They Left! Why?? Swarming vs Absconding in Our Bee Hives

Swarming vs Asconding
Ray discusses the differences between bee behavior when a bee hive is empty, to help with beekeeping for beginners. Learn to recognize the signs of absconding versus swarming, improving your hive management skills. Subscribe for more beekeeping insights and bee farm tips!
Rays Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
Fall Inspections with My 8-Year-Old Great Nephew

How to Handle Bees | Fall Inspections | Young Mans First Time in a Hive.
Join Ray as he shares his lifelong passion for beekeeping with his great nephew, creating emotional moments that resonate with family memories. This video showcases essential hive management practices and a detailed hive inspection checklist for all beginner beekeepers. Discover the joys of running a bee farm and nurturing honey bees together! 🐝❤️
Rays Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
Varroa Mite Wars: How to Save Our Honey Bees

Varroa Mites are destroying bee colonies by the thousands, let’s figure this out with a deeper dive into the issue and solutions.
In this video, Ray presents “Mite Wars,” originally shared at the South Carolina State Beekeepers Convention, diving into the challenges of managing the dreaded varroa mite. He provides strategies for effective mite treatment, especially for those just beginning their beekeeping journey, and emphasizes the importance of integrated pest management for colony survival. Join Ray for insights on beekeeping tips and how to safeguard your hives.
Also, check out Ray’s Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course available at: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone looking to start their journey in beekeeping.
Also, be sure to check out my favorite channels: @brucesbees, @JeffHorchoff, @beek, @BeekeepingWithNatalee, @InsideTheHiveTV, @FrederickDunn, @chuckshoneybees, and @beefitbeekeeping for more great beekeeping content!
I Tried a NEW Prototype Bee Smoker – Here’s What Happened! – Beekeeping with Ray

Are Vapor Smokers Ready for Big Time for Beekeepers?? Testing a New Vapor Smoker.
Ray tests out a brand new prototype vapor beekeeping smoker to see if it can replace the traditional wood smoker. He emphasizes the importance of bee safety when using a hive tool during beginner beekeeping. This is a must-have for your beekeeping essentials when working with honey bees.
If you wish, consider signing up with Michael at Technically Beekeeping – Very Important Beekeeper club at https://vib.technicallybeekeeping.com. It’s free, simple, and you’ll be the first to know when it’s ready.
Equipment:
DJI 3
Edited with Filmora
Rays Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
7 Easy Fall Beehive Tips You Need Now – Beekeeping with Ray

7 Easy Fall Beehive Tips You Need Now – Beekeeping with Ray
Make sure your hives are ready for the cold! This video covers essential hive management tips to prepare your honey bees for winter. Learn when and how to start winterizing beehive and ensure your queen has enough resources by feeding bees. #beekeeping #beekeepingtips #honeybees
Installing a Queen Bee: A Late-Season Guide

How to install a new queen bee in a split.
Join Ray from Honeytop Bees as he installs a new **queen bee** into the **beehive**, detailing each step of the **beekeeping** process. Despite unexpected challenges, he navigates the chaos, sharing essential tips for a smooth **queen bee introduction**. Learn from a seasoned **beekeeper** how to manage your **hive** and ensure your **honey bees** thrive!
Subscribe here: www.youtube.com/@HoneyTopBees
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 @JeffHorchoff @beek @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @FrederickDunn @chuckshoneybees @beefitbeekeeping
Solar Wax Melter: The Eco-Friendly Way To Render Beeswax

Ray showcases his solar wax melter and explains why it’s a great piece of beekeeping equipment. He doesn’t understand why some beekeepers consider it a gimmick, as this tool pouch is essential to his honey bees wax production. Check out this short video to see how you can use renewable energy to create pure beeswax!
How I Use Oxalic Acid Vapor Save My Bees in September!

How I treat my Hives for Varroa Mites using Oxalic Acid Vapor – Step by Step Guide.
Ray from Honey Top Bees demonstrates oxalic acid vaporization, a crucial varroa mite treatment for maintaining healthy colonies. He showcases his beekeeping tools and equipment, emphasizing the importance of keeping mite loads low. This video offers valuable insights for effective hive management.
Rays Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
Honey Bee by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Beekeeper’s Tool Tote Dump! Everything I Bring to the Apiary

Today, I’m diving into my beekeeping tote to reveal all the buzzing tools I take to the bee yard for hive inspection!
In this video, I dump out my beekeeping tote bag and then go through all the tool I bring with me to bee yard. I consider these my essential tools for making the inspection process smoother.
This video showcases my must-have beekeeping equipment and tools that make inspecting bees a breeze, ensuring that you can get the most out of your beekeeping experience. Discover the essentials every beekeeper needs, from gloves to protective suits, and learn how each tool plays a crucial role in hive management. Whether you are a seasoned beekeeper or just starting, this video is packed with helpful tips and insights!
Don’t forget to check out Ray’s Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course for more detailed information and guidance: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/ where you can find everything you need to know to start your beekeeping journey successfully!
Fav Channels:
@brucesbees @JeffHorchoff @beek @BeekeepingWithNatalee @InsideTheHiveTV @FrederickDunn @chuckshoneybees @beefitbeekeeping
The Fight Against Varroa Mites Just Got Interesting

Varroxsan Oxalic Acid Strips for mite treatment, did they work?
Ray from Honey Top Bees shares his 2025 strategy to combat the ever-pesky varroa mite without using apivar mite treatment. He emphasizes the importance of integrated pest management in maintaining a healthy hive. Did the new varroxsan OA strips work?
Learn about varroa mite treatment options and how to keep your bees thriving!
Ray’s Complete Beginners Bee Keeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
Equipment:
DJI 3
Edited with Filmora