I hate long videos but it seems almost all beekeepers put up long videos, and you're kind of in the middle of the pack. The only thing i like is because i stuck to the very end and you said something interesting about super cold hives and unable and unwilling to move to the side frames for food and choosing to starve over letting their brood die. Makes sense. Laws of nature. Maternal instinct. Makes me rethink the danger of 'checkerboarding' frames at times of year, and wisdom of always having some fondant over the center humid spot whether they need more or not.

@beesintheweeds

6 ай бұрын

LOL! Well I certainly appreciate the honest feedback. I do try to keep the videos somewhat shorter and if they go too long I make them into two parts. But yes, some go longer than others. Hopefully the content is good and it’s worth it! 😁 Thanks for watching!!

Appreciate the comments from the Northern Lat Bee Keepers. This winter we’ve gone down to -35 so any Intel I can glean from other cold area Keepers is helpful

@beesintheweeds

5 ай бұрын

Now that’s cold! 🥶 Glad you found the video informative. Cheers!

Thanks 😃

David Burns has a candy board that fits the entire hive so that you can feed them a whole brick at once

I use a similar recipe and use 1-2 Tbs MegaBee to 4lbs dry sugar, press it into silicon soap molds and place in a 150 degree oven to glue it together. A 1-inch shim works well for emergency feed and even a tiny nuc can eat away at the blocks, I move them to the center as needed.. Some of my colonies overwinter in a single deep, one needed feed before xmas last year when people had frozen pipes and pulled through like a champ.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experiences! Happy beekeeping!

where did you pick up the shim for the sugar brick?

@beesintheweeds

Ай бұрын

Those come with a Vivaldi board. I also make them myself.

I was looking for the woodenware measurements for the sugar brick container? I have used sugar bricks with a 2 inch shim on top the inner cover. This looks much tidier and effective in providing emergency (winter feed). Thank you.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

I would have to check but the exact dimensions are not important as you can make whatever size you want, all the way up to the entire length and width of the Vivaldi Board. The larger the shim, the more emergency feed it can supply. Please let me know if you would like the exact dimensions and I can go measure. Thanks for watching!!

Where do you buy these boards or did you make them?

@beesintheweeds

5 ай бұрын

The Amazing Vivaldi Board! kzread.info/dash/bejne/o4dsucOacqS_Zdo.html

I like the recipe but I think it is better used in the southern US. Up north where I am that's too much protein. Northern bees don't get the warm days during the winter to do cleansing flights so a lot of protien can cause dysentery. I make hard packed, 20 lb sugar bricks that cover the entire hive. Rather than vinegar I use pro health which adds the essential olis and has antibacterial properties. As far as the bricks being hard, the condensation within the hive created by warm air meeting cold is absorbed by the sugar brick which softens it enough for the bees to eat. As well i dont need a quilt box because the sugar brick does that job already.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Excellent points!

I tried a soft candy board and placed it on a wire mesh over the frames...it soaked in the moisture and turned into a syrup which ran down over the frames and into the bottom of the box. That in turn made a "Fly trap" for the bees in the bottom as it was drowning the bees in syrup and making it impossible for them to leave and enter the hive. I lost a lot of bees. Hopefully there are enough left to get through winter and hoping it didn't kill the queen. I didn't inspect the hive because it's too cold. Just praying for the little ones...I will try the cooked candy and place smaller servings in the feeder to hopefully keep this from happening again....Good luck folks !, and Happy New Year !!!...

@beesintheweeds

6 ай бұрын

Wow, I’ve never heard of that. Sounds like maybe the brick was too soft? These bricks get pretty hard quickly after placing in the hives. Happy New Year to you as well! Thanks for watching!

@dogblackprincehoney

5 ай бұрын

I saw some people put grease proof paper underneath fondant or plastic. Some put it over the hole in a crown board.

Can you use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar so its less likely to hurt their tongues?

@beesintheweeds

6 ай бұрын

I'm going to defer this question to @jakebark23. He will be able to provide a much better answer than myself. Stay tuned. Thanks!

