FINALLY! Someone who gives us MEASUREMENTS of the stuff they're putting in, AND how much of that mix to put into a gallon of syrup! Thanks for this, Jeff!
My bees (2 nuc colonies in May 15), both have had superceded since then. I've been doing a gallon of 1:1 & SHBH for a week, they are slurping it down in two days, a gallon each hive. They have been drawing the comb out way faster and with second box on top of brood, they have nearly knocked out the 6 of 8 frames of deep with capped honey. Today I got my shipment from Jeffers, got itmixed in with the 1:1 and shbh. It looks like pee now...hope they love it. Thank you for this posting.
Jeff, I’ve been using your essential oil SHBH recipe now since spring and my bees are doing well. I just bought some of the vitamins and amino acids that you recommended to see if the girls like these added ingredients. I read back over the comments and there seemed to be a bit of confusion whether you added ½ cup of amino acid concentrate to the feed syrup or to the SHBH concentrate so I ran the numbers from the labels on recommended dosages. Reading the Aspen Amino Acid Concentrate label, the recommended dosage is ½ oz. per 50 lb. body weight per day. Assuming a single bee weighs 0.1 grams (0.00025 lbs), a hive with 50,000 bees would weigh 12.5 lbs. I know that a hive can easily drain a 1 gallon feeder in a day. Doing the arithmetic, I would put 1 teaspoon (1/6 oz) of Amino Acid Concentrate in one gallon of feed syrup. Or if I was making 1 qt. of SHBH, I want 1 tsp to have the same vitamin concentration which requires 5.3 oz. - maybe a heaping ½ cup. Reading the AgriLabs Vitamins & Electrolytes “Plus” label, the recommended directions are: - 4 oz of powder in 1 gallon of water for stock solution - Mix 1 oz (2 tbs) of stock solution per gallon of drinking water per day. This dilution rates is - 1 oz of powder per 512 gallons of drinking water - 1.5 tps of powder per 128 gallon of drinking water At 1 tps of SHBH per gallon of feed syrup, 0.38 tps of Vitamins & Electrolytes is needed for a 1 qt batch. Since this isn’t precision science, a 1 qt recipe of SHBH ought to include heaping ½ cup of amino acids and shy 1/2 tsp of vitamins.
Hi Brian, You have given this a lot of research and thought and you are right this it isn't precision science, a little under or over per gallon of syrup isn't going to hurt the bees. I still go with my original recipe of 1/2 cup of Amino's and 1/2 teaspoon of vitamins per gallon of syrup. It is always good to see other beekeepers take my idea's and work to improve them, since we beekeepers are all into these honey bee health problems and pests together it is important to share good information, thanks and keep up the good work.
Hi Don, I told the amounts of each in the video for the H.B.H and the S.H.B.H just watch again with pencil and paper for notes. Plus I'm not important or big enough to have a website. Thanks for watching.
@jeffwillard2417 HI Jeff, I was wondering if you use 1/2 tsp of vitamins and 1/2 cup of Amino acids per quart when mixing with your homemade HBH mix? Or do you add 1/2 cup Amino acids and 1/2 tsp and 1/2 to 1 tsp HBH to a gallon of 1:1? I do realize this video was a while ago. But you have some great info! I appreciate you sharing!
First, Thank you Jeff! You are amazing. Hey folks, if you don’t understand what Jeff is saying toggle the “closed caption” button, ( ) at the bottom of the screen and you can see what he is saying. Press the pause button, ( ) and you can read it over and over again. Maybe then the comments won’t be filled up with requests to repeat information that’s already there.
Hello S Wright, Thank you for the compliment and comment instructions, I was getting pretty good at copy and paste just to answer the same question over and over.
In 1991 a beekeeper used the vitamin supplement to keep the bees healthy in early spring.. Due to robbing, I use 1ml Tea Tree, Spearmint and 1/2ml wintergreen. I also add 1g (1/4 tsp) of the vitamin powder with 20 lb of sugar. The bees are building up well in late summer as there is little natural foraging available. My intended use of essential oils is to reduce mite populations because I have not treated but am considering Apavar strips.
I know Apivar Strips are the go to for Varroa treatment but for me just the thought of consuming even minute particles of amitraz which is the active ingredient in Apirvar and flea collars is unappealing to me. I'll stay with O.A (also in carrots) which is an organic acid and so far Varroa don't seem to be resistant to it. What ever you decide good luck with your bees...
