Becoming a Beekeeper - Day 1 till Day 365 - my first Honey Harvest - 1 year of Keeping bees

I became a beekeeper and after 1 year I harvested my first load of honey!
Helpful beekeeping youtube channel - / @gwenyngruffydd
Check out my Instagram - / alex_smith1809
Support the Just Alex Channel on Patreon - / justalexsmith
TikTok - / justalexsmith
Watch me live on Twitch - / justalexsmith
Business enquiries - [e-mail]

[@TheDutchMagicTeacher]

Thank you youtube algorithm, for making me now super interested in this random guy's bee keeping project.

[@just_alex]

Happy that you found it!

[@LucasBarbosa-uq6zo]

+1

[@XGODBGMI777]

Man you're awesome ❤ keep the multimillionaire alex honey on high ❤❤❤ i've got high hopes on you

[@lptblue6]

Lol same

[@BlaBlubiNoName]

@@just_alex ure great keep ure work up and i also love to see ure Vids with Vegatbles and growing . Thank you alot mate :)

[@ValNaUnd]

You just made me watch almost 2 hours of beekeeping when i was never even interested in it great job cant wait for the next year

[@just_alex]

Glad you watched and enjoyed!

[@drjohn5801]

Ditto

[@muhammadalinurdinsinulingg4319]

Ditto 😂

[@debranicolai1486]

Ditto

[@Kyra_of_Kerkyra]

Watch Texas Beeworks. That is a true beekeeper.

[@barneyrutherford3761]

Hi Alex My name is barney and i just wanted to reach out and tell you you how much you have changed my life i’m 12 years old and i have turned my garden into a huge vegetable patch just like you. I have also started beekeeping and making my own honey and all of this is because of you you inspired me to to this without you this wouldn’t have been possible. It is also nice that we both live in England so the temperature for the plants and bees are the same so i can follow what you do step by step (i live in Essex by the way) Thank you

[@kongkarry]

lol

[@Annpalekreyol]

That is so great.

[@barneyrutherford3761]

@@Annpalekreyol thanks

[@B30pt87]

It's very cool to read that. Giving thanks is wonderful, and it makes both giver and receiver feel good. (Onlookers too!)

[@kategasson7832]

That’s so lovely!

[@Simsung]

My uncle had this rather large bell, which the bees thought was thunder. Whenever he wanted them to get back into the hives, he would smash that bell a couple of times and you could literally SEE the bees rush back home from all directions.

[@doulacoach6801]

Laughing. Love that!

[@derpy_guy2003]

Like minecraft villagers lol.

[@dogrudiyosun]

@@derpy_guy2003 age of empires

[@Vesdus]

That's amazing!

[@katrinakershawphillips9884]

That's hilarious! I guess if the bees are conditioned to respond or semi-trained to respond to the vibrations. I am curious what the reward was???

[@toddwelsh8353]

20+ year beekeeper here. You did the best representation of what it is like to have a swarm and to catch it. The shaky chest cam, the music, the dialog (with the slightly stressed voice.) all of it.

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

@@gametimewithjc4307 i'm just a person who watches swarm videos on youtube, but my understanding is since the bees who are swarming are homeless, they're at their most cautious and docile when swarming - hence people just picking up handfuls of bees and dumping them into buckets and the like. it's very intense to have so many flying but it's not as dangerous as it seems

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Incredible creatures

[@dipoboyrogu9366]

hi todd, can you pls tell me what kind of bee is he cultivating? name of the bee?

[@johanconradie2120]

me beeing since 1959

[@Lord_SQUIDIOUS]

You are genuinely one of my favorite KZbinrs. No over the top music, no constant brain stimulation, very calm and realistic. Just a guy enjoying life, thank you for that, it’s rare to see nowadays.

[@electrontube]

dude, you have the coolest parents. it seems like they support you with whatever you're pursuing. "Dad, can I use your greenhouse?". "Mom, can I set up a beehive in the backyard?" they just seem so supportive.

