Pro-DFM and Powder Sugar Dispenser/Applicator Idea

 So, I've been using this 'pro-biotic' for some time now and I find it really helps!  

But the problem was getting the application in - using a spoon and container.  Of course, I would spill the stuff from time to time so this afternoon I came up with an idea.  A 'pro-dfm' shaker.

Its a big 'salt shaker' using an old peanut butter jar.  It was washed and cleaned out and I drilled some holes in the lid.  It has a 1 to 1 mix ratio of the Pro-DFM and Powder Sugar.

1/8th inch holes

Just a few shakes and its on!  NO spoon, No Mess, QUICK

They really LIKE it!

More May Antics and Adventures...

 

A Small Yard in Town

Swarm Catchin

Checker boarding new undrawn with drawn 
for adding supers

Busy May as Well!

 Things have been hoping here!  I have several yards, two trailers and some new locations to work with.  

The good news is the Bees are building now, feeding some amazing blooms and pollen now.

This yard is along the Palouse River - just South West of Spokane.  Amazing bloom! 

New Trailer with 34 colonies on board

Speaking of bloom - check this out!

Apple Blossom

 

One of the yards looking down the Colville Valley

Goofy Selfie

A big drop of syrup has some 'customers'

Another Great Yard Up North

Crazy Busy April 2021!

 OK... this month has been a whirl wind!  Two trips to California for my bees and to haul packages! 

The trip begins with the long drive south and across the Inland Northwest.  It is quite an Odyssey with many interesting re-fueling stops along the way.  My first stop on the way done is at Biggs Junction on Highway 97 going through the middle of Oregon.  I start early, so this image is facing west with the beautiful sunrise shinning on the Gorge Walls along the Columbia.  I will pass by the John Day Dam - a true marvel of American Ingenuity and Engineering.  It would be great to do 'big things' again in this country like this!

... more later on.

 

Some thoughts on my survivor stock

I keep pretty good records, or at least I try to every year! 

I'm seeing a pattern that you may be experiencing too.  The hives that spent some time with the sunflower bloom, in late summer, seem to over winter better and have no noticeable nosema infection.  This is  a type of bee diarrhea that is lethal for bees trying to rebound after winter. 

Check out Ian Stepler - as he talks about Sunflower and the beneficial effects to 'bee gut health'.  This guy is fantastic!  Great advice and some great ideas and experience.

You might want to consider planting some sunflowers in your garden next year for sure!

Sunflowers and Bee Gut Health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQKuX2T1X4

The Almond Bloom is INCREDIBLE!

My 'orchard buddy' sent this to me.  My Bees are working this bloom now.  Nice and warm - in the low 70's and sunny!

Beautiful Bloom!

Tool Kit Box for The Yards...

 "Just where did my hive tool go?"

Have you ever wondered this?  I DO all the TIME!  

New Tool kit with New Smoker!

Here was my response.  I built a tool kit box.  

Here is a short video that shows you more about it!

I'm having a blast making cool tools to make life in the Yards easier!

How we build frames

We have been busy this winter making deep, medium and shallow frames   These shallows will be used for making cut comb frames.  We ALWAYS glue our frames before 'shooting them'

Attaching the bottom board on the frame

These setup fast

This is a little trick that I learned many years ago.  Shoot in a 'side staple' on the edge like this to make the frame more robust and less likely to come apart later.

Side shot

Building up our inventory Spring!

Improving Plastic Foundation Acceptance

For many years I have had some challenges getting the bees to accept this type of foundation.  Sometimes it works just fine, others not so much.

What I have found that improves this - is to rub fresh beeswax on the plastic.  We've also melted some wax and brushed it on as well.  

I came up with an idea using old toilet paper rolls, plugging the bottom of the roll and pouring the wax in.  I let them cool and they become essentially a type of  'big crayon' for wax application.

The first step is to melt the wax.  I use a crock pot that I picked up at a yard sale for a buck.

I use an old crock pot

Then, I use my molds and do a two stage pour.  I pour a little bit at first letting it cool for an hour or so.

Later, I will top them off so they look like this.

Set to cool

Next, I open them up and peel back some of the cardboard tube.

Ready to peel back

Ready to apply to new foundation

Just rub on a little or a lot

Cheap and easy to make!  

First Post of 2021!

Sorry for my tardiness this year as we have been really busy with more students (more work for me) and the whole Covid-19 "joy"

Latest news...

I took the bees down in November of last year to my good friend in California.  He has about 37 acres of almonds and uses my bees for the pollination.  The bees benefit from the warm gentle winter and come out pretty strong in the Spring.  Here's what it looks like now:

Beautiful January Weather!

Feeders on!

The new trailer!

The drive down was uneventful and much better than last year!  

Beautiful scenes from the countryside - on the way there and where I hunted and fished as a young man.  Great to be back a few times each year.

Oak Trees along HWY 132

SHOP NEWS!

In the shop, back home, we've been making frames, boxes and and a new 'invention' for my smoker.

A tidy box for my tools

The shop is nice and warm with the fire!

Speaking of Boxes...   

Here is a video of my box machine 'in action'.  Note:  I respect this machine quite a bit! You pay attention while running it.

BUILDING CUSTOMER BOXES AND FRAMES:

This is one I built for a customer.  THANK YOU!

8 Frame Langstroth

It's an 'all-hands' evolution here.  Its fun to build these in the winter.

I will be heading down next month to start new Queens and Nucs.  Its going to be a great year!  I will post more then.

Thanks !

Will Olson