Things To Do As A Second Year Beekeeper

This is only my second year beekeeping, what should I be doing? Learn some of the do's and don't as a second year beekeeper in this video also learn what it takes to be a sustainable beekeeper. See more of my beekeeping videos at / jasonchrismanbees
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Mentioned Links:
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Richard Noel's Video: • Huge winter losses
Pollen Chart: en.wikipedia.o...
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[@keiththompson5703]

. Hi Jason I just watched your video on second-year beekeeping. I have overwintered bees for 4 years now and I have not lost a hive. I think the reason I haven't lost a hive is because of you and a number of the other KZbinrs. You guys all post about different things and they have all helped me get through this experience the reason I watch this second-year beekeeping video again is to refresh my memory

[@JCsBees]

Hello Keith, So glad to hear the videos have helped you along your beekeeping journey. Best of luck this year!

[@michaeldiels9963]

First year of bee keeping, I went into winter with 2 hives and I still have 2 hives, both doing great

[@JCsBees]

Nice job!

[@ruthisaac2390]

I didn't lose my need thur winter but "Jumped the Gun" and added a super then had a 12 degree night. The bees packed out the larvae. My brother helped me get it straighten up. I now depend on your videos.

[@JCsBees]

Well, I'm glad to hear your back on track. Now slow down and wait a bit longer.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

I really enjoy your video’s they are very helpful. I think this was one of your best very helpful also thanks to your followers for there ideas also . Thanks keep up your video’s.

[@JCsBees]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jirizhanel795]

I did. Hive beatles and Varoa mites

[@selfrelianthomestead7842]

👍

[@montgomerymorris1967]

I will find out this is my first winter in Nova Scotia Canada

[@michelleagnew2864]

Excellent video with great information!

[@JCsBees]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SortOfaBeekeeper]

👍thanks for all the tips for a 2nd year beekeeper! As always I enjoy your videos!!💖

[@SylantBill]

So far all 6 of mine survived. Even the single brood. We had Temps go down to 9 degrees and that's cold here in Alabama. Checked candy boards today and all were still good. I might point out my hives were all swarms

[@richardthomas3417]

Keep up the good work Jason. 3 rd year beek here. Time to grow a bit. 5 super strong hives from last year. Hoping to grow to about 15-20 this year. In northern Alabama, what's the best time to start Splits? I'm thinking around March 20th to 1st of April??? Thanks for the feedback. Richard

[@honeyandmilkmedimleko2]

good video

[@davevierthaler8521]

I had a large die off in late July most likely do to pesticides. It was never able to fully recover and completely died off with the first very cold snap in November. Coming back this year with 2 hives. I also build a horizontal hive that Dr. Leo promotes. I will see which works better for me in MN. I was told by a local supply store that the horizontal hive will not winter as well.

[@scotthenderson4376]

I have a lot of wet frames some honey in the freezer waiting for spring splits hope that's a good thing to do

[@JCsBees]

Yes, it's a great idea to hold back frames for splits. You will be blown away by how fast those splits build up.

[@lilbitlevan]

I'm in southern Colorado. I lost one hive over winter. I robbed from a stronger hive and I took too much brood, so my strongest hive going into winter didn't survive. No winter bees and not enough nurse bees for the brood that I did leave. It was totally my fault. Lesson learned. Thankfully, the hive I gave the brood to is doing very well. I will be getting two more nucs in March or April depending on the weather.

[@JCsBees]

Sorry for the loss but glad you were able to save the one.

[@lilbitlevan]

@@JCsBees upside, I learned and have a 10 frame deep packed full of resources for the nucs this spring. Thank you for all your videos, I really enjoy what you do.

[@heavenlyhoney3249]

Good job Jason mine looks just like yours . I’m south of Columbus Ohio Exit 58 off I -71

[@HansNemo]

Richard Noel is in Britney, FRANCE.

