Hi Bob, @13:44 you showed lids and top bars with burr comb. Have you thought of mimicking what Ian Steppler uses as top covers, the cheap insulation sheets on the raised older lids? . It would stop the burr comb hassle for a small outlay.
That would work well but with a flat lid it's not needed and would be another piece of equipment to keep up with. Ian can feed pollen patties without worry of hive beetles. What he does with patties would be a disaster in our area with hive beetles. We need unfettered space above patties so the bees can police the entire surface which is why I used to have lids with deep rims. We rarely feed patties now because we don't need an early buildup with our current management scheme but when we do use them we install removable rims which we also use when applying Apivar. I do see the benefit of Ians lids and insulation sheets for condensation problems though and if we were in the north I would probably replicate what he is doing.
Has anyone used the peppermint soaked sticks for shb? Or is it a problem since you use inner covers. I don't put pollen on hives because I have pollen bound frames
@@bobbinnie9872 Unfettered space for bees to police for hive beetle. I understand now. Beetles are not an issue where I live (therefore not a worry). I see the need not to carry extras to, ha ha. Just thought the workaround might be a solution to consider. We beeks like to pickup titbits of info knowledge that we can apply to our own endeavours. Watching your videos has certainly broaden my knowledge, thank you.
Oh I feel the excitement of the start of the honey flow! Your crew looks pretty sharp. I’m about to get my summer high school staff to help relieve the workload of my current staff. A world of work ahead of both of us. Good luck on the harvest head. 🍯
Great video. Thank you. I agree, very local knowledge is key to a success target crop. We had honey dew (or “Miellat” honey they call it in france) last year for the first time in about 10 years. We had perfect still warm weather. Nobody believed it was honey dew ( and I wasn’t sure) so I got it tested . 100% honey dew, exactly the same colour as yours. Very high in polypheonols and anti oxidants. Following that last year we had a huge drought. Our chestnut, similar to your sourwood gave us very little! I was grateful for the extra spring honeydew! Love this video. Good luck on your sourwood. 💪🏻😎🐝🐝🐝🤞🤞🤞
Hi Richard, thank you for pointing out the properties of honeydew. (Bob thanks for your opinion on the bakers grade, I think as you elude to flavor/colors as high priority characteristics, the populous is becoming wise to the health aspects of honey, more important than the color and flavor. I don't fault you, you're old school. Richard could you please share your honey testing lab?
I'd like to see that too. I am wanting to move a couple of colonies to Franklin NC for some sourwood. I have no heavy equipment so it would be nice to see how someone who knows what they are doing. Because that's not me.
Bob, great video! I love your videos because you explain things so well which enables folks to learn so much. I wish that I knew the source of the nectars by tasting the honey like you do! I know some but nothing like you. I wish you sold a tasting package of different honeys like maybe 10 different sources labeled in small bottles so more folks like me could learn the different tastings. Also, sometimes I see your crew with different jackets on, in the winter when things are slow and you need an idea for video content you could let each worker model their jacket, tell the name brand and the pros and cons of that product, just a thought. I hope you have a record sourwood harvest!
Bob never ceases to amaze me all the information you have if all beekeepers had your knowledge I think honeybees definitely would be doing better thanks for your videos
Love how you explain so much. I like seeing what you are harvesting at different elevations. I live at 2000 feet in Tennessee and I like comparing to what you have blooming.
Thank you Bob, I have four persimmon trees with lots of fruits every year and I had no idea that my bees actually ejoy persimmon flowers' nectar and they pollinate them. Learned something from you again.
We keep a small sample of our honey each year and like you I notice it has been getting a little darker each year. Another interesting and informative video, as usual.
I like how you taste honey and can tell right off what it is. We starting to put escapes on our hives here in cleveland county. The last few years we been getting dark honey that is poplar and blackberry. When i started we always got a light honey in spring now its dark. Go figure. Thanks for sharing Bob and crew.
When you talk about cracking the lids for swarm control, the same thought runs through my head. Someone told me a few years ago that if you crack the lid it will draw the bees up into the super cause the bees will come up to defend the opening. My thinking on the swarm control is that by it drawing more bees up it decongests the brood box and also provides more ventilation. I don't know if temperature has any effect on swarming or not, but the more bees the more heat in the hives. My silly thinking, ohh its too hot in here and there are too many of us, some of us need to move out. Anyway just my thoughts, thanks for the video Bob.
