I just went back and watched this video. It’s been a few months and we are well into a new beekeeping season. These thoughts still ring true. I hope the information is valuable to all who watch. Thanks everyone!!!

Bruce, you definitely brought out some key pointers! It’s not the easiest or cheapest thing to do as a hobby but definitely addictive, satisfying and very flavorful when you take a bite of the liquid gold!!!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Thanks for checking in my friend.

Great video, Bruce! There was no reason based on my watch history the KZread algo should have placed a beekeeping video on my FYP, back in 2015, so it must have been Divine. I spent the next 2 years watching every video, reading books and took a few courses from Penn State, before I felt I was ready, and then 3 years in, my local gov made me get rid of my bees, which totally devastated me. Now after a couple of years of looking for someone willing to give me space, I am finally back at it with 4 packages and 2 nucs coming in June. I've started my own YT channel to document and share my experience and hopefully help and inspire others. I definitely learned from some of your earlier videos, like how it's not a great idea to pack your hives into a mini van, LOL. Anyway, sorry for the long comment, I am so excited to be back at it again. Thank you for everything you do.

@brucesbees

Ай бұрын

Hey that’s great stuff. Yes that was an adventure I down believe I will repeat haha! I hope you have great success with your bees. What is the link to your channel?

Oh yea... beekeeping is difficult at first, especially when getting a mentor isn't an option. Its still possible, but you REALLY gotta to your research, KZread gave me a way to learn from people like you Bruce and many of the ones you mentioned. Even when you get enough knowledge to get started, implementing it is a whole other matter. Perseverance is key! Lost all my hives on my first year, but looked up what I did, realized where I messed up, bought some new hives the next year and ended with more bees than I started with. To all new beekeepers out there: Keep at it, learn from your mistakes, put in the work and you can have as many thriving hives as you want. 🙂

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff. Exactly what I was trying to get across. Keep at it!

Bruce, very good video I've been keeping bees for 5 years. I check off each one of you points. My biggest plus is building a network of fellow beekeepers in my area has been a big help to me. As well as finding youtubers that Know what they are talking about has been very educational. I would add one more point folks should find a bee club that is having bee keeping classes

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea. Thanks for the input.

Great video ! I made the list !! Lol it was great to meet you the other night Cheers 🥂

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. Of course you made the list! Thanks for all you do Ian. I am starting to delve into the Live thing a little more with the assistance and encouragement of Brian at Castle Hives. Maybe someday could have you on one once I get it figured out a little better. Also I watched a bit of your live this morning and am a member of your channel but for some reason can’t comment or participate in your members only stuff. I can watch but cannot interact. Is there a setting I need to change or something?

@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog

2 жыл бұрын

Hmm, good question I’ll look on my side , I’m actually not very tech savvy. As you can see at times

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Me either. But I am maybe slowly getting it figured out.

@josephfydenkevez2129

2 жыл бұрын

@@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog Ian, ask your Children they set you straight on the tech stuff, I know my 2 kids or now young adults do

Remember…1 is none, 2 is one, 3 is spare parts ! 😅 I luv that guy. Great job Bruce.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

#truth

I started last year and every one you mentioned are my mentors I turn to you all to refresh me on certain aspects of bee keeping. Working out well for the bees unbelievably I went into winter with four hives as of yesterday I have four viable strong hives! Thank you Bob Ann’s Kamen.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Good stuff. Glad things are looking good for you.

Great video! Out of the blue this old desire to be a beekeeper came up as I near retirement. I’m on the hunt for knowledge, so I’m a new sub!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Great. And thanks! I hope you find the content valuable!

I got my first bees summer of -23 after ~2 years of research and saving up for it. And this summer i am expanding with a few hives - Just love it.

@brucesbees

4 ай бұрын

That is great. I wish you then best with your journey!

Thank you Bruce for this video!! Always look forward to them. Received my first nuc this past April, entered winter with 2 - 10 frame double deeps, and a 5 frame double deep. Info that is made available on these channels have been extremely helpful! Thanks again!!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Great. Thanks for checking in and I wish you the best with your bees!