[@michaelsmith7425]

I went into winter with two strong hives. Left all the honey on them to ensure they had adequate supplies. I figured if I got greedy they would suffer for my greed. Both had low mite counts in fall. One was a cutout from a friends owl box, one was a purchased varroa resistant strain from here in TX. Come spring still lots of activity on warm days. Did not open them until after the arctic snap here in TX. The owl box cutout had lost its queen sometime over the winter and had tried to requeen, I found 2 partially built cups. The second hive after the snap completely absconded ! Just 2 dead bees in the bottom. It was being robbed out as I inspected ! 2 frames gone, 8 left intact. Saved them , froze them and then spun 2 1/2 gallons of dark honey from them which I gave to friends and neighbours. I'm not discouraged, I will rebuild. I am now the custodian beek of three hives donated to a local nature centre. 2/3 made it through winter and I just did a successful split to get it back up to 3. I will again split from the least aggressive colony and bring them here to my house in Midtown Houston. To use a poker analogy, "you still play even if the deck might be stacked against you".

[@richardnoel3141]

TO ALL JASONS FOLLOWERS, Terrific video Jason. I Have to say everything you say is perfectly correct. In my 10th year now, so not as long as you.? However, I was so surprised by my losses. So far about 40% which is a big hit. You are so right. yes, there are times that this can and does happen, but thankfully it's not too often. I have had awesome messages of support from well known, big number beekeepers. They have had it too. It's just like sometimes things flip the wrong side and you lose a bunch of colonies without apparent reason. However there is always a reason, but sometimes its multiple issues all culminating in the death of your hives. Like you say, hold your head high, don't be afraid to accept your losses, learn from your mistakes and move on. I feel these things are thrown at us from time to time to keep us on our toes and they sure do, with a whole lot of head-scratching to boot! I hope my experiences have helped others realise that it's not easy to keep bees and the technical level is very high these days. Most problems do come down to Varroa mites, one way or another. We have all got to work together to keep hives as productive as possible and share how we do this, everyone's contribution is a valuable contribution whether your a treater, non-treater or haven't decided what the hell your gonna do. Its a minefield and were all wondering if treatment or non-treatment is the way to go. The truth is, no one really knows. You just have to go with your gut instinct and you're own personal experience. Hope all you guys and girls have a fantastic season. Jason Shares some awesome knowledge. he's been there too. Remember your doing the best hobby in the world and you also doing a huge service to nature!! Bee good!! Richard Noel.

[@JCsBees]

@Richard Noel Thanks for the kind words my friend. We all feel horrible for the situation you are in with your bees but so glad you have resources to build back from. It's so important that everyone learn to be self-sustainable as much as possible or it will get too costly to keep going long term. I'm sure you know this, since your a full time beekeeper.🐝🐝🐝 So sorry I got your location wrong, had a brain fart. I had several people correct me in the comment. lol Have a great day my friend!!

[@richardnoel3141]

Jason Chrisman hey I bc didn’t even worry about the location dude! We’re all beekeepers lol. Bees buzz the same everywhere!! 😀 respect and thank you too!! 🐝🐝🐝

[@billybobjones4317]

I am well into my second year, and it's now the middle of Winter and I just did a harvest of three Flow frames that were full and the other four are near full as we have a nice strong flow on at the moment :). I feel sorry for people that live in areas that get cold weather in Winter, my Family immigrated from a Cold Country, where frozen water used to fall from the sky :( brrr. We immigrated to Qld Australia and never looked back :) We only have a few weeks of uncomfortable weather where we can get to 10C at night :( During the day it's still around 23C, water temps are nearly the same at 22C :) so great still for Jet Skiing and water sports. having come from a cold Country, where we used to swim if it got to 9C, getting 23C in the middle of winter is just amazing :). My Native Stingless don't like the Winter mornings as they want 18 -20C before they will leave their Hives :) depending on the breed.

[@TheTrooperGirl]

Colorado: this is my 3rd/4th year. I had gotten a buckfast queen from Canada. (Bill and Rosemary) That queen has been AWESOME! First I thought I lost her. I could not find her. I looked and looked for her, to no avail I thought no queen. It was too late in the season to get another queen. No eggs/brood nothing. Buckfast hive going into winter (i thought) no queen TONS of bees "very hard to close up the hive with so many bees. Nov/Dec it was warm out I thought I would check to see if I could find her again. Nope nothing... Mar/Apr found eggs and brood. May: Busting with bees, brood, honey. No queen cells, or cups. Currently 2 honey supers filled and capped. I am going to remove the honey and treat. Spring is now finally here and they are rockin. I am so grateful!

