/r/Beekeeping

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r/Beekeeping, everything bees, honey, and hives!

Topics of interest: beekeeping, bee gardens, bee research, bee pictures, and honey appreciation.

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Are you new to Beekeeping? More information can be found in the wiki


Rules for submission:

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/r/AntWorld

/r/bees

/r/beeporn

/r/mead

/r/bugkeeping

/r/livingofftheland

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/r/homestead

/r/homesteading

/r/honey

/r/GardenWild/

/r/insects

/r/livestock

/r/seedstock

/r/selfsufficiency

/r/entomology

/r/vermiculture

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/r/Beekeeping

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6

Varroa - the Haemolyph vs. fat bodies…

Haemolymph*

Sammy Ramsey produced some really great research towards our understanding of varroa back in 2019, which drew a lot of attention and notoriety. As a result of his work, there were a lot of assumptions being made or conclusions being jumped to that his paper didn’t actually study. He found that varroa get on fat bodies of bees… but he was only testing varroa on adult bees. However off the back of it we all sort of just assumed that they fed on fat bodies of larvae too - I’m not sure it was a conscious assumption.

A paper published in January this year clarifies this, and suggests that old beeks / biologists were right all along when it comes to pupae.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-44915-x

While feeding on adult bees, dispersing V. destructor feed on the abdominal membranes to access to the fat body as reported previously. However, when V. destructor feed on honey bee pupae during their reproductive stage, they primarily consume hemolymph, indicated by wound analysis, preferential transfer of biostains, and a proteomic comparison between parasite and host tissues.

0 Comments
2024/03/28
07:47 UTC

1

Hive died overwinter because of mites. What should I do?

New-bee keeper here and my hive died over the winter. I checked on the hive and see mites on the bodies of the dead bees. What should I do with the hive now? It has 8 frames of honey in it. Thank you ahead of time.

0 Comments
2024/03/28
05:45 UTC

38

My queen, going into year 3

She’s outlived some daughters, too.

12 Comments
2024/03/28
03:49 UTC

1

Sugar water

I just purchased a top feeder box. I hear that mold growing in sugar water can be a problem especially in warmer climates. I read adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice per gallon of sugar water will prevent mold from growing. Is this true? Any other suggestions I should consider?

3 Comments
2024/03/28
03:44 UTC

10

Brood box time .

I like to look for 70% before I add a box.

14 Comments
2024/03/28
00:05 UTC

1

Cheapest hive equipment supplier

TL;DR: Any cheap hive equipment supplier recommendations? Am able to assemble, if necessary.

I got back into beekeeping last year after a few years off & I had with one hive and shelled out for a nice hive body, honey super, etc. Maybe I spent $500 last year total & that included most starter equipment, too. (All my old equipment is with my still beekeeping grandfather.)

I ordered two new packages this year (delivery April 26 - I live in Maryland) and purchased another $500 or so in supplies in anticipation.

In the meantime, my original colony has been so strong and prompted a split last week. And, in fact, I probably should have further equalized the population between the two hives (rookie mistake) but I was relatively conservative and the original strong hive seems to want to split (swarm) again. Thus, I’ve used up the supplies I purchased for my two new packages and need to go ahead and order more stuff. A good problem to have!!

But I’m a little overwhelmed with the cost… it’s not a huge deal and I’m committed to the five colony life now, but I wanted to see if y’all had recommendations for a bee supply company that won’t break the bank. I’ve used Mountain Sweet Honey and have had good customer service and I’m happy with the product, so I’ll go back to them if you don’t have any recommendations.

Worth noting: my partner has a wood shop and can assemble anything, and could even build hive boxes for me but the cost of lumber makes it seem that buying them wholesale might actually be cheaper. But if you know better, let me know and I’ll add to his to-do list…

9 Comments
2024/03/27
23:30 UTC

0

Varroa mit

I have one hive and got infected by varroa.

The hive bought it 2mothns ago and it was clean as a crystal.