I would also add that lemongrass oil is a great supplement as well but should be used with caution from fall through early spring due to the fact that it mimics queen pheromone and will invite robbing of the hive. It will also stimulate hive production, so for these reasons it should be used thoughtfully.
Great job. I broad spectrum oils as well. Two minor points to add if your bees are sick ... nosema or snot brood go a little bit stronger and as a preventitive go lighter. Follow up with Super DFM honeybee probiotics commercial grade which has 13 probiotics in the mix about 10 days after oil blast. This will insure gut health in bees
I used your formula EXACTLY as your provided to make (1) quart of SHBH by adding all the oils and additives in a plastic measuring cup, first. Then I placed the sugar and water in the blender. Next I added all the oils and additives to the blender from the measuring cup (which is also plastic blender container). What I learned (and you REALLY need to explain and point out - is that the essential oils and all the additives will totally "RUIN" the plastic measuring cup (looks like the plastic is now all fogged up and the plastic interior is melted like acid got to the plastic) and leaves a permanent ring in the blender too.. I can provide pictures and to my amazement my brother who is also a beekeeper had the exact same reaction as mine. We can BOTH provide multiple of the damages and we are 300 mile apart. I called him all PO'd and found that we had both (at different times) followed the exact same directions you provide in your video. What is amazing is you did not once mention NOT to use plastic. None of our equipment will no longer wash and is basically ruined now. Also the essential oils and all the additives left a ring at the highest level in the blender too. JUST like in the measuring cup. Beekeeper BEWARE not to use any plastic-ware when making this formula. JUST CURIOUS - IF THIS MIX RUINS PLASTIC - IS IT REALLY SAFE TO USE ON our BEES? We all await to read your response ..................
Well, this is a first. I've never been reprimanded for the cause of a decolored plastic blender. It is hard to include all the possible secondary discoloration damages to a plastic blender in a "money saving" info video such as this. In fact, if you had read the comments this was addressed in a message from @davidbishop8094 • 4 months ago. Sorry for your discolored blender but where is your thanks for saving you and your brother hundreds of dollars making your own H-B-H solution. Don't think of it as a ruined blender, think of it as a permanent H-B-H maker. P.S it is good to see that your caps lock key is working properly, also thanks for watching and have a good day.
A little advice to everyone planning to make these solutions. Don’t use your good kitchen blender. Go buy a cheap or used garage sale or thrift store blender and only use it for this application. Glass would be best, It will ruin permanently etch plastic hazy and your not gonna get any of the smell out of it no matter how much you wash it. Also mix it outside. One spilled drop of some of the oils can linger around for a long time.
Welcome to beekeeping, even after all my years in beekeeping I still find these little critters to be unique and amazing. Good luck with your new hive.
@@jeffwillard2417 thank you! I do too. Ive only just started and im noticing their language im always hearing about. Even our property is just exploding with growth since we gotten them. I hope i can learn everything i can from you and anyone else's knowledge
Hi Jeff, thank you for sharing all your amazing knowledge with a relatively new beekeeper like myself. When you talk about the amino acids, at one point you say 1/2 tsp just like the vitamins, but then a few sentences later you say 1/2 cup of amino acid per gallon. Just double checking on amount of amino acid to add to shbh? Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your knowledge & help! Thinking more about it a little, do you add 1/2 tsp of vitamin to 1 gal of HBH & then add the normal 1-2 TBSP to a gallon of sugar water feed, or 1/2 tsp of vitamin straight to gal of sugar water feed? And then same for the amino acids? Thank you again.
Hi Veronica, I did slip up and say that amount with the vitamins but corrected myself later I know it was a little confusing, sorry about that. The mixture for one gallon of sugar syrup is as follows; 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin, 1/2 cup amino acids, as for the SHBH 1/2 to 1 tablespoon and for the HBH 1-2 tablespoons. You don't add both HBH and SHBH just one of them to the gallon of syrup. I hope that cleared it up for you and thanks for watching....
Hi Eugene, That is very true and thank you for mentioning that fact, so as Eugene just said beekeepers store your essential oils in a cool dark pace....
For the regular HBH it is 2 cc/ml of lemongrass and spearmint. For the SHBH add 1 cc/ml of the others but reduce the amount used in each gal. of syrup. All measurements and oils are in the video for reference.