[@maximdemchenko1657]

First year bee keeper all 6 hives are alive THANK GOD 😁

[@mikeschickensandgarden3370]

I’m a first year beekeeper coming out of my first winter. So far so good. The girls were out flying today

[@debracasseday4960]

Yes! Very important to keep a journal of all you do in each hive.

[@JCsBees]

Absolutely!

[@gwtill]

My swarm hive made it. They are really mean.

[@jimmyjapa6368]

Oh and by the way I went into winter with a 80 frame hive and I kept it heated and cooled so I know where the temperature is that if they need food I have a little port or I could just fill up all their bottles inside the hive neat huh watch my KZbin video that puppies must be packed cuz they came out yesterday like gangbusters

[@jimmyjapa6368]

THANKS JASON, C

[@jasongentry7405]

I just lost one of two hives I took into winter. One is booming and queen has frames laid solid with build up brood and drones. The other starved out with sugar on top in the same manner as my existing hive. Appears they died the week I went to pull sugar and switch to syrup. The hive I inherited and is a distance away from me...easily 30 minute drive. Lemons to lemonade: I am a new beekeeper and drawn comb and resources I lack. I now have drawn comb and knowledge to build and split my existing colony. Also, the lost hive I had plans of re-queening with queens made from existing hive this year anyways....hated losing the colony of bees tho. My existing hive is doing wonderful and I kept two drawn frames from the dead out to drop in a couple swarm traps. All in all trying to capitalize on the loss as much as possible.

[@debracasseday4960]

We lost 2 out of 30, coming out of our first winter! Had our inspection West Virginia Dept. Of Agriculture, everything looks great!! Saw the bees bringing in pollen last week. We have Russian and Saskatraz mix daughters. SURVIVOR BEES!! Would you mind if I shared our website? Today is March 19th 2020, inspected yesterday. Best of wishes to all you Beekeepers out there. Morgantown Wv

[@JCsBees]

That's great about your bees and feel free to share whatever you want.

[@HoneyMarketingBoard]

Richard is a Englishman and he lives in Brittany France,

[@trichard5106]

Thanks !!

[@robertash8080]

I'm going into my 2nd year of beekeeping. My question is what should I do about having the bees draw out comb on frames for a super. I was told not feed while supers are on but also to feed in the spring? Thank you

[@JCsBees]

I was told the same thing when I started beekeeping so I understand your confusion. Once spring starts it's alright to feed syrup, feed it until the nectar flow picks up. At that point your goal is for the bees to have ample food stored before adding supers, that way they are forced to start drawing out comb in the supers. For me it took a good Black Locust flow and my bees went to works in the supers. Another idea is to feed while supers are on but to know it's syrup and do not extract. Instead let the bees eat it when the nectar flow dries up. The only draw back to this method is it may be your 3rd year before you get a honey harvest. Hope this helps!

[@DougMcHone]

Is there a reason plastic queen cups are sold in different colors?

[@JCsBees]

I would guess the reason is so when raising queens in several batches a person could keep track of when they grafted each batch based on the color of the cups.

[@jtelander]

Going into the second year with zero losses over winter. I have only foundation in honey supers. What are your thoughts on swarm management to maximize honey production in the second year?

[@Makermook]

Re pollen patties: I keep being told to *not* feed pollen patties because hive beetles like them too much.

[@crunchy_dad]

Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it.

[@pacanoeist]

Good stuff as usual. Now in my 7th year of beekeeping I dont think I really felt like I knew anything about beekeeping until my 5th year. That was the year I bought local northern bees rather than the bees from Florida sold by my bee club.

[@nfinitymarine4466]

We bought one nuc, one cut out, 10 swarms and 8 splits. We were a little overwhelmed to say the least, we were planning to build up to 6 over time. Working until midnight building hive bodies, bottom boards and lids. We lost 10 hives to lack of food. We learned to graft our first year, learned valuable lessons. Biggest two lessons are to ensure enough food and treat for mites. We're excited to put out our 14 swarm traps next week and see where year #2 takes us. We've learned a lot from you in the past year.