I wonder How is that?

3 Comments
2024/03/27
23:13 UTC

9

Use it, or lose it?

Frame is at least 3 years old. Saw dust type material on some of the wax....

5 Comments
2024/03/27
22:51 UTC

2

Bees didn't make it. Should I get a new hive for the new bees?

I suspect they died off due to humidity issues resulting in low population (my own fault). They've been out this spring but in low numbers. We've had a bad couple days of warm mornings and rainy afternoons, followed by a few nights below freezing.

All that in mind, should I get new frames for the new bees I ordered, or use the old frames. Thank you for any advice you have.

P.S. I realize that mites are a real possibility, and I'm not saying it couldn't have happened, but I did a fall treatment and had low mite counts so I suspect that wasnt the cause.

11 Comments
2024/03/27
22:19 UTC

38

My hive swarmed today, saw the queen.

8 Comments
2024/03/27
21:53 UTC

3

🐝 AMA Announcement - David Burns, FRIDAY 29/03

The master beekeeper and youtuber extraordinaire constantly recommended by regular users of the sub, Mr David Burns, is going to be doing an AMA This Friday!

He'll put the post out friday morning (CST), and will be back in the evening for answers.

Take a look at his youtube channel for some of his latest content to prime yourself with questions - I know I already have a few :)

Keep an eye out for the post, and bee there or bee square 🐝

0 Comments
2024/03/27
20:04 UTC

7

How bad is this?

poop by entry, larva and mites! Also noticed them pulling out brood. The weather in NY is still kind of cold with some moderate days. But hasn’t been warm enough to do a real inspection. I have only checked top for food and stuff.

I didn’t leave bettle traps over the winter, but just put some in

Will order formic pro and put in as soon as weather gets over 55 degrees Is there anything else I can do . How bad is this, first winter with bees 🐝. Got them last spring

Thanks 🙏 for any suggestions

20 Comments
2024/03/27
19:10 UTC

1

Leaf Cutter Bee Cocoons

Hi all,

As a noob with solitary bees, I neglected to harvest the cocoons from the house before winter. It will probably be at least 2 months before we get consistent 70-degree weather here in Connecticut. Should I take them out of the house and put them in an incubation bag so they're all together? Will they have perished at having stayed in the tubes in the house during winter?

2 Comments
2024/03/27
19:01 UTC

1

Adding a swarm to a weak colony

I will be picking up a swarm today and plan to use it to boost a weak colony. The swarm is currently in a 10 frame medium and I’m going to stack it on top of the weak hive’s 10 frame deep with a sheet of syrup dampened newspaper between the two.

What should I do about the queens? Should I pinch one and keep the one I chose? Or should I leave both of them and allow them to fight it out?

I’m hesitant to keep the old queen because I’m unsure of how good she actually is. I believe she’s freshly mated and possibly just started laying within the last couple of days. However, the hive is on its last legs and it could be because she’s not doing so well.

On the other hand, I know nothing about the swarm queen. Very little chance of Africanized bees here, but there just seems to be a lot of variables.

10 Comments
2024/03/27
18:32 UTC

6

I’m an idiot

I caught a swarm a week ago and went to move it into my hive, but when I opened up the swarm trap, I’d neglected to put frames in there and now there’s 6 combs hanging from the ceiling, 2 of which fell off into the bottom of the trap. Aside from me being an idiot, can someone give me a step-by-step of how to transfer them? I’m nervous to smash all the comb with it being super soft. Also, they were really pissed when I opened them up…

11 Comments
2024/03/27
16:47 UTC

1

Fermented honey

Has anyone tried making fermented honey? The noma recipe doesn't appeal to me as its too runny.

2 Comments
2024/03/27
13:56 UTC

22

Dr. Cameron Jack from the University of Florida presented the latest on his OAV research last night. He was the one who discovered the optimal dosage of oxalic acid for mite control a few years ago. Free recording linked below will be available until April 9.

