Okay I'll start the beekeeping thread (Page 154 of 154)
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Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: I think the Honey B Healthy stuff is probably half bullshit and half really good stuff.  I'm serious in that I think the hype is one thing. But I believe it helps the bees. Is it a miracle? No. Does it give them a boost? I think so. Please let us know what YOU think of it. It's hard to tell when so many factors play in. But a beekeeper who watches his/her hives does notice things and I believe what they notice has significance. The plan for in the morning if the weather man incorrect per usual and not have thunderstorms. Check the moisture on my honey and hope more of it is capped. Pull that super if everything is good. Throw a deep on and spritz the 21st bee infinity frames with sugar water with honey B healthy. Noticed with my super frames the ones that got a mist of sugar water got drawn out faster than the others. Believe it made them intrested in them. By giving them a reason to come out of the bottom box and find somewhere else to work. Also going to pull my supers off the hives in my field and put migratory lids on. Put some varroxsan strips in. Should be able to swap an old frame in both with an undrawn frame to buy me time if they don’t get moved tomorrow night due to weather. Shouldn’t have a problem moving a single deeps this time vs 2 deeps like last time. Doubt I’ll try moving 2 deeps by myself again. Still got all the usual weekend chores to try and cram in, all in one day. Here lately working 6 days a week and long hours is cutting into getting things done. |
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Pulled my one honey super off yesterday, did the extraction today and got a little over 2 gallons of tasty dark honey. What do I do with the mixed caps/honey from filtering it? |
an event "of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,"
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Originally Posted By Brundoggie: What do I do with the mixed caps/honey from filtering it? If you’re talking about what the metal screen caught. Just put it in some cheese cloth with your cappings and press the leftover honey out. Then melt the wax into usable blocks. I’ve got to make a solar melter this weekend to melt and filter mine. |
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Got a surprise with hive number 2. It’s super went from about 1/2 drawn out with hardly any sign of honey to probably 80% drawn out and 50% of it has uncapped honey. Had planned on pulling that super and replacing it with a deep. Dearth has started and I’m now trying come up with a new plan on that hive to swap that box for a deep. Guess I can put it in the freezer until fall and have a head start on fall honey. Hive 1 seemed to be weaker than before. May go back tomorrow and pull the 2 old black comb frames and put a frame of capped brood from another hive in it and a new heavily waxed one. Then put the syrup to them. ETA: after giving my neighbor down the road a bottle of honey and chatting for a bit. Found out him and another neighbor have been feeding the bees the last week along with the hummingbirds. Judging by the amount of feed one has gone through I’m thinking it may why that super filled up. Other neighbor had a bunch of mayhaw jelly not set right. He had been putting it in a pan throughout the day all week as they got the sugar from it. So I have a doubt about that honey being worth extracting due a high chance of not being from nectar. So would it be a bad idea to take that super and put it on my weak single deep. It now only has 7 drawn out frames. Just got done mixing up a 1 gallon feeder for it with some honey b healthy. |
| Decided to leave that super on. Since I have doubts on it being honey I would want. Maybe save me on the sugar syrup bill. Find out tomorrow if they’ve started using it. Mixed up enough syrup to give the other hives a gallon each. Harvest is supposed to start next week so I’m probably going to have to do some inspections and feedings in the dark for a few weeks. Hoping hive #1 will look better tomorrow and don’t need to rob another frame from a stronger hive. |
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Well, I'm fighting small hive beetles to beat the band. I had never had them bad enough to notice them before, but this year is a different story. I currently have beetle barns with diatomaceous earth and shortening in them, beetle blasters, beetle jails, and swiffer pads. I'm still losing. I'll probably condense two hives this upcoming weekend if they don't turn it around, and they may even go down to a nuc. We'll see. Does anyone use nematodes in the soil? |
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Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Well, I'm fighting small hive beetles to beat the band. I had never had them bad enough to notice them before, but this year is a different story. I currently have beetle barns with diatomaceous earth and shortening in them, beetle blasters, beetle jails, and swiffer pads. I'm still losing. I'll probably condense two hives this upcoming weekend if they don't turn it around, and they may even go down to a nuc. We'll see. Does anyone use nematodes in the soil? I don't have help to offer but crossing fingers for you. Hopefully somebody will show up with advice. |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Well, I'm fighting small hive beetles to beat the band. I had never had them bad enough to notice them before, but this year is a different story. I currently have beetle barns with diatomaceous earth and shortening in them, beetle blasters, beetle jails, and swiffer pads. I'm still losing. I'll probably condense two hives this upcoming weekend if they don't turn it around, and they may even go down to a nuc. We'll see. Does anyone use nematodes in the soil? At the convention I went to this weekend. The gentleman that spoke on natural bee keeping. Had talked about using round peppermint candy in all for corners between the frames and the inner cover for hive beetles. Something about that drives them away. Guessing it’ll drive them away from their usual hiding places and where the bees may drive be able them out or into the traps. Said peppermint oil doesn’t work for some reason but the round peppermint candy does, but you have to make sure it’s made with actual sugar. Might be something worth looking into to. |