[@highlandhoneybee]

My first year dipping my toe back into beekeeping (after a 30+ year hiatus), I went into usda zone 5 winter with one hive and lost it that February. The 2nd year I went into winter with two and came out the winter with two. My apiary has grown from there.

[@scottpierson7495]

Because of your help started with a package last year. Ended up with 5 colonies. Over wintered as of now Still 5 strong 💪🇺🇸

[@tardis6972]

1 hive chalkbrood, nosema, small hive bettles, verroa, to much empty space, installed to early, same day, setup to late, October.

[@tardis6972]

I plan to do 1 frame splits, 5 frame cell builder (get them to make swarm cells In cups with excluder) plan to do bee's full time, sell 2 frame nuc's, what if you use a wood frame with cardboard sides for nuc's $3 no Rabbids easy riping and choping, strong enough hives?

[@pvtpettit19]

Not sure if you've heard this before but you sound exactly like, Mr Saltwater Tank TV

[@DennisZimmerman]

Lost all 3 of my 3 hives my 1st year Now my 2nd year I got 2 in April Now I have 6 double deep nucs to try and over winter for 2023

[@JCsBees]

Best of luck! I started over my first 3 years because I didn't understand the importance of treating mites.

[@stevenspeno1377]

First year beekeeper in upstate NY. Lost my colony in Jan. At least they left 50# of honey. Have reserved 2 overwintered nucs and am looking forward to spring. Thank you for all your advice.

[@reneallen6405]

I keep my two hives in a small greenhouse, when the sun is out it can get to 80 degrees in there. They come out because its warm enough to break cluster. Is it ok to feed syrup and pollen outside the hive? Seperate of course.

[@JCsBees]

Having them in a greenhouse makes them consume more food, do you realize that? When they are cold they eat less. I'd say you better feed before they run out. I wouldn't offer pollen unless they are bringing pollen back. Good luck!

[@reneallen6405]

They have plenty of food,

[@reneallen6405]

@@JCsBees That was the point. Warmer means they will break cluster and move around the hive and eat whatever stores they have. If its so cold, they won't break cluster and could starve to death even if food is only an inch away.

[@dagandreassen8446]

I lost 1 hive but it was because the queen died after varroa treatment. A Buckfast F1 queen. Was a small colony and she was laying on top of a frame on the top super under the roof. Then the rest of the bee's just gave up. I started in beginning of June last year and in October I had 4 hive's.

[@elizabethherschleb7313]

You can store empty frames in freezer if you have room till needed or till weather is cold enough to store in your bee shed till spring.

[@stufarnham]

Every bee keeper faces challenges and setbacks. Richard Noel, a commercial beekeeper in Brittany, jus lost 40 percent of his hives.Blamng yourself is not helpful -.it drains your energy and saps your enthusiasm. Make an honest appraisal of what happened and figure out whether and how you can prevent it from happening again. Apply you new knowledge and move forward. There are always setbacks - and not just in beekeeping. Be curious, be honest, don’t be hard on yourself, and keep going. LOL I just heard you mention Richard, I posted my comment before you mentioned him.

[@filipvernica258]

I have a weak hive 4 frames bees and some brood I don’t feed on winter and they were a swarm . The other one was a split 2 years old they were ok last year 2021 in this year I see lower active I move in January more on sunny area was better activity but I open up not a fresh eggs, I see some cap drone on upper part of the frames 2 and fewer queen cells uncapped. I was thinking to combine them.The one with no good pattern of laid I don’t know if her eggs are going to be good on queen cell?

[@ronfults3844]

I also wanted to add that I appreciate the comments you read off. I think a collective of thoughts are good for everyone. I also thought the comments you read off were very good comments and things I didn't think of but completely agree with. Thank you to your viewers for offering up those comments. I regardless of how many years you've been doing this, there's always something new to learn.

