How To Start Beekeeping In 2025

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Interested in having your own personal, expert online beekeeping mentor with access to exclusive advert free videos and priority replies to comments? Join the BMH bee mentoring programme HERE - www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk/beementoring

[@arronbwabw504]

I watched dozens of Black Mountain Honey KZbin videos, and I'm still watching them! Bought my bees off Black Mountain, I have NO mentors (although 2 offered), they're in a terraced house back garden in a Manchester suburb and I have only one hive. Everyone told me I'd done everything wrong and I would fail in my first year. 10 months on, mid January and my hive is wall to wall bees, no issues over that time. Go for it! Beekeepers make too a big deal about it, the bees lived before humans.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks Aaron. Good to hear they are still going strong :)

[@WisemanMnisi-mr6em]

Yeeeeeeee thank u mabrada I've been interested in beekeeping but no idea on how n where to start 🤷🤷🤷🤷

[@zwai9532]

You should do a youtube video

[@saintjohncoleman8602]

Great advice! 5 years in and still learning every day!

[@georgenicol7623]

Great video again. Like the emergency response idea,will sort that out soon. I like to recommend when you get your hives you get an empty Nuc for every hive you have so when you come to need to do a split you have a Nuc to put them into. Something I find overlooked a lot.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Good tip! Thanks George 😀

[@dayeak57]

Just saw your uncensored video on honey bee expo and the algorithm sent me here...I'll be starting up after bee school next month... you're right, you spent a lot of time editing and refining your work... But I appreciate your knowledge sharing and your effort

[@hevchip741]

I have watched hundreds of videos, there's no associations near me or other bee keepers so you are my mentor. Are your queens already marked?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks :) Yes - our queens are always marked

[@rogerhawkes2670]

really great advise, thank you. I wish I had this sort of advise when I started 2023, the mentor was pants and so ended up listening to every video I could, made loads of mistakes, but loved the process and started with 3 hives and ended up with 27 hives but lost 5 in winter, still time to make mistakes but enjoyed it so much that I want to consolidate and grow my number of sites. Here goes, i'm excited and by the way you have been inspirational.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Glad it was helpful but sorry it was a bit late!

[@SteveRead13]

Thanks Laurence, as someone who started in 2023 with my local BBKA and getting a great mentor there I'd confirm this is all top quality advice...especially around continued learning. My main objective in year 1 - getting my 2 - so far calm - "mongrel" (AKA locally adapted!) hives through the winter. Love the channel.

[@Barrie-p8g]

Just watch your video. I am about to start beekeeping again after a long absence. Really found your video useful as my son is taking up the hobby. Thank you, Barrie

[@daverowden-RowdyBeeFarms]

I met you at the conference in Louisville KY. You were extremely nice and I appreciated your time and patience with an unknown person. I am a hobbyist with 20+ hives that is still stumbling through the learning curve of bee keeping. I subscribed to channel and look forward to your input as I go through my bee keeping adventures. Best of luck on your season. Please come if possible to next Expo, please bring hats.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

I appreciate that! Thank you :) Ill remember hats next time. Lots of people asked about them! :)

[@Willowcott]

Thank you that was a great and thorough introduction for anyone considering bee keeping. Ive been thinking about it for years but whilst house hunting recently i met a bee keeper and my dream has rekindled. Im nervous but excited and desperately trying not to get carried away until Ive done way more research.

[@matthewperry848]

I’ve decided to start to keep bees. Always loved them and absolutely fascinated by them!

[@lismarie6372]

I really want to keep bees ,there such amazeing creature's ❤

[@won2winit]

Best thing about a local course is you get to experience what it's like to open a hive and find out if your the kind of person happy to handle frames of bees especially if they are not in the mood as its not for everyone. I was hooked as soon as they opened the hive and the smell hit me and that was despite two stings and inspecting the angriest colony. Wait until you have done one before you buy kit and equipment to save wasting your money

[@paulh.7598]

Thanks for all your efforts and sharing your knowledge and experience. At 23:16 what a beautiful queen! The caution with shaking off bees with capped brood is that you can damage the wings that are still in formation, perhaps you don't do that with younger frames but the frames that were shown during this discussion were mostly capped brood frames

[@paulchase8585]

You've definitely redeemed yourself with this video, makes up for the show interviews lol. The best beginners video I've seen by miles. You need to now add you first nuc series to this (unless you've plans to update them). Then tag the rest of your educational vids also. That will mean people will find the essentials without trawling through all the dross video clips on your channel. You've definitely nailed this one.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Wow, thanks! :)

[@robertdelfavero6552]

I'm considering getting into beekeeping, and really appreciate that you spend the time at the beginning on what to expect, how to think about my role, and giving me food for thought about what I'm taking on if I decide to go forward with it.

[@peterblack2431]

Wow! Excellent video for beginners.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Tremendous video. You have put a lot of effort into that and it will be appreciated by many😊

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Glad you liked it! Thanks Peter. I had 20 hours of spare time flying to the UK. Still didnt get it finished! LOL

[@staceyrichards9083]

Thank you, great advice as always! I never would have thought to do an emergency plan. I’m so excited for the year ahead. Love this channel!