@jakebark23

6 ай бұрын

Hey Patricia. The powdered sugar sounds like an interesting idea but I don’t see it as viable. Powdered sugar is usually a feeding no-no because it is doped with anti-clumping agents that are not digestible by the bees, can cause flock out and dysentery. You could always pulverize your own powdered sugar, but the stuff is going to end up reconstituting into a solid and the conundrum remains. Most soft feeds are using an oil or fat to give it flexibility that won’t immediately dry out. Fondants are often powdered sugar based with a softening agent, but the ones made for beekeeping steer clear of non-digestibles. The way you disrupt crystalization in many of these products is you add something that gets between the bonding molecules, which the fats can somewhat do. I make a powdered sugar and honey fondant for queen candy/queen release candy, but it is very labor intensive and can have humidity/softening and hardening issues. The best tool IMHO is monitoring hive weights. I added some prophylactic sugar bricks to some hives with some clients a few weeks back, and we were really disturbing colonies for no real purpose beyond them wanting to feel accomplished about sugar feeding. I really don’t think it is beneficial unless the bees need it, but that is my 2¢! Best wishes on your beeking adventures.

@patriciachiampas1037

6 ай бұрын

@@jakebark23 thank you for the information. I'm still learning and hopefully will have a couple hives come spring. I'd like to avoid some common mistakes or at least know how to I better handle them when I do make them.

Why isnt it possible to feed your bees enough After the honey pull to make it through the winter?

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Excellent question! And the answer it is absolutely is. In fact, that’s what I’ve attempted to do if you watch my last few videos. I run singles so I targeted 70 lbs of honey/sugar syrup in each. The bees, however, may blow through that food sooner than we would like if temps don’t drop to winter levels slowing down activity. The sugar brick is essentially cheap insurance. If bees need it, great. If not, not a huge deal.

@BuildingATitan

7 ай бұрын

We have that problem up here in Wisconsin. My hives generally have about 90 lbs of honey in store for winter. The problem is, because of climate change, the bees are still flying for up to 1 month or more after the fall pollen flow is over. My colonies go into winter very large so they consume their honey way too fast because they aren't forced to cluster when they should. I offset that with liquid feed but once the temps drop below 50, that's no longer an option. Climate change is making it really tricky to get bees through the winter up here. At least for me.

@badassbees3680

6 ай бұрын

or you have lots of unexpected flying days...good video but a bee with a damaged tongue ain't living til spring anyways...worst part of emergency feeding is that the bees have to bring water in to process it creating moisture and you don't want bees processing sugar and dying early when they need to live til spring. The vinegar is supposed to help invert it not preserve it, but that also creates hmf acid not so much if not heated though..but sometimes you have to feed or their gonna die of starvation. .which is certain death..overall this is good info

@jamskinner

6 ай бұрын

I suggest you look at the actual temperature the planet has risen. It’s not going to change bee activity.

We cannot buy pollen sub in Ireland.

@beesintheweeds

6 ай бұрын

That’s odd. 🙁 What is that?

@dogblackprincehoney

5 ай бұрын

I bought some soy powder in the UK.

We call it fondant as I think does most of the world.

@beesintheweeds

5 ай бұрын

While both are made from sugar and water, fondant has more of a creamy consistency (by beating or whipping) as it often has gelatin added to soften and stabilize the mixture. This sugar brick hardens over time and becomes brittle. I prefer to differentiate the two as their textures are very different.

@Polyhive

5 ай бұрын

The fondant I use here in Scotland contains sugar and water only. Far cheaper to buy it in a block than to make it. @@beesintheweeds

@beesintheweeds

5 ай бұрын

@@PolyhiveMan, I’m jealous. Visiting Scotland is on my bucket list! Cheers from across the pond!

@dogblackprincehoney

5 ай бұрын

@@Polyhive The fondant nearly doubled in price this year.

Seems like just 1/4 cup of pollen sub is pointless. I make up batches using 50 pound bags of sugar and use about 4 cups.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

There’s all sorts of combinations possible with sugar, water, and pollen sub. I tell people to use what works best for their bees. It also depends on your location and local weather.

@jamskinner

6 ай бұрын

I think it would be better to make some with and some without. Maybe the bees don’t need any.

I use a very similar method. Because our Northern bees are not able to leave the hive at all for bathroom breaks for 4 to 5 cold winter months, I use half your amount of pollen sub in the patty. If they have too many solids in their emergency food, they have a new "emergency" . They winter well on sugar with just a hint of added protein.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

That makes perfect sense! I always find it interesting how the different regions and climates can impact the bees. Thanks for sharing!