[@markellis9297]

Hi Jason how you doing, I see on your Amazon page , you have Sun Essential oils on there. I have heard that Sun essentials oils are diluted down and not as pure os some other oils? I'm looking to purchase some for my bees have you had any problems with them or heard that to be the case? There is alot of information good and bad on internet, just wondering what your experience has been? Thank Mark

[@JCsBees]

I have been using the Sun brand for a few years and never had any issue with it and I really like their prices. I should say that I only use Lemongrass oil though. If it is diluted the bees don't show it with their actions. Thanks for checking out my store!

[@BjornLefevre]

1st year I went from 5 to 3, 2nd year from 13 to 3... so far....

[@richardthomas3417]

Was it mites or starvation? Just curious, and what were your feeding and mite treatments? Thanks, Richard

[@irishcoffee6894]

Thank you for no nonsense talk. Better then all high educated vid's I'm a 1st year beekeeper with 3 small hives. Last year a split didn't work well (they already made queencells and I tried to rear 1 with a 3 frame nuke) I combined a local recovered colony with that split and they are great now. Another local recovered colony is booming till now. But.... I live in Ireland and the weather is changing so rapidly here it can be all seasons in one day and so for weeks. 🤤🤤 But the first hive I started with is doing as great as both others. Left their first year honey on it but it seems like they are packed with it. Hope they will survive the coming 2 months till oil seed rape is ready and blooming. Another thing is. Here in Ireland they destroy every hedge they can reach with a clipper/tractor. Last years butts are all gone and that is really a hard time for bees which struggle to get early pollen to build up their colonies again after this cold wet winter. Keep y'all informed

[@massachusettsprepper]

Very informative and a lot of good suggestions on years 1 & 2. Personally I spent years 1 & 2 reading and watching everything that I could on beekeeping, and going to my local the associations meetings to learn from the locals. Then I purchased my first two packages of bees and have a very good understanding on what I was doing. I still learned a lot from the actual beekeeping but I was armed with a lot of information going into the process. Now I'm in year 5 and I have found out that I still learn something new every day. Thanks for sharing my friend.

[@jeffjeffers9810]

This my first year of beekeeping. I was watching a video where a fellow mixed 1/4 cup of dry pollen with sugar to feed his bees. I ordered 2 nuclear colonies and i don't want to mess up. Would recommend mixing dry pollen with sugar to feed bees. Thanks for the videos.

[@JCsBees]

I've never seen anyone mix sugar and pollen sub but I don't see any harm in it. I personally would feed 1:1 sugar syrup and pollen patties.

[@jeffjeffers9810]

@@JCsBees little bits of honey (the skinny bee man ) I Believe he's in Indiana

[@mikeries8549]

About the whole concept of "not having swarms". Thats backwards thinking. Once you actually go thru it once where a hive swarms you understand. Newb goes , 'aw crap'. Veteran catches the swarm in a trap prepared months in advance. The mother hive isn't doomed it's in great shape. There's a capped queen cell in it that's going to make a new mated queen in around two weeks or less. The bees still in the hive have nothing to do for a couple weeks except make honey. Is that bad? No. You get a nice brood break too . My point is that healthy well fed and managed bee colonies grow very fast and swarm. Go with the flow... it's less work. Just sayin One super, one medium, is worth almost enough to buy a package of bees. I never buy bees but used this to demonstrate how valuable the honey is. One hive in a ten frame deep can make many supers of honey. I've got singles working on 6th and 7th supers. They're just bugs to me. I do love them and treat them and it's a lot of work. At the end if the day I'm not attached to any colony or queen. I did name one Stumpy. The equipment is gold to me. Invest in equipment. Queen castles. Resource hives. Boxes boxes boxes. Tops bottoms frames and foundations. Build it and they will come.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Typo... Richard Noel ! 🤭

[@RealMav1]

Yes Jason I lost my one colony early in the winter 2020 . I started over with one nuc may 9th , split into five colonies this summer and now all are growing and have mated Queen’s. Hoping for some survivors next spring. Thanks for all your videos, Ric

[@planbeeapiaries]

I am glad to have you as my mentor Jason!