Thanks for sharing your expertise Jeff. So when you make your SHBH, you add one ml of each essential oil (including Thyme oil) into your base HBH recipe then administer it at a rate of 0.5-1Tbsp per Gallon of syrup? I wanted to try Thyme oil and heard it can be dangerous if given in too high a dosage so just wanted to make sure. Thanks!
Hello Duncan, The formula is correct, I have been using this SHBH formula for years now with no signs of any ill effects to the hives, plus the bees really enjoy it they will drain a 5 gal bucket feeder quickly..
Do you ever add a splash of bleach to help keep mold down? If not, do you ever have a problem with mold growth with this mixture? Thanks for the video. Also... I've read through all of your comments below, but am still slightly confused about how you mix with syrup. When you feed syrup you mix 1Tablespoon SHBH, 2 Tablespoon HBH, 1/2 teaspoon vitamins, 1/2 cup amino acids in to 1 gallon of 1:1 sugar syrup, is that right? Why not just use SHBH all the time as it starts out with the same stuff as HBH? Sorry if I'm being a bit thick here, I'd just like to make sure I understand completely what you're saying. Thanks!
Hi Thomas, Never add bleach, the essential oils will help stop the fermentation and mold. For one gallon of 50/50 mix of water & sugar syrup I will add 1/2 teaspoon of powdered vitamins, 1/2 cup of amino acids and either one or the other not both together, use either 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of SHBH "or" 2 tablespoons of the HBH. I included the measurements so that people can have all the information on quantities used. When I feed my bees with the honey supers off, I always use the SHBH but there are times when I use the HBH in a spray bottle with syrup to calm bees down or join a queen-less hive to a queen-right hive,. The essential oils masks the queens pheromone and by the time both hives are done licking the syrup off each other they are all friends and thus no fighting. I know there are other ways to combine hives but this is the way I do mine. I hope this helps and good luck with your bees....
Hi Nunya, No just the video, just watch the video a couple of times. Write down a few notes as you watch, it isn't that complicated and the essential oils are listed in "SHOW MORE" below the video. Good luck..
Hi Jeff, Thank you for your fast replies. Since I am a new beekeeper and I dont have much experience, I'm trying to learn everything off the internet. I live in Naples, Florida here the temperature is normally pretty warm, I want to know if I need to feed the bees with pollen in the winter. And how much pollen for each hive? Ive watched some videos that say to feed them only with syrup, some say they dont need it because of the climate here. If you have any idea please let me know. Thank you for the time you spend with me.
You want to offer them a pollen substitute usually in early Spring and late Fall before and after the flowers have bloomed, that is about the only time the bees will accept it because when the flowers bloom and have pollen the bees will abandon the substitute for the natural pollen. Feed the bees in an open area and keep the pollen dry, Start with a couple cups of pollen the bees will take what they need even during the Winter in warm Naples FL. As in any living creature nutrition is important for good health, so feed the bees everything they need to keep healthy bees. Why feed them just plain sugar water with no nutritional value when you can add Amino Acids, vitamins and essence of beneficial plants as in essential oils. Keep an eye on their stored honey you don't want to offer them more syrup than they can use otherwise the bees will start storing their honey in the brood area creating a honey block for the queen and your welcome George.
We’ve already been using Wintergreen, Tea Tree, Spearmint, and Lemongrass along with Himalayan salt, vitamin C, and citric acid...and we’ve been very happy with the health of our bees. I’m a firm believer in essential oils as well, so I’m all for adding more to the mix. When you add all the other essential oils to make the SHBH, do you need to add any more lecithin and/or sugar to make sure they all emulsify? That’s a lot of essential oils!
Hi mommybabb, I have used the same amounts of sugar and lecithin in both mixtures for years without any separation issues. Protein helps the bees so make sure you add the amino acids to.
Thanks for sharing this! Quick question on the cinnamon oil - does it matter if it's cinnamon leaf or cinnamon bark oil? I'm assuming I want bark oil. Same thing for Clove - should it be leaf or bud? Thanks again!
Mine is Cinnamon Bark, I don't know about the Clove it just says Clove. Just make sure that the oil is steam distilled, some oils are made using solvents to extract the essential oils.
I am near Pensacola Florida, I have a mix of Carniolan and Italian. To me the hives strength and honey production is more important than the breed. I'm happy with a bunch of bees that are crossbreeds (mutts) as long as they produce. That is why every beekeeper should learn to graft queens and be able to choose the strongest hive for more productive queens and expand their Apiary. Thanks for watching...
