Backyard Beekeeping Questions and Answers #86 Gift Ideas for Beekeepers and more.

Welcome to backyard beekeeping questions and answers, I'm glad you're here! If you have a question to be considered for a Q & A episode, please post in the comment section or follow this link: http://www.fredsfinefowl.com/thewaytobee.html If you'd like to join a closed group of very helpful backyard beekeepers, please join us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/groups/3062274013832702 The friendliest beekeeper forum around :) Below are the topics discussed in today's session, complete with links to some websites and sales sites. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Links do not change the cost to you. 1) Where do you get the patterns to burn on the front of your hive in your FlowHive 2 unboxing video? Here is my playlist for customizing your hive boxes with pyrography: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0BtJyPt4SZ9d0jrb6aCX0EOvI06tl-N9 2) You mentioned that bringing in swarms may have contributed to the mite population in your apiary. Would we be better off staying away from free-bees? Is replacing the queen of a feral colony be an effective way to grow the apiary while supporting survivor hives? 3) Where can I find out more information about LLH's for our climate? You've said that top bar hives don't do well this far north, why? Visit: www.HorizontalHive.com Get the book, Beekeeping With A Smile: https://amzn.to/2HKtMZD 4) I discovered bubbles in my honey, the moisture is just under 17%. What do you think causes those bubbles? I've collected dead bees from my hive, and brought them to look at them, they were alive and went everywhere. what would you have done in this situation? 5) My question is about bumblebees, can they pass down diseases to our honey bees? Ref: Science Daily June 26th 2019 University of Vermont Deformed Wing virus? Black Queen Cell virus. 6) I would like to know what kind of cameras you use regularly for making the videos. You must have a drone too. Would you please tell us about them? These are my drones: https://youtu.be/BYRT1CwPL3o This is my mirrorless camera rig: https://youtu.be/lB3OwXUoYIw These are my video cameras: https://youtu.be/ofgUHsLztzY 7) Do you have any suggestions for Christmas Gifts for Beekeepers? a - Pocket Sized Inspection Mirror: https://amzn.to/3lefcat b- powerful focusing pen-light: https://amzn.to/36eoJdq c- Pocket bubble level: (level those hives and drinkers) https://amzn.to/33nMtcW d- Led Lamp with color filters: https://amzn.to/2JmsqVa e- Sting Kill, Maximum Strength formula: https://amzn.to/2JpMm9C f- Garden Pollen or Nectar Feeders: www.LifeLineBees.com (tell them Frederick Dunn sent you). g- Butterfly Net for swarm capture: (53% off Black Friday) https://amzn.to/36euFmt h- Beekeepers Log: (pocket sized and weather durable) https://amzn.to/2VcLwA2 i- Bugzooka - 2-pack. Get bugs from the celing, windows, anywhere without hurting them: https://amzn.to/33mSJBX j- Subscriptions to American Bee Journal, or Bee Culture: https://amzn.to/3o5r8gG or https://amzn.to/3q6v7eD l- Candle making Kit: https://amzn.to/2JfdGaJ m- Flir C2 Camera: https://amzn.to/33lLJVK n- Bee Suit or Pullover Smock for fast deployment hive checking! https://amzn.to/3mfOuzy o- Misco Honey Refractometer, Highly Accurate: https://amzn.to/3msIJ1H p- Complete Hive kits: https://www.betterbee.com/bee-hive-kits/wooden-hive-kits-10-frame.asp OR Avoid Fakes, here is the real FlowHive at a $50.00 discount: http://mbsy.co/honeyflow/29307941 AU - https://mbsy.co/zSDf9 EU - https://mbsy.co/zSDbm q- Dissection Microscope Kit: https://amzn.to/2J8LAym r- Hive Butler! use code: FRED10 to receive 10% off: Please tell them Frederick Dunn send you! https://hivebutler.com/collections/all s- Pyrography Set: When you are ready to get serious! https://www.woodcraft.com/products/razertip if I missed something, please let me know and have a happy Thanksgiving Weekend!