Welcome to another episode of backyard beekeeping Questions and Answers!
We have some timely topics today, and I hope you’ll stick with it to the end.
You can visit my main website: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/
If you want to submit a question direct, here is the page where you can fill in a form for consideration: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/thewaytobee.html
The links to equipment and discounts are no longer IN the Question line-up, you can find them at the very bottom of this description panel.
1) My Mom found a massive die-off in one of her hives with many bees still moving. I suggested leaving some of them on the landing board so they can crawl back in. Am I on the right track?
2) I think I may have killed my bees due to a rookie mistake. I put DE around the hive bottom lip. I feel that it did them harm eventually.
3) I opened a hive and could see a cluster down in there. Later on, it appeared that bees from another hive were going in and possibly robbing them. Do I close it up because I think it’s dead?
4) I have a colony that didn’t make it through winter. what’s the best process for reusing, cleaning, and preparing the boxes and frames for a new colony?
5) Will plastic frames in brood boxes interfere with the thermo-regulation of a Winter Cluster?
6) I have been noticing very many dead bees on landing boards after very cold nights, but not on the milder nights. Any thoughts on this?
7) If I place a number of capped honey frames in a freezer, how can I thaw them out without risking condensation and adding moisture to the honey?
8) I will be receiving two packages of bees this April. Members of my Bee Club recommend OA Vaporization the same day I hive them. What’s your opinion on this practice?
Today’s Shout-out is for Nature’s Image Farm, watch for an upcoming interview with Greg, right here at The Way To Bee: https://www.youtube.com/c/naturesimagefarmgregburns
Hive Alive Fondant is my current choice for emergency winter feeding:
There is a discount right here: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/hivealiveworks.html
If you need an entrance clean-out tool that reaches all the way into your bottom board, this is a non-affiliate link: (please tell them Frederick Dunn sent you) https://www.betterbee.com/beekeepers-tools-smokers/beesmart-cleaner.asp
A little DE (diatomaceous earth) goes a long way in controlling pests on your chickens and in their nest boxes. I don’t personally recommend it anywhere inside your bee hive. https://amzn.to/3ou2zwz
Robbing Screens should always bee on standby in your bee equipment storage shed. If robbing begins, you have to stop that activity FAST.
BeeSmart Robbing Screen: https://amzn.to/3o8Br5L
Diagnosing a Dead-Out! Please have these references on your shelf, they have excellent photos and clear descriptions of hive issues/diseases:
BeeInformed.org You’ll be supporting a great organization AND obtaining an excellent reference (please tell them Frederick Dunn sent you) I am not compensated by BIP.
https://www.bipinc.org/store/c6/BOOKS.html
TOOLS that are American Made and will speed up your hive body scraping chores with high-heat. Consider melting it in, rather than scraping it all off.
Please tell them Frederick Dunn sent you! Real Quality Tools that got my attention at the Hive Life Conference: https://www.piercebeekeeping.com/categories/heated-scrapers
Thinnest plastic wax foundation I’ve found anywhere:
Please tell them Frederick Dunn sent you! https://www.premierbeeproducts.com/
If you need to store your honey-loaded frames safe from pests and ready to transport, Hive Butler totes work nicely: (FRED10) see of that code still works for a discount? I bought them, I use them. https://hivebutler.com/
What on earth is a Short-Tailed Shrew??? Well, I’m glad you asked, here is my video where I show you one up close! https://youtu.be/mc807rFsSJQ
WACOCA: People, Life, Style.