Queen Bee Longevity: Why Buying Bees is a Smart Move
Buying Bees vs. Catching a Swarm: What’s Best for Beginners?
Thinking about starting your beekeeping journey with a “free” swarm? Before you put up that swarm trap, there are a few things every beginner needs to know. In this video, Master Beekeeper Ray Hewitt explains why predictability might be more valuable than “free” when it comes to your first hive.
While catching a swarm sounds romantic and cost-effective, it comes with hidden challenges like uncertain genetics, aging queens, and potential diseases. Ray breaks down the benefits of starting with a nucleus (nuc) or a package and why an established hive gives you a massive head start on the nectar flow.
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The 3-Mile Rule: Why location is everything for swarm traps.
Genetics & Temperament: Why “local” doesn’t always mean “gentle.”
The Queen Factor: How starting with a young, mated queen changes everything.
The Nectar Flow: Why a swarm might leave you behind during the peak season.
The Abscond Factor: Why swarms don’t always stay where you put them.
0:00 – The “Free Bee” Myth
1:25 – How Swarm Traps Actually Work 3:55 – Swarm Genetics vs. Bred Bees
5:00 – Why the Age of Your Queen Matters
6:30 – Are Feral Bees Actually Stronger? 9
:00 – The Advantage of a Bee Nuc
11:58 – The “Abscond Factor”
13:10 – When You SHOULD Catch a Swarm
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#beekeepingforbeginners #BeeSwarm #HoneyBees #BeekeepingTips #BackyardBeekeeping #BeeNuc #HoneyTopBees
My Beekeeper’s New Year Resolutions | Improvement Over Perfection
Happy New Year, beekeepers! 🐝 Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, the start of a new season is the perfect time to set goals for a healthier, more productive apiary. In this video, Ray—a Certified Master Beekeeper—shares his top New Year’s resolutions for beekeepers to help you improve your skills and keep your bees thriving.
From mastering Varroa mite management to the struggle of staying organized in the bee yard, we’re diving into the real-world challenges every beekeeper faces.
In this video, we discuss:
-Record Keeping: Why tracking your hive progress is the #1 way to become a better beekeeper.
-Varroa Mite Control: Strategies for staying ahead of pests before they become an emergency.
-Proactive Requeening: The importance of young, healthy genetics in your colony.
-Equipment Organization: Tips to keep your bee shop from becoming a mess during the busy season.
-The “Gimmick” Trap: Why you should focus on the basics instead of every new beekeeping gadget.
Ready to take your beekeeping to the next level? Join Ray’s Beginner Video Course (3rd Edition) for a step-by-step roadmap to your first successful year: 👉 https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
About Ray: Ray Hewitt is a University of Florida Certified Master Beekeeper with over 50 years of experience in the hive. He is dedicated to helping beekeepers succeed through practical, science-based education.
What are YOUR beekeeping resolutions for 2026? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
#Beekeeping #HoneytopBees #MasterBeekeeper #BeeCare #BeekeepingTips #SaveTheBees #VarroaMites #NewYearsResolution
Starting Beekeeping? Rays Critical Blueprint of 10 Need to Knows
Welcome, brand new beekeepers! If you’re starting beekeeping for the first time and just got your first hive, this video is your essential beekeeping guide. I cover the 10 CRITICAL steps and beginner beekeeping tips you need to know before you install your bees. Stop guessing and start succeeding with this Beekeeping 101 blueprint!
10 Essential Tips for Starting Beekeeping:
Tip #1: Learn Local [01:19] – The most important tip: beekeeping is hyper-local [01:40], so learn about the challenges in your specific environment (e.g., Minnesota vs. South Carolina [01:25]). Join a local club to find a mentor.
Tip #2: Check Local Laws [03:39] – Check zoning laws, rules, and regulations on keeping bees, especially regarding hive setbacks and maximum hive counts.
Tip #3: Start with 2 Hives [04:58] – Starting with two hives gives you a comparison point for hive health and allows you to share resources (brood, honey) if one hive is struggling.
Tip #4: Order Bees in Winter [06:04] – Order your bees (nucs or packages) in January/February, as there is a limited supply each year.
Tip #5: Hive Location & Sun [07:00] – Set up your hives in full sunlight to wake the bees up and reduce pests. Choose your location wisely, as you can’t easily move them later [08:29].
