Beginner Beekeeping Q and A Tech Pollinator Drones to Moving Hives

Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers Session. The Shortest Day of the Year! (Saturday)
Welcome beginning beekeepers, here are the topics discussed in this video:

1) When is it a good time to move beehives, what if I don't want to move them miles as many say to do. Is winter a good time for that"

2) If you have Weaver bees and your queen swarms, have you noticed a drop off in varroa resistance with the newly mated queen being that she will mix with local drones?

3) Venting! In the deep south where it's hot, would it be ok to add an upper vent and would 9 frames instead of 10 in medium supers help ventilate the hive? Does a gabled roof offer more venting than a flat?

4) How do you determine when it's the right time to remove old honeycomb?

5) Hoe did you become interested in beekeeping?

6) I heard a speaker say that bees only have a 3 day memory. Should I close up a hive for three days before moving it so the bees will relocate themselves? With winter here and the bees clustering, is winter a good time to move or would the jostling that will occur be harmful in making the bees break cluster?

7) With plenty of wild bees on my 2,500 acre farm, If I set up a flowhive near the wild colonies, what are the chances of a swarm moving in if I use something like Swarm Commander. Would it be better to use a dedicated swarm trap?

8) If the bees make all this honey, they must do it because they need it. Then we come along and take it, doesn't that leave the bees short?

9) What are your thoughts on drone pollination services. Can they really pollinate the way bees do?

10) I'm surprised that you treated your hives this year for varroa, why did you make that decision and how does oxalic acid kill mites?

11) Can I just paint my hives interior with propolis, since it's so beneficial to the bees? Thoughts?

12) The temperatures are mid 20's F at night and 40 as a high in the daytime. Yellow Jackets are still flying and some try to go in my beehives. Do they cluster like bees do? I'm considering putting traps out!

Thank you all for submitting your questions! Reverence links to products mentioned in today's video are below:

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[Adam.Holmes.]

1) When is it a good time to move beehives, what if I don't want to move them miles as many say to do. Is winter best? 2:05
2) If you have Weaver bees and your queen swarms, have you noticed a drop off in varroa resistance with the newly mated queen being that she will mix with local drones? 5:02
3) Venting! In the deep south where it's hot, would it be ok to add an upper vent and would 9 frames instead of 10 in medium supers help ventilate the hive? Does a gabled roof offer more venting than a flat? 11:08
4) How do you determine when it's the right time to remove old honeycomb? 20:05
5) Hoe did you become interested in beekeeping? 25:31
6) I heard a speaker say that bees only have a 3 day memory. Should I close up a hive for three days before moving it so the bees will relocate themselves? With winter here and the bees clustering, is winter a good time to move or would the jostling that will occur be harmful in making the bees break cluster? 28:05
7) With plenty of wild bees on my 2, 500 acre farm, If I set up a flowhive near the wild colonies, what are the chances of a swarm moving in if I use something like Swarm Commander. Would it be better to use a dedicated swarm trap? 31:56
8) If the bees make all this honey, they must do it because they need it. Then we come along and take it, doesn't that leave the bees short? 38:15
9) What are your thoughts on drone pollination services. Can they really pollinate the way bees do? 47:40
10) I'm surprised that you treated your hives this year for varroa, why did you make that decision and how does oxalic acid kill mites?57:35
11) Can I just paint my hives interior with propolis, since it's so beneficial to the bees? Thoughts? 1:12:00
12) The temperatures are mid 20's F at night and 40 as a high in the daytime. Yellow Jackets are still flying and some try to go in my beehives. Do they cluster like bees do? I'm considering putting traps out! 1:19:45

[masterbeekeeperyears]

It's been a while Mr Dunn and you always have done a great job with your explanations. I've sent several beekeeping friends to watch your videos. Merry Christmas to YOU!!! Toxicity levels in old comb is particularly troubling. Glad you pointed that out!!! Freshen the comb every chance you get. I appreciate your time and efforts!