Hola Bob , felicitaciones desde Argentina (Córdoba) , muy buenos videos y de la forma que explicas .La APICULTURA en todo su esplendor, buena cosecha .
Hello from Germany, I also left a gap on my lids so that ventilation works better. Today I had to find out that a young queen from another colony came into the honey chamber after the mating flight and started laying there 😂 Greetings and thank you for your content!!
Great video Mr. Binnie. This year I had to replace almost all my comb with new foundation so most of our harvest went into new wax. I love watching along and dreaming about having those kinds of harvests one if these days. Take care, Conner
It would be interesting to see a video showing and describing the plants that make honey for you . Us Canadians have never seen any of these plants . Another very interesting video thanks for your effort
I have people coming up Asking for the darkest honey I have. When I used to live in Atlanta my dad knew an old German guy that always said the darker honey was the best. I've had so many people ask for avocado honey that I've started buying it because an Arizona we don't have it. Thanks for sharing with us Bob.
Hi friends.... It is not my RU-vid channel and I apologize to Mr. Binnie for this but yes dark honey is the best.. I m from Greece and we produce a lot of dark honey... Basically honeydew!!!! Pine tree honey, oak tree honey and more... Honeydew better than flower honey!!!
Thank you! I had a question about a 1/4 inch rim around my inter lid. Thanks for your answer. My thoughts are the 1/8" gap to surface above frame. Plus 1/4" equal to 3/8" bee space on top of frames for cross over top of frame.
Ha Bob another great video I hope u do make a video of you all moving the hives you have been there in that yard for a long time why are you moving. Hope u and your crew have a blessed week
Hey, Bob! I'm down in east/central NC (in between Raleigh and Smithfield) and I had both my yards make an odd honey this year. Every colony made at least a super of it if not more. It is very dark, sometimes it even stained the comb purple! It was mixed with clover, and they all made it in June. It tastes just OK. It's not great, but not horrible either. Finally, it has a distinct smell to me that I can only describe as malty or almost yeasty. I've checked and it's not fermenting/too watery. My mentor and my bee club weren't giving me a satisfactory answer, and I was at a loss as to what it was until I watched this video (again, btw, LOL) and it crossed my mind that maybe it's honeydew! The more I think about it and read about it, the more I think that it's honeydew. Based on my description, what do you think? Could it be honeydew?
Another great video I Like watchin them early Monday Morning ( New Zealand time.) That Honey Dew is an interesting Concept ... you don't really want to think too much about what it actually is! In New Zealand we get Some honey dew that tastes pretty good.
I have been beekeeping near Loch Ness for almost 20 years but none have been like this year! Last year the hives had almost nothing until short clover on 25 June ; the late heather saved the day. This year we had a poor spring and then suddenly the pollens came on all at once. Many frames were plugged out with pollen and I removed as many as I could. Then we had exceptionally hot weather - for roughly the last six weeks - and nectar from sources we don't usually get it from. Clover came in at least three/four weeks early! The bee's plugged out the remaining space with nectar. The queens have had very little space to lay and the hives are so strong I have had trouble keeping them in the box! I can't even remove the honey and return the frames as it's not capped and will ferment. I didn't want to buy and store additional shallows and frames (which I will only need one year in twenty) as I'm getting older and trying to downsize from 60 hives. In an effort to keep them in the box I have had to split into nucs and will kill 2022 queens later in the year and combine with 2023 nucs. I'd appreciate any comments on how I might keep my numbers down in this exceptional year?
In my area, NW Alabama, the dark honey, which is the majority of the local honey I have tasted, is so bitter it is uneatable. Wish it wasn't so. I am on standby to order this year's Sourwood from Blue Ridge Honey.
Congrats!!! Hey Bob, when does your spring flow start? Are flow started late so we are still in it. I ask because my deep super is only 1/3 full. Can they fill that up in a month left on the flow? Grateful
Hi Brad. A good colony should be able to fill that in a month if there is at least a moderate flow. With a good flow it should be more. If it is foundation and not drawn comb it will take a decent flow to draw it out.
