Night Guards At The Beehives. I'm your host Tony Teolis and I'm keeping track of things to do for a better life. Throughout these episodes, I refer to four honey bee colonies. Hive A died in 2012, Hive B was started in 2012, and Hives C and D were started in April 2013. I have been having trouble with honey bee hive C the last few weeks as I think that hive may have replaced its queen in addition to honey bee hive B doing the same. I showed what was going on with hive B in Episodes 184 and 185 and there are links to them in this video as well as at ToDoListhome.com I went out this evening to put a robber screen in front of Hive C which is the smallest of my three hives now and there is not much going on in the hive. A few weeks ago I determined the queen to be missing but I have taken no steps to interfere with the bees' task of replacing the queen on their with supersedure. I thought a robber screen might give them a chance to fend off any predators but I quickly realized it was not necessary. When I went outside in the dark I took along my camera and headlight so I could observe the bees in hive C and see if I could nail on the robber screen. To my surprise and delight, I noticed the differences in the way the bees were guarding their respective hives. I had originally planned to look at hive c because it seems the weakest. I thought of putting on a robber screen but observed dozens of bees bearding it up outside the hive. I wasn't going to put a screen on this hive. Hive B had no outside guards but a peak nearby revealed at least a couple of guards and I didn't need to press to find out more. Hive D the top bar hive had it going on. All three entrance holes were guarded by very alert honey bees. Near hive C I noticed at least three moth beetles trying to find a way in. It was like the hive was under attack. But the screened bottom board has a plastic sheet underneath and the entrances seemed immensely defended so it seems the bees can protect their home. I'm just worried about how they will increase their numbers. I went on to Hive D to see how the top bar bees were defending it and to take a few photos. The top bar hive was right on me compared to the hives but they probably had been observing my photo taking of hives B and C to know they were next and they were alert. It wasn't long before an aggressive bee came to ward me off but I kept my cool and spoke calmly to the young bee. Telling her that I was leaving and will disturb them no further. It was just me Tony the beekeeper. I was all set to get stung but I wasn't worried. If I pushed my limits so be it. My calmness and what I hope is recognition of me stopped the bee short of stinging me. Amazingly I was not stung. I might not have gotten the film I was trying to get but the experience ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgc-boXKGZw

2014 is my fourth beekeeping season. Right now the top bar hive seems like it will make it into spring no problem. However, getting them out of spring will be the challenge. It's been a long much too long winter and the bees will need to work hard in between the early rains to gather pollen, nectar, build and raise brood and support themselves. There will also be another colony of honey bees to support later in April as a package of them will again arrive via mail from KelleyBees.com In the meantime, BrushyMountainBeeFarm has again come through with the necessary supplies for healthy and happy beekeeping. There are other supplies I use throughout the year but for spring these are the most important from my experience. I also have two kinds of Varroa mite treatments on hand but will hold off on using them until absolutely necessary. Let's hope that does not become the case. Because only really strong colonies can survive the harshness of the treatments. It's all about balance, not eradication or control but balance. With the supplies list that's what I am aiming for. Beetle Traps - Because beetles will invade a hive and the bees could use some help in keeping their numbers low. This year I am also employing a beetle jail for the first time. Fumigilin B - To combat nosema which could be a concern after this long, long winter. Honey B Healthy - Because it has all the essential nutrients that bees can only benefit from. Menthol Crystals - To kill tracheal mites and keep them out of the hive. Pollen Substitute - Mixes well with real pollen to help stave off starvation. Fresh Pollen - The world's best for the bees. Smoker Fuel - Because I don't disturb the hive without having smoke nearby. Please Like, Subscribe, and hit the Bell to get the latest. https://tonyteolis.com https://www.patreon.com/Prepper21 https://instagram.com/prepper21st https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-teolis-838a63a7/ https://tonyteolis.com/contact https://www.paypal.me/Prepper21 https://odysee.com/@Prepper21:c Welcome and Learn to thrive through the challenges of the 21st century. How will you get there? What will you be producing? Be more productive, it's fun. Join the community of experts for not only surviving but thriving during the 21st Century. This is your time to make a difference for you and yours. if you don't plan your life it will be planned for you. The same goes for your garden or lack thereof. Disclaimer https://tonyteolis.com/?page_id=3318 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_R683Fu_ao