[TerryRomanko]

Another great video, Fred! I'm having a hard time waiting for April for my box bees and BeeWeaver queens to be delivered to start the hands-on Beekeeper journey. Your 44 QandA sessions and many shorter clips have me confident to get going. Going to a beginner beekeeper class at the end of January will be icing on the cake I get from you! Thanks for being willing to share your time and knowledge. Best wishes for this Holiday season.

[PsycheD]

Fred,
I have been watching faithfully since before Q&A. I say this with love; please keep your Q&A videos under 60 minutes.

1. Life is busy, and I rarely have time to sit and watch for much longer. I can pause and come back, but I hate to pause in the middle of a question.
2. I understand that you really want to get to all the good questions of that week; I admire that. Just break an episode into two parts.
3. IMHO, your lecture is better organized and focused when you cover less in one sitting.
4. Pedagogy principles advise that people learn more when information is in shorter time periods.

Thanks and happy holidays

[mrcreditunion]

Wow Fred! 44 episodes is incredible. Thank you for being my main resource during my first year beekeeping. You made this process more enjoyable and less stressful, Merry Christmas!

[weasleoop]

Nice long video Fred. Its 53 degrees and raining today and my bees are out foraging on pollen and sugar I put out for them.

[theresamcpherson]

Greeting Fred, Once again I have learned so much from your time and efforts. You are a fabulous teacher. I'm a wanna BEE and love your channel! Thank you again! You have allot of viewers who ask some great questions! I look forward to your show each week!

[arogue]

I didn’t have a resource for rough-sawn lumber when I built my equipment, so I started with 2X stock and roughened the interiors with a power rasp. Healthier for the bees two ways.

[piledriver]

Benj watching your videos! I learned some thing from almost everyone!! Thanks 😊 Fred for your thoroughness and patience

[danskisbees]

Fred, so many good points I didn't know where to comment until now. Dr. Delaplane spoke at the Texas Beekeepers Association summer clinic this year will and I really enjoyed his lecture on well-bred Queens and how everything in the hive improves if the queen is mated properly.

[Bigbarry]

You are my bee Guru, finally I have found someone who is Professor ish in their videos about the honey bee, and focuses on the new beekeeper to educate them, anyway my chickens are making quite the Racket and I need to go open their doors and let them out. Again I say thank you.
P.S. Yesterday I went out to my one and only beehive and got on my hands and knees and discovered that the lower entrance was completely blocked with sugar that they've been trying to pull out from my sloppy Mountain Camp application

[weasleoop]

So my Apirary now stands at 5 Saskatraz and 3 Beeweaver colonies. Going to be a good year.

[thehiveandthehoneybee]

THANK YOU I'm playing this in my woodshop while I knock up new hive equipment better than NPR for me! works as a podcast!!!

[jeremyjames]

Thanks fred... just ordered a mug....have a great holiday...

[mohammadsalah]

A great video Mr Fred but I was totally shocked to know about replacing bees with drones I guess that your prediction of using more chemicals in this case is totally true they are already over using them imagine what would happen in this case
Thank God that Drones are prohibited by Law in Egypt

[framcesmoore]

In moving a hive I read that if u put weeds bushes something in front of the entrance of your hive after u move it they will re orientate themselves to the new spot it makes them not leave fast and relive that things are different. this works well I have watched them and checked on them and they do re in orientate themselves they are really smart.

[johnwatson]

Do not be discouraged from trying to catch swarms in a bait hive using new frames. I have caught upwards of 50 swarms in New equipment. If you put swarm commander or lemongrass oil in a hive scout bees will find it. Check out Dr. Leo for some great free plans for the perfect size bait hive that Dr. Tom Seeley recommends.

[lenoretalon]

Moving during winter was a question I needed answered. Reorganize 🐝 thank you 👋

[framcesmoore]

Once again u did a wonderful job with the video. keep them coming they are great. I hope u have a wonderful Christmas and Thanks for the time u spend doing these videos.

[Vladviking]

Most all houses are airconditioned here in the south. Possibly the cooler inner walls might have some effect on temp and humidity of a hive.