My bees survived the winter! - First hive inspection of the year

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  • Опубликовано: 8 янв 2025

Комментарии • 472

  • @till_sn
    @till_sn Год назад +295

    Seeing your bees alive and healthy makes me happy! Thank you for sharing your beekeeping journey with us.

    • @just_alex
      @just_alex  Год назад +19

      Thanks for watching :)

    • @disaster_chemist
      @disaster_chemist Год назад +3

      ​@Just Alex you should plant some flowers for them

  • @midwaytools4066
    @midwaytools4066 Год назад +123

    You should put a second brood box on both. The queen is running out of space to lay, and a swarm is inevitable. A super isn't going to prevent it. If you don't want to split them give them another box, or start watching the trees, because that's where they are going.

    • @chasitybertrand
      @chasitybertrand Год назад +3

      Coming to say the same thing.

    • @apolloisnotashirt
      @apolloisnotashirt Год назад +14

      Double the brood, double the super, double the honey.

    • @ev1677
      @ev1677 Год назад +3

      I really hope he takes the good advice he gets in the comments from experienced keepers. He only seems to reply to comments praising his videography.

    • @theamaroq7298
      @theamaroq7298 Год назад +3

      @@ev1677 If you have a look at another of his videos where it's a bit in the future, this hive swarms twice I believe, so you were right!

    • @Eskil000
      @Eskil000 Год назад +1

      How can you know when to put on another brood box?

  • @jamesclayton9177
    @jamesclayton9177 Год назад +50

    I can easily see you becoming the new known voice for nature documentaries. I hope your channel and support continues to grow!

  • @honeyhavenfarm.est2023
    @honeyhavenfarm.est2023 Год назад +107

    I'm a beekeeper and have been loving your bee videos and I hope you have great success in your operation. And also I must say your queens are great they have great brood patterns

  • @tealkerberus748
    @tealkerberus748 Год назад +1

    I'm sure you've found out by now, but putting your empty frames in the freezer for a few days before you store them, will kill off any wax moth eggs or other pests that would degrade the wax. Once they've been frozen, storing them in a sealed plastic tub will prevent any new moths from finding them and laying more eggs, and you just need a suitable desiccant in the tub to stop them going mouldy before it's time to return them to the hives.
    Also, an adjustable entrance on your hive means you can open it wide when there's a lot of movement, and close it up to suit when they're less active. Having bees waiting their turn or struggling to get through the front door reduces their efficiency.

  • @colinjones439
    @colinjones439 Год назад +233

    Hey Alex, just found your channel and watched your day 1-365 video and honestly you've inspired me. Watching your videos gave me an appreciation for bees that I'd never had, and watching your colonies grow and thrive has made me decide to begin working towards my first hive. Thanks for all you do, hope to see more videos soon

    • @supadupa1905
      @supadupa1905 Год назад +7

      Mate, I recommend watching all Alex's content. This guy is absolutely amazing!

    • @Cringeneth
      @Cringeneth Год назад +2

      What if I say something mematic here and not serious.
      🥛This is milk :D

    • @Num1-Zyrix
      @Num1-Zyrix Год назад +2

      @@Cringeneth ahh yes and this is blank space

    • @camilizard
      @camilizard Год назад +2

      same here!!

    • @zma19
      @zma19 Год назад +1

      Same😂

  • @reesurgent6400
    @reesurgent6400 Год назад +19

    RUclips randomly showed your first beekeeping video to me and I clicked and watched the full almost 2 hours of it. It has definitely peaked my interest in beekeeping, and I signed up for a local class to learn more!

  • @44birdie44
    @44birdie44 Год назад +95

    Currently doing a beginners beekeeping course and they told us to not buy leather gloves for multiple reasons but the main one being hygiene. You can’t get them properly clean and can easily move diseases between hives.

    • @sandraclay169
      @sandraclay169 Год назад +5

      I wash mine in washing machine and have several pair. I do not like getting my hands stung and also over time developed a bee venom allergy.