Bruce, love the videos and keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to starting my first 2 hives this spring. What you and others are doing on KZread is priceless, thank you!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks and good luck!

Yep all 5 I have found out,only went into this wanting 1 treatment free hive for pollinating my garden, at 10 hives, have 10 more single deeps boxes ready to start next spring! Absolutely fell in love with bees,their honey and being able to split and divide into new colonies! Was nervous about getting stings,and now enjoy a few of them occasionally when I mess up! My 10 yr old and 15 yr old kids want to learn more about them .they got new bee jackets and gloves this Christmas! Thanks to all like you making videos! You are the best mentors!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Hey that is great. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for the video. I was thinking about getting started in beekeeping, but what you said (and some other videos I’ve been watching) helped me realize that I’m not ready for the commitment yet. That is an important thing to know for me and, especially, the bees! Maybe I’ll come back around to it in the future, and if I do I’ll be watching more of your videos. :)

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for watching! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Great video Bruce my beekeeping started in 2012 and been a challenge but I learn so much watching the video on keeping bees and will keep on watching them .great video!!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff. Keep working at it!

hi this is what I'm going to start researching . i think for me this will be an excellent way to retire, plus bee's are really important for our planet.

@brucesbees

24 күн бұрын

Awesome. Best wishes on your journey!

Sounds right to me. ADDICTIVE should be emphasized 😆

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

No doubt

Great video and good points Bruce. Building relationships with good mentors and friends to be honest, to encourage and to learn from/with is probably my most favorite part of beekeeping. #beethelighthouse

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching Greg and I look forward to working together with you in the future! Who knows what the future holds?!

Thank you Bruce. I'm in my third year but I'm also starting over as I lost 5 hives from swarming and abandonment this pass summer fall and winter. I'm starting over with one and hoping to learn from my past mistakes. Happy Beekeeping my friend!

@brucesbees

2 ай бұрын

It takes tenacity and determination for sure. It sounds like you are made of the right stuff. I think you will get it figured out if you just stick with it! Good luck and thanks for checking in!

Bruce, i started about 15 years ago, before i got my first hive i watched every video of FAT BEE Man here on KZread over and over before i felt confident that i could do it now. the average person has no idea how much labor goes in to becoming a good beekeeper. i sell my honey only to pay for the hives that die each year. Keep up the great videos.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Very true. Most have no idea…

Awesome video, jammed packed with great information for the new beekeeper. I don't think you waisted a single word. Thanks for sharing.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Hey thanks. That means a lot. I put a lot of work into this one.

You are absolutely right. Beekeeping is tough when you try to do things organically ... no treatments or minimal treatments. I think just as everything else those days are long gone if you want to be successful. Having friends who do beekeeping is also very important. We've learned so much by bouncing ideas and issues off of each other. Sadly I gave up because I didn't have the time or the patience and mostly because I didn't want to treat my bees. I think looking back I wish I had done what it took to treat the bees and keep them healthy just as I do my pets. It's an investment, but they are extremely important to our way of life. The honey straight from the hive is a plus too. Good luck to all who get into it and succeed. I still may give it another go eventually. You just need time and that's precious this day in which we live. Make time for what's important and you'll be much happier.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Hey great stuff and if you decide to try again I wish you the best of luck!

Thank you 🙏

Great information! Can't wait to begin!

Thank you Bruce.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome and thank you for checking in.

Good info. I’m a new bee keeper as of April of this year and I would concur with everything you said. I’m already addicted. Thanks for the videos.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in and good luck with your bees!

Great video Bruce. 5 Great tips. Addictive, indeed. A commitment, no doubt. Shared this out.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian and thanks for your guidance over the past couple of weeks. I am glad I reached out to you to help me get this technology stuff figured out for the Lives.

I subscribed today and am glad I saw this video. Your five considerations reaffirmed much of my experience over the past few years. Success depends on the measure one uses but the one consideration or tip most noteworthy for me has been perseverance.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Thanks for subscribing. Video just dropped today on the channel that talks a bit about that. Hope you enjoy the channel as you navigate through the videos that look interesting to you!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

And yes. I really like this video. I believe it is one of the most important ones I have made.

