the bees wer killed by bees cause they were robbing? not wasps killing bees ust robbing i think?

[@lizimpey6338]

@@thehiveandthehoneybee9547 Hi, I noticed some bees attacking robber bees but I also saw the bees attacking wasps. Hope that helps😁

[@JSRocker1776]

Is that a paper wasp inside the hive at 18:43?

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

i saw that too!

[@FrederickDunn]

True :)

[@cbbees1468]

Epic battle music! I hope Colony 007 makes it, maybe a wooden shim blocking part of the HiveGate and some feed would also help them. Thanks again for your info and superb video footage!

[@FrederickDunn]

Oh man! I should have named it the 007 colony and used some similar music!

[@cbbees1468]

@@FrederickDunn Ohh that would be funny with honey bees scampering around with that music. Then the boroscope would also emulate looking through the scope for the opening credits of the Sean Connery James Bond films. "It's Bee, Bee Bond."

[@lgalardi]

Wow! Incredible footage, Fred! I've never seen video from that perspective before. And the close-ups of the yellow jackets on the ground was just as engaging. Thank you so much for taking the time

[@brettwashburn9611]

@FrederickDunn (23:52) how does it feel to have witnessed a new dance?! Will you be coining it "the donut"? I look forward to your discussions with Tom on this new breakthrough at the next National Honey Bee Expo :)

[@ScammerFraud]

Do more of wasp

[@bradgoliphant]

Hey Frederick. A helpful tip on the hive gates. Over the past two days I’ve watched just about everything there is on these, and have learned in order for them to work as designed, the should be placed directly under frames-like 3/8ths” directly under the bottom of the frames. The reason being, explained by the hive gate team, is that this is designed to touch the bottom of the brood cluster, so wasp are met directly with bees. For this same reason, if the bees can’t gather around a it’s inside opening, it can’t be used to regulate temps and humidity like it was designed. Just passing along some stuff I learned. Grateful

[@FrederickDunn]

I know that's the design/intent. I've done them with and without the slatted racks. When wintering, the cluster departed from the hive gate and rose into the hive as they followed their winter resources. The bees also did not thermo-regulate the hive gate opening/channel in winter as designed. This is an example of how bees in different climates take advantage of the hive gate channel differently. True, the inventor doesn't want a space above the Hive Gate, so I've done it both ways. Encoscopes are fantastic tools for observing how the bees manage the Hive Gate entrances. So, in an area without heavy winters, that may be the ticket even in winter.

[@bradgoliphant]

@@FrederickDunn grateful!!!!

[@erniewethington7707]

How did that paper wasp get by l0l 18:55

[@offgridbydesign3826]

Great video! I put a bead of silicone around my hive gate to block wind and light

[@Michael-yl2iq]

I am in Tennessee and the yellow jackets seem to be failing at getting through the hive gates. Temperatures are still in the 70s. Unfortunately robbing bees do seem to be forcing the way in the weaker colonies even after I reduced the opening size. I can keep trying to protect them but it seems colony strength is a major factor with the bees.

[@Retanaru]

You can close the colony up for a day or two with a mesh and feed them. It'll let the smells of distress dissipate, but they will get attacked again if the colony truly is weak.

[@cbbees1468]

I would use a wooden shim to block part of the HiveGate to help the guard bees. Probably would want to check it every morning in case a skunk or a raccoon pushed the block off or completely blocked the entrance.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

@@cbbees1468 I reduced the opening of the hive gate with rolled up copper mesh that the bees cannot pass through. I can try to use a small wooden block tomorrow. I have not yet completely closed the opening.

[@cbbees1468]

@@Michael-yl2iq Gotcha, I think even reducing the size of the HiveGate by at least half with a wooden block should help. Last year, lost a colony due to Yellow Jackets so I no longer use upper entrances.

[@Michael-yl2iq]

@@cbbees1468 The Yellow Jackets still have not breached the hive gates, or a least as far as I have seen to date. The hive gate (lower) is the only entrance. I have reduced it by half. Tomorrow, if the robbing bees continue to harass them, I will use your suggestion, place wood block and close it down to only 1/2" width. After that nature will take its course and I will assume the colony was too weak and I should have combined it before this point.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

this is great stuff! looking inside was awesome adn loved the dead wasps at the ending!!! hope they get through ok that entrance systmn is looking almost good enough to buy!!! thnks mr dunn!

