How To Start Beekeeping

How To Start Beekeeping

Black Mountain Honey is a No Nonsense Beekeeping Channel.

🐝 Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to start beekeeping! Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a sustainable living advocate, or just curious about the world of bees, this video is your ultimate resource for embarking on the rewarding journey of beekeeping. In this detailed tutorial, we'll walk you through each step, from setting up your hive to harvesting honey, and everything in between.

🌼 Chapter 1: Understanding the Basics
Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of bees! We'll cover the different types of bees, their roles within the hive, and the importance of beekeeping for both local ecosystems and agriculture. Understanding the basics is crucial before you start your own hive, so grab a notebook and let's get started!

🛠️ Chapter 2: Essential Equipment
Before you bring your bees home, you'll need to assemble the necessary equipment. We'll discuss the essential tools, protective gear, and hive components you'll need to ensure a successful start. From bee suits to smokers, we've got you covered with recommendations and tips on where to find the best equipment.

🏡 Chapter 3: Choosing the Right Location
The success of your beekeeping venture depends on selecting the perfect location for your hive. Learn about the ideal environmental conditions, sun exposure, and proximity to water sources that will keep your bees happy and healthy. We'll also cover local regulations and guidelines to ensure you're in compliance with beekeeping laws.

🌻 Chapter 4: Setting Up Your Hive
Now that you have your equipment and the perfect location, it's time to set up your hive! Follow our step-by-step instructions on assembling and positioning the hive components. We'll discuss hive designs, frames, and the essential elements that provide a comfortable home for your bees.

🐝 Chapter 5: Introducing Your Bees
The big day has arrived – it's time to introduce your bees to their new home! We'll guide you through the process of obtaining bees, whether through purchasing a package, nucleus colony, or capturing a swarm. Learn how to transfer them into the hive and observe their initial behaviors as they acclimate to their surroundings.

📋 Chapter 6: Beehive Management
Beekeeping requires regular maintenance and monitoring. Discover the importance of routine hive inspections, pest control, and disease management. We'll cover common issues you may encounter and provide solutions to keep your hive thriving throughout the seasons.

🌺 Chapter 7: Harvesting Honey
One of the most rewarding aspects of beekeeping is harvesting your own honey. Learn the proper techniques for extracting honey without harming the hive. We'll also discuss different harvesting methods and share tips on how to store and bottle your liquid gold.

🌿 Chapter 8: Sustainability and Conservation
Beekeeping goes hand in hand with sustainability and conservation efforts. Explore eco-friendly practices that benefit both your bees and the environment. From planting bee-friendly gardens to supporting pollinator-friendly policies, discover how you can contribute to the well-being of these essential creatures.

👩‍🌾 Chapter 9: Troubleshooting and FAQs
Every beekeeper encounters challenges along the way. In this chapter, we'll address common issues, answer frequently asked questions, and provide troubleshooting tips to help you navigate the ups and downs of beekeeping. Feel confident in handling potential setbacks and ensuring the long-term success of your hive.

🌐 Chapter 10: Joining the Beekeeping Community
Connect with fellow beekeepers, share experiences, and stay informed by becoming part of the beekeeping community. We'll guide you on how to find local beekeeping associations, online forums, and educational resources to deepen your knowledge and passion for beekeeping.

👏 Congratulations on taking the first steps towards becoming a beekeeper! Whether you're motivated by a desire for fresh honey, environmental conservation, or a newfound hobby, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to start and sustain your own beekeeping journey. Like, subscribe, and join our buzzing community as we explore the world of beekeeping together. Happy beekeeping! 🐝🍯

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[arronbwabw]

I watched dozens of Black Mountain Honey YouTube videos, and I'm still watching them! Bought my bees off Black Mountain, I have NO mentors (although 2 offered), they're in a terraced house back garden in a Manchester suburb and I have only one hive. Everyone told me I'd done everything wrong and I would fail in my first year. 10 months on, mid January and my hive is wall to wall bees, no issues over that time. Go for it! Beekeepers make too a big deal about it, the bees lived before humans.

[georgenicol]

Great video again. Like the emergency response idea, will sort that out soon. I like to recommend when you get your hives you get an empty Nuc for every hive you have so when you come to need to do a split you have a Nuc to put them into. Something I find overlooked a lot.