[@just_alex]

Yeah I’m very grateful for very kind supportive parents. :)

[@CaptainFrandy]

he is very lucky

[@Annpalekreyol]

What? Mostly American parents refuse their children the right to their property because their Monday is nlwired to be greedy capitalist the more for me the better. Hahaha

[@mellarius188]

Excellent video. As a fellow beekeeper, you made me laugh when you said ‘I don’t know what’s going on’ and ‘it’s complicated’ and ‘I am confused’. 7 years into beekeeping, I still say all these things. 😂 I love that you have crafted a video from a whole years worth of video of your learning experience. The novice beekeeping energy combined with your ability to tell a story well with your natural charm is wonderful. Good luck with 2023! ❤ from Melbourne, Australia

[@aihuazeng7747]

Hello fellow Australian

[@BeeKayy13]

Also from Melbourne! How are your bees and how's your honey stores, would love to buy some! I have a friend down the road who's Dad has honey but I would love to try some more from somebody else!!

[@johnvansloun7443]

I watched this several months ago, joined a bee club, took a bee class put on by the club, purchased two nuc’s and caught a swarm, and now have 3 hives! Found my daughter and I watching this again this morning, Love your content!

[@sCareCrowmerk]

I really wanna get into beekeeping. Just need land to start

[@carolineowen7846]

​@@sCareCrowmerkMaybe join your local Beekeeping Association and ask, you might be able to work with an experienced beekeeper?

[@JFunk717]

@@sCareCrowmerkI’m thinking about asking local farmers, orchards, and such in my area if they would allow me to put a hive or two on their land. Even the local parks on the edge of the city may receive a request. Who knows?

[@asefi7946]

I have never thought I would watch almost 2 hours of a bee keeping video but i did happily, Great job mate

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@shavonnegleich678]

Me too-simply fascinating!

[@williamgoring7605]

I know I'm doing the same thing I've watched like 2 hours of this already and her voice is so calming I feel like going to sleep

[@terrylouispage4346]

Me also, good vibes

[@Sqk.]

@@williamgoring7605her?

[@allisg3320]

You know you've got a good brother when you can ask him, who is allergic to bees, to go out and film you during a swarm without protective gear.

[@olsha004]

my partner is allergic to bees and I was anxious for them just by watching this! lol

[@sg224]

I suggested our family start keeping bees and was met with scepticism from my teenage daughter. She found your video and you got her so excited and full of knowledge she forwarded this onto me to watch 😂 Thank you for helping me gain the enthusiasm of my children! I love your videos anyway, I got hooked after your growing mushrooms in your bedroom videos, so I was super happy it was your beekeeping video that sparked her interest. Keep up the great work!

[@spoolsandbobbins]

That’s it! I’m sending this to my daughters!! Thanks ❤ from Nova Scotia

[@Georgiiou]

2 hours of enjoyment i never knew i needed, keep it up!

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much ❤️

[@inked-qt]

Don't have bees, don't want bees but couldn't stop watching. Great video Alex

[@just_alex]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@LikeAboss168]

I’m 20 minutes into this video and it feels like 5 mins have gone by and I’m getting an explanation from a good friend on how to start bee keeping. Awesome video!

[@just_alex]

Makes me happy to read this comment. I’m glad you enjoyed :)

[@bordonwork]

I'm glad there's still good quality content on YT. I got so immersive into your beekeeping journey that I didn't realize the video lasted almost 2 hours.

[@robknorr]

I totally agree. Your video is so charming and interesting it really inspires me to go out and do something I haven’t done yet. Would love to have my own bees as well. Thank you! :)

[@lordfizzz]

I haven't been this engaged in long form KZbin content in EONS. This really is an incredible video

[@farmyourbackyard2023]

My late husband always wanted to keep bees again after we were married, but never followed through with it. In his honor, I bought a horizontal hive in December as a gift to myself. I'll be setting it up in the spring, here in Oklahoma, USA, and hope to have the same exciting results you enjoyed in this first year with your bees. Thank you for taking the time to film and share your experiences.