[@roberthowells]

Remarkable work, Fred! Thanks for sharing it.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hey! Thank you Bert! See you again soon! :)

[@Peter_Gunn]

Mr Dunn you are making truly great videos. Such an epic battle. I would have never thought that many yellow jackets would actually make it inside the hive. Thanks for sharing. Truly eye opening.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you.

[@katj7641]

Nasty things, yellow jackets but Good to see the hive gate working for that hive. Thanks for sharing, Mr. Dunn.

[@hugabee2580]

Thank you for your time and effort

[@mjgbabydragonlet]

I must say, the music was really fun in this one!

[@904bees]

Great music. Feel like I’m watching the final battle of a superhero movie. Thanks for the content Fred.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you! My wife just told me she thought the music was too much :)

[@stgermain1074]

@@FrederickDunn Music was great - I thought I was watching a Marvel movie.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

i liked it to!!

[@donbearden1953]

Fred, thank you so much for this wonderful video! On your previous video you said about one in ten of the yellow jackets were gaining entry and I couldn’t understand why they were letting so many in. On this video it looks as if the majority of the ones gaining entry weren’t making it out alive! It was joyful to see so many more dead yellow jackets on the ground than honey bees.

[@FrederickDunn]

I definitely like how things turn in favor of the bees when the temps rise. I don't think the wasps were very successful in getting into the honey stores, I tilted the hive and it's still pretty heavy. I have my fingers crossed for this colony. Always nice to see your comments Don :)

[@billymac9330]

Excellent video, your attention to detail is amazing Fred! Thank you for posting.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you!

[@Darren_Nicola]

This is definitely a different view thanks, hope the colds better👍🏻 night take care all 🇬🇧

[@14623carolanne]

Go 7! Thank you Fred great video. I watched my girls take down a yellow jacket wasp...I'm a proud mama lol

[@FrederickDunn]

It is very nice to see them hold their own indeed.

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Noticed some varroa mites in the bottom of my yellow jacket trap this morning. Haven't had time to go thru see exactly how many.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's very interesting. Yellow Jackets don't get varroa destructor mites, so is there any chance you also trapped some honey bees?

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

@@FrederickDunn they use yellow jackets as a vessel bumble bees as well Don't think they reproduce on them but they do catch a ride sometimes . My bees are clean I treat with apivar twice oav as late fall clean up very big on mite washes. Haven't seen over 1/2% mite levels in over a year in anything. Mites were spreading black cell virus killing my queen rearing operation cost me thousands in lost sales so I'm all over the mites. Not sure whats happened. Seems like there's a missing link on exactly where mites are coming from. Look at those 200 colony's spread out across the Yukon couldn't be more secluded yet they have the same problem with mites. Seems like once they're gone they stay gone. 6 months brood breaks. Something we don't know gotta bee

[@gregcrenshaw5206]

Amazing videography Fred! I'll look to see what kind of camera you used. Convincing argument for HyfeGate. Greg Crenshaw Muscle Shoals, AL

[@ray77j]

Nice video. Ive got a couple cameras on my solo hive. Using the guardian hive entrance in combo with the hive-gate. Every afternoon around 5pm they are really clustered at the entrance. They seem isolated from other bees and haven't seen wasps this time of the season here in the Southern Nevada desert.

[@phillee2814]

Epic battle scenes with a great soundtrack, Fred. I wonder if someone with better workshop facilities than I and certainly far better dexterity could design a temperature-controlled door of some kind to increase the defences even further. It would need some careful supervision, particularly in testing, but might reduce the window of opportunity when wasps can be active and bees can't. Not going to help much with inter-colony robbing though.

[@billmeeks9860]

Fred, this was a fascinating video!!!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you my brother :) I think I may be doing a series of inside the hive views.

[@billmeeks9860]

That's a great idea, I look forward to watching it.

[@no1slisteninganyway]

Thanks, Fred. I liked the battle music too.

[@FrederickDunn]

You're very welcome, Christopher!

[@PapaBee165]

Great video. I really appreciate your help.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad it was helpful.

[@paulahello7435]

This is great! It answered the question I asked yesterday. Thanks 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

Excellent!

[@kevinkaplan7050]

This is fascinating, thank you for putting it together!