    • @just_alex
      @just_alex  Год назад +39

      Yeah they are really hard to clean so I don’t bother doing it. If I had bees in a separate place I would probably use different gloves to prevent disease spread.

    • @allmodcons6
      @allmodcons6 Год назад +41

      Just put rubber gloves over the top, then you can change them between hives and it keeps your leather ones clean

    • @ZeBeowulf
      @ZeBeowulf Год назад +10

      You can steralize them in an instapot pretty easily.

    • @ujvarikristian-robert9743
      @ujvarikristian-robert9743 Год назад +3

      I use surgical or medical gloves and they not sting my hands through them. Try it.

  • @LeeShand
    @LeeShand Год назад +70

    Could not click fast enough Alex. I sat here for most of this video with my mouth wide open. Facinating mate. You have a talent of being able to make EVERY video something you want to watch without skipping! Nice Job Sir! Again.......

    • @just_alex
      @just_alex  Год назад +11

      Glad you enjoyed it! :)

  • @ShineKelly
    @ShineKelly Год назад +15

    in New Zealand I am just putting my bees to bed for winter and yours are just waking up :) You definitely have a good start to the season there! In the spring I don't wear gloves when I check my hives and I have never had to smoke them. Just because they are all over the frames it does not mean they are going to sting you - just don't wear overly strong deodorant etc (or eat bananas just before you check them!)

    • @ValorianCentral
      @ValorianCentral Год назад

      Bananas is very specific...

    • @quintym7090
      @quintym7090 Год назад +7

      @@ValorianCentral When there is danger the bees will spread a pheromone, which contains isopentyl acetate. This smells exactly like bananas. If they smell this pheromone the bees will get more aggressive and are more likely to sting. That's why it's better to not eat bananas 😅

  • @sandraclay169
    @sandraclay169 Год назад +4

    Hello Alex, I love your videos. I am a beekeeper in the state of Tennessee in the United States. One way I have discovered to store my frames and keep them free of wax moths is place cedar shavings on top of the frames if you store them stacked on top of each other in supers.

  • @jekster
    @jekster Год назад +16

    Your bee series has such a good vibe. So much knowledge and so much appreciation of nature.

  • @BlueBeeMCMLXI
    @BlueBeeMCMLXI Год назад

    That's a wake-up call. I thought Winter made them MOVE away. You good farmer you! Congratulations!

  • @josevilla8648
    @josevilla8648 Год назад +2

    Magic, your beekeeping just like your filming goes from strength to strength. Seeing that worker bee emerging and being cleaned and welcomed into the hive was a great piece of film

  • @guttersnipe3246
    @guttersnipe3246 Год назад +1

    Keeping bees is just a great thing to do so interesting and every coloney are different as is the honey.Keep up the good work alex great channel

  • @HelenP0816
    @HelenP0816 Год назад +11

    Yeyyy!! Super pleased your bees made it thru the long harsh winter! Alex, you're so inspiring and really confident now, it's much better learning from You than the books, as it's all gained from your own learnings ..Honestly, watching a bee being born was amazing, hope you're feeling like a pround Dad right now!! Oooh, nearly forgot, glad you've got some proper gloves 😅😊 can't wait to see your next adventures! Take care 😊

  • @blt123xly
    @blt123xly Год назад +6

    I'm always so happy to watch your videos Alex! I can't wait to see your channel grow and get exposed to more people. Thank you for such wholesome content!

  • @Lorelaeyn
    @Lorelaeyn Год назад +3

    Amazing to see the worker hatch. Really interesting to see the different-looking worker and drone cells / brood. I remember the very large queen cells from last year's videos.

  • @kakisj
    @kakisj Год назад +3

    i swear everytime i click on one of alexs videos it feels like im catching up with a friend

  • @apnira10
    @apnira10 Год назад +1

    Don’t know why YT algorithm recommended this channel but I’m glad it did. What a thoroughly nice, industrious, informative young man. A credit to his family!