[@chris_aguy2141]

Good Luck!

[@chas2can124]

Darling, I do hope you are well. I'm from Australia. I share your sentiment. Let me know how you go with your Memorial Hive.

[@HeyJyll]

Rooting for you from Virginia!

[@Mamoru128]

For the future reference, you can use a special clip to make sure queen is not going to run away from new hive. All of the bees will follow queens scent to the new hive - you can remove clip after two days. There's still a chance they won't accept new hive, but that technique gives you best shot. Also you shouldn't remove all of the queen cells. If the one you leave gets damaged (it's easier than you think) then you'll leave your bees without a backup. So it's always the best to leave couple of them at different stages of development. Usually bees don't swarm again so soon - they'll stop feed the other larvae royal jelly, or will simply kill it as soon as the new queen will be born.

[@ilmiddintuychiev]

Very informative. You must have much experience in beekeeping.

[@rikeyaustin88]

Hi Alex I'm in Tipperary Ireland where me and husband dude run a tiny, free, food sustainability project. I did a bee keeping course last year, read the books and watched videos and felt more and more confused and overwhelmed. After the latest talk last night I was close the panicking and giving up on the idea until I sat nursing a coffee at 5am this morning and your video popped up. Thank you so, so much. It's by far the clearest, plain english, newbie reassuring video I've watched in over a year. You're totally turned me around. I've realised that mistakes probably will be made and disasters will happen but I can get through them. Wishing you so much joy with whatever you're doing and once again, thank you. Xxx

[@just_alex]

Thanks! So happy to hear this. Best of luck with it! 😊

[@oskar751]

ITS A LONG WAYYYY TO TIPPERARYYY

[@vile8366]

​@@oskar751 IT'S A LONG WAY, TO GO!!

[@thehillsidegardener3961]

Same, I feel like I KIND of knew most of this stuff from watching a lot of beekeeping content, but watching this guy bumble (geddit?) his way through a first year of it, so much fit into place, I feel like I could actually go ahead with this myself (I have land, just haven't taken the plunge yet).

[@martha7157]

Do it confused and nervous! ❤

[@noelsussex9163]

Seven year beekeeper... I wish I had seen this video before I started. Smile. It is a very common belief that a swarm of bees will attack in a group if you disturb them. In fact, they don't. The guard bees will actually warn you off if they feel threatened. And a real swarm (moving to a new location) is very docile. Great video.

[@Shugo5775]

Absolutely love bees. There's a few colonies in Seoul Forest which I love to watch in the spring and summer months. It's a bit of a journey to visit them but I've loved bees forever. If I had any kind of outdoor space I'd gladly host a colony. They're incredibly smart and careful creatures, bees. I wish more folks who are able to would work to support them.

[@classymonkey_]

Could you answer something for me. I thought that the first queen to hatch will go around and kill the other cells so she would be the only one, am I wrong in thinking this?

[@aoki6332]

@@classymonkey_ yes the new queen first action is to destroy all other cell and if two queen hatch they will fight each other to the death so yeah its not necessary to do it yourself and could cause the hive to be queenless if the remaining one get destroy or is not a adequate queen

[@spirestocksnotification6710]

You are correct@@classymonkey_

[@spirestocksnotification6710]

Great response! Genius!!, which is why most bee keepers keep at least two cells and for those that have numerous hives will use the "extra" quuen cells as splits or requeen older hives@@aoki6332

[@MohammedAslamtit-bitsoflife]

The most important point i wanted to make here is that you didn't forget to present the first harvest among the neighborhood and relatives. This is the essence of life. Be blessed my dear Alex you are encouraging others world wide to engage in the humane way of bee keeping. 🏵️🌺🌹🌷💐🎄🌲👊👍 Lots of love from Mohammad Aslam/Hyderabad India 🙏🏵️

