Happy Friday and I have finally finished the Long Langstroth Bee Hive and installed a 3 pound package of Saskatraz Honey Bees.
The bees arrived on Tuesday in a snowstorm and had to be held until Thursday for installation when the weather broke.
Package storage 5560 deg. f, in total darkness to keep the bees quiet. They did not use up their included sugar syrup. Very few dead, and the Queen was lively.
I also walk you through my apiary to show an indication of robbing that is very important to know about this time of year, or any time there is a dearth.
The nectar flow has not hit us yet, so they need feed to get them going.
My seasoned bees that made it through winter are bringing in resources at a rapid pace and will need wider entrances and a super very soon.
I had several extra packages of bees as I overspeculated about my winter losses. So, I've added two more hives to the apiary in addition to the Long Langstroth hive.
The two new FlowHive 2 units will be the ones I use to check for a varroa load in the Saskatraz bees. The weather was so bad that I decided not to treat the packages before installation.
I will share about package health within the next 9 days.

If you want to see greater detail as to how I direct release my queens or how to use the marshmallow to slow that introduction, please watch this video:    • How To Install a Package of Honey Bee...  

Below are some links to equipment shown in this video for your convenience:

FREE UPDATED PLANS: https://www.fredsfinefowl.com/printsf...

1 Rapid Round Feeder: https://amzn.to/2W0aDpL
50/50 sugar to water (cane sugar) with 1 tsp / quart of essential oils.

2 HoneyBHealthy Essential Oils: https://amzn.to/3eR0BQ3
Prevents your syrup from spoiling.

3 Tension latches: (Lockable) https://amzn.to/2KxHZXA

4 Entrance Gates I'm using under the hive for seasonal air flow control: https://amzn.to/2KvBrbM

5 The Long Langstroth was assembled and glued up with waterproof glue: https://amzn.to/2KubDwX

6 Heavy copper flashing: 16 gauge https://amzn.to/2S46oIz

7 copper blocker mesh that I used under the follower/division board: It's also great for blocking mice and pests: https://amzn.to/2ztR8OE

8 Stainless Steel Scrubby Pads I use in gable vents to slow air flow to provide venting without drafts. https://amzn.to/2S5RHEV

9 Better Comb by BetterBee: Fast start comb with predrawn cells to get your Queen laying faster: (tell them Frederick Dunn send you) https://www.betterbee.com/frames/adfb...

10 for those wanting to go "vertical" instead of "horizontal"...
Please avoid fakes, here is the real deal at $50.00 off: http://mbsy.co/honeyflow/29307941
AU https://mbsy.co/zSDf9
EU https://mbsy.co/zSDbm

11 300 Series Stainless Steel Wire Mesh/Screen Make Your Own vents and drains, or even screened bottom openings: https://amzn.to/2Y8QNuX

12 EXTERIOR PAINT my favorite paint for all of my hives is from Valspar: https://amzn.to/2Kv4ixb

13 Disposable Paint Brushes Leave a couple of brushes right in each of your hives under the cover so you don't crosscontaminate your hives. Brush those stubborn workers right out of the way: https://amzn.to/2S4hlKc

Want to join a forum of those who also watch this channel, where you can chat, share photos/videos and keep up with likeminded backyard beekeepers? Here is the link to our Friendly Beekeeping Fellowship https://www.facebook.com/groups/30622...

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