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks Stacey. Yes. It's an easy one to overlook 😀

[@brianbennett4374]

Good advice 👍 Thanks 😊 I enjoy watching you 😊

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks for watching, Brian :)

[@Hedge-z4x]

I'm going to need to watch your vid several times. It seems crammed with essential information. I'm starting out with nothing but a mountain site, a mountain stream and great open space for a hive. My thoughts are at the location of the hive stage. next i'm looking for a class and I have joined the national bee keepers association. So let the games begin.

[@michaelmannino4335]

I want to say it was great meeting you at the expo and doing a video if me give you honey! I also have to say I have watched this video twice , I think all bee clubs should show this for all the new and 1st and 2nd years bee keepers. Even though your in a totaled different country I think your spot on with , take care and hope to catch your next live stream !

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Thanks Michael. Great meeting you too! Your honey is lovely. I've been eating it on rice crackers with peanut butter!

[@michaelmannino4335]

@@BlackMountainHoney glad your enjoying it . do you put up previews for your Q and a I had foot surgery when I got home so I can't work for the next three weeks

[@amurray001]

Well done! This is an intelligent primer.

[@brucklay227]

This is a really cracking good video for any start-up operation

[@SuhagKhan-q3v]

I have been working in this field for ten years. I know everything about this job. I am currently working in Oman. I wish I could work in another country if I get a good salary.

[@avandyke143]

Excellent!

[@SarahGraceNeal]

I’m soooo happy I found this video!

[@scottlanghorst1483]

Great video and insight, I consider you a Mentor. With a Last name like mine. Its a sign to be a beekeeper. 🐝🐝

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Wow, thanks Scott! Ha! 100%. It's destiny!

[@jericho_bees]

I wouldn't recommend Long Hives for beginners. They may look nice but are much harder to work especially when the colony explodes. I argue that you have to work them differently than standard hives because you have a finite amount of space. My most important rule of thumb when asked by someone thinking of starting beekeeping is choose your frame type and sticking to it.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Agreed. I don't recommend them 😀

[@TinaDooley-i2x]

We are in U.S. Georgia. What is the best way to find out when bees May swarm? Is it typically in February/March? Will they swarm again in August? This is our first year harvesting honey in May and June, nothing since then, is this all that we should expect this year? Lots of questions but I will stop there. Thank you!

[@lynnerousseau9676]

Great complete information

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Glad you liked it :)

[@petermurphy8480]

Hi Laurence , excellent informative vlog mate.

[@AlexMacmac-z2r]

Thanks for the video starting my vee keeping soon

[@ChrisBoogerd]

Hi , you make nice informative videos. I watched many of them. I am starting this season with bee keeping. And I wanted to ask your vision on using a jacket or a full suit. Whitch one did you preferred, and why? Thanks!

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Hi Chris. 100% full suit :) Bees can get in the jackets

[@ChrisBoogerd]

@@BlackMountainHoney thanks!

[@agenzz2385]

Looking to start beekeeping myself this year. Got some equipment second hand and have luckily got an overwintered nuc en-route from a family member. The wait is killing me if i'm honest but this video has confirmed most of my plans. Will potentially look to feed feed feed to build up a stock of drawn comb, even if it means writing off much honey. Quick question on that point, can drawn comb be stored above the crownboard of the hive?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Yes but I wouldnt feed to just get comb drawn. Feed them until they fill two brood boxes and then stop feeding and supers. No need to store drawn comb :)

[@agenzz2385]

@@BlackMountainHoney thanks for the reply 😀. Just thought the drawn comb would allow more flexibility for things like splits etc rather than only having foundation available

[@BlackMountainHoney]

@agenzz2385 it can but its probably over complicating it. Using foundation in colonies is beneficial as it slows them down and stops them swarming 😀

[@Whitesmokehoney]

You are definitely my mentor whether you know it or not. 😂😂😂😂

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Ah that's very nice of you to say! 😀

[@THGGamin]

That oh shit moment when you start watching the video after buying a flow hive with overwinter queen arriving next week 😅.

[@benrichards9003]

Do I need to remove my supers in the winter

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Yes. I always remove all supers in winter

[@benrichards9003]

Thanks mate I am getting the hang of it lol . New hive nee beginner. Your vids make it a lot easier

[@benrichards9003]

Also the hive I got is 4 tier but three are deep and 1 is shallow . What’s your advice on this . The shallow is 17 cm regards Ben

[@1000vstrom]

If I could rate this video in another way with just a thumb up and a rate between 1 to 10 you will get a 10, a fantastic and informative and well explained video, greetings from Sweden.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Wow, thanks! Very kind of you to say so! :)

[@HenrikLarssonArt]

Great video ..How many hives can one have in one apiary? What is the "normal"?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

I'd go for between 6-8 max

[@RikhuRamai]

Thank you for the new video. Is there possible for melifera to be kept in billy and mountain forest place? I am from India. My mentor says its may not be possible in sloppy terrain. So ur valuable suggestion on the matter would be grateful

[@sarahallen6328]

What’s a swarm cell?

