Crazy Varroa Numbers (Mite Test Results You Want!)

Back in April, I said I would have a Varroa Treatment Plan ready for August 1. Well, I was a few days late, but I got the hives tested and the good news is that there were not enough mites to treat! I figured there would be a much lower number than last year, but finding multiple hives with ZERO in August is just CRAZY... Crazy good!

While I was testing for mites with the alcohol wash, I was also able to determine that all my hives are queenright except for one, which currently has queen cells hatching. So things are pretty much perfect. This summer has been the polar opposite experience of last summer. Even the fall flow is looking promising. Sorry for the lack of videos, but things are busy in the summer. I'm filming everything and will share stories as I get time.

Thanks for your support!

00:00 - Welcome, Friends
00:56 - Maple Hive Alcohol Wash Varroa Mite Check
03:36 - Birch Hive Mite Test with Easy Check Varroa Tool
04:06 - Beech Hive Testing for Mites
04:27 - Pine Hive Varroa Test Results
04:51 - Cherry Hive Checking Brood and Comb Building
06:56 - Oak Hive Walk Away Split results!
09:55 - Bee Yard Update - Big Bee Barns
13:49 - Resource Hive Updates

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL...
FIND GEAR WE USE IN OUR AMAZON STORE!

——————————————
These are products I use and recommend. If you buy something using these links, I receive a small commission from Amazon. Thank you!
——————————————

BEE GEAR I USE:
———————————————————————

CAMERA GEAR I USE:
——————————————————————————

[nunyaflippingbidness]

It's great that you still have Queen Balboa's progeny going strong. She was always my favorite queen, they know what to do and seem so chill. Taking things slow is not always a bad thing.

[davidlazarowych]

Hey Jim,

What I find noteworthy is comparing the start of this season with very few hives to the beginning of your first season with very few hives. The growth this year is legendary. A unique way to measure the beekeeping skills you’ve gained.

It’s been fun sharing the ride with you!

[rayopeongo]

Wow, first time ever, I instantly spotted the Oak hive queen without you having to point her out to me! I was really looking forward to this video, I'm glad to see that things seem to be going well, and the bee barns appear to be working out great too. Here's hoping the good times continue.

[redbarnhoneybees]

Always a great day when a Vino Farm video drops! Also great to see the low mite counts. Good luck the rest of the season.

[Beetroot-ky]

WoW! I am now up to date on your "Bee Novela". I watched your saga like a Netflix's binge. God Bless you and thank you so much for sharing your experience. You have taught me so much in layman's terms. I want to start an apiary of my own. Keep making your videos I will stay tuned.

[fourseasonsnorth]

Wow! And here in Northern Alberta we haven't had a good rain for months (about 3" since spring) everything is bone dry and rivers are down to a trickle. Great to hear how well all your hives and queens are doing. Wishing you all the best!

[CastleHives]

I think we are on the same timeline. Recently did the same, Mite wash on mine. Doing an OAV cycle now. Happy to see this season has been a polar opposite of last year. 🐝🐝

[LittleDergon]

Sounds so much better than last year already, really hoping August is good to you and you get some healthy bees and good honey for your effort 😁

[Guldudden]

Awesome to see your new video. Bees seem to really like your new bee-barns!😎👍 I can’t wait to see how the rest of the season turns out. -Fingers crossed that all hives will do great.🤞

[joecnc]

WOW! The new hive design is ROCKING! This is great news.

[LarryLeesBees]

Always glad to see a new Vino video! Thanks for sharing Jim. Girls are looking great. Amazing that you’ve had that much moisture over there. We’ve been in drought conditions over here. No notable rain since April. Then a month of triple digits has really dried up the nectar flow. Even the plants that usually produce in the fall have already dried up. So no fall flow this year.
My mite counts have been pretty similar to yours, 1’s and 2’s. But, right or wrong, I’m treating. I don’t want to give them any chance to get a stronghold and blow up in the hives.
Love what you’re doing! Keep up the great content. 😃

[twistin]

Thanks for the update. Always look forward to see the next video from you. Till the next one, bee

[Kevin-ggbl]

Six days without rain? Will trade you! Only six days of rain (maybe) all of 2021 up here!

Glad for a video, every week I am sad when one doesn't come out. Hope your back is doing great!

[sarahfischer]

Yay, always happy to see you and the bees! :)

[RyanMcDonnough]

Only lower entrances. Like a bee tree. 😉👍🏻

If upper vents are sealed and upper insulation added, then they’ll be even more inspired to work all the way down to the bottoms of the frames.

And queen cups are a sign of good health - not a sign of “things being tight” or preparing to swarm or needing another super.

OAV during broodless periods is a very nice way to reset a hive’s mite load to near zero.

[Digger]

Glad the walk away split worked out, good thing. If the new queen had failed you'd have a hive full of drones from laying workers again, lol.
They're looking good!

[Fishpig]

New Sub here. I live in MN and have some land. Bee keeping interests me though I know nothing about it.
Nice mod on your barn. I know I'd need something like it.
Thank you for passing on your knowledge.

[evonnewhalen]

Looking good for fall. Happy to hear your hives are doing well. Thank you for sharing

[SpencerBrennan]

Those Bee Barns are starting to become Bee Towers.
Surprised that 300-ish bees fit in only a 1/2 cup.
Bet that harvest is gonna be fun this year.
I'm feeling a friendly betting pool for processed honey volume. I say 100 lbs ! :)
I'd be prepping for some Mead-shine - good spot to be in MA. :p

Cheers!

[tiastips]

Great to hear from you and the bees. Glad all is well. Here’s hoping the Fall months are good to you and the bees. Good luck