[saintjohncoleman]

Great advice! 5 years in and still learning every day!

[matthewperry]

I’ve decided to start to keep bees. Always loved them and absolutely fascinated by them!

[dayeak]

Just saw your uncensored video on honey bee expo and the algorithm sent me here...I'll be starting up after bee school next month... you're right, you spent a lot of time editing and refining your work... But I appreciate your knowledge sharing and your effort

[wonwinit]

Best thing about a local course is you get to experience what it's like to open a hive and find out if your the kind of person happy to handle frames of bees especially if they are not in the mood as its not for everyone.
I was hooked as soon as they opened the hive and the smell hit me and that was despite two stings and inspecting the angriest colony.
Wait until you have done one before you buy kit and equipment to save wasting your money

[hevchip]

I have watched hundreds of videos, there's no associations near me or other bee keepers so you are my mentor. Are your queens already marked?

[SteveRead]

Thanks Laurence, as someone who started in 2023 with my local BBKA and getting a great mentor there I'd confirm this is all top quality advice...especially around continued learning. My main objective in year 1 - getting my 2 - so far calm - "mongrel" (AKA locally adapted!) hives through the winter. Love the channel.

[robertdelfavero]

I'm considering getting into beekeeping, and really appreciate that you spend the time at the beginning on what to expect, how to think about my role, and giving me food for thought about what I'm taking on if I decide to go forward with it.

[Barrie-pg]

Just watch your video. I am about to start beekeeping again after a long absence. Really found your video useful as my son is taking up the hobby.
Thank you,
Barrie

[rogerhawkes]

really great advise, thank you. I wish I had this sort of advise when I started 2023, the mentor was pants and so ended up listening to every video I could, made loads of mistakes, but loved the process and started with 3 hives and ended up with 27 hives but lost 5 in winter, still time to make mistakes but enjoyed it so much that I want to consolidate and grow my number of sites. Here goes, i'm excited and by the way you have been inspirational.

[eastsussexbeesandwildlife]

Tremendous video. You have put a lot of effort into that and it will be appreciated by many😊

[paulchase]

You've definitely redeemed yourself with this video, makes up for the show interviews lol.
The best beginners video I've seen by miles.
You need to now add you first nuc series to this (unless you've plans to update them). Then tag the rest of your educational vids also. That will mean people will find the essentials without trawling through all the dross video clips on your channel.
You've definitely nailed this one.

[lismarie]

I really want to keep bees, there such amazeing creature's ❤

[staceyrichards]

Thank you, great advice as always! I never would have thought to do an emergency plan. I’m so excited for the year ahead. Love this channel!

[daverowden-RowdyBeeFarms]

I met you at the conference in Louisville KY. You were extremely nice and I appreciated your time and patience with an unknown person. I am a hobbyist with 20+ hives that is still stumbling through the learning curve of bee keeping. I subscribed to channel and look forward to your input as I go through my bee keeping adventures. Best of luck on your season. Please come if possible to next Expo, please bring hats.

[paulh.]

Thanks for all your efforts and sharing your knowledge and experience. At 23:16 what a beautiful queen! The caution with shaking off bees with capped brood is that you can damage the wings that are still in formation, perhaps you don't do that with younger frames but the frames that were shown during this discussion were mostly capped brood frames

[Hedge-zx]

I'm going to need to watch your vid several times. It seems crammed with essential information. I'm starting out with nothing but a mountain site, a mountain stream and great open space for a hive. My thoughts are at the location of the hive stage. next i'm looking for a class and I have joined the national bee keepers association. So let the games begin.

[michaelmannino]

I want to say it was great meeting you at the expo and doing a video if me give you honey! I also have to say I have watched this video twice, I think all bee clubs should show this for all the new and 1st and 2nd years bee keepers. Even though your in a totaled different country I think your spot on with, take care and hope to catch your next live stream !

[jericho_bees]

I wouldn't recommend Long Hives for beginners. They may look nice but are much harder to work especially when the colony explodes. I argue that you have to work them differently than standard hives because you have a finite amount of space. My most important rule of thumb when asked by someone thinking of starting beekeeping is choose your frame type and sticking to it.