[@JCsBees]

Glad to hear that, Yuri! Sorry about not being able to pronounce your last name. I tried to find a Google app to pronounce it for me but no luck! lol (I did try though)

[@planbeeapiaries]

@@JCsBees you are not alone, don't worry about it :)

[@benca6151]

Started last year in n.e. ohio bee keeping. I'm a 4th generation bee keeper now. My dad gave up on it and left his hive boxes out in his bee yard capturing 2 swarms. He's always behind on stuff so our splits were late we made. Heck we didn't extract honey until December. I followed his lead. This year I want to be more timely. I went into winter with 3 hives and I am down to one. We did get 20 pounds of honey last year though so I was truly impressed. I love that you are in Ohio and I can relate to what you are doing

[@timHclem]

I was amazed at how fast the bees could draw and fill supers in a heavy flow. Lost 3 to swarming before I got caught up to them. Have plenty of supers available to give them room. Like you said, drawn comb is gold, learn how to take care of it. Second year was tough, whole different ballgame than the first year. Instead of trying to build up you’re trying to make them stay put. Beekeep by the season, not the calendar (if that makes sense). Everything is 3 weeks early this year. That was very sound advice on keeping a journal of your bloom cycles 👍🏻.

[@timmiller2192]

Thank You Jason for all the good information! I am itching to get started, so far my swarm hive from last year is still alive.

[@sinaiyicus]

Caught a late Swarm last year. August im talking a pint very small and they grew a bit larger and are doing better this spring but small brood pattern. and the early polon coming in and other hives busting out. What would u do as too trying to keep the genitects. They are the most docile bees i have seen. Naked lol.

[@richardkuhn8115]

Thanks for all the helpful information. Good video, even for me going into my 5th season of beekeeping. You can't know it all, but you can try to suck in as much information as possible. In season five, I do not know half of what is out there. I am going to venture and try to graft some queens this spring. Just something I would like to try for the knowledge of it and to be able to re-queen without having to purchase queens. Thanks Jason for sharing.

[@lynnhunt9308]

Only lost 2 nucs of 8 hives, mouse and condensation.

[@JBEESHoneyJoelBrutcher]

Starting year 4, still lots to learn. Every year throws something new at you, it’s like Year 2 all over again. That’s what makes it so much fun🐝😁👍

[@tracyweilandrealtorbeekeep3957]

My big lesson... dont do “treatment free” I figured this out after 3 years. Treat your bees!!!

[@claysbackyardbees8268]

Starting year 2 with the same 2 I started my adventure with last March. My 10 frame hive has already built up 6 frames of brood in the lower box and 3 frames in the top box. My 8 frame hive, I had to rotate the boxes as she was only laying in the top box on 4 frames and the bottom was empty. Thanks for your videos.

[@thepipesmokingbeekeeper8917]

Hi Jason Just started watching your videos and have to say how good it is to listen to someone who doesn't talk down to us and say how good they are and is glad to share his knowledge..a great help keep i lt up and thanks for your help Terry Aberdeenshire Scotland

[@dallasbarrow]

Great video. First year I stated wirh a swarm, a rescue hive that was in a bird nesting box, and built a vacume and cut two hives out of houses. Second year has just ended i now have 28 hives.

[@dewaynewhitney5703]

I don't know yet. We still have a lot of snow on the ground and still over 3 ft deep around my hives. I wrapped them up in heavy insulation and then covered them up with black plastic to help with pull heat from the sun. I'm going crazy wanting to check on them, but I don't want to cause it's still way below freezing. Hopefully middle of March I can get to them.

[@JCsBees]

Best of luck!

[@Strictlyfishin76]

Great video Jason!!

[@JamesJohnson-rf9ei]

So far all three hives are still alive, live in Indiana. Fingers crossed they make it i to spring.

[@thasandman1122]

This was my first winter after starting with 2 hives, and I just lost one of two hives in February from humidity. Look forward to doing some splits this year!

[@CrusherMEC]

I started with one nuc last year and split it into two hives, now they are both double deep strong and doing great. We didn't have much of a winter here in coastal SC, the bees stayed pretty active.

[@extraacct478]

First year, one hive in Texas (south of Dallas). Elected not to harvest honey to leave as much as possible. They’ve made it just fine through the winter. 5 more nucs on order for spring!