  • @northernwildharvest
    @northernwildharvest Год назад +13

    Awesome! Glad to see them thriving after the winter 🐝

  •  Год назад +8

    Thanks for sharing your experiences with different things you do. Watching your videos is very educating and relaxing at the same time. Hope you get a lot of honey this year:)

    • @Delibro
      @Delibro Год назад

      After every video I plan to start doing an own and bigger project of the topic... they'r great :)
      Running out of time, won't watch the fungi videos ...

  • @dasherdoom2902
    @dasherdoom2902 Год назад

    Youre videos about Beekeeping really made me change my mind about those little fellas. From hating then to having an admiration for them. Bees are cute ^^

  • @KevinAmatt
    @KevinAmatt Год назад

    I have a friend who hives in his garden. He’s very experienced. Starts with one brood box, then adds another one as the hive increases. Then a super box on top of them.

  • @Beenreal_em
    @Beenreal_em Год назад

    I’m a Canadian beekeeper-well I just started, I’ve also had my first over winter success!!!
    When I visit my best friend in the UK I’m determined to come meet you and see your bees!
    Congratulations on your over winter success!

  • @Ellemenopea97
    @Ellemenopea97 Год назад

    They're doing so well! You'll want another box for them soon, and consider a honey box. ❤ the hive is extremely strong and if you keep giving them all the love and care you have, they'll make plenty that you can share some for yourself.

  • @lukas1255
    @lukas1255 Год назад +3

    Your content is above and beyond anything on youtube! this was a treat to watch, thank you so much for sharing this experience.

  • @iraelowolfgang1846
    @iraelowolfgang1846 Год назад +1

    i've just watched your beekeeping journey and i'm so happy the lil bees survived this winter!

  • @veljkojevtic7171
    @veljkojevtic7171 Год назад

    Hi Alex, im a 3rd generation beekeper from Serbia. It is my full time job with about 2500 bee hives. You are doing great! Thumbs up and keep it going!

    • @just_alex
      @just_alex  Год назад

      Thanks good luck to you too.

  • @cheryl.539
    @cheryl.539 Год назад

    Well done Carl, your bees are growing in number and the honey you will have will prove very productive.

  • @JImbokav1971
    @JImbokav1971 Год назад

    These videos are so informative and entertaining. Absolutely love catching up on your bee keeper exploits. If anything it more realistic and better than you list the 1st couple of Queens to swarming when you were away.

  • @midnight8031
    @midnight8031 Год назад +1

    Alex I love watching your videos it helps me learn while you do. I have watched the 365 days of bee keeping video and also your previous videos, keep up the good work. Love from USA 🇺🇸.

  • @samanthasimental3788
    @samanthasimental3788 Год назад

    Your enjoyment of your bees makes me want to keep some. thank you for sharing your experience.

  • @esmeclair7895
    @esmeclair7895 Год назад +1

    Hey Alex this video has just brought me out of a cycle of bad thoughts and staying in bed feeling sorry for myself so Thankyou for your wholesome content and goofy nature, you’re a cool dude

  • @BartMolkenboer
    @BartMolkenboer Год назад +1

    What an amazing creatures they are! Good to see your hive survived the winter, good luck on the hives this year Alex!

  • @khowardjulia
    @khowardjulia Год назад +1

    Watching from Canada 🇨🇦 very invested in seeing how your bee journey continues!! Have loved watching all your videos so far! Good luck this season!

  • @Andruu22
    @Andruu22 Год назад

    Looking hap-hap-happy Alex. Congrats on your bee colony.

  • @spoopy4339
    @spoopy4339 Год назад

    Hey Alex, I've just started doing a beekeeping course with my local beekeeping association, and I can't begin to describe how helpful and great this video has been. It has really helped cement what I've learnt so far. I can't wait to learn more and hopefully start up my own hive soon. Watching your videos is going to be a great help. I am looking forward to seeing more videos of your hives 😊

  • @helentowers3330
    @helentowers3330 Год назад +16

    I didn't realise that bee keeping can be so interesting. I'm scared of them but couldn't stop watching. Keep up the good work.