@MinnesotaBeekeeper

7 ай бұрын

Great point. We don't put any pollen Sub in to the house until say mid February.

@jamskinner

6 ай бұрын

As I stated elsewhere maybe don’t add any. Or put some in some of the brick and not all of it.

@paulmadore2933

5 ай бұрын

Biologist have performed extensive research on the effects of protein on bees from eating pollen patties. Biologists strongly recommend that we not introduce protean in the hive after September as it will have a negative effect on the new winter bees hatching in the hive.

@MinnesotaBeekeeper

5 ай бұрын

@@paulmadore2933 Paul would you be so kind and point me to the studies I'm coming a bit short. Thank you.

Hi

@beesintheweeds

5 ай бұрын

Hi, thanks for watching.

You too!!!! My bees burned through everything this fall. I have been feeding them open feeding after sugar honey pulled in July. One 25lb bag a week since. They are struggling this year. Charlotte NC

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Exactly!!! We turned from bee keepers to bee feeders! 🤣🤣🤣

Thanks for the video! We are going into our first winter with our hives so I'll be putting the information here to good use!

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

So glad it’s helpful! Happy beekeeping! Cheers!

Great point about burning through the stores. I had feeders on the hives pass the first several hard Frost and they were still taking it!

What if the mites are not under control? I am in ga and they said to put oxilic acid in December. Will the bees survive? I am going to make the patties like you did. I also have a big bag of sugar to feed. Purchased the bee pollen. How often you giving the brick during the winter? Just one?

@framcesmoore

7 ай бұрын

Hi hope it is ok to answer your question, You give as needed u need to always check your hives for food if the candy gets eaten u give them more. I check mine every other week, but how often depends on how big the candy board is I put 10 lbs on mine so they are good for at least 3 weeks. But bees can eat it fast, I to treat in December, for mites, because they sould have very little capped brood in the hives so u should be getting the last of the mites so they come out in the spring clean, but u can also do it now I have been treating with oav every week in November. The temp should be at least 45-50 so the cluster will not be to tight. I am still going to do it in December as well. The mites will kill your hives you have to get them down Hope this helps and good luck with your bees.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Hello! Great questions! It is imperative to get the mites under control. They are single handedly responsible for the vast majority of winter loss and colony collapse. Please read the OA instructions as there is a temperature range in which you can treat but many beeks do OA in late fall early winter before temps really drop. I give the bees as much brick as they want. I check the hives about every two weeks to peak inside to see if they need more. If they do, I add another brick. Happy beekeeping and thanks for watching!!

@LindaSullivan-sw3mv

7 ай бұрын

Some of mine chew the sugar out and it ends up on the bottom board in a pile. Why do they do that instead of using it?

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

@@LindaSullivan-sw3mv Excellent observation! You may even notice them carrying it out the front door! 🤦🏼‍♂️ Rest assure this is normal behavior and the bees are simply saying “thank you for the gesture but this isn’t needed at this time. 😊

What's the reason for the vinegar?

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

The vinegar acts as a preservative and keeps the sugar from going bad over time. Thanks for watching!

@gallowaylights

7 ай бұрын

​@beesintheweeds * now that's good info. 😊

Ha Nice video, I make mine like you do other then your vinegar I use hive alive in mine I use 1/4 hard wear cloth on top of the frames my pinky can go in the hole so the bees can get the sugar brick and it will not fall on the bees also with a shim I can put 10 lb on a hive at at time. I all so have my bees eating my candy instead of there honey stores some have eaten 10 lbs on there hive already and I am installing more. I think it is because of the hive alive they really like it. I also put a patty in the middle of the candy so they can eat this if they need it . Been doing this in this way for 9 years I have never had a problem with them hurting there tongs as I know. They also come out of winter very strong ready for the flow the candy does get hard I have found that if there is any moister it will go in the candy instead of dripping on the bees, and that is a plus as well This is thee first time I have seen you on youtube. and again I enjoyed your video. Have a Blessed week

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Hello! Thank you so much for sharing your setup and strategy. I agree with you that the bees are very likely after the Hive Alive. Does that have Honey B Healthy in it? That stuff is like catnip for bees. 😁 I’m glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for watching!