Good video. For now I will buy my honey locally and support them. You need to have your act together for a good outcome.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like a plan. Yes it is quite ge endeavor. Well worth it if committed to the bees but if honey is the only goal then it is not always a bad plan to support your local beekeeper.

Hello Bruce that was very informative an really put a lot of thoughts in ones head and all true . This is not only true before hand thinking but the complete time . I had to forget a lot things so I could find room to put all my bee keeping thoughts in there Lol . Thanks to you and a lot of other people out there really helps with that thinking and planning. Thanks

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! It truly is an evolving process!

Just had our first visit with Tim here in WV last night. We have a few things to order before we can get started with our own, but we’ve definitely got a good mentor when the time comes. We’re going to go work with him and his bees for a while before we attempt it ourselves.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Hey I think that sounds like a great plan. Good luck!

Great Vid and Great Info! Everything you said was 💯 True!! God bless You and your bees!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Yes these are very important points in my opinion. I think this is the most important video I have even made and would like for more people to watch it. Maybe it will catch fire. Thanks for checking out my videos Grayson!

Well executed my friend 👍🏼

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jose. Been working on this awhile.

Good talk Bruce.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Randy!

My first colony of bees are coming in April and I’m so excited to get started!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

That is great! Best of luck to you!!!

Thanks Bruce, great points. I think humility, teachability, persistence and $$$$$ for all my stupid mistakes!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I agree.

Another point, be it a minor point, is storage space for equipment. LOL I have bee stuff crammed into any spot I can find. I agree with your list of YT mentors and would add Jerome Bee Farm and Homestead as another good guy to watch and learn from. Hope to see you in TN next week.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! Thanks for the input. There was no way I would remember everyone. I watch a lot more than the ones listed.

Excellent video Bruce, I'm located in central California and taking my intro class in mid February. I hope to make friends and find a mentor. This will be my post-retirement hobby and my wife is all in. Sounds like it will be fun and rewarding but also a little scary. I'm subscribed and will be watching your advice, keep it coming. I've thought about chronicling my journey for KZread but don't have the first idea about filming, editing or mics for my android. I may hit you up for advice. Thanks for your inspiration.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Sound good. Don’t be a stranger. Good luck with the bees!

I find that the commitment part is what's missing in a lot of new beekeepers. When I got back into keeping bees I knew that it was something that I would have to learn all over again , bees in the 70s never had any of the problems we have today.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely correct. It’s always changing. It can be very complicated. Great comment. Thanks for checking in!

Great video Bruce. Definitely worth it.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks guys. I appreciate it!

This is priceless advice. Thanks Bruce!!!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!

Great information Bruce!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Thanks for your honesty!

@brucesbees

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Hopefully it helps.

Great video. Only thing I would add is to join a local bee club. Join state club. Attend meetings for education and to make beek friends.

7 min!! you are rocking it Bruce!! I knew you when you had extra long videos!!! --Merry Christmas my friend. :) Keep keeping it real.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Merry Christmas to you too Stan.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

If only it were that easy to find a mentor. I've reached out to our local beekeeping association numerous times and haven't heard so much as a peep.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Where do you live?

I have one or two boys living on my coconut / banana farm on the island of Mindanao. Equipment is pricy in the Philippines. There are three Apis species in the islands; A. Dorsata, A. Melifera and A. Cerana. Apis Cerana is the more common honey bee in Asia and is kept in a Pile Hive setup in Japan; A. Japanica? I was thinking to have comfort hives mane from wooden pallets and bamboo skewers. 11x11 inches and similarly tall, I think these would be about the correct size for an 10/11 yo boy.

Bruce, Great presentation. I am one who has fallen into the addiction aspect of beekeeping. Look forward to meeting you at the conference. Craig Fr. VA / SML Bees.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes look me up. I’m sure I will be wearing that red Alabama hat I wear in my videos. It is going to be a busy couple of days. But it will be awesome!