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Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Well, I'm fighting small hive beetles to beat the band. I had never had them bad enough to notice them before, but this year is a different story. I currently have beetle barns with diatomaceous earth and shortening in them, beetle blasters, beetle jails, and swiffer pads. I'm still losing. I'll probably condense two hives this upcoming weekend if they don't turn it around, and they may even go down to a nuc. We'll see. Does anyone use nematodes in the soil? One of mentors is a big advocate of putting peppermint candies in the corners of the lower on the floor. |
an event "of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,"
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Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: At the convention I went to this weekend. The gentleman that spoke on natural bee keeping. Had talked about using round peppermint candy in all for corners between the frames and the inner cover for hive beetles. Something about that drives them away. Guessing it’ll drive them away from their usual hiding places and where the bees may drive be able them out or into the traps. Said peppermint oil doesn’t work for some reason but the round peppermint candy does, but you have to make sure it’s made with actual sugar. Might be something worth looking into to. That's really interesting that peppermint oil won't work. |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
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Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: That's really interesting that peppermint oil won't work. Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: At the convention I went to this weekend. The gentleman that spoke on natural bee keeping. Had talked about using round peppermint candy in all for corners between the frames and the inner cover for hive beetles. Something about that drives them away. Guessing it’ll drive them away from their usual hiding places and where the bees may drive be able them out or into the traps. Said peppermint oil doesn’t work for some reason but the round peppermint candy does, but you have to make sure it’s made with actual sugar. Might be something worth looking into to. That's really interesting that peppermint oil won't work. This is my hypothesis by the way he spoke about it. The smell from the oil may not stay strong long enough. Where the peppermint candy stays there constantly putting off the scent. While the bees are consuming the candy. They are spreading the smell and exposing new parts of the candy basically refreshing the scent. That’s just my thought/hypothesis on why it may work and the oil not. Haven’t tried it yet myself, but will the next time I inspect hives. Not sure if he has a YouTube or anything like that, but the speakers name is Eric Thompson: Swampland Bees & Company and the topic was Natural Beekeeping. Incase you want to look him up. |
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Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: This is my hypothesis by the way he spoke about it. The smell from the oil may not stay strong long enough. Where the peppermint candy stays there constantly putting off the scent. While the bees are consuming the candy. They are spreading the smell and exposing new parts of the candy basically refreshing the scent. That’s just my thought/hypothesis on why it may work and the oil not. Haven’t tried it yet myself, but will the next time I inspect hives. Not sure if he has a YouTube or anything like that, but the speakers name is Eric Thompson: Swampland Bees & Company and the topic was Natural Beekeeping. Incase you want to look him up. Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: At the convention I went to this weekend. The gentleman that spoke on natural bee keeping. Had talked about using round peppermint candy in all for corners between the frames and the inner cover for hive beetles. Something about that drives them away. Guessing it’ll drive them away from their usual hiding places and where the bees may drive be able them out or into the traps. Said peppermint oil doesn’t work for some reason but the round peppermint candy does, but you have to make sure it’s made with actual sugar. Might be something worth looking into to. That's really interesting that peppermint oil won't work. This is my hypothesis by the way he spoke about it. The smell from the oil may not stay strong long enough. Where the peppermint candy stays there constantly putting off the scent. While the bees are consuming the candy. They are spreading the smell and exposing new parts of the candy basically refreshing the scent. That’s just my thought/hypothesis on why it may work and the oil not. Haven’t tried it yet myself, but will the next time I inspect hives. Not sure if he has a YouTube or anything like that, but the speakers name is Eric Thompson: Swampland Bees & Company and the topic was Natural Beekeeping. Incase you want to look him up. This is my understanding as well. I bought a bag of candies just for this purpose but so far I haven't used them since I don't have SHB (yet) so I've been eating them. |
an event "of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution,"
