Beekeeping: 10 Things I've Learned The Hard Way

Beekeeping has a stiff learning curve and I want to share 10 things I learned the hard way so you don't have to.

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This video was filmed Using:
Camera: Canon R10
Lens: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art DC HSM
Microphone: Comica Wireless Lavalier Microphone, BoomX-D2 2.4G Compact

🌻FEED YOUR BEES:
Plan ahead for spring! Feeding your bees in late winter/early spring can help your bees transition into summer. Safely feed your bees from the top. Great way to help your bees not run out of food in late winter and early spring. Check it out:

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Whoa, you made it all the way down here! Thank you ♥️ Love you

[md]

Thanks for the info on using same size boxes. Makes alot of sense as I'm looking to get into keeping bees one day!

[donaldjones]

I've been keeping bees since 2017, one piece of advice I got was, if you ask 50 beekeeper the same question you will get 55 different answers. I have had packages and queens shipped to me via USPS, I always have to pick them up as the drivers won't deliver them, the bees get one or more extra days in the in its cage sitting in the PO.

[LindaSolsky]

Hi David, new ( 2nd year) Beekeeper here. Since our beginning, you have been our true Mentor!! My husband and I binge watch your videos together at night when possible . You are so amazing and we very much appreciate all we have learned from you. My question is.. I notice you like to let the bees be bees, and don’t scrape off wonky comb or comb on top of frames. I love this! Is this something you do all the time? Really curious.
Thank you David!!! 🐝

[melainkinney]

Great video my little story still a noob bee keeper . im in gathering bee stuff mode . beehive bee suit screen bottom board basic bee tools . my box has 2 big boxes 2 medium boxes . the bonus is as noob last year took 3 month in person course at work on bee keeping got my nuc of bees they are here i have them housed at my friends home with his 29 hives thats the bonus i worked learning with him last year and will learn more this season along with my hive before i bringing them back to my home to my house . i hope buddy system will boost my hives life instead going cold turkey

[jthunderbass]

It makes sense to replace the queen yearly in a northern climate. I’m in Tennesee and haven’t had to replace queens yet.
Anything can happen though.

[Davebeehive]

Just got 2nucs and my main goal is to keep them alive the honey will come. I am running 10 frames deeps. As far as weight I’ve been doing manual labor my whole career and so far no back pain

[eliinthewolverinestate]

Do you think a capillary break between stand or supports helps keep moisture and frost from crawling up into the hive? Should I have thermal mass under the hive for winter? Should I remove the thermal mass from hive for summer but have cool summer nights in central U.P. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data says the best time to visit the U.P. is May 28 to September 9. The hottest months are July, August and then June. In mid-July, expect highs around 78.4°F (25.8°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 57°F at night in July. Common to have frost first week of June and by mid Sept. And yeah supposed to be in western U.P. this summer If timing works out I will go see Tom in northern MN.

[Davebeehive]

So far hives boxes, frames, bees, ppe, looking at harvesting equipment but not going down that road yet I’ll save that for next year

[UncleJunior]

So I just put in my honey box : June 8th . Should I do a Varroa Mite Control – Apivar strips ? In nj USA.
I have a double much installed on May 25. 2025: they are strong . I have a second huge single nuc install also strong . I got a late start. I fed them heavy with sugar water 1:1 and 2:1 on rainy days . Now I stopped feed .

[lisacarden]

Crud I’m sick and I fell asleep and missed the live 😔 I’m sorry

[eliinthewolverinestate]

Yes sir. Your tip on queen cages has really helped. I have a short season so really no good times for treatments in my 4.5 month season in central U.P. Reduced honey flow is nothing compared to mites. Get some queen cages in the beginning. I learned to leave hive full of frames not drawn because wax moths. The skunk cabbage is out in full bloom in southern MI. I want them to find that skunk cabbage it produces its own heat and oxalic acid crystals. I haven't noticed pussy willows in bloom. I am just a hobbyist with 5 hives 7 colonies.

[TLEIGH]

I have an aggressive hive all year long. They chase us to the back door and will hang out for hours. We are in Ky. I can’t find the queen (best hide and seek player ever). They are always thriving and great honey producers. What should I do? I dread working that hive.

[UncleJunior]

So when do I switch the queen out ? November?

[RyanMcGrath-ek]

David, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the following treatment idea: What if we treated a mite infestation by dipping the brood frames in a bee safe miticide and placing the frames back in once they are dry. Yes, I believe some of the brood might die, but I wonder if this technique will control or even eradicate the mite problem. If dipping isn’t an option, maybe a heavy spray treatment onto the frames or painting the chemical onto the frames. You could do this twice in the month to treat all cells. Perhaps it could be done in the winter time when there isn’t any brood? Just a thought I’ve been having.

Perhaps you might be able to do an experiment with this suggestion? It is no doubt a sacrificial trial, but it may work and help solve this mite problem. I am thinking I will have to attempt this with one of my bee hives once I get the mite.

P.s. I am from Australia and have had no experience with the mite, but I am trying to think of a solution. 🤔😵‍💫🫤

[aaronparis]

If you get OA and vaporize
Them 5 treatment at 5 treatments every 3 days do it in the spring so it in the fall do a more test you will keep the mites down

[jeremysmith]

I asked this in a year old video.. but i will ask it here because it is kind of a point 2 question.... I have been watching your stuff for about 2 years and you seem to know a lot of useful information... so I have a question if you could answer .. I was told by an oldtimer to start a package in a 5 frame nuc.. He told me to put a partion up in my 10 frame deep he called it a follower board...and run it like a 5 frame and to make special inner covers that has feed holes on both sides with a board dividing the middle of this inner cover a square divided down the middle... he swears it encourages them to draw out comb faster and puts less stress on the girls... he told me just makesure to have my entrance reducer opening as small and as far from the other side as possible. I am not sure that what i typed does justice to his explanation.. but it seems to make sense...he did say I would have to move them in about 24 days to a bigger box though... I was just wondering does that make any sense? or is it justcomplicating stuff.

[martinsalavec]

What about thermosolar hive from Czech republic? Natural way to kill the mites.

[Davebeehive]

I drove 2.5 hours with my nucleus hives in the passenger seat and one was very pissed and lit us putting them into the 10 frame hives

[prairiepinesranch]

I thought I might try to throw in a question, I was at a softball game last night and couldn’t type. I started a split yesterday. Had a big hive queen cups started with larva it’s so I thought I would split, but then I re-thought it due to chilly night coming, right now they’re sitting out there in a deep on top of original hive with a queen excluder separating the four frames with brood larvae and what was one day, old eggs, those cups, and food resources. The nurse bees can get up there and take care of the larva. I just learned I’m gonna have a queen coming in in four days. Can I just leave everything as it is or do I need to put my original split that I change my mind on back into the hive for now and start over when queen arrives?