Thanks for the video! It is spot on!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I put a lot of thought and effort into this one.

Thanks for the video... much appreciated ... see you at the conference if you are going to be there.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes I will be there. Looking forward to it. Just look for that Alabama hat. Roll Tide!!!

Hey Bruce I agree with all 5 but my order would be mentor then mentor then it would be mentor having someone is soooooo important I didn't and I believe that it put me at least 2 years behind where I should be. But that's great advice and I enjoy your videos keep turning them out

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes that is true. Before I created this video I watched some others with a similar theme. Each was different but the one common thread was the mentor. It is extremely important. Good mentors and friends can help you work through the other 4!

Fantastic video!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Boyd!

I subscribed just for the ROLL TODE!!!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

There ya go. Roll Tide!!!

@nealr3dhandfamily346

Жыл бұрын

*TIDE

Excellent video! I agree with everything you said!!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Good points. Thanks for the video.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in!

Another one of my heros!!!

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

Haha! Thanks for the kind words but I have a long ways to go. I will tell you though that Swarm Commander and Honey B Gone have played a major role in my beekeeping experience! Thanks for creating such quality products!

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

You are the real hero Scott. Thank you for your service.

Great video many good points. It's very addictive. Lol.

Thanks for this information, my friend.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Thanks for checking in!

So true!

@brucesbees

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. This, I believe is one of the most important videos I have made.

Who would have thought that I would learn something from an Alabama fan? I did, and thank you! War Eagle! 😃

@brucesbees

4 ай бұрын

Yes lol. We can all come together when it comes to bees🐝😎

Good video. Thanks.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in!

Great video Bruce 👌👌👍👍👍🐝🐝🐝🐝

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in!

you are a legendary help for this

@brucesbees

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching and thanks for checking in!

I believe you nailed it!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I put a lot of work into this one.

Doing bees for 3 years. Love it

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes it is pretty awesome!

Life changing

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Yes!

This is a great video for those wanting to get into the business/hobby…..

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Rafael!

Words of wisdom 👍 great content 👍 thanks

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

All so true Bruce. Thanks. Question for you Bruce: I live in NYC, and my two hives are both double deep brood boxes, then I add an addition deep super come the nectar flow. I have Flow Hives. This is my second year, so the first year I did not touch anything being they needed everything to build all their "natural drawn comb and nest." So this year, the numbers are huge, but they have not touched my supers? Why? Is our nectar flow not strong enough yet? When does your spring/summer nectar flow start and end? Any suggestions? Grateful.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

I do not have a lot of experience with flow hives. They are a different animal entirely. I can’t remember where you said you are from, but if you north you may just be hitting the flow. If the population is huge then they should start to work the flow supers.

@bradgoliphant

2 жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees Thx Bruce, This makes sense. I'm still figuring it out. Our Linden trees are soon to bloom and I think they are our main honey flow. Ya, I'm in NYC. Thanks again.

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Oh ok. From my understanding Linden trees are much like tallow. Good honey producers. So hopefully they will pack it in. As I read back over you post I see you identified your location in the first post. I guess it just did it register the first ho around. Good luck!!!

Also, I'm teaching an intro to beekeeping lass tonight at the Community Center in Fort Wayne and will borrow some of your ideas. Hope you don't mind. Glenn

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Thanks!

One thing I really like about bee keeping is everyone you meet are just bee keepers .. they're not male female black white Asian .. they not Russian American Canadian European all that goes out the window were all just bee keepers .. common interests goals all working for the greater good don't really find that anywhere else. Get so sick of all that profiling labeled as this and that. Not sure if that makes sense but that's how I see it .. were all bee keepers ..

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

It absolutely makes sense. And those that try to make it a thing don’t last long.

Im gonna start a beekeeping addiction clinic!

@brucesbees

4 ай бұрын

I hear ya!

I am passionate to apiculture and I have 11years of experience in beekeeping, Bachelor degree in Forestry and good driving record Now I am looking for a apiarist job.I would love to be part of your team. I am extremely motivated and I am sure I will be able to contribute positively to the growth of your business

@brucesbees

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for checking in but my operation is too small to hire anyone.