Thank you for this video. I have listened several times and cannot make out what you said for the second oil in your standard HBH mixture. Could you tell me what that is? Great video.
Hi Dave Dave, The HBH has 2ml Lemon Grass Oil and 2ml Spearmint Oil, the ML's are marked on the syringe that is also why I like them. If there is a state law prohibiting purchase of syringes were you live you can buy the blunt tip lab syringes from Amazon. I'm Glad you liked the video...
Thanks! I listened again and heard spearmint' this morning. I buy the baby droppers for adding oil to gasoline for my 2 cycle engines. (So I can make single tanks at a time instead of a whole gas can) About to make your formula this morning. Thanks again for sharing.
this is fantastic! I have to use of HBH I had bought but def. make it from now on. I have been using oils for ages for myself....would it be okay to spike the HBH I bought with the oils like thyme, clove etc. and use it up that way? I plan on making the vitamin/amino mix tomorrow to feed the bees and adding that to the HBH. thanks again.
Hello Betsy, Yes you can but because it will be a stronger essential oil mixture you just need to use a lesser amount than the standard HBH mixture in the video. Thanks for watching..
Thanks for sharing the video. I'm curious how you came up with the 1/2 cup (24 tsps) amino acids per gallon. The Amino-B-Booster dosage is 4-8 tsps per gallon. Is the Amino-B-Booster a lot more concentrated than the amino acid concentrate that you get from Jeffers? Or maybe you are thinking that more is better when it comes to amino acids? I have not tried amino acids yet. Thanks.
Hi Jim, I looked for the ingredients of the Amino-B-Booster to compare to the Vetone amino's from Jeffer's and I could not find them, I guess it's a guarded secret. The amino's from Vetone @ Jeffer's has dextrose, electrolytes and b-vitamins plus the aminos in it. I'll usually give a hive aminos is in the Spring when the girls need it to produce royal jelly for brood rearing or if a hive is struggling heath wise. The 1/2 cup amount given in the video is what I use and the bee's slurp it up quickly, if they were getting excess amino's it did not affect the bees at all. Thanks for watching..
Hi Mike, I don't think it is the amino acids, there is only 100 to 125 ml in each gallon of syrup mix. I don't know if your using a frame style feeder or the hive top style, the hive top usually has 1/8" mesh that keep the bees contained in an area "but" that does not stop the hive beetles that can crawl through it. The SHB may be getting through the mesh and laying eggs away from the housekeeping bees that are hatching and getting back to a food source (the sugar syrup). It could be the same situation with the frame style feeder if your using a divider inside them. I don't use inside hive feeders, if I have a Nuc or I'm helping a weak hive I'll use a quart jar entrance feeder that can be quickly monitored for syrup intake. I'll place a feeder on one end of the entrance and block off all but 1/2" to 1" or larger depending on the size of the hive on the other side to prevent robbing. I feel that Inside feeders forces the bees to patrol a larger area while they are already in a weaken or stressed condition. I also community feed with 5 gal. buckets when there isn't any nectar flow and no honey supers on. I hope this helps you..
I think I have this correct. We are talking about three things Regular HBH Super HBH which is HBH plus the additional essential oils Solids - As noted I am not sure if they should be used together or in concert with HBH or SHBH One quart Honey Bee Healthy Dose 1 -2 teaspoon per gallon of syrup you are feeding 1 3/4 cups of sugar 2 cups of water Lemongrass Oil 2cc Spearmint Oil 2cc Lecithin 1200 mg gel caps Blend Super Honey Bee Healthy add to regular HBH made above Dose 1 teaspoon per gallon of syrup you are feeding 1ml each Cinnamon Oil Clove Oil Tea Tree Oil Thyme Oil Lemmon Balm Wintergreen Oregeno Peppermint Rosemary Eucalptus Blend For added punch per add per gallon of syrup 1/2 Tea Spoon powder vitamins 1/2 cup amino acid concentrate
Hello Edward, You have listed all the essential oils and amounts needed but you add the H-B-H and Super H-B-H to a gallon of sugar syrup by the "Tablespoons" not Teaspoons. Also people should copy, paste and print your notes for instructions, well done... Thanks for watching and good luck with your bees...
Hi Jeff, when I saw your video last July, I went ahead bought all what you had for these awesome formulas, to purchase them was super easy and the best prices in the market I found to be true. I am as essential oils advocate for years, so I know this works! This is my first year and I am feeding inside the hives with upper entrance closed lately to cooperate with the no robbing, I added formula to 2:1. NOW, as winter approach, I want to know how much of the SHBH should I add to my home made candy board, or if I should add it or not to the candy board of course? Thank you in advance and thank you for the wisdom!