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Well I thought I would have to combine hives myself for the first time, but the weak one got robbed out after the beetles took their toll. I'm down 5 hives now, but I think I may be winning the war. I've learned that I was making a lot of mistakes. The swiffer sheets are really rocking it. The beetle blasters aren't bad, either. Hopefully I can get this under control before the winter comes. I'll be ready for next year, that's for sure! |
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Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Well I thought I would have to combine hives myself for the first time, but the weak one got robbed out after the beetles took their toll. I'm down 5 hives now, but I think I may be winning the war. I've learned that I was making a lot of mistakes. The swiffer sheets are really rocking it. The beetle blasters aren't bad, either. Hopefully I can get this under control before the winter comes. I'll be ready for next year, that's for sure! Swiffer sheets have been doing a good job for me this season. Just put some strips of Brawny H700 towels in one of the hives to try. Supposed to work like the swiffer sheets. Think I got a box of 100 for $24. If they work like the swiffer sheets I’ll be going to them. Especially since I replace them every time I open a hive. Also finally remembered to bring my beetle crushers to try out. Know everyone has their own opinion on using pesticides. Do know you can do a ground drench with permethrin for hive beetles. The 2 books I have only show Gardstar being labeled for it. Others may be labeled for it or require a higher mix to get the same strength. Another thing that just popped into my mind. Depending on your legs for the hive stand. You may be able to slap some vasaline around the bottom of the legs. Might keep them from being able to crawl up it along with ants. |
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Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Swiffer sheets have been doing a good job for me this season. Just put some strips of Brawny H700 towels in one of the hives to try. Supposed to work like the swiffer sheets. Think I got a box of 100 for $24. If they work like the swiffer sheets I'll be going to them. Especially since I replace them every time I open a hive. Also finally remembered to bring my beetle crushers to try out. Know everyone has their own opinion on using pesticides. Do know you can do a ground drench with permethrin for hive beetles. The 2 books I have only show Gardstar being labeled for it. Others may be labeled for it or require a higher mix to get the same strength. Another thing that just popped into my mind. Depending on your legs for the hive stand. You may be able to slap some vasaline around the bottom of the legs. Might keep them from being able to crawl up it along with ants. Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Well I thought I would have to combine hives myself for the first time, but the weak one got robbed out after the beetles took their toll. I'm down 5 hives now, but I think I may be winning the war. I've learned that I was making a lot of mistakes. The swiffer sheets are really rocking it. The beetle blasters aren't bad, either. Hopefully I can get this under control before the winter comes. I'll be ready for next year, that's for sure! Swiffer sheets have been doing a good job for me this season. Just put some strips of Brawny H700 towels in one of the hives to try. Supposed to work like the swiffer sheets. Think I got a box of 100 for $24. If they work like the swiffer sheets I'll be going to them. Especially since I replace them every time I open a hive. Also finally remembered to bring my beetle crushers to try out. Know everyone has their own opinion on using pesticides. Do know you can do a ground drench with permethrin for hive beetles. The 2 books I have only show Gardstar being labeled for it. Others may be labeled for it or require a higher mix to get the same strength. Another thing that just popped into my mind. Depending on your legs for the hive stand. You may be able to slap some vasaline around the bottom of the legs. Might keep them from being able to crawl up it along with ants. |
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Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Thanks for the good ideas. Link to the "beetle crusher"? I've been using my hive tool. https://www.21stbee.com/product/beetle-crusher-8-pack/ Pretty sure other suppliers have them, just who I got them from. They clip over the top bar on a frame. Just wedge your hive tool under it and pop both sides up. Just enough gap for the hive beetles to go. Next time you open the hive press it down to crush any beetles under it. Thought is give them a place to hide and then smash them while they are hiding. |
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Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: https://www.21stbee.com/product/beetle-crusher-8-pack/ Pretty sure other suppliers have them, just who I got them from. They clip over the top bar on a frame. Just wedge your hive tool under it and pop both sides up. Just enough gap for the hive beetles to go. Next time you open the hive press it down to crush any beetles under it. Thought is give them a place to hide and then smash them while they are hiding. Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Originally Posted By killingmachine123: Thanks for the good ideas. Link to the "beetle crusher"? I've been using my hive tool. https://www.21stbee.com/product/beetle-crusher-8-pack/ Pretty sure other suppliers have them, just who I got them from. They clip over the top bar on a frame. Just wedge your hive tool under it and pop both sides up. Just enough gap for the hive beetles to go. Next time you open the hive press it down to crush any beetles under it. Thought is give them a place to hide and then smash them while they are hiding. |