[@Villagelife_Yasser]

Watched you video very informative.

[@martinvejrup3646]

Thanks for another great video. 1 question: Have you heard or seen videos of the Keepers Hive? A new type of hive.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

I have. check out my latest video (1 before this one)

[@martinvejrup3646]

Ahh ok. Seen it now. I think it looks intresting. Im also a huge fan of the Demaree method. Whats your thougts of the keepers hive?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

@@martinvejrup3646 Think it's cool. Wish it was a bit bigger both in brood and supers. Would be awesome as a flow hive mod!

[@martinvejrup3646]

Ive tryed making one this winter. It gonna be intresting to try it out. But yes, my consern is also the amount of frames in the supers. It gonna be a hightower!

[@ojarrayyaan5200]

Hi. I am interested in starting bee keeping. I have an allotment and thinking to doing it there or even looking for a bigger space.

[@delroynestawilliams5247]

any links to purchasing the bee suit? i just want to make sure i get the right one

[@DonWood]

Thanks love your video I found you via Just Alex

[@mikedickson7849]

What do you think of the flow hive?

[@BlackMountainHoney]

@@mikedickson7849 I like it. It's not without it's challenges but if I could only have one beehive it would be automatic tap hive like the flow or paradise smart beehive

[@mikedickson7849]

@@BlackMountainHoney I'm praying for your country 🙏 and my country is not much better

[@surunitemiakanni-oye4346]

@@mikedickson7849 Curious to know why?

[@TomN..]

I have a 25 acre property. My neighbor spacing is pretty far. Do you think they would be bothered by the bees?

[@Blindguardianfan1998]

Definitely not

[@auntyp2980]

Please provide links.for the suit and smoker

[@MeyerTribe7]

Link to demaree split?

[@TinaDooley-i2x]

We have people that want the larvae and honeycomb, how/when do we harvest that!

[@scottbailey8158]

What exactly is a "swarm cell" my dad just let's then swarm the always rest on a tree nearby, he catches then and starts a new hive. I'll only want 4 max hives so yep I want to know more about your trick to make then think they have swarmed. I'm in the USA the state of wv.

[@mustrumridcully3853]

I was told 2 things about beekeeping at the start - If you want honey, go to a farm shop, it's more certain. If you want to make money, dont go into beekeeping. Expensive, time consuming, distracting and also ties you to the hives at certain times of year. Bees do what they want, when they want to.

[@glynisreynolds446]

Great advice 👍 During the swarming season I often wish I’d followed it 🤣🤣🇬🇧

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Good advice! :)

[@auracollins5549]

Hi Laurence , I am watching this video about beekeeping, you mention Demaree split, do you have a video about it? Thank you

[@auracollins5549]

Great video , thank you

[@josephinenamata4675]

😮

[@vprocap1888]

Hii I have been following you for probably one year not sure Really like your videos ❤ I keep apies cerena bees the are little smaller but all are same traits just the size is different but I have problem I found a disease I feel like it's a virus or fungus not sure Queen layes the egg and it comes to larva stage but the larvae dose not go to next stage of sealing or what we call capping worker bees throw out the larvae soo that keeps on gooing till the coloney get weak abscond Can you suggest me some ideas 💡 Thankyou ❤️

[@benrichards9003]

I need you help lol . I am in Essex Colchester. Jumped in the deep end

[@SintaxBSD]

What do beekeepers do when they need to take a vacation?

[@ajsassafrass6883]

Welcome to every rancher ever.

[@johnbenestin8401]

Good beeker available in india Have want in australia?

[@MdParvejMiah-u6v]

Assalamu alaikum how are you all sir i was saying from bangladesh i am currently cultivating honey in north cyprus sir do you need a master who knows bee work there sir bangla can you tell me sir

[@raymondbrown867]

How do you know you actually get a buck fast queen.im in United States. Nevada.

[@BlackMountainHoney]

Try Corey Stevens :)

[@DIESSELENGINE]

Starting beekeeping for money? No way. For honey? Maybe. Because it's seems like a great bobby? Definitely

[@tmac3019]

we're going to have 80 acers of land, so thats alot should be fine any where

[@BennyBoiGamer]

Shouldn't you support native bees? I live in County Fermanagh NI and there's a massive drive to support the native Irish black bee and keep out the buckfast.

[@romangasior4046]

👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[@raymondbrown867]

Check out killer bee man.thats not the way you do bees.lol.i like your videos.

[@dcrosco1458]

Just watch youtube videos you will learn more, then from a so called mentor

[@michaelwarner4323]

awesome vid, thank you

[@SmirnockIce]

Lol, @9:31 One of you is not like the others!!! Casual lil bumblebee swooping into the nest.... "Don't mind me" 🥷🐝🍯

[@johnbenestin8401]

Good beeker available in india Have want in australia?