    • @Jaciuwu
      @Jaciuwu Год назад +2

      If you are nice to them they are nice to you :)

  • @GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn
    @GrowCookPreserveWithKellyDawn Год назад

    I remember the first year my bees survived the winter! It is such a feeling of victory. Keep learning and listen to the bees--they know what they are doing.

  • @BeeSpace-
    @BeeSpace- Год назад

    Love your videos, Alex. You have such empathy with the bees.

  • @sturoe7361
    @sturoe7361 Год назад

    Great to hear they survived, now to get the little blighters working hard.

  • @AverageIdiot213
    @AverageIdiot213 Год назад +18

    Hey, i just wanna say youre really inspirational and because of you i am interested in beekeeping and growing food for myself. Keep up the good work

  • @mgharvey3657
    @mgharvey3657 Год назад +7

    Hello from the states.

  • @dianaverhulst3407
    @dianaverhulst3407 Год назад +1

    You seem like such a nice guy, Alex. This was a great video. I'm learning so much from you about bees!

  • @Chezzywezzy
    @Chezzywezzy Год назад

    You finally got proper gloves

  • @banfio64
    @banfio64 Год назад +3

    You've inspired me to take on my own bee adventure! i have two hives set up in a community garden near where i live, and i'll be going to check on them this weekend, as well as attempt to mark my queens!

  • @AO-qu9we
    @AO-qu9we Год назад +2

    My favourite series from your channel which made me follow and come along with your journey. Same as everyone you get me so inspired to do new things and travel the world 🌎 keep it up Alex! I’m looking forward to starting my 🐝 hive as well this year 😄

  • @jamesbirch-jw5bk
    @jamesbirch-jw5bk Год назад +1

    Well done Alex and thank you for teaching and inspiring me to do more outdoor activities

  • @Flibbles
    @Flibbles Год назад

    Your bee videos are much more informative than all the others I've seen, many thanks.

  • @rgaskinDVM
    @rgaskinDVM Год назад

    Great job Alex! Congratulations on an over winter success. No sign of Varroa or FB healthy looking hive

  • @troyfrieling9705
    @troyfrieling9705 Год назад

    Trick/Tip - when pulling the queen excluder off, put a finger in the middle of the excluder when taking it off and it won't cause the the excluder to spring up and make the bees mad.

  • @lukehanson7245
    @lukehanson7245 Год назад +6

    I'm so happy that your bees are healthy and alive oh and happy Easter 🎉

  • @bloodyhell3769
    @bloodyhell3769 Год назад +1

    i love seeing these videos with check ups on the bees and other things you do now and then :)

  • @daniel.100
    @daniel.100 Год назад

    Bees are so special, im so glad yours are getting along great.

  • @camilizard
    @camilizard Год назад +1

    congrats on the bees surviving winter alex! i just found your channel recently and watching your bee journey has made me want to get my first colony too! best wishes to you and your bees

  • @austinheter9460
    @austinheter9460 Год назад

    Looking forward to the updates and progress this summer!!

  • @ninadewaratanawanich9279
    @ninadewaratanawanich9279 Год назад

    Love the yellow crown Queen. Thank you.

  • @boriscastro3065
    @boriscastro3065 Год назад +1

    I love this channel for the bees so cool seeing how far this guy has come

  • @happycamper4329
    @happycamper4329 Год назад

    New gloves... well done! Don't be fooled though, you can still get stung through those gloves - I have been, a couple of times. But they are much better than the rubber gloves you were using before😉 Judging by how many bees were still in the brood box when you inspected, and also how close to the outer frames the queen is laying the eggs, I would suggest that you would be best to do a split now, don't wait - even if there's no queen cell in there, it would only take them a few days to construct one, and you'd probably miss it, unless you do another inspection in a few days' time. Also, the size of the frames you are using in the super are small, and it will take next to no time for the bees to fill it. As a suggestion, I would put full depth frames in the super, as you will get a greater harvest (🤞), and also means that they would have a greater reserve of natural honey for winter, which would mean that you wouldn't have to supply quite so much supplement during winter. Remember Alex, it's all about the bees, not us. The honey is a bonus, not a given!