[@RockyMtnBeeSupply]

Awesome job Alex. I’m a beekeeper in Northern California. I’ve been keeping bees for 10 years and have watched 100’s of beekeeping videos and this kept my interest for the entire time. I enjoyed seeing your excitement as well as your disappointments. It reminds me of my first year of keeping bees. I too started with 1 hive and grew from there. Now have 100+. Next spring you’ll be able to make some splits and you may even want to try to rear your own queens. Rearing queens and making my own splits/nucs brings me as much satisfaction as a nice honey crop.

[@just_alex]

Thanks Gary! Yes I’m excited for next year! 😊 Best of luck to you!

[@sharonaepstein4348]

Thank you so much for this video! I loved every moment ❤ I started my first hive last season and sadly lost all my girls in October.. i must have killed my queen by mistake..Looking forward to starting over next season.. with 2 hives this time! Best wishes to you and your adventures

[@AverageApeStudios]

What part of nor cal? I’m from Redding and I’m looking to get into getting my very first hive. Been doing a lot of info dumping and researching and it is great to see the progress and support for this video and his journey!

[@Prosth3tiks]

I am also in northern California and started farming recently, I have some interest in bee keeping.. where should I start?

[@feelswriter]

Apparently -- join a club 😃

[@managemymoney]

I've always wanted to be a beekeeper, I'm 14 and this video is really encouraging me to follow my dream of keeping bees! it was really instructive but I will obviously need to do a lot more research about this amazing topic. I have quit a few neighbors that have bees as-well as family, its nice to know that other people are so willing to get you started in this cool hobby. that's again!

[@just_alex]

Best of luck with it! :)

[@Lamborghini07]

Been beekeeping for 12 yrs now and we just rebuilding due to 27% loss of winter. Happy to see new beekeeper find the joy and fun of beekeeping and i wish you success for the future. ❤

[@joshmedrozo1464]

Dude I just watched almost 2 hrs of your bee keeping journey when I don't even plan on keeping bees nor was I looking for a bee keeping video. My daughter just happened to play your video and just watched it till the end. I was also overjoyed when I saw the honey. awesome job and keep it up. cheers mate!

[@patgentry7268]

Great video, thanks for your record and good editing! As a beekeeper for most of my last twenty years, I tell folks there is Time Travel, Space Travel, and Bees. Only one is easy to take on, and just as amazing. I think you are on your way!

[@ruththinkingoutside.707]

I’m not sure why this popped up on my feed.. but it was a well produced and interesting journey.. thanks for taking the time to put it all on film and assemble it to share.. best of luck next season!

[@just_alex]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@margaretatristain8028]

Hello Alex : my name is Margaret A, at Tapalap Jalisco , in a ranch. and the bee keeper left me 30 boxes and im starting to learn . your your youtube . is helping me out. step by step.

[@alantooth48]

I have never been a beekeeper but I find it so incredibly fascinating it's like a little mini city in a box they all have their own little jobs to do it's amazing how such a small little insect has all these instincts programmed into it. Alex you made a great video !You're very good at this and I hope you keep making them. You're very enjoyable to listen to and I like your accent 😀 Good luck I'm going to keep watching your channel!

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@yeoinbird]

couldn't have said any of that better myself!! 100% ditto what he said!

[@jessej.cisneros6849]

Congratulations Alex for what your doing and the views you are receiving. Today is my father's 95 birthday. We watched a portion of this video together. He was a migratory beekeeper in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He was in charge of 1000 hives. He would drive a truck loaded with bees from California to Nebraska twice a week. He enjoyed seeing the bees and your hives. Thank you for your content. Wishing you well and much success.

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

Such a cool family story. Write it down. Pass it on.😊

[@spudly98]

What a real brother, helping you out even at the risk of serious injuries or death 😅❤

[@stevo9421]

I didn't think I would last 3 minutes and I stayed the whole journey. Wonderful straight up video

[@acire8188]

Same here tbh

[@yeoinbird]

same!!!!!!!!!