Hello Mariu, I am going to make some Fondant for inside the hives this year and I was going to incorporate the SHBH, Vitamins and Amino Acids. I will keep the ratio of the three ingredients as I would to make a gallon of sugar syrup, this will be the first time so we'll have to see how it comes out. It will be a lot healthier winter food for the bees than just plain Fondant, this could be another video.
@@jeffwillard2417 I look forward for your video, I have my mix of SHBH in my fridge and I was thinking it could be great for them too in the candy board. Thank you for your prompt answer.
Just to be sure,when you say a gallon you mean the (US gallon that is 3.78 liters)? also any specific recommendation on storing the mix for later use and what would you say is the maximum period before it might go bad? thanks
Hello Ahmad, As long as you store it in a cool place it will last easily over year and longer, the essential oils kill any bacteria that would allow fermentation. That is correct a US gallon is 3.78 Liters, I still wonder why the USA hasn't changed to the metric system...
Melissa is other name for Lemon balm. I've got the product ordered. I also got liquid soya lecithin from Natural Groceries. Looking forward to getting this made. Today I was able to find a Oster glass pitcher blender at a second hand store. I'm a first year beek and would like to know if maybe it would be best for me to do the Super blend the regular verses ? I got 2 nuc packages in May here in Utah.
Sorry that your comment got past me. If your just starting out beekeeping the regular D.I.Y. HBH is beneficial and cost effective, the SHBH just gives the bees a broader spectrum of anti-viral and anti-bacterial compounds but it is more expensive. Good luck with the Nuc's..
HI, is this the recipe for HBH: 1 3/4 cup sugar 2 cups H2O 2ML lemongrass oil 2ML spearmint oil 1200mg lecithin or sunflower lecithin 1/2 tea vitamins 1/2 cup amino acids
Hi Charlene, Everything in the recipe is correct except the Vitamins and Amino Acids, those two are added to your gallon of sugar syrup to make it a more nutritional mixture for the bees.
what name brand of oils do you use I live in florida and when you make your H.B.H AND S.H.B.H. you add 1 m.l. of every one of the oils you listed that you use.
Hi John, You just make the standard H-B-H recipe of 2 ml's of lemongrass and spearmint and to make the S-H-B-H you add 1 ml of the additional oils listed. I buy from whomever has the best selling price like Amazon, Bulk Apothecary or whoever, just make sure it is steam distilled process not the chemical process.
@@jeffwillard2417 is the ones you use for the bees have to be organic. Fat bee man said not to use any that said it was for aromatherapy. That's why I am confused. Would it be bad to use it every time you give them sugar water. Thank you so much for making that video
I have been using non-organic essential oils for over 5 years, organic oil which actually means that it certified to be free from any synthetic pesticide compounds and those certifications may be a little questionable in some places. I don't think there is a place on this Earth that you are not exposed to some kind of pesticide, which is unfortunate for all living creatures. The times I feed my bees is in the early Spring, the Summer Dearth and Fall when the honey supers are off and I always use essential oils, vitamins and amino acids. If you use it to build up a weak hive make sure your entrance is no bigger than an inch (25mm for our metric friends) or you risk robbing. The main thing you want to find out about the essential oil you are going to buy is that it is "distilled with steam" and not extracted by a solvent such as benzene, hexane, or chlorure of methylene to remove the oil.
@@johnhutson6939 a few different trusted brands that we have used for years for ourselves and our animals are: Mountain Rose Herbs Young Living Now Essential Depot Doterra Guru Nanda
Hi Brian, I will feed my bees with "no honey supers on" the S-H-B-H, amino acids and vitamins in the early Spring before the nectar flow for a brood build up, again during the summer dearth and lastly in the Fall for a winter honey reserve build up. I will use up to four 5 gal buckets set ups like in the 1952jeep video, he was the first to post the 5 gal bucket video. I will keep feeding until you can see the hives winter honey reserves building up. While I'm community feeding I will also use entrance feeders on the weaker hives to help them, just make sure you block off the entrance away from the feeder to only about an inch on the weaker hives or they will get robbed. I hope this helps you... 1952jeep 5 gallon bucket feeder video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-u77xCjLySTM.html
Thank you for quick response, one more question. I am getting my first beehive next week what’s the best place to put in summer under trees or middle in lawn under sun?