Thanks again Bob, Always something to learn, What do you do with the honeydew honey. Do you know if there is any truth to the rain washing the nectar out of flowers that face up when it rains, this has been the best year for wild flowers in MANY years but lots of rain and super is not filling like one would think. Your thoughts. Thanks again for a great Sunday morning vid.
Our honeydew is simply blended in as part of our spring wildflower crop.Although it can darken the crop it we usually don't have enough to impact it to greatly. It makes sense that some flowers would have their nectar washed away with rain. I've actually made honey on the Oregon coast in the rain because there are a number of nectar producing flowers there that hang down so the rain doesn't have a chance to wash them out.
Hi Mr. Bonnie,,I sent you a comment the other day about Indian summer video, I can't find the one with his Varoa towels..you showed the recipe but I didn't get to write it down..I'd really like to try it..
I'm a bit bummed, we don't have many sourwood here in Bee Lick, Kentucky but I am attempting to populate my farm with them in hopes my grandkids (i'm still several years away from having any grandchildren) one day might pickup the desire for honeybees. Another great video Mr. Binnie!
@@richardhyatt-beekeeping I'm not that far away from Paint Lick, I know a man that just moved to Paint Lick and go up to visit occasionally, about a 30 minute twisting Kentucky backroads trip.
Bob, I have a question for you. I live in NW Alabama where it's impossible to purchase HDO plywood due to the fact no one purchases it so it's not profitable for our little lumber yards to order a pallet of it. That said, I'm heading to Calhoun in July. Would it be possible to purchase 3 sheets of 3/4 from you? I know it's a stretch but f you don't ask you don't know. Thank you for all you do for us little bee keepers. We learn so much from your willingness to share your knowledge.
You could get some here or where we get it, Mid South Lumber in Lithonia, near Atlanta. I think they also have a location in Birmingham. If you come here call ahead to make sure we have some. 706 782 6722.
Our Kroger offeres all kind of Bob's honey. The first time I saw it, it was that label with flower, just like on my T-shirt, that stopped me in my tracks.
Hi Bob..i learn a lot from your videos..Thank you, you did a video series on Indian summer bee keeping and the gentleman(I don't remember his name) he gave a receipt for treated towels he used to help his bees..I wanted that receipt and his why but I can't find it anymore on u tube.would you comment the why he used them and his receipt?
"Florida Beekeepers Part 5: Beekeeping Tips and Ideas with Chris Werner". ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-b6432SlcYe0.html. minute 19:22
I have alot of carolina buckthorn still blooming loaded with bees, also have buckwheat planted and loaded. Yall ever tried honey from either? Thanks again for taking time to help with videos
Love your videos btw…. You pulling honey even if it’s not fully captured and if so do you not worry about it fermenting or do you dehydrate in some way? I have learned so much from your videos please keep making them 👍
17:55 thanks Mr Bob. When you start supering for sourwood, would you explain your process for adding supers? As in how many do you add at a given time or when you do it bases on the top super?
Yesterday the 11th I Was on S SAWNEE mountain is mountain in. Cummings g I saw Sour wood trees and full Bloom With everything else being early do you think they're gonna be early
no surprise they weren't interested in drawing out foundation on the wall, you would have done better with all the foundation in the middle, the centre of the colony is where they focus most of their attention. they would all be drawn out and no burr comb in the lid.even drawn out combs on the wall receive little attention unless the hive is quite strong and you are on a honey flow .
What I said in the video about the rim lid combined with frames of foundation is true and what you suggest is also correct. You'll notice some new frames checkerboarded throughout the box and if we come along at the right time we like to shuffle unfinished foundation on the outside to the center but of course we aren't always able to visit each colony often enough.
@@bobbinnie9872 we are both right BUT it is still not a good idea to put foundation on wall unless you have no choice.i have been beekeeping for 60 yrs and learnt an observed a little over that time.