[@platannapipidae9621]

and he isn't overly expressive, there's no LiEk An SbUrBsKrIb, no foreshadowing, no sponsors, just straight up content. incredible.

[@allnaturalhomesteaders]

Rent a bee, is a really big thing here in the states, because the bees are dying off. But basically what it is, is you rent out your hives to farmers so they can pollinate their fields. Of course it's expensive to rent a hive. And you'll still get the honey from the boxes. And you'll still have to tend the boxes. But yeah you can totally make money from your hives

[@rebeccaconlon9743]

Rent a bee hives are typically what kills bees, the don't do so well with mono cultures

[@jeffklaubo3168]

FUN FACT! Honey bees are not Native to the US and are one of the primary causes of the native species dying off. They out compete our native species, but our native species such as the blue orchard bee which is a significantly better pollinator, do not give us honey, so we don't seem to care.

[@PilotMcbride]

Big thing in Australia as well, tens of thousands of hives are moved around the country for the different flowering seasons.

[@darkracer1252]

@@rebeccaconlon9743 sure bro

[@CVE42287]

@@joeyaldente8858 Get a grip champ, this was an entirely useless comment.

[@JFunk717]

I’m still here trying to process all that you shared, and feel all of the emotions your journey has imparted on my soul. Your video is such a blessing! When you came back from holiday, and your bees had gone away, and taken their honey with them, I was so sad!! I just knew sticking around for the second half of the video would be worth it, and you certainly did not disappoint! Thanks again! I’m still in awe of all you had to go through!

[@nickcortes9390]

In one day I absorbed both, your brother’s full Koi Pond build, and your twice as long year in beekeeping. What wonderful videos the algorithm blessed me with today. You guys have some fantastic wholesome content. So relaxing and interesting. A real pleasure to enjoy while on my own holiday vacation. Great job! I’m now very interested in honey bees!

[@just_alex]

Great to hear this! Makes me happy! 😊

[@jaker2542]

bro, your brother is insane. allergic to bees filming your adventure with the second hive. mad lad

[@just_alex]

Yup he's mad!

[@sandrahertel6282]

I hope he had an epi-pen. The good news is, bees that are swarming are so full before they take off, they are normally very calm and don’t sting. Get yourself a Queen catcher, then she will stay put until the hive is settled,

[@bretking15]

Just awesome, Alex! I'm 58 years old and just learning about bee keeping. Yours is a very inspiring story and you have a very entertaining and enlightening way of telling it. Thank you!

[@FluePeak]

Went in with a open mind when i started watching it. Came out with a lot more knowledge about bees and i'll probably start with this when im older. Seems like much fun!

[@just_alex]

Thanks for sticking with it! I hope you keep bees one day!

[@grandsea2]

I must say your demeanor and voice are both soothing and captivating....you're not over the top as some do, nor are you flat and boring. You'd do great as a National Geographic or other Documentary film Narrator. Watching/listening to this video was both inspiring and interesting! Good job and good luck in all that you do!

[@vickifetherston9694]

You're so brave to just get out there and get on with it. It's not easy to learn beekeeping on the job because of the adrenalin that pumps through you when you have your hive open, but you did fabulously, especially with the swarm! Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed watching

[@wordvendor1]

I've been through two beekeeping classes and learned more from you than a beekeeping expert. You're a great teacher!

[@aceuk1770]

I agree

[@7evenmindsmedia606]

I can’t believe I watched this whole video. (4am U.S. time) 😂 I actually enjoyed it. Felt like we were learning together. Congratulations on your first honey harvest! Definitely looked fulfilling. Good luck on this beekeeping journey of yours 🤙🏾

[@gaiaofearthspace8769]

and here i am after watching this whole video in the US at 4 am an exact week later

[@Elioha-gt8pu]

If you. Ake droneframes you can cut the dronelarves each week and that helps to get rid of less od warroamites.