[@darylvoorhees2629]

Thank you Jason for a lot of good information about past experiences. I'm a fourth year beekeeper and continue to learn from my mistakes and others. Thanks for posting.

[@tomthorson7467]

Thanks for the video, Jason. I have 2 surviving hives this spring and 1 dead out. The dead out I can trace back to my hesitation in performing mite checks. I thought if I stuck to the mite treatment schedule that most beekeepers use here on Vancouver Island I wouldn’t have to do the mite checks. Wrong! So my goals as a second year Beekeper are: get comfortable with the whole alcohol wash routine, do some splits and ( hopefully) learn how to extract honey.

[@JCsBees]

I completely understand why you don't want to wash bees in alcohol but it is for the survival of the colony which it sounds like you understand now. Hard lesson stick with us longer. Keep your head up and keep moving forward. Best of luck this year!

[@caroldyke9887]

First yr. Started with 2 in the spring, split like mad bought 4 queens, went into Winter with 9, down to 4 now. Proud of my self!!

[@JCsBees]

Nice job! Sorry to hear about the loses though.

[@matthewb7800]

1st year beekeeper, 5 out of 5 alive so far in Kansas. I do have hive showing some bad mite issues, so AL hives got an OA treatment this weekend .

[@richardthomas3417]

Bee sure to treat each week for 3-4 more rounds. Then do a mite wash with alcohol to be sure it worked out right.

[@beauxsbees3995]

Glad to see you found a chair to sit in to make your videos!

[@JCsBees]

I must say the chair was very nice to have. lol

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

Nice information Jason. Good info for folks starting out. Pollen started coming in here last week in central Oklahoma. My second year, I had one hive and two new Nucs. It was a severe drought and I had four or five frames of honey halfway drawn out. I was stoked about harvesting it and pulled it off in the Fall and I got about 1 gallon. It was the worst tasting stuff ever. lol It was sweet, but had an awful bitter taste to it. I was devastated, thinking that would be what my honey would be like every time and considered quitting beekeeping. Thankfully, I haven't had any like that since. lol We haven't had those drought conditions since then either.

[@JCsBees]

So I wonder what the bees were working that taste bitter? I've heard some people say Aster's have an off flavor but I never noticed it. Glad your still beekeeping buddy!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

@@JCsBees There's a drought tolerant weed called bitterweed that has yellow flowers - I think that was the culprit.

[@BDIZZ1982]

I started last year with 2 packages in mid May, split them in early July. Overwintered 2 double deep 10 frames and 2 double deep nucs. So far all are doing well with large clusters, added pollen patties 2 weeks ago and have plenty of sugar. Detroit, MI.

[@hockinghillshoneyfarm9273]

Great video Jason you are awesome keep them coming

[@homelessbeekeeper4770]

My biggest problem my second year was swarm control. I learned how to make splits out of necessity.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Hi JC. Noel is actually based in Brittany, France, with his Apiary. I follow him as well. Brittany (North France) has similar climate issues, to that of the UK, if the weather comes in from the English Channel (Sea.) However, he does have better Summers, lucky him. 🤗 In my second beekeeping year, and, my Hive made it through its 1st Winter. Yes ! 👍 Happy Beekeeping Season 2021. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

[@evonnewhalen9794]

I lost both hives. I'm bummed out about it 😕

[@JCsBees]

@Evonne Whalen So sorry to hear this. I hope your ordering more and not throwing in the towel. With the resources you have now you are still ahead believe it or not.

[@evonnewhalen9794]

@@JCsBees I have ordered more bees and I am freezing the honey that is left behind to feed the new bees. I'm too stubborn to throw in the towel. Lol So round 2 here I come.

[@lenoretalon9958]

Excellent advice. Thank you. It’s only my sixth year. Always learning. May I chime in and remind some that blame pesticides that they may need to give your bees the resources to make bee bread. They will eat their own eggs and you will be brood-less and think you have no queen. If you don’t fix it your hives suffer.

[@cluckingbell5396]

I started beekeeping last year at Easter in Bavaria. Started with 1 hive, had 3 going into winter and all 3 made it so far.