🍯🐝🍯

is that mainly with iPhone with internal mic?? looks and sounds great!!

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

This was actually shot about a year ago. I think I actually used my M50 and SmartMike+ for this one. The principles I believe are timeless and I feel like it is important information so I changed the title and thumbnail to hopefully gain a little traction. Of all the videos I have made I consider this to possibly be one of the most important I have produced. But has never taken off. Currently I am using my iPhone for most of what I am doing. Recently purchased a DJI mic system that works directly with the iPhone. I used that mic for the first time with my most recent mite treatment result video. Still trying to figure things out. Always trying to get better. Have a long ways to go. Both with the bees and KZread. 🐝🙂

A mentor is essential. Joining a local bee club is too.

Discouraging.

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

How so?

#6 Bees love to do the exact opposite of what you expect they are about to do!

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Haha!!! Seems to be the case much of the time for sure!!! Makes you appreciate the occasional times that the plan actually comes together.🐝🙂😎

Hi If you where approached by a commercial honey producer to manage there hives . How would you structure your pricing?

@brucesbees

7 ай бұрын

I really am not sure. I do manage a few hives for a friend. And we just worked out a price of what we thought was fair. He purchased the original bees and equipment and I keep the hives full of bees, replace equipment as needed, and drop the honey off in buckets at his house. He pays me in January for the entire year. Has worked well for me. As far as managing a comercial person’s colonies you would just need to work it out with them. I have no idea. Would just have to sit down with them and see what their expectations were and work out something that is agreeable to both parties. Make sure you are making enough to for it to be worth your time and effort.

Bruce. What is the bait you use in the beetle traps ?

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Advion. But I might try DE some this year.

@davidsbeefarm6156

2 жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees thanks...

What wireless mic are you using?

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

SmartMike+

Do you know a possible mentor in Shelby county Al? I've learned a lot from your videos and others on here and plan to start my first 3 hives in March or April.

@brucesbees

Жыл бұрын

Brian Lee, Don Bearden

I'm thinking about getting into it but I want Honey.

@brucesbees

Ай бұрын

If you decide to do it I hope you can reach your goals!

We having in our home. . . . domestic local .....for long time being in my home. . . . . . we just taking only honey ...

@brucesbees

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for checking in!

I know im late, but I really want to start beekeeping. But I simply can't. My dad flat out said "No." and even if he did say yes my mom does daycare so im %97 I can't because of it. Like I said, I really want to but don't know how I would get the money either, maybe take a loan from my parents and pay them back later?? I want to start with 2 that way if one fails I got another one. Would mean alot to give me advice. Thanks.

@brucesbees

10 ай бұрын

It might just be a matter of time for you. Continue learning and working towards the goal of having some one day. Maybe try and hook up with a local beekeeper to get some experience. Then when things work out right for you you will be able to give it a shot.

My hives went from 2 to 4 to 8.

@brucesbees

6 ай бұрын

It can definitely happen. Congratulations!

You forgot to mention How a beekeeper can make a small fortune...... Start out with a large fortune 😀

@brucesbees

2 жыл бұрын

Love it. Thanks Brian!

Where can I buy bees?

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

Where are you located?

@straightwhitemale5753

3 ай бұрын

@@brucesbees Alabama.

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

@straightwhitemale5753 what part of Alabama?

@straightwhitemale5753

3 ай бұрын

@@brucesbees Chilton county.

@brucesbees

3 ай бұрын

You should check out Chilton County Bee Company. chiltonbee.com/

Ok.

lol, if you aren't already humble...it will come! It is most certainly an addiction.

@brucesbees

10 ай бұрын

Yes! #truth🐝😎

Seriously? I don't know anything about bees and could have given better information

@brucesbees

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Please go ahead and fill me and everyone else in on the better information.

There was nothing informative about this video

@brucesbees

17 күн бұрын

Maybe not for you but hopefully it has been helpful to some. Thanks for watching.