[@bence77888]

As someone who's family working full time as a beekeper and i'm the third generation now who's working with bees all i can say is thank you and enjoy your hobby and ofc welcome in the beekeeper community.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hello, Just Alex! What a great video you've presented here. I'm so glad you've found your path in beekeeping and are also inspired to share your experiences with KZbin viewers. I wish you all the best in beekeeping and hope you'll continue to share what you're learning and have found useful along the way. Thumbs up! Excellent!

[@just_alex]

Thanks! I will be documenting my journey again this year! 😊

[@EndlessWeekendlife]

This was incredibly exciting to watch. It randomly reminded me of being a little fella 30 years ago and my grandpa had some hives. I might actually try this now having my own land. 🙌🙌

[@papajeff5486]

“Us bee keepers”, you’re in, heh, heh…good on ya. Love that you’re so generous with your honey. You’re learning so much, so fast. Way to go , man.

[@mimiashford5544]

Alex.... I'm just as proud of you as if you were my own son! I'm fascinated by your bee adventure and love everything about this proper bee-keeping documentary! You are just a pleasure to watch and listen to and seeing your trials and victories are such a joy. I'm so sorry you lost half your bees while on holiday but I have to say, for someone who didn't really know what he was doing at first, you literally & legitimately (at the very least!) DOUBLED your hive in just a few months... your bees are so healthy and industrious - so YOU are actively contributing to the propagation of one of our most necessary and treasured universal resources.... BEES!!! Thank you for bringing us along on yet another of your wonderful enterprises! (LOVED your garden video, too!) Looking forward to anything else you have to say & show us! And PS.... all the best of luck w the girl! She couldn't do better!!!

[@Kyle-ye7tb]

This video is amazing,I love the format you chose. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I am currently at day 1 myself and have become overwhelmed with all of the information. Watching your real time progression has helped me to better understand how to apply the information I’ve been learning. Thank you so much for posting this!

[@allnaturalhomesteaders]

If you're worried about your bees and the weather, you could always put a tarp roof over the top of your bee hive. Of course you'll have to build a frame over it, and make it tall enough for you to walk under it. But that's a way to protect your hive from the rain. You can also stack straw around the sides in the winter, obviously not where the opening is, but the straw will keep the heat in . Just a suggestion, of course, take it or leave it.

[@HBADGERBRAD]

While watching this long video I would get to a point where I’ve decided I have watched my fill of Alex’s bee keeping adventures. Then suddenly, oh wait I want to see how Alex manages this and here I am at the very end. Completely satisfied with my choice to keep watching Alex as I usually am. Thank you Alex and thank you for your lovely bees 🐝🐝🐝💛love and respect from Calgary, Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦 💘

[@just_alex]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@erichoffman9586]

I have been in a deep dive while starting my first 2 seasons as a beekeeper (I have captured 2 swarms). This has been the most informative video for a beginner. As an educator in Virginia, US I commend you on your teaching ability. Well done!!!

[@briandrake496]

The best KZbin video on bees I have seen. Very educational from a super humble dude. Loved it thanks for doing this!!

[@just_alex]

Thanks Brian!

[@cathyhanley8658]

I watch Vino Farm. He is so fun to watch.

[@jamezdavis1984]

I'm no bee keeper but I do know about felting roofs. The corners of your hives roof will alow water to gather in the fold (eventually leaking) , you need to reverse the direction of the fold. So the overlap fold is in a downward direction allowing water to run away. Anyway awesome video, I never knew bee keeping was so interesting 💚

[@velonahshauri9573]

Pp

[@paulaedwards5193]

Just watched your video, my father has recently passed away leaving me and my brother 9 hives!! He was a beekeeper for 40 years but we were not really that interested in his hobby.. he became unwell in June last year, he took his last lot of honey off the hives in septemeber we had to visit the bees when dad died in March to tell them he had passed away (old wives tale!) we have buckets of honey strained and unstrained, pales of cappings too. 2 swarms last week! Which a local beekeeper came to collect ! your video has been so helpful to me thank you so much! Paula

[@andrewpackham8236]

This was a fantastically paced and edited documentary, thank you for doing such a good job of filming your journey into beekeeping!