Actually if you can place the hive so you can have them in the sun in the morning and have it shaded by a tree in the afternoon. If the hive is in the blazing sun all day a large portion of the forager bees will be out collecting water to cool the hive instead of collecting nectar. I'm sure you will hear countless ideas where to place the hive from other people but as that old saying goes....... ask three beekeepers a question and you'll get four different answers. Good luck with your new hive and if you can always start out with two hives that way if one becomes queenless you can rob brood frames or graft larva from the other to get the weak hive back to full strength..
Hi Scott, Sunflower lecithin should work OK, just to be on the safe side make a 1/4 or 1/2 batch to be sure. I would think a 1/2 Tsp per cup of sugar should work in your sugar cakes or fondant just fine, now I'm starting to sound like a cooking show.
How much amino acids and how much vitamin pack do you use. What is the mix ratio and do u use vitamin pack with dry feed and amino acid with liquid feed?
Hi Jeff - very informative and well-done video and we've subscribed, so will be looking at your others, too! :) For the SHBH mix, do you use the same proportion (2cc/qt liquid) of each of the other essential oils that you showed of lemongrass and spearmint in your HBH? If not, what amount is used of each oil for the super mix? I've found the lemon balm oil to be substantially more expensive than the other oils, so I'm curious whether it, in particular, is added in the same amount as the other oils. Does it have specific characteristics that make it a 'must have' or can the other mint family oils serve the same purpose? Thanks in advance...
Hello NJK, I read everything I could about essential oils and picked the top anti-bacterial, viral and fungal essential oils to be able to feed the bees a broad spectrum of natural plant compounds to help them fight what they are exposed to. Lemon balm was one that kept coming up in all of information I found, that is why I included it in the mix. It probably wouldn't hurt to leave it out but I felt if it helps I'll include it in the mix. At first it looks like a big invest in oils for the S-H-B-H but using 1 ml/cc of each oil per quart a small bottle will go a long way especially when compared to the cost of replacing honey bees. Use 2ml/cc of the lemon grass and spearmint per quart of sugar syrup for the regular H-B-H and for the S-H-B-H you add 1 ml/cc each of the other essential oils listed above to the regular H-B-H recipe. Thanks for subscribing....
@@jeffwillard2417 Thanks for the quick response and for precisely the information we need. You're absolutely correct on the relative cost of keeping bees healthy vs replacing a hive...I guess most beeks have experienced the latter at least once. We're working to avoid that, and will post again after we try your recipes! Thank you for sharing...
I'm baaack! lol with a couple of additional questions - we have Bragg Liquid Aminos on hand - will they work instead of the veterinarian version in your link? Do both the HBH and SHBH formulas increase the longevity of the sugar water? We tried a commercial brand of 'brood booster' that seemed to extend the 'life' of the sugar water in addition to boosting the hive, whereas just plain sugar water tends to go bad quickly in our heat, so we can't make it up in batches any larger than will be used quickly. Can we use granulated lecithin? If so, how much for a batch? Thanks for your help - dearth is right around the corner, and we want to be sure our girls are good to go!
Hi NJK, Check and compare the contents of the Jeffers brand to the Bragg but I wouldn't be surprised if the two were made by the same company. I live in N.W. Florida so I know about heat and sugar fermenting, yes this will keep it from fermenting for quite awhile. I never used the granulated lecithin, the quart batches of HBH I make use a 1200mg softgel capsule. You should make a pint batch of HBH and calculate the equivalent of 600mg using the granulated lecithin, it should work the same but I would start with a small batch first. Good luck..
No just the video, just watch the video a couple of times. Write down a few notes as you watch, it isn't that complicated and the essential oils are listed in "SHOW MORE" below the video. Good luck..