I used the steele creek camp method with fondant from Mann Lake. I pack a plastic ware container with fondant. Put the lid on and cut hole in top. Then turn it upside down on inner cover hole. Need a tall shim the height on container or a supper. Charlotte NC.

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Woodenware sise? Thanks

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

These are the shims that go in a 10 frame Vivaldi board. The hives are 10 frame Langstroth.

We run double deeps so don't feed in the winter. Your setup seems to work well for you and it's better to be safe than sorry if they may need it!

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Agreed Brian!

Hi. Tip : If that Granulated Sugar is too "Rough" (?) What about Mountain Camp Sugar Feed too ? . . . Why not Blitz that Sugar in an eg Coffee Grinder (used for Bees only !) A Charity (Op) Shop ones are ideal. You don't want Caffeine smells in any of that DIY powdered Sugar. 🤭 Or do larger amounts in a Kitchen Food Processor, in several batches: to get the Hive Numbers : Quantity needed. . . Here in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We "DONT" Buy Store 'bought' Icing Sugar (in the USA its : Powdered Sugar.) As both these have "Anti-Caking" Agents added to the Sugar, to stop it going hard in the Packaging ! Aka not Brick in the Food Cupboard. 🤭 Bees CAN'T digest this added "Agent" without having Toileting issues. . . Your own Sugar : Ground to Fine Particles is Fine. . . And Bees Feed better off this, kind of smoother Sugar ! (Almost "Fondant" like in feel, when eaten.) Also. Why not add all the Dry Ingredients to the Bucket and mix with your Hands. Then add that ACV to the Water. Then add all that to the Bucket to Mix with your Drill + Mixer (Paint Stirrer) Bit. Surely easier to Blend up ! Also. I would personally make all those Bricks a few Days before Need : To allow that SoS Feed to Dry Firm. (Set Firm in Shims.) That way its easier to then "Turn Over" and not Drown/Block that Access Hole. . . Had that stuff 'slip' out all over. . . Been there done that. What a mess to gather up and apply again. Hope this Helps. 😎 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2023. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Making Sugar Bricks : Dont make these Feed Bricks to many Days ahead. As the Sugar will re-absorb quite a lot of Moisture out of the Air. (It will get damp and Sticky !) The Bees of course need Side Wall "Condensation" as their Water Source while all cooped up over Winter. (Water Bees cannot Fly out of the Hive to gather Water in Cold and Freezing Winters !) Thats why you Insulate the Hive Top more than the sides. 😉 Its the Damp 'Dripping Top Condensation' off a Cold Roof and Internal Crown Board: that Kills Bees more than anything else !

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Good tips! Thanks for sharing!

Are you using cane sugar or beet sugar? Beet sugar is a GMO product if the bag says cane sugar it's not the bucket you used wasn't food grade bucket i hope you don't use those for your honey plastic that is recycled can not be sterilized food grade is a new clean plastic

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Great Value brand does not state the source of the sugar so you would have to reach out directly to the brand. The bucket used is food grade. You can find them on the Tractor Supply website. Thanks.

@BuildingATitan

7 ай бұрын

You don't eat the bees you eat the honey. For the record when honey production starts those bees will be dead so none of that matters.

@jakebark23

6 ай бұрын

@@beesintheweedsgreat value is gmo sugar beet based. It is also literally the same product, chemically speaking, as cane sugar. Sucrose is sucrose.

@robertchinchilla5544

3 ай бұрын

Gmo sugar beat is ,not the same as sugar cane sugar gmo products allow you to spray pesticides on them without killing the plant to control weeds that means the products have pesticides in them . Just like the study Indiana University did the coating on seed corn the coating on one seed is enough to kill 10,000 bees when planting the dust from seed corn when planting blows on trees and weed flowers your bees make propolis from trees and honey from flowers if you sell honey you want your honey to be as free as possible I know there is no such thing as organic honey because you can't control where the bees get there food there was another study about gmo corn where cattle preferred non gmo corn if had choice makes you think what do they know that we don't

Very informative but too long

@beesintheweeds

7 ай бұрын

Appreciate the feedback but most of my audience has stated they enjoy the videos around ~20 mins. I do my best to keep it around this length. My apologies if you found it drug on. Thanks for watching.