[@lesw1845]

I'm shocked! This has been an interest of mine for a long time and seeing him start just like that makes me wonder if I should start thing about it. Of course it would take some studying and research but I might just try it. Loved the video and the trial and error! Best of luck to everyone reading this!

[@just_alex]

Go for it! Whether you enjoy it or not, you'll learn lots. Best of luck!

[@amandahakes2226]

We started our first hive this year and loved it!!! I definitely think you should!

[@tinacalifano5023]

I would recommend you to join a bee club ❤️🕊️❤️see if you can mentor with someone ❤️🕊️❤️ before getting bees ❤️🕊️❤️

[@kellyhill8335]

Alex, I buy honey from our local farmer's market. I live in Minnesota, USA. If I could, I would buy some of yours too. I love honey. I use a lot of honey in the summer for the dressing. It's Kelly's Special Summer Salad." You chop chicken in cubes, cut up green pepper, green onions, grapes (cut in half) oranges (peeled, wedged & cut each wedge in 3 pcs) slivered almonds to taste. The dressing is as follows: 1 cup canola oil (not olive), 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (to taste), salt & pepper to taste. I use my kitchen aid metal whisp to blend together. Sorry, the US isn't metric, so you'll have to convert. Mix together & serve over salad greens. Major nummers, everyone I've made this for loves it. Next time you want to impress a date, make that. Serve with warm French bread. You are a great young man. Your parents are wonderful. Couldn't imagine walking into my kitchen with bees on the floor and a sticky mess. I'm sure one smile from you & you were fine. If you were my son, I'd be proud of you. Good luck in the future. Bees are amazing. I had no idea the worker bees make queen bees.

[@lonewulf0328]

Beekeeping is a great hobby and it can quickly outgrow hobby and turn into a small business. My dad started with a few hives in the backyard, and a year later had 300 hives, spread all across the county (because people growing plants love when you have bees nearby and will often let you keep them on their land for the price of a jar or two of honey each harvest.).

[@zylarzar724]

This video was incredible to watch , thankyou for filming the journey and well done on seeing it through!

[@just_alex]

Thanks!

[@dominikjurczak329]

Hey man! My grandfather had like 30 or even more beehives in his life, i remember helping him and when he tells me all about the bees. Watching you remind me of him, of the passion he had. Thank you man! Good luck to you!

[@redmdlee]

First content creator i found that made me sit through a 2 hr journey without even realizing the video was actually 2 hrs long it was really fun watching your bee keeping adventure. I've always wanted to keep bees and grow my own food but sadly we don't have land for it and same as your area housing is getting pretty insane so its harder to move out, so im just gonna have to live vicariously through your journey :>

[@charliblake8551]

I’ve never become SO invested in something I had fairly minimal interest in, SO quickly! I’m legitimately inspired to do this myself. THANK YOU!!!🤗 🐝

[@maqsoodzada1630]

Hi, Alex I am Maqsood from Pakistan.. Today from the morning I was wandering to have some new experiences, for the first time I have learned about keeping bees... Thanks to you for having alot of struggles and hardles to make this video and to keep bees.......

[@jan3193]

I have been a beekeeper for years, but due to lack of time I unfortunately had to give it up. I have been retired for several years now and have just been watching your youtube movie. What a great film, I'm now thinking about picking it up again and keeping bees again. It may not be a profitable one, but it is a very satisfying hobby. Thank you for your enthusiasm and keep it up. Greetings from the Netherlands, Jan

[@treasurebessler7213]

Well done with the swarm! Brave and decisive even though it seemed scary!