[@stgermain1074]

Yesterday I went into all my hives, reduced them down for winter and added sugar syrup. They each drank a gallon of 2:1 in one day! Today 2 of the 3 were repelling robbers early in the day. All three hives had BeeSmart robbing screens and although bees and yellow jackets were poking around trying to get between boxes, the entrances seemed to be holding. I wish I had an endoscope like yours to check - I'm afraid if I open the hives to check on them I'll just set it all off again.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, opening the hives this time of year can spark a robbing spree that continues well after things are buttoned up. It's the highest season for competition and fever-pitched attacks. Honey bees lose their reservations once they get a taste of honey and don't seem to be stoppable. Those robbing screens have saved colonies for me in the past.

[@voltz3346]

Interesting. Do you still have that feeder bowl out in that area? If so, the yellow jackets will chose to fight a colony to rob it over feeding freely at the bowl?

[@FrederickDunn]

I have a feeding station to the east of the apiary and we have wasp traps out that are filled daily.

[@JoSeeFuss]

So, why haven't you just closed the hive?

[@evonnewhalen9794]

That was so cool. I have often wondered what it looks like inside of a hive.

[@_J.F_]

Great to see how the HiveGate works through this remarkable footage. I had probably expected it to deter the wasps more than it seems to do, but it does give the bees the option of a double guard system, one being at the actual entrance, and then a second level inside the hive. I personally find the wasps to be very persistent this year but with reduced entrances even my weakest hive seems to be coping. On that particular hive I have reduced the entrance down to just 1 inch in width, which is actually plenty unless we get a warm sunny day, when I can then open it up to about 2 inches. The biggest problem, as you also mention, is early and late in the day, when the bees are not flying, or particularly active, giving the wasps unchallenged access to the goodies. Having my hives less than 20 yards from my back door, I suppose I could close the entrances after dark, and then not open them up again until next morning when it warms up, but maybe that is taking things a bit far, even for a backyard beekeeper 😄

[@sunnya5632]

Look at minute 18:44 you'll see a different kind of wasp in the hive!! What is he Fred?

[@FrederickDunn]

That's your friendly neighborhood paper wasp taking advantage of the maylay... kind of like the guy who picks someone's pocket while they are fighting someone else.

[@russellkoopman3004]

Fred, are you running some YJ traps in your apiary? I have three out and it really seemed to cut down their numbers. After seeing this and your other video and am going to be more vigilant in controlling these nasty pests.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

i have traps everywhere!!! hate satans hlpers! what kind are u using?

[@FrederickDunn]

My traps are out and northeast of the apiary. They are filled and emptied daily this time of year.

[@russellkoopman3004]

@@FrederickDunn I thought so. Question: The Hive Gate looks like a good tool. What I was wondering if there would be a problem keeping them on during the winter in MN or a zone 4 or earlier? Cold air would come into the hive right under the cluster. Since cold air is heavier than warm air it shouldn't create a problem. If there is a strong wind on the front of the hive this may force cold air right up under the cluster. With a normal entrance the air would probably go up the front side not hitting the cluster directly. Maybe a Friday question and answer thing??

[@russellkoopman3004]

@@thehiveandthehoneybee9547 The plastic ones from Amazon that Fred showed a while back. They are cheaply made but effective. I use some strawberry jam diluted in sugar water with some bacon hanging on a string inside.

[@kamelionify]

An amazing video Fred. These bees are going to need more resources after this epic battle

[@FrederickDunn]

Absolutely, I'm on hot standby to provide in-hive feeding once the wasps find other things to do.

[@tommartins712]

good stuff!!! quite a different perspective. thank you!!!

[@susanwhite1641]

This was just amazing. Thank you Fred :)

[@FrederickDunn]

You're welcome :)

[@sallypatriot9015]

It's Amazing how you was able to get this footage of Wasps invading a Bee Hive hard to find on KZbin! You are humbling & Smart as heck ✌❤😂

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you very much!

[@pcelarskisokak]

Great video, shows many interesting details inside the hive. Hive gate definitely makes defense easier but the key is beekeeping with strong bee communities.Wasps, hornets and other should be solved earlier in the spring so they could not expand during the season.There is a very simple trap, ordinary plastic bottle with beer and fruitjuice inside, only you need to make holes on the side with a diameter of 15mm.Change time to time this mixture and I am sure that you could not beleive how many enemies may be eliminated per day. Bees are not interested in this trap.Howewer, it is important to say that one killed wasp in the spring means less robbers in the autumn when the temperature is on robbers side.The problem needs to be solved in the start and several wasps on the apiary will not be a threat.Large number of wasps is normal around the apiary due to they have enough food so we must act on time to protect our bees.As we can see fight is present in the hive.Basic idea is to move fight in the trap where bees do not suffer losses.Greetings from Croatia.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing how you manage wasps.

