Ray checks on a walk-away split from two different designs of top bar hives, sharing his insights and observations on the distinctions between the two styles. He also discusses the benefits and challenges that come with each design. In addition, Ray takes on various other bee yard chores that are essential for maintaining a healthy and productive hive. These tasks include inspecting the bees, ensuring they have enough food, and checking for any signs of disease or pests. Join Ray as he provides a detailed look into his beekeeping routine and shares valuable tips along the way.
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Rays Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
Equipment:
DJI 3
Edited with Filmora
Tags:
#beekeeping #southcarolina #beekeeper #honeyBees #hiveinspection #hivealive #beekeeping2025 #bees #backyardbeekeeping #apiary #honey #beekeepingtips #honeytopbees #southernbeekeeping #Beekeeping101 #LearnBeekeeping
Fav Channels:
@brucesbees @NaturesImageFarmGregBurns @YappyBeeman @JeffHorchoff @beek @aCanadianBeekeepersBlog @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @BohemiaBees @castlehives filmora projects
Ray reviews a top-bar hive with a honey super that he is testing this season. In this engaging video, he shares his thoughts and insights about this specific hive design. While not a new design, it has been around for a while, but Ray believes that if it works effectively, it could significantly address one of the common bottlenecks faced by beekeepers when it comes to maintaining a top bar hive. This bottleneck often involves challenges related to honey extraction and overall hive management. Ray goes in-depth about the features of the honey super and how it integrates with the top-bar hive, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of its potential benefits. Throughout the video, he will demonstrate how to set it up and share his personal experiences and observations as he puts it to the test this season. Join Ray on this journey as he explores the possibilities of improving top-bar hive operations and maximizing honey production.
Bee Hive Source: https://customcedarbeehives.com/
Ray reviews some of the pros and cons of packaged bees and a nuc, providing an in-depth analysis of each option for new beekeepers. He discusses the advantages of choosing packaged bees, including their availability and the opportunity for beekeepers to start with a fresh, new colony. Additionally, Ray goes over the disadvantages of packaged bees, such as the potential challenges in establishing a strong hive right from the start. On the other hand, he examines the benefits of opting for a nuc, which comes with a more established colony and can offer a quicker start to honey production. However, he also addresses some of the drawbacks associated with purchasing a nuc, like the higher initial cost and the importance of ensuring the quality of the nuc. Throughout the video, Ray shares his personal thoughts and recommendations on which option might be the best fit for those who are just beginning their journey into beekeeping. Whether you are leaning towards packaged bees or a nuc, this video aims to provide valuable insights to help you make an informed decision as you embark on your beekeeping adventure.
Check out my video bee class at www.honeytopbees.com
For most small-scale and backyard beekeepers, Ray makes a compelling case that 8-frame hives may be the best choice for new beekeepers who are just starting out in this rewarding and fascinating hobby. He discusses the various advantages that 8-frame hives can offer, including their manageable size and ease of handling, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who may not have extensive experience with beekeeping. Ray emphasizes how these hives can provide a great balance between efficiency and accessibility, allowing new beekeepers to learn the ins and outs of hive management without becoming overwhelmed. Additionally, he highlights the importance of choosing the right equipment to set the foundation for a successful beekeeping journey, making this advice invaluable for those looking to dive into this wonderful world of bees.
This is Beekeeping 101 for absolute beginners! Learn all the essential parts of a beehive and how to set up your very first colony. We’ll demystify terms like brood chamber and honey super, explain the function of each hive component, and guide you through choosing the right location and assembling your hive. From installing your bees to understanding their fascinating world, this video will give you the foundation you need to begin your beekeeping journey. Perfect for aspiring beekeepers, honey lovers, and anyone interested in supporting pollinators. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more beekeeping tips!
Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@HoneyTopBees
My Beekeeping Fail https://youtu.be/PLedRnpChw4?si=9A1dfgsMd6WBP-wc
Honeytopbees Mentoring Club https://www.honeytopbees.com/new-beekeeper-mentoring/
Equipment:
DJI 3
Edited with Filmora
Tags:
#beekeeping #southcarolina #beekeeper #honeyBees #hiveinspection #hivealive #beekeeping2025 #bees #backyardbeekeeping #apiary #honey #beekeepingtips #honeytopbees #southernbeekeeping
Fav Channels:
@brucesbees @NaturesImageFarmGregBurns @YappyBeeman @JeffHorchoff @beek @aCanadianBeekeepersBlog @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @BohemiaBees @castlehives filmora projects
I caught a possum eating the dead honey bees on the ground in the winter. It was quite an unusual sight to witness, especially during this cold season when food sources can be scarce for many animals. The possum seemed to be scavenging, taking advantage of the fallen bees that were no longer alive. – Sorry, the footage is shaky, as I was not prepared for this moment and did not have a good camera with me at the time, which made it difficult to capture the scene as clearly as I would have liked. I hope you can still enjoy this rare glimpse into nature despite the quality of the video.
Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@HoneyTopBees
My Beekeeping Fail https://youtu.be/PLedRnpChw4?si=9A1dfgsMd6WBP-wc
Honeytopbees Mentoring Club https://www.honeytopbees.com/new-beekeeper-mentoring/
Tags:
#beekeeping #southcarolina #beekeeper #honeyBees #hiveinspection #hivealive #beekeeping2025 #bees #backyardbeekeeping #apiary #honey #beekeepingtips #honeytopbees #southernbeekeeping
Fav Channels:
@brucesbees @NaturesImageFarmGregBurns @YappyBeeman @JeffHorchoff @beek @aCanadianBeekeepersBlog @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @BohemiaBees @castlehives filmora projects
Ray gives a balanced discussion concerning the issue of colony death and bee hive theft in early 2025 – and its impact on beekeepers across America, providing crucial insights into the current bee decline. He explores various factors affecting bee health, including the devastating effects of varroa destructor and the importance of proper bee nutrition in maintaining strong colonies. This informative video explains the current population decline situation that’s making headlines in the beekeeping industry. 🐝
Here is bee theft article
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article300362704.html
Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@HoneyTopBees
My Beekeeping Fail https://youtu.be/PLedRnpChw4?si=9A1dfgsMd6WBP-wc
Honeytopbees Mentoring Club https://www.honeytopbees.com/new-beekeeper-mentoring/
Beekeepers, lets do an informal survey to see how many of us experience higher than normal colony losses this winter.
Copy and Paste this in the comments
1. I have _____ colonies last September
2. I have______ colonies living today
3. I consider this (choose: average, above average, less than average).
Optional: Tell us what state you are in
My Beekeeping Fail https://youtu.be/PLedRnpChw4?si=9A1dfgsMd6WBP-wc
Honeytopbees Mentoring Club https://www.honeytopbees.com/new-beekeeper-mentoring/
Ray shares some insightful and important research on how many bee colonies die each year, highlighting the alarming statistics and trends that many beekeepers face. He goes into detail about some common reasons for these losses, such as diseases, pests, and environmental factors, which is something all beekeepers must deal with annually. This information is crucial for anyone involved in beekeeping, as understanding the challenges faced by bee colonies can help in developing better practices for their care and maintenance. Ray also emphasizes the significance of this issue not just for beekeepers, but for the broader ecosystem, as bees play a vital role in pollination and maintaining biodiversity. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of these challenges and learn how to better protect our precious bee populations!
Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@HoneyTopBees
My Beekeeping Fail https://youtu.be/PLedRnpChw4?si=9A1dfgsMd6WBP-wc
Honeytopbees Mentoring Club https://www.honeytopbees.com/new-beekeeper-mentoring/
Equipment:
DJI 3
Edited with Filmora
Tags:
#beekeeping #southcarolina #beekeeper #honeyBees #hiveinspection #hivealive #beekeeping2025 #bees #backyardbeekeeping #apiary #honey #beekeepingtips #honeytopbees #southernbeekeeping
Fav Channels:
@brucesbees @NaturesImageFarmGregBurns @YappyBeeman @JeffHorchoff @beek @aCanadianBeekeepersBlog @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @BohemiaBees @castlehives filmora projects
Bee Rescue time! Join Ray and his son as they tackle the exciting and challenging task of removing a wall from an old house in a quaint little town located in South Carolina. The homeowners, who are renovating the home, discovered bees living inside their wall, and they were thrilled to have us come and extract and relocate these amazing creatures to our apiary, where they can thrive and continue to contribute to the environment. We did the cutout in February, which turned out to be the perfect time for this kind of operation since the colony was smaller than it would typically be in the warmer summer months-there were only about 10,000 bees! This video showcases not only the rescue process but also highlights the importance of bees in our ecosystem and how we can help them. Come along for the adventure as we navigate the challenges of safely removing the wall and ensuring the bees find a new, safe home.
