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Kirsten Trayor -- Reading a Hive from the National Honey Show. Her take on shook swarm. Start at timeline around 45:18 I have a slight problem with the idea that a shook swarm is evil on this forum. Just the mention of the phrase can garner some pretty strong words. I have done them and...

With Ukrainian hives hefting is impossible and with other styles if anyone has back, hip, or knee issues it is not advised. Many factors can affect the consumption of winter stores and catch beekeepers off guard. IMO, if many beekeepers in an area, such as is stated in the article, are saying...

I lost a hive to queen failure at the end of winter last year. Too early to get the new queen mated, and to early to buy one in. But I had 4 hives which allowed me to re stock that hive when it died, your one hive is a thin thread on which to rely. I hope you don't chuck it all in on the basis...

Hello to a fellow Canadian, I am smack dab in the middle of Sask. I loved PEI, you live in a wonderful place.

inclusive, intimidating, informative

An electric coffee mug warmer? They sit on a desk and on some models you can control the temperature. Some also come with an automatic shut off if left on too long.

So sorry to hear of this, hoping for the best for all of those affected. I watched it yesterday on our news and it looks pretty bad.

I have two long deep hives with 16 frames each and one with 23. The frames are 14"X16" IMHO my 23 frame long hive is great for partitioning off and doing a simple split to prevent swarming. For this next season I have made a permanent divider that will first be solid and then changed to a...

I am not so sure they are terrified. Beekeepers in both the USA and Canada use OAV a lot, a few dribble treat but not many. From the forum I am on in North America the use of OAV is the predominant varroa treatment with a few other types thrown in to mix it up a little.

Many beekeepers do here as well but I cannot say if they add extra insulation for the winter.

I made no calculations, I build my own hives and that is the thickness of both the wood and the insulation on the exterior of the hive. I don't use pre made polystyrene hives. I think something got lost in translation Also, I live in Canada and we have one recorded low temp. of -50C where I...

I didn't use the 2.5" thick lumber for any particular purpose. I was new to beekeeping, wanted a Ukrainian style hive and used what was at hand in the junk pile. But it did work out well and these hives are perfect for my geographical zone. Plus, I am not in the honey making business so have...

2.5" thick rigid styrofoam insulation. I make panels and screw them to the outside of my hives. The hives are homebuilt, not meant to move and are made of 2.5" thick lumber. I put a 10" deep box on the top and fill it with styrofoam insulation and then a down pillow, so I have 10" of upper...

Interesting, this same post showed up on another forum I belong to and the flag from where the poster came from was listed as Morocco. They had the same name of this poster. And, as on the other forum, this is where they lost me. If, and it is a BIG if, the warmer helps bees live thru winter...

Yes they do and most of them insulate from above and us in colder climes insulate on the outside as well. I will note, I had a swarm set up in an uninsulated unheated shed wall in late summer. I was new and all the experts said to leave them alone. I propped up a piece of 2" styrofoam on the...

On a recent New York bee wellness webinar apparently Randy Oliver is advising these folks on using other substances.

I have been running Ukrainian hives for 4 years and they have 14" X 16" deep frames. Two have 16 frames, one holds 23 frames. I can keep them from swarming with frame manipulation, expanding the broodnest to 10 frames and then condensing it down to 6 early July just as the honey flow is...

I run a modified Ukrainian and would never do anything else. Had a Langstroth for awhile and found it a PITA compared to my hives. I guess it is what you get used to and I am used to managing mine.

I ran one of my hives last winter with no top vent. We are advised to use top vents in order to keep the moisture down. I found that a 10" depth of top insulation and 2.5" around the sides allowed me to keep the top vent closed and only use a bottom. This hive consumed significantly less feed...

I kindly beg to differ, I think the argument is so long because beekeeping in one area is not the same as another. It is important that a beekeeper take advice from those within their local area especially on ventilation or winter preps. With us, ventilation is very important and can be key to...