[@williambowers5994]

That hive must be really light.

[@FrederickDunn]

Definitely lighter than it should be. Once the attacks slow, I hope to boost it a tad.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

how do you know?

[@kennith.]

Thank you Fred. Great footage again. Just a question, the part of the Hivegate that is inside the hive, next season can you do an experiment and reduce the opening inside the actual hive narrower, maybe the 3/8" that you have at the entrance. Just to see if the smaller opening will help with robbing. Just like we reduce the hive entrances to slow down robbing, we can reduce the opening as they are getting robbed. if that worked then the designer can make a sliding part.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Kennith, I think we'll just stay with using them as directed by the inventor so that we can really provide good and consistent data about the HiveGate units as is. Then, after a consensus is built regarding what works or what may be improved, we'll leave that to the inventor. When I agree to evaluate something, I try to stay true to design for consistency. I personally wanted to stuff leaves in one side of the hivegate during this situation, but then that would alter the results.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for watching!

[@TerryWheelyabarrabackApiary]

Excellent video !

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you very much!

[@imstephen100]

What happens if you feed the bees inside the hive and provide a feeding area away from the hive for the yellow jackets?

[@FrederickDunn]

We already do that very thing. And we have yellow jacket traps that fill daily.

[@imstephen100]

@@FrederickDunn I have only 2 hives so that may make a difference. Thank you for your response

[@Bee_Cathy]

Hi I am looking into buying hivegate entrances for my hives. Two years later do you continue to utilize the hive gates on your hives? Wondering if there is any other entrance you have found and utilized since this video. Thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

The reports from those keepers who previously suffered profound losses to wasps have consistently claimed that these entrances save hives. For me, they have that advantage, but I don't have the same wasp pressure that those in other geographical locations have. I have them on the shelf and will install on any hive that seems to be facing that challenge, or as a layer of robbing protection at the end of the year. That's how I use them. It's very difficult to validate the interior climate benefits that they are also intended to produce.

[@mbgal7758]

It’s a battle royal in the afternoon isn’t it? There are quite a few robber bees getting the business too. Are all the insects that are trying to escape through the light at the front robber bees and wasps?

[@FrederickDunn]

They are indeed.

[@Mbusybuu]

What insect was that at 18:44-18:46?

[@FrederickDunn]

Paper Wasp.

[@TheRealFremmed]

what's the spray at 18:24?

[@FrederickDunn]

I know that looks like something squirted up, but it's just the light flashing off of a wing passing.

[@donaldmacrae5024]

Thanks again, very interesting, music was great, my weaker hive was under attack by yellow jackets, and fight was intense, the feed seemed to be what they were after, so using a common feeder drew the wasps away from the hive, the 2-1 syrup, attracted many different types of polinators , when the rain came, the bees left and the wasps drowned 😜seems like they just couldn't leave, while the bees were more fussy. Once again thank you for the knowledge and perspective, and your service.

[@eileenanders]

Thanks Fred! So far, do you think the hive- gate works better than the robbing screen from Bee smart ?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes I do, and that's because the hive gate units remain on all the time and we don't have to think about them. AND, they serve as a mouse guard. Robbing screens are intended to be temporary. We'll see how winter goes.

[@sonofthunder.]

finally did my O A. treated 6 colonies ,was fairly easy w johnos easy vap, gave a strong dose,rain storms this weekend nw ark,great job w borascope frederick ,i did see some pollen comin in asters still bloomin,will grow some next yr

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, they are still bringing in pollen. This is a challenging time of year for them, and us as keepers. :)

[@sonofthunder.]

@@FrederickDunn today i saw bees w DWV ,so im keeping a close eye on them and my OA regiment

[@angelacross2216]

Frederick, if the hive was more insulated and presumably warmer, would the bees be more able to defend the hive earlier in the morning?

[@FrederickDunn]

A larger hive population would satisfy that problem. If we get another warmup I'll be able to better assess colony strength. At last inspection they filled six frames.