This was part of the At-Home Beekeeping series, a monthly free meeting series sponsored by the Lawrence County - Alabama Extension. This series features presentations from leading bee researchers from major universities and is worth the time to watch.

Dr. Jack covered his work on oxalic acid dosages, delivery methods and treatment intervals, the last of which hasn't been published yet.

Here is the recording link.

5 Comments
2024/03/27
11:50 UTC

2

Few questions from new beek

Hello,

I started last year so this is my first spring here in Slovenia. I have some questions on how to best prepare for the season and if my actions so far are correct.

1st hive overwintered in two medium boxes. I noticed that the top box was full of brood, honey and pollen and had no space for queen to lay. Bottom box had some pollen, little bit of honey and just a little brood on one frame. Since the top box was full and it looked like queen is not moving downstairs, I decided to switch the boxes and place the empty one on top. I believe I made the right choice but now when boxes are switched in order there is some space between them, enough for the bees to fly out. Should I close this space? What should I use? I hear they chew trough tape.

2nd hive also overwintered in two medium boxes. Both are full of honey, pollen and brood and there is very little space to go. I am guessing I can add another box on top right away but I have no frames with built comb. Will it be ok if I add now just a box with fundation and let them build it? Should I add a queen excluder or let her roam free? And is there some way to motivate the hive to build new comb faster, like perhaps moving a few frames of brood to the new box?

Thank you for any ideas or suggestions.

7 Comments
2024/03/27
10:58 UTC

0

QC Jobs/Apprenticeships?

Hi all I'm moving to the Shannon, Quebec area in a couple months. I have an education in art, but the art prospects are looking pretty dire right now, so I figured I'd look into picking up a trade I've always been passionate about (like beekeeping!)

However, I have no idea where to start looking for businesses that could use motivated extra hands... so I'm asking if reddit has any resources for finding work as a beekeeper in Quebec? I'm bilingual so responses in French are also welcome if that's easier for anyone.

2 Comments
2024/03/27
03:10 UTC

35

Bee swarm on roof

Hello! A bee swarm seems to have landed on my roof, I believe in the last 24 hours. A few are getting through the chimney flue, does this mean they will all start to migrate into the chimney? There is rain in the forecast for the next two days and am concerned they will make their way inside the chimney for shelter. Do I call someone to remove them immediately or give it time for them to move on?

11 Comments
2024/03/27
00:58 UTC

5

Best way to keep bees away from the extracting area?

Would Honey B Gone work to keep them away from the extractor?

14 Comments
2024/03/26
23:30 UTC

4

I’m looking to get a nailgun to make putting the frames together easier.

What should I look for. My friend said Brad nails pull out easy but doesn’t know anything about bee keeping. So I wanted to get opinions.

Edit: Thanks everybody. You really helped me zone in on what I’m getting.

65 Comments
2024/03/26
22:09 UTC

4

Bottom board depth?

I'm making bottom boards this weekend and was looking at my bought bottom board and the ones I have all have a 3/4" space between the bottom board and bottom of the box. I've been thinking of making them with a 3/8" gap to help keep mice out in the winter and act almost like a built in reducer.

Would there be any downside to the shorter opening?

4 Comments
2024/03/26
20:50 UTC

2

How long to wait after new installation

I installed two new packages of bees Saturday afternoon. I have top feeders on both and added sugar water when I did so. How long should I wait to check on everything and remove the queen cages?

12 Comments
2024/03/26
18:23 UTC

2

Bees absconded aftering transferring bee resources to new hive

Hello Beekeeps, I tried an experiment last last week which failed. I had a top bar hive which I had abandoned and also some langstooth bee boxes with empty frames, the goal was to transfer bee resources into the empty frames band them with rubber band and then shake the bees into the new hives whilst I took the old box away. Bees didn't last 3 days and they absconded what could I have don't better for me to get them to stay?

5 Comments
2024/03/26
17:29 UTC

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