| Felt like Christmas today. Took advantage of Foxhound Bee Supply’s $2.50 shipping for Labor Day. Wasn’t planning on starting to order stuff for another month for spring. Got all of the cypress deeps and supers I expect to need next season plus some extras because we all know how that goes. Also got some top feeders to try on my current hives. Figure I saved either $80-100 in fuel going to South Louisiana to get them, or $160 on shipping. Only thing I believe I am now lacking for next season is frames, supplements and queens for splits. Guess I’ll bring the boxes to work to put together and we’ll probably be wide open busy unlike this week. Anyone else get any good Labor Day deals on bee stuff? |
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Update on the h700 sheets on hive beetles. Think I may have cut them too narrow. The bees had shredded them to the point there’s hardly any sign of them being there. Going to replace them tomorrow with wider sheets when I combine that hive with another after moving them tonight. We’ll know in a couple weeks if I cut them too narrow or if they work like the swiffer sheets. Believe I put some in a hive I need to check tomorrow along with giving them some syrup and pollen patty. ETA: checked another hive that had the h700 sheets in them. Apparently these were cut a good bit wider. They were still there and nice and fuzzy. Only had 2 beetles in the 4 that were trapped in them. |
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Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Update on the h700 sheets on hive beetles. Think I may have cut them too narrow. The bees had shredded them to the point there’s hardly any sign of them being there. Going to replace them tomorrow with wider sheets when I combine that hive with another after moving them tonight. We’ll know in a couple weeks if I cut them too narrow or if they work like the swiffer sheets. Believe I put some in a hive I need to check tomorrow along with giving them some syrup and pollen patty. ETA: checked another hive that had the h700 sheets in them. Apparently these were cut a good bit wider. They were still there and nice and fuzzy. Only had 2 beetles in the 4 that were trapped in them. Okay y'all, catch an old, long-absent beekeeper up on these latest ideas? What do the swiffer sheets and the brawny sheets do? I was taught to use cups like cool whip bowls, etc, to set the stand legs in, then fill those cups up with some kind of oil like vegetable oil, etc. It wasn't beetles that took me out of beekeeping so I never got to try that out, and don't know anything about the latest stuff on beetle prevention. |
Nobody ever wakes me at 2 in the morning telling me that my grass is out on the highway.~~Radiopat
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
Wine is sunlight held together by water~~Galileo Galilei
Well-behaved women rarely make history~~Marilyn Monroe
|
Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Okay y'all, catch an old, long-absent beekeeper up on these latest ideas? What do the swiffer sheets and the brawny sheets do? I was taught to use cups like cool whip bowls, etc, to set the stand legs in, then fill those cups up with some kind of oil like vegetable oil, etc. It wasn't beetles that took me out of beekeeping so I never got to try that out, and don't know anything about the latest stuff on beetle prevention. The swiffer and brawny h700 towels are made from hydroentangled fibers. When the hive beetles walk on them their legs get caught up in them and can’t escape. Believe the hive beetle has tiny hooks on there legs that get caught up in the fibers. Haven’t seen any bees get stuck to them yet. They will chew on them and make them fluffy which in turn increases the fibers effectiveness. |
   ..Good day hive. Well, it's been one, maybe two decades since I got stung. In the early 80's I did all of the field work for over 1000 hives in the central region of this state. Used to get stung everyday no matter what. Average was around 15 stings for the field work (on a good day) One day while taking honey.. I actually counted every sting up until sting number 52. ☠ Can't say that I miss the stings. My little buddies can bring some pain if they are so inclined. Just got popped on the back of the hand by a sting..  It was somewhat delightful and mildly invigorating. Of course, I scratched that stinger out in about a second or it might have swelled up. It was not bad at all really. ..Weird how a person can somehow miss the little bees. My buddies are cool. 🐝 |
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Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Okay y'all, catch an old, long-absent beekeeper up on these latest ideas? What do the swiffer sheets and the brawny sheets do? I was taught to use cups like cool whip bowls, etc, to set the stand legs in, then fill those cups up with some kind of oil like vegetable oil, etc. It wasn't beetles that took me out of beekeeping so I never got to try that out, and don't know anything about the latest stuff on beetle prevention. Originally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs: Originally Posted By runs_with_scissors: Update on the h700 sheets on hive beetles. Think I may have cut them too narrow. The bees had shredded them to the point there's hardly any sign of them being there. Going to replace them tomorrow with wider sheets when I combine that hive with another after moving them tonight. We'll know in a couple weeks if I cut them too narrow or if they work like the swiffer sheets. Believe I put some in a hive I need to check tomorrow along with giving them some syrup and pollen patty. ETA: checked another hive that had the h700 sheets in them. Apparently these were cut a good bit wider. They were still there and nice and fuzzy. Only had 2 beetles in the 4 that were trapped in them. Okay y'all, catch an old, long-absent beekeeper up on these latest ideas? What do the swiffer sheets and the brawny sheets do? I was taught to use cups like cool whip bowls, etc, to set the stand legs in, then fill those cups up with some kind of oil like vegetable oil, etc. It wasn't beetles that took me out of beekeeping so I never got to try that out, and don't know anything about the latest stuff on beetle prevention. |