[@naturesblossom7779]

Great footage and a good choice of music too 😀! Thanks for sharing.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you! I was expecting some complaints about the music, but it appears that it worked :)

[@jedsackett5255]

Afternoon Fred Have you always has trouble with yellow jackets? I'm a first year bee keeper. I live in Mississippi and so far have had no trouble with them. I was wondering if you had much trouble with yellow jackets during your first few years of bee keeping and if over time the yellow jackets have determined that bees are always "here" and more have moved into your area ?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yellow jackets are always here, they present a challenge this time of year. The rest of the year not much of an issue.

[@Grimthings]

Wow, so fascinating.

[@tjones2ful]

I wonder if you can a scope with a red light.

[@FrederickDunn]

You could probaly just put a plastic filter over the lense, but it would cut down the clarity quite a bit.

[@JaynBea]

Thanks for the highly educational videos. Your dedication to backyard beekeeping has been very educational and insightful, and has significantly impacted the way i manage my hives. Keep up the excellent work in educating the hobby beekeeper community. J.M. Smith, CRTT, RRT, MBA

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, Jay!

[@susanmarich5487]

This makes me excited to get that hivegate! Go hive 007

[@FrederickDunn]

Hive 007.... if they make it, they just may be my next t-shirt design :)

[@TrickyTrev01]

Awesome as always Fredrick thanks for sharing. It’s great to see what goes on inside and outside the hive when under attack. I have just ordered 6 hive gates and entrances to use on mine and my brother’s hives. TrickyTrev 🇦🇺👍🐝🍯

[@FrederickDunn]

I have to say that I continue to be impressed with them. It is definitely a great source of information, being able to see inside the hive. I think I'll conduct more evaluations this way going forward. Thanks for watching and commenting as always!

[@RyanMcDonnough]

Did you consider shaking-in a few frames of nurse bees from a strong hive to boost this weak colony’s population?

[@FrederickDunn]

Earlier in the year, I'd definitely do that, but this time of year I want to leave the other colonies as populated as possible. Since they are all drawing down their brood cells, those would likely end up being the fat-bodied winter bees.

[@RyanMcDonnough]

@@FrederickDunn True. September would’ve been a better time to shake-in frames of bees

[@pirateprospecting707]

Great footage!!✅😁👍

[@michaelcaballero1346]

Amazing 👍👍👍

[@specialiste-anti-nuisibles]

Bonne vidéo merci Good vidéo. Thanks

[@letseatsteak]

Curious about your make and model of scope. I purchased one last year that was junk.

[@FrederickDunn]

You're the second person to ask, I'll post the link in the description. I have to track it down.

[@letseatsteak]

@@FrederickDunn thank you! Great video BTW, as always.

[@noahriding5780]

Quite telling to it this way. This is really good to tell what happens and affects the bee winterization. Its upsetting that they penetrate so badly in the night hours. But I suspect this is happening to many hives everywhere.

[@FrederickDunn]

Definitely, the more we know, the better we can support our bees.

[@noahriding5780]

@@FrederickDunn I can find plenty of sources that quote the flying temperature minimums or bees but not anything at all for yellowjackets. Curious if you had an idea on it? I'm hoping, and wondering at what point in the winter the yellow jacket problem will go away? (Or...if it doesn't go away?) Still killing them by the hundreds, and they are swarming the smaller hives. It makes me worry over the chances a small hive can have to get through it.

[@1080760]

Small swarm. Why not use a 5 frame hive? And make the entrance reduced down more to make for easier defense?

[@FrederickDunn]

They were too large for a nucleus box. This is part of the HiveGate study that's why they are not configured differently.

[@Peter-od7op]

Great vdo you have out done yourself

[@Zerkbern]

I've been trying to decide on a borescope to buy. There are so many to choose from! Which one do you use and do you like it?

[@FrederickDunn]

I should probably add a link to this one... thanks for asking.

[@woodyforest7308]

Wow great educational vid buddy

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you.

[@slkpilot]

Queen at 19:10 mark?

[@FrederickDunn]

nope...

[@sonofthunder.]

i was afraid to use firmic pro, because your supposed to remove entrance stick,i guess i could still with added #8 ,screen allowing propper off gassing, yet mitigating robbing,i dont have hivegates,...so im doing a regiment if OA and keep formic pro on hot standby 🔥 thank you

[@carsonsflyinghigh]

13:15 varroa mite walks across , left to right

[@FrederickDunn]

I dont' think that's a varroa mite, more likely an ant.