It was in the "SHOW MORE" that is above. Amino Acid Concentrate; www.jefferspet.com/products/amino-acid-oral-conc-500ml Vitamins; www.jefferspet.com/products/vitamin-electrolytes-plus
Could you tell me how many ounces are in the Amino Acid Concentrate? A half cup in each gallon of sugar syrup for EACH hive will take a LOT of it. Have you ever added it to the SHBH or HBH? How large containers does it come in? Thanks. I made almost the same formula for our bee club for year, except I add Citric Acid....sometimes I've added Roman Chamomile which has a calming effect for hot hives :)
Hi Sabrina, I was just telling everyone the amounts I use per gallon of sugar syrup, you can always change or experiment with the amounts that you want to add per gallon and remember the Vitamins are $2.99 and the Aminos are $3.99 per container. I keep HBH, SHBH and aminos separated, I only combine them when mixing the sugar syrup to feed. The amino acid comes in a 500ml bottle which is 2-1/2 cups, a 1/2 cup = 100ml approximately. The powdered vitamins also has the citric acid and sodium which the bees need, check out the contents label I listed below. The best way to cure a hot hive is to re-queen, I caught a swarm that was so mean they would buzz and sting outside the Apiary. I grafted and raised some queens from a calmer hive but before I placed the Q-Cell in the hot hive, I removed every drone cell and killed every drone in that hive to remove all their genetics (that part took a long time with tweezers) from the Apiary. Have Fun.... Vitamins; www.jefferspet.com/products/v... Amino Acid Concentrate; www.jefferspet.com/products/a...
Thankfully, I've never had a hive 'that' hot :) If I did, I for sure would requeen. I did have a swarm that was on the angry side this spring, but she calmed down quite nicely. Happy camper I was! Thanks for the info and all your video's. I guess the only size of AAcids is the 500ml....tis a shame it doesn't come in larger bottles :( Have a great over-wintering in your Apiary, Jeff :)
I need to get the vitamins and amino acids. I've been feeding the FBM essential oil mix but I've added germ ninja which is clove and a few other oils. I've been using the soy emulsifier in the mix and it works well, great tip. I didn't add sugar to it though as I'm already adding it to sugar syrup. What does adding sugar to the oil mix aid in?
Hello Southeastern, I looked up the Germ Ninja because I didn't know anything about that product. I believe the Frankincense and Lavender that is in it is more for the aroma and smell in the Diffusing therapy, I've never seen those two listed for any strong anti-germ essential oil. It did make me realize that I had forgotten an essential oil in my long row of oils that I use, I didn't bring out my Eucalyptus I had left it in the storage box, I'll list them all above in the info section . The sugar gives the solution a thicker consistency to help the lecithin emulsify the essential oils and stay mixed. Your B-B-Q videos still make my mouth water.......
Jeff, you said a half Tsp of the vitamins to one gallon and a half cup of amino acid per gallon correct? At first it sounded like the amino acid was the same as the vitamins @ a half Tsp each. I don't want to come out to my hives and all my bees accidentally look like Arnold Schwarzenegger :)
Hello Southeastern, Sorry, I got a little tongue tied on that one. It is 1/2 teaspoon vitamins and 1/2 cup amino acid per gallon of sugar syrup, those are the portions that I use. So far my bees still look normal they aren't all muscle bound and hangin' around the hive pumpin' iron :) :)
Hello Jeff, I think I bougth super concentrated essential oils, because I put only 3 drops in the mix, and essent of the oils is very strong, the smell changed a lot, now it is somewhat bitter. Is this normal?
Hi Charger, I have never used super concentrated E-oils, the three drops should probably be enough, the smell on normal E-oils is also strong. Let the bees try it they will quickly determine if it tastes good to them. Animals and insects have different taste receptors than humans what tastes terrible to us is just right for them. Good luck.....
Hi J&B, You are very welcome...When I am raising queens I always feed the rearing hive vitamins and the amino acid mixture, that way I know they are supplying the queen larva a high protein and vitamin diet. I only use the essential oil mixture when there aren't any honey supers on so there is no chance of tainting the honey. I don't know what Cinnamon and Clove honey would taste like, it may be good but I don't want to take a chance. I open feed the hives S-H-B-H in early Spring, a summer dearth and Fall, those are the times when the bees really need it in my area. If you have a weak hive that needs help you could single feed that hive the complete mixture, just make sure you block off the entrance to about an inch because the bees really love this S-H-B-H stuff.
Hi George, I looked into that but by the time you get all the soy, pea and milk protein powders it is as cheap to buy a 55 pound bag when it goes on sale @ Mann Lake, Just keep it in a sealed plastic bag in a cool place and it will last season after season.
Yes you can but if it has crystallized make sure you melt the crystals before feeding. Here is a bit of trivia: A honey jar was found in a 3000 year old Egyptian tomb and was still edible when reconstituted with water, I don't know who tasted it but they were a brave soul.
Hi MT, I looked into making it but by the time your get all the various powders and flours needed you will have almost as much or more money invested as a bag from a bee supply store. I buy mine from Mann Lake when they have a sale, then store what's left it in a air tight plastic bag in a cool place for next year.