@@michaeljoncour4903 Sixty years is a long time to be a beekeeper and my hats off to you sir. In our case I think there are times when it's better to start out with the drawn comb in the middle and the foundation ether beside it (to the side or wall) or partially mixed in. A little of both was seen in the box in question. It can be better during swarming season when bees can occasionally look at numerous sheets of foundation centered above as a barrier. It may also be better during a light flow. Once a good flow starts and the bees are actively filling and drawing out comb, and have gotten past swarming for the most part, the time is ripe for stacking foundation in the middle if it's not already finished. This is how we usually try to work with unfinished foundation but of course it usually depends on timing with Mother Nature. Thanks for the comment and I'm not arguing your point. This is what works for us when we're putting on hundreds of boxes at a time, won't be back soon, and have no way to know what the weather will do for the next few weeks.
If a colony is too small to defend itself we don't lift the lids up. Never noticed a difference in hive beetles but the we are not in a heavy infestation area.
I'm curious Bob. Using the caucasian bees, have you seen an increase in honey, or have you seen any new nectar sources coming in? The reason I ask is because I read that they have a longer tongue.
I've not noticed a difference in nectar types but in some areas it could happen. I don't believe we make any more honey. In some instances it may be less because they tend to put a bit more in the brood nest.
@@bobbinnie9872 Thanks, I have three caucasian daughters I started this year and am curious to see if I notice any differences other than the propolis production.
Thanks Bob. Nice video. I"m just across the GA/NC line in Otto, NC. Should I be feeding my partially drawn honey supers now? How about foundation only supers? Or will they just pack them with syrup? I expect to extract before the Sourwood flow. BTW, right now my Sourwood is putting on buds.
Hi Richard. We'll be working up your way in a few days. It won't be long for Sourwood now. If your colonies are good and the flow goes well they should finish drawing out your comb and foundation. Fingers crossed.
@@bobbinnie9872 Actually they are doing very well. Most are double deeps full of brood and stores. I went in today and inspected several. They didn't like me. Got stung 4 times. That's really unusual for me. I wear full suits with gloves because I still don't like getting stung. At least I don't swell up like I did when I first started. I have a few nucs that didn't sell so, I'm thinking of giving them some bees and brood from other hives to make them ready for Sourwood, too. Pretty excited it's going well for me this year.
I’m on temperature at 86 during day at 9 pm the bee are outside the box , resting? ( Portland Oregon) so how can I move them at dark or at4 on morning? I’m going to ask your opinion about moving bees on filbert farm (Hillsboro Area) it’s bunches of farms around,include a levandor farm , you think it’s worth or is too late in season?Thank you.
Use covers without edges. Do you think it does not lead to crushing bees on the frames? What is the distance between the edge of the combs and the cover?
Thanks. The black truck is a 2019 4500 Dodge and the dark brown one is a 2017. We also have a 2018 5500 and a 2016 4500. I'm a Dodge fan when it comes to these smaller trucks in case you couldn't guess.
Tulip Poplar can go from one to three weeks depending on the season and it doesn't actually produce every year. Black Locust is a fairly short bloom in our area, seven to ten days.
Bob, with using deep and medium supers is there any system or method that you use in deciding which super size or combination of sizes that you put on a colony?
There's pros and cons to both. We prefer them now that we don't leave our area to pull honey and we preferred fume boards when we pulled honey away from home. I talk about it a little in our video "How We Remove Bees From Honey Supers" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6ldD3cNGung.html
Do you have a standard written or verbal agreement with the land owners. I recently just started using out yards… 1 for tulip poplar and the other for Basswood. I have no written agreement with the land owners just a handshake.? Thanks
Hey Bob I caught my first swarm the other day. I’ve been thinking about splitting the colony so that I have more bees next year. Do you think it’s possible? How many split do you think I could make of one colony. Or is it too late in the season.
@@bobbinnie9872I was wondering how many frames do you use in your 10 frame boxes do you use 10 frames for both brood and honey? And also what should I check for when inspecting my swarm for the first time next week.
@@0hleg We use ten frames in our brood boxes and eight frame in honey super once the comb is drawn out. I woulds check for the quality of the queen and the mite load. Good luck.
You're right. It would be easy for someone to not realize that we're only feeding colonies that are not producing honey. In many cases it's nucs over a double screen board.