[@danieltaylor8113]

Hello i am probably close to you. I am an American living here in germany. I started last year around the same time and have 4 hives now. Where in bavaria are you

[@cluckingbell5396]

@@danieltaylor8113 between Munich and Salzburg

[@danieltaylor8113]

@@cluckingbell5396 i am in ansbach. Its cool to find other people close to me on here

[@AmandasAllotment]

Really good video! Year 1 i lost my bees over winter (starvation). Year 2 (last year) i caught a swarm and bought 2 nucs. Swarm done brilliant but had problems all year with the queens in the nucs, requeened both but again they were fine for a month then started laying only drones. In the end they made there own queen but i had to use the cells from 1 for the other and 1 didnt make it so i went into winter with 2 hives which are now both still alive (touch wood they remain that way) they have been bringing in pollen since mid jan and about 10 days ago i put on pollen patties and extra sugar and im so glad i did as it hasnt stopped raining since so year 3 my plans are to catch more swarms and split my swarm from last year. Our winter has been mild and we have OSR starting here usually from mid to late march and you are correct that year 2 or 3 you do start to look more into where the pollen and nectar comes from in your area. 😊

[@CaptainLuv]

Great video a myth busting series would be cool to watch

[@Mackabees]

A good friend taught me to be a good bee monitor instead of beekeeper. That you have to treat and feed etc. Great advice. Use your phone and take picture of your frame and get in and out fast. Then check your pictures.

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

That's what I do as well ! Scotland has rather a lot of cold and wet days...So it helps the Beekeeper more ! Sometimes temps of 10c / 50f and above are brief !?! 🤣

[@scentsbyemebathbody3161]

I appreciate your information this will be my second year going in ...so far my 2 hives are doing ok. We are in northeast we really had a mild winter so don’t think I got to experience the full winter bees . I’m nervous about doing splits but will check out your videos if you have any to help us along . Love the flow chart you shared . So much to learn but always exciting. Appreciate all you do to help !

[@Warren76317]

Started in July of last year with a trap-out I ended up with 3 hives. Bought 3 Queens from OHB through another Beekeeper. So far I'm 3 an 0. One is very small though so I'm hoping it makes it. I made sure they all had honey, fed 2 to 1 sugar water the whole time I had my bees, fed pollen paddies until the hive beetles got out of hand then I fed dry pollen in PVC feeders. They are always going to be there for them. 365 days a year.

[@fixeshousestuff9159]

Don't know yet. Still too cold to open up the hive. Waiting for warmer weather. Still very cold in Northern Vermont

[@JCsBees]

Best of luck!

[@ronfults3844]

It's very easy for a newer beekeeper to get discouraged. You loose colonies, just how it is. Yes it sucks but it's something you just have to learn to deal with unfortunately. I think it's great you doing this video to help the second year beekeeper. On another note if you sell nukes I would be interested in trying some of your stock. I am in Ohio.

[@kydeerhunter1950]

This is my third season of having bees not sure if I can call myself a beekeeper yet i bought 2 nucs my first year and lost them both my second year i bought 1 nuc and cought 6 sworms not sure how many I'll come out of winter with yet thanks JC for all your videos they help me a lot

[@CastleHives]

Central Ohio, I’m in NE Ohio. For my hives, I’m 3 for 3 so far that made it through.

[@greenthumblawnprollc4882]

I started the first year buying 3 nucs. I caught two swarms and ended up combining them into one. I did some splits and went into winter with 7 hives. As of Feb. 23, I still have 7 active hives! 2nd-year plan for me is split split split and try to do some grafting. Come on spring!!

[@64324037]

Imo you shouldnt do any grafting yet, except you have previous experience with bees

[@CastleHives]

I’m not brave enough to graft yet.

[@janet6421]

I had 2 hives last fall. I've had problems with Japanese hornets getting in and killing queens. When This happened in September I had to combine them. My 1 remaining hive lasted the winter. I finally figured out that a hive entrance reducer will usually keep the hornets out.

[@JCsBees]

Glad to hear you still have the one hive! Hornets suck as you probably know now.