  • @tonyhamilton9764
    @tonyhamilton9764 Год назад

    Hey Alex. Loving your content. I don't have space to try beekeeping but love the idea. I have seen a lot of stuff and found the videos from Central Beekeepers Supply to be extremely beneficial. They are a multi generational beekeeping family. Per their videos, you can't stop a swarm. Bees will swarm. What you can do is slow it and somewhat control it, so you can split them or take other action. But you can't stop them, it's in their DNA. Best of luck. I hope you find another place to keep more bees and you can split your hives and keep on multiplying.

  • @willewiking98
    @willewiking98 Год назад

    everything you do on your channel is just pure endorfines for me, looks so peaceful and lovely

  • @ianmaffett6275
    @ianmaffett6275 Год назад

    Glad to see your bees happy and healthy after the winter.

  • @matthewnother6209
    @matthewnother6209 Год назад

    Very very good. Well done. I think it's amazing that you have taught yourself in such little time.

  • @lizbeard9463
    @lizbeard9463 Год назад

    That was so interesting, thank you. Must be great to watch the progress and eventually gather honey!

  • @thewolfin
    @thewolfin Год назад

    Your passion is infectious, thanks for everything.

  • @LeisyBee1
    @LeisyBee1 Год назад

    Just starting my beekeeping journey & having a crack at RUclips while I’m at it. This inspires me…love it!

  • @Dannsandiego
    @Dannsandiego Год назад

    It looks like you are off to a great start, Alex! I'm happy to see your bees thrived through winter. Thanks for another interesting video. Cheers!

  • @michelperron2119
    @michelperron2119 Год назад

    For the wax moth problem you should try sulfur tablets, before storing you burn one or two tablets under the supper or you should store the suppers in a cold place

  • @pusdienlaiks
    @pusdienlaiks Год назад

    Greetings from Latvia!
    I really enjoy your channel.
    Also checked my 7 hives a week ago, and all hives were healthy.

  • @teinspringz
    @teinspringz Год назад

    Glad your bees made it through Winter, Al!

  • @emzrking
    @emzrking Год назад

    I always look forward to your beekeeping videos! So interesting

  • @karthi0166
    @karthi0166 Год назад +4

    Hi alex, I just completed your mushroom growing video. I wanna live a life like you. Very peaceful, learning new things, exploring the world. I love your channel !!!

  • @dakotataylor5262
    @dakotataylor5262 Год назад

    My bee finally arrived two weeks ago. After watching your bee episodes I wanted bees

  • @peterwaterhouse1983
    @peterwaterhouse1983 Год назад

    Great video, a cautionary note Alex, bees can starve very quickly at this time of year if the weather turns cold/ wet. Having removed the fondant it is worth keeping a close eye on them.
    Well done for getting your hives through winter!

  • @sms8035
    @sms8035 Год назад

    Hey Alex, I'm in my second year off beekeeping, i first started with one hive in my first month then got another 2 hives by 6 months of my first year of beekeeping the colonies i got them from the wild( Forest), now i have ten huge hives, i made splits in my first year from the three i i skipped a season without taking any honey so they stay strong when i did the splits, i live in Seychelles, we do get winter, and we have two honey season in a year, great videos keep up the Good work!

  • @soulieobelissevan
    @soulieobelissevan Год назад +1

    Thank you! ✨💕

  • @mylowilkinson9766
    @mylowilkinson9766 Год назад

    Can’t believe how fast ur channnel has grown I remember when the video came out of you and Alex splitting and now your on 270k subscribers crazy!

  • @crazycat7760
    @crazycat7760 Год назад +3

    Love The bee keeping content Alex!

  • @ashleighesford3557
    @ashleighesford3557 Год назад +5

    I want to start bee keeping so bad just because of you!