[@SteveDratwa]

are the queen y-jackets bigger then the foragers??,,i been finger smashin some pretty big ones the size of a bald face hornets and the bald face hornets are gone,,we had frost 3 days ago,,,GREAT VIDZ

[@FrederickDunn]

These young queens are a little larger than the standard female foragers. Sometimes not by much, the markings are more of a tell.

[@barbaraduncan9524]

Where did you get the metal

[@barbaraduncan9524]

Where did you get the metal part that is around the hive gate?

[@FrederickDunn]

It's sold as an option with the HiveGate units.

[@breau8]

So what do you fo to stop this? I lost 9 hives fir these intruders. And what happened was the all the bees just left the hive left there honey their cat brew and left I took them apart to get rid of the wasp I had washed traps out nothing seemed to deter them from taking over nine hives small entrances it was absolutely crazy, and it’s very heartbreaking to lose nine hived all that work oh my gosh.

[@FrederickDunn]

The colony has to be healthy and well populated, then adding narrow entrances that they can defend is very important. A single entrance. Beyond that, there isn't much more you can do.

[@breau8]

Yes thanknyou thats what i did. Blessings

[@enricolovadina3560]

Very good.

[@Lilhomeintheredwoods101]

Thank you, this is epic!

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you like it!

[@14623carolanne]

Hi Fred. Did u say bees could not digest sugar syrup colder than 50? If so is it science somewhere I can read? I ask because someone is telling beeks technically you can feed 2:1 all winter. Im one zone Warmer than you are.I commented bees could not digest syrup colder than 50 now I'm being bullied. Some FB groups are brutal lol

[@FrederickDunn]

I hope they are really not bullying you Carol, that's bad form no matter what the topic is. Bees have been known to go into a state of shock when ingesting cold syrup. The argument would be that bees can warm the food adjacent to their cluster as they do honey. Syrups that are honey level concentrated sugar "could" be used, but dry feeding is preferred in winter when it's provided on top. Some put jars of honey on for winter and that's of course comparable to a heavy syrup. Cold syrup up in the feeder shim can't really be utilized by the bees in winter and the liquid isn't helpful. Dry feeding in winter is much preferred or actual honey. It's not that they can't "digest" it, they can't/don't use it unless it's warmed up.

[@14623carolanne]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you. It's the commercial beeks that said to backyard beeks that you could feed 2:1 technically. I sent them an article from Cornell about winterizing and the article said dont feed 2:1 in the cold switch to sugar. Also I thought you mentioned that some feeders freeze when they thaw the sugar water drips down onto the cluster. Yea it was highly suggested that I stop watching the internet and stop reading books and listen to a specific person that has more hives than I ever would. Lol I just ignored them. That's why I only post on Way to bee

[@mr.c2363]

Thanks for the look from the inside. Would providing bottom heat to the hive help with more guard bees at the entrance?

[@FrederickDunn]

I would rather not add any artificial heat sources.

[@jmacd8817]

Epic fight vid. Fred, I’m a bit surprised that you don’t take a more aggressive stance against yellow jackets. I love watching your feeder videos, but cringe when I watch all the wasps eating safely. I would be trapping and killing as many as possible. This isn’t a dig, just a friendly comment about difference of method/opinion . 🙂

[@bubblegumplastic]

He's studying the effectiveness of the HiveGate. It was explained in yesterday's video.

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

he has vids of burning wasps i hink hes jsut testing the entry as is and is waiting to see?! i think its about the hfegate

[@jmacd8817]

I know he's testing the hivegate. And I saw him burn the wasp nest. I've also seen his feeder and watering tests over the last couple years (prior to hive gate release) where wasps, and even an occasional hornet, join the feast. During those tests, if I were the one running them, I would have trapped the wasps. That's all.

[@bubblegumplastic]

@@jmacd8817 Wasps have an important function in food production. They help regulate crop pests, and they pollinate, including flowers bees will not visit. If bees are important to you because they play an important role in the cycle of food production, then wasps should probably also be important to you.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi J MacD, As others have noted here already, in order for us to truly test a new piece of equipment, it's important to use it as designed and as directed by the inventor. I have long had issue with yellow jackets and we do trap them (traps emptied daily) and remove nests that are near the apiary or where pedestrians walk. The aggressive stance is, for the moment, these hivegate units that can turn a bee hive into a wasp disposal unit. This colony size, in the past, would have just been initially invaded by wasps and then the other honey bees would move in on the distracted guards and completely robbed them out. I think this may appear dramatic, but is actually aiding in preserving this small colony. We have these units on half of the hives in the apiary and the losses have been profoundly reduced. I hope that helps fill in the gaps regarding my thinking and inaction here. I would love sitting there and just nabbing the wasps as they landed on this hive landing board, but then we wouldn't have the answers we seek regarding the HiveGate function.