Hello Chad, Yes you can but the biggest problem is keeping it dry while feeding pollen to the bees, if it gets damp my bees ignore it. Also if you have some leftover from the previous year that was kept cool and dry just run it through some window screen to break up the clumps. I have a 50 lb. bag of Mann's pollen that my bee's eagerly take away to their hives in early Spring but when the "natural pollen" is available they will ignore the substitute pollen, the bee's know what they want and when. Good luck....
@@jeffwillard2417 Thanks for such a timely response Jeff! Are you willing to give your opinion on something? I heard another beekeeper suggest using equal parts cornmeal, wheat flour, and powdered milk blended dry for a pollen substitute. I'm looking to make a blend quick and easy (time is factor and not sure how long it will take to have something delivered from Mann Lake)...so, how does that blend sound in a pinch?
@@chadh.7262 If you grind it fine enough the bees would probably use it. I see the bees on cracked corn chewing on it all the time so they are attracted to the starch in the corn. Give it a try, you may want to use a food processor or a spice/coffee grinder to get the fine texture you need on the grains. Good luck....
Hi Dave, Sorry I try to speak slow and clearly but sometimes my brain gets ahead of my mouth, I said 1200 mg soy lecithin gel caps here is a link to what I use. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004CRMM8A/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_2_w
please claify your remarks on amino acids and powered vitamins. Surely you don't add 1/2 cup to every gallon of bee feed. or do you add 1/2 cup to the SHBH recipe. I'm confused
Per one gallon of sugar syrup, 1/2 Tsp of powdered vitamins, if using S.H.B.H. 1/2 to 1 Tbsp.... if using H.B.H. 1 to 2 Tbsps and yes I use 1/2 cup (100ml) of Amino Acids per gallon.
Food grade would be the best ones to buy, all of the essential oils I buy are distilled with steam. Stay away from any essential oils that are made by leaching with solvents. Research any E-oils before you buy because there are a lot of companies that produce them. Good luck..
I only use essential oils that are from steam distillation, don't use the oils that are solvent extracted, an organic or food grade oils would be a good choice. I have purchased them from Amazon, Bulk Apothecary and other suppliers, just put essential oils in your search browser and your selection will be endless. Good luck...
Hello Iris, If you look at food grade (edible) essential oils they are steam distilled, I only buy steam distilled oils even though it may not say food grade. Do not buy essential oils if they have been processed with solvents, some companies will process the plants with solvents to remove the oils. It may take a little detective work to investigate the companies and how they are processed before you buy. Good luck..
Hi Bill, This will help you. Amino Acid Concentrate; www.jefferspet.com/products/amino-acid-oral-conc-500ml Vitamins; www.jefferspet.com/products/vitamin-electrolytes-plus
Hi Adnan, Bulk Apothecary, Amazon, just do a internet search and look for a good price and that the essential oil is steam distilled not from a chemical leached product. Good luck....
Hi Jeff, could put the essential oils picture close to the camera? Besides at health store such as ‘Down to Earth’, and websites, where else can I purchase it from. Respectfully, Maurizio
Hello Maurizio, I only use essential oils that are from steam distillation, don't use the oils that are solvent extracted, an organic or food grade oils would be a good choice. I have purchased them from Amazon, Bulk Apothecary and other suppliers, just put essential oils in your search browser and your selection will be endless. Click on the SHOW MORE above and they are all listed Good luck...
Is White Satin Powdered Amalgamated Sugar made from beets OK to make syrup for bees? Also, is “Brown” Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar OK to feed bees? www.honeybeesuite.com/is-organic-sugar-better-for-bees/ “Brown” sugar is bad for bees because it is made by taking refined white sugar and adding molasses back into it-and it’s the molasses part that contains all the solids. The ash content of brown sugar will vary depending on how much molasses is added, but molasses runs from 5 to 9% ash
Hi Rev, Try them again I just opened both of them from the links provided in the video.. www.jefferspet.com/products/amino-acid-oral-conc-500ml www.jefferspet.com/products/vitamin-electrolytes-plus
Hi Debra, I have feed my bees this mixture for years with no ill effect and they love the stuff, in small doses like this Wintergreen isn't toxic to honey bees. People have used a Wintergreen/Mineral oil mixture for years to fog for Varroa but the Oxalic Acid proved to be more effective.