Tip #6: Buy the Right Equipment [08:34] – Start with the basics: a Langstroth hive kit, a half veil, a hive tool, a bee brush, and a smoker.
Tip #7: Feed Your Bees [12:07] – Use a feeder to stimulate comb building (furnishing the house) in the first year, especially during spring buildup and summer/fall dearths.
Tip #8: No Honey in Year 1 [13:42] – Shift your mindset! Focus on building a strong colony with enough reserves for winter; your second year will be your honey-producing year.
Tip #9: Varroa Mite Plan [15:09] – Varroa Mites are the #1 reason for colony collapse in America. You must have a plan for testing and treating throughout the year.
Tip #10: Inspect Regularly [16:47] – Inspecting your hives regularly (but not too often) is necessary to learn about colony function and prevent major problems like swarming or queen loss.
🐝RESOURCES:
Ray Video Beekeeping Class: I have a full 40-lesson beekeeping class available on my website: www.honeytopbees.com
The Truth About Becoming a Master Beekeeper
All About Master Beekeeper Programs
Ray reflects on his journey after completing his Master Beekeeper certification through the UF Program. This multi-year process helps beekeepers advance their knowledge in `beekeeping`. Ray shares what it means to earn this title and offers valuable tips for others interested in the field.
Bees Go Wild for This Snack After the Cold!
There’s nothing quite like seeing your bees active after a cold snap, especially when they’re enjoying a “pollen substitute”. This short video captures the satisfying sight of “honey bee” activity as they emerge from the hive and gather resources on a warm South Carolina day. It’s a great reminder of the importance of “feeding bees” and proper “winter feeding” strategies for a healthy “apiary” and successful “beekeeping” season.
From Chaos to Order: Numbering the Apiary
Beehive Number Plates!
Have you ever walked up to a hive and completely forgotten if it was the one with the new queen or the one that needed feeding? We’ve all been there! Today, I’m finally getting my apiary organized by installing professional number plates on all my beehives.
In this video, I’ll show you:
-The number plates I chose (and why).
-The best placement on the hive boxes for visibility.
-How numbering your hives can save you huge headaches with record-keeping.
Whether you have 2 hives or 20, having a solid identification system is a game-changer for tracking swarm cells, honey production, and colony health.
Drop a comment below: How do you currently track your hives? Do you use numbers, names, or just memory?
📍 Links & Gear Mentioned:
The Number Plates I Used and where you can buy them: https://www.honeytopbees.com/product-category/printed/
Rays Beekeeping Course: https://www.honeytopbees.com/rays-beginner-video-course/
🐝 Support the Channel: If you found this helpful, please hit the Like button and Subscribe for more beekeeping tips and apiary updates!
#Hashtags: #beekeeping #apiary #beehive #beekeeper #beekeepingtips #backyardbeekeeping #hivelife #honeybees #apiarymanagement
New Way to Beat Varroa Mites Revealed! | Will This Change Beekeeping?
Deep Dive on the mite product Narroa
Ray interviews Adam and Eric from Greenlight Biosciences about a new product designed to fight **varroa mite treatment** in **honey bees**. This innovative solution offers **natural treatments** for **bees** and has already been approved in 22 states, offering hope to every **beekeeper**. This is a significant development for **beekeeping** and maintaining a healthy **hive**.
How I’m Winterizing My Hives in the Southeast (What Actually Matters)
Join Ray from Honey Top Bees as he demonstrates how to “winterize” his bee hives in South Carolina. Even with mild winters, proper preparation is key for the health of your honey bees.
Learn essential beekeeping tips on how to winterize your bee hive, ensuring your bees are ready for colder months. Ray shares his methods for a successful prep for winter, perfect for any beekeeper.
Ray from Honey Top Bees shares his process for preparing **honey bees** for winter in South Carolina, offering essential **beekeeping tips**. He explains **how to winterize** hives, even in a milder climate, contrasting it with his experience in Vermont. This video is great for anyone interested in **beekeeping** and **homesteading** practices.
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Finding Steve’s Queens, Almost Honey Bound, a Fall Mite Shocker! #Beekeeping.
Join Ray from Honey Top Bees as he helps a first-year **beekeeping beginner**! They’re on a mission to find the elusive **queen bee**, check for **varroa mites**, and share essential tips for **beekeeping**. Learn valuable **beginner beekeeping** advice for managing your **honey bees** and hives, perfect for all **beekeeping beginners**!