  • @Cole778
    @Cole778 Год назад

    I put my Bees in their Hive today. Just got them Today. Got inspired by your 1 Year Bee Keeping and now Im a bee keeper my self :D

  • @Menji_x
    @Menji_x Год назад +1

    The bees are back! Can’t wait to see how much honey you get this year!

  • @marklally820
    @marklally820 Год назад

    Alex I hope you like looking after your bees 😊

  • @blake55557
    @blake55557 Год назад +1

    the way you said bees at 3:00 was so funny

  • @ชินธิปเจริญวรรณ์-ฝ1ษ

    I keep bees in Thailand. Your beehive is very beautiful.

  • @Avingent
    @Avingent Год назад

    I always excited when he uploads about the bees or the plants

  • @dubcindub15
    @dubcindub15 Год назад

    Hi Alex, have a look for light disposable cotton gloves to wear under the old nitrile/latex type you had. They let you keep the dexterity lost with thicker gloves, and the cotton layer acts like a sponge to stop you getting sweaty hands, but also forms a springy trampoline kinda layer the bees probably won't have the weight to push a sting all the way through.

  • @countbasingstoke
    @countbasingstoke Год назад +1

    Bloody excellent channel. Glad you are being so successful in all you are doing!

  • @Quantum973
    @Quantum973 Год назад

    5:46 i like to imagine that bee just wants to open up a circle mosh pit

  • @eonsshadow27
    @eonsshadow27 Год назад +1

    I love your content it makes me want bees also congrats on 250k you earned it!

  • @niksclassicracers
    @niksclassicracers Год назад

    Hope you’re on swarm watch Alex! Next couple of weeks is prime time for them to decide to split. I’d always have a brood box with essential lemongrass oil about 10’ up somewhere. Perfect place for a missed prime swarm to remove themselves to. You will also get a good clue when scouts from one of your hives are inspecting it!

    • @niksclassicracers
      @niksclassicracers Год назад

      Good idea to get supers on… that colony might support double brood: keep you eye out for those play cells 🫣

    • @just_alex
      @just_alex  Год назад

      Yeah I’m gunna be watching close over the next few weeks!

  • @ValShepley-qc4zr
    @ValShepley-qc4zr Год назад

    That's brilliant Alex, looks like it'll be a good year on the honey front.

  • @JayAdams-ml5jf
    @JayAdams-ml5jf Год назад

    Happy to see your bee's made it through the winter. I don't what demands are on your time but don't be afraid (IMO) to make videos of your weekly inspections. You could add some footage of your dads garden (maybe neighbor's as well, if they allow it.), which flowers etc the bees favor for example. I know I would watch them every week.
    Thanks for a new video and best of luck in the coming season!
    P.S. I don't know if you did any homework on monetizing your videos for the best value. But one thing I do recall is make them at least 10 minutes long without cheating (can't just run a pic for 10 minutes kinda thing).

  • @trevorcornes1056
    @trevorcornes1056 Год назад

    Glad your bees got through the winter Alex . Nice video too

  • @brianwoo5732
    @brianwoo5732 Год назад

    Just finished a binge of your channel, this is literally the channel I didn't know I needed - B

  • @rickyjessome4359
    @rickyjessome4359 Год назад

    Fantastic video Alex! Great to see your bee's are doing well. Cheers

  • @soniamuniz2811
    @soniamuniz2811 Год назад

    Thank you so much for sharing ypur vids. I love your vids. I just became a new beekeeper. I only have had them for a week. I have learned so much from your vids. Pls keep them coming. And thanks again.

  • @soniayoung7531
    @soniayoung7531 Год назад

    Hi Alex beautiful bees glad they are ok ,great video like how you explain stuff, thanks for sharing stay blessed

  • @robertforrest7956
    @robertforrest7956 Год назад +1

    A friend of mine in New Hampshire is just starting into bee keeping so shared your vids with her. 😁👍🏻

  • @jdbatwing
    @jdbatwing Год назад

    I love your videos! And I’m glad you bees survived and are nice and healthy