[@lizimpey6338]

Hi Frederick, this has to be one of your best videos! At first I thought oh no the wasps were going to get the upper hand 😭 but I’m so pleased I stayed with it. Do you think the gateway is not so helpful? Or is it still worth trying? We’re this yellow jackets of different sorts or from the same nest? Great stuff, thank you 😊

[@FrederickDunn]

We have no way of knowing if they are from sevaral area nests, but thus far I am impressed with the HiveGate enrances. For me, the ultimate test is wintering and that's yet to be observed. This was the worst case scenario that I could find in my apiary, the other hives with these units are buzzing along nicely.

[@lizimpey6338]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you for answering my questions! Waiting for the next video. Each video gets better. I’m hoping the Bees win through in the end 👏👏👏😁👍

[@СеменТарасов-э2т]

Посмотрел, Поучительно, Удачи Здоровья Вам

[@FrederickDunn]

Это вызов, спасибо за просмотр и комментарии.

[@СеменТарасов-э2т]

С удовольствием смотрю ВАШ канал,Где разъесняеете просто, доходчево, Меня интерисует только ПЧЕЛОВОДСТВА

[@SOMEONE-hv3xc]

i'd say that u should just make it nigh impossible for the wasps to get in. Because even if just one wasp worker gets back to the hive, it could bring back a force of wasps that are much more prepared against the defenders, and if enough wasps get in, they might be able kill off the defenders and get free reign over the hive's resources. I think this bc yellowjackets can easily kill bees with a single sting and their armour allows them to shrug of most scratches that would be otherwise fatal to the honeybees' less thick exoskeleton. You might want to put some sort of mini-gate, where it closes in the early morning and its connected to ur temp reader and it can open once temperatures hit around 60 farenheit

[@mikesbeesllc]

Eastern yellow jacket queens have a row of spots down each side on back of abdomen. Workers have just bars.

[@FrederickDunn]

So are you seeing lots of queens here?

[@mikesbeesllc]

@@FrederickDunn I see both queens and workers

[@williambowers5994]

Can't take Fred, get the Flame thrower

[@FrederickDunn]

It was so hard not to reach down and smush those yellow jackets with my finger... trying to stay scientific on this one :)

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

i thought that was waht he was donna do when I saw this one!!!!!

[@williambowers5994]

I could not take it, would have to get the fly swater.

[@kimberlypaulson4545]

Can you explain why more action isn't being taken? to protect your bees? I am trying to understand. Thank you

[@thehiveandthehoneybee9547]

cause bees can protedt themselves hes showing that pretty good.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Kiimberly, the action taken to protect the bees is the hive-gate units. Had the bees been left with a standard entrance reducer, the wasps would have had even a greater advantage. We also have wasp traps out and they are filling up daily. In the past, a small colony like this one would have simply been robbed out completely. I hope that makes sense?

[@madddog7]

_Very_ dramatic and as said elsewhere: "epic battle music" I need to make better use of my borescope. I have only used it to check that I haven't set the hive on fire when OAVaporizing

[@carsonsflyinghigh]

Where are you located?

[@FrederickDunn]

U.S. Northeastern

[@chasebrunner]

Yellow Jackets Are Trying To Get In My Hive Now Saw 5 Yesterday Killed Them Fly Swatter Soon As They Land

[@robertmathurin739]

🇱🇨👍🏿♥️

[@albestarkhonglam3551]

I love you my friend

[@JoSeeFuss]

If you put out some meat, they'd probably leave the hive alone

[@FrederickDunn]

They aren't interested in meat this time of year.

[@tomasjosefvela1]

Just came across this video, well came across this persons other video first of wasps ravaging, or trying to, his honey bees, this is a link to the second one which I thought immediately of yours. Maybe you can do something similar considering the yellow jackets you are dealing with are bigger than the bees... hope it helps kzbin.info/www/bejne/moDJc52mrcqig7s

[@FrederickDunn]

These yellow jackets can get through any hole a honey bee can. Those in the linked video are much larger. I'm so glad we don't have those here.

[@tomasjosefvela1]

​@@FrederickDunn I know right!!! that's a shame, It's definitely a thinker.