[@user-jr6we6sl5k]

Alex I just discovered you today , just wanted to tell you what a remarkable young man you are and how proud must your parents be that you have so many interest and are so laborious.

[@teddijensen6985]

OMG that was truly EPIC. Thank you for going to the effort of filming/narrating/editing etc.......to share with us!

[@TomasoX90]

Hey Alex, I just finished watching your video and I must say it's way better then some of the documents from big companies out there! Really interesting informative and enjoyable to watch! I'm planning to start beekeeping this coming up spring too and your video just move even more forward! Thank you and I wish you a lot of luck with your bee's!

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much. I appreciate it!

[@pedicuresinthedark2010]

Thank Alex!!!! I joined your channel just because of this video and I love bees and am trying to start my own in my garden. I am so grateful for your advise and journey. Truly Grateful!!!!🥰🥰🥰

[@ShadoClover]

Randomly came across this video. As a person who doesn't have bees but has been interested because of the need of pollinators and helping bees, this was an incredible video. I'm from the USA, I'm schooling in Agronomy (crop science). And this was a cool, educational, inspiring experience you've shared and now I want bees. Thank you!

[@ajmiddleditch8413]

Alex, a friend of mine decided to move house and offered be his bees. So, all of a sudden along with my wife, we became bee keepers with zero knowledge on the subject. Whilst We have been researching and learning, we stumbled upon your video. I have to say from all, yours have been the most intuitive and educational so far. We have leant so much and we salute you,, Thank you!

[@sarahknittyb7616]

Well done on showing the reality of bee keeping. I have 2 suggestions, learnt from Ron Hoskins (OG bee keeper and breeder of varroa mite resilient bees), 1 = check your hive on a weekly basis during the season to catch queen cells early; and 2 = clip your queen's wing. This will mean that if they do swarm, they won't get far. Happy bee keeping!

[@spirestocksnotification6710]

Point number one is the single most important aspect of beekeeping, manage the swarm process so you don't lose half of your hives every year, genius!

[@the2012fad]

Absolutely fantastic! Thank you. I have been trying to get my head around "beekeeping basics" and you have managed to answer darn near ALL my questions! Really excellent presentation, really informative. Well done!

[@just_alex]

Thanks so much!

[@MarekOsadnik]

If I were abt 20 years younger and had seen such a wonderful tutorial like yours then I would have surely started this exciting adventure with beekeeping. Now I'm in my sixties and I'm afraid that it's too late. Anyway, congratulations on your fantastic video. You're great!

[@just_alex]

I reckon you should still give it a go 😊

[@T-Law.]

Sixty years young I’d say. Give it a go! It’s never too late to start a new hobby.

[@kronoskr2597]

My grandp is 80 years old and has been a beekeeper for 60 years. I think you should give it a go.

[@stl7694]

do a little research first. you would want to find some hives and tools that allow you to lower your lift weight, but properly equipped beekeeping can be a very fun hobby for someone even in advanced years.

[@katrinakershawphillips9884]

It's never too late! My Granddad kept bees well into his 80's!! I'm 54 and wish I was somewhere I could keep something more than my backyard hive. Bees need all the friends they can get. Colony collapse disease is a horrible thing. You can always get a backyard hive like mine! Nothing huge. There are some really cool little ones that are practically take care of themselves! No Joke!

[@brandylynne]

This is by far the BEST beekeeping intro. I've come across, and I've been actively searching. Well done.

[@leaholle6916]

As someone who wants to start beekeeping, this has been really helpful! A lot of questions and fears I have got anwsered/you got confronted with. Seeing others experiencing those things but still ending with what seems to be two very healthy and happy colonies and 12,5kgs of honey really gives me hope, that I can manage to get this done too. Thank you very much for sharing your journey!

[@DarkSygil666]

I can't believe I found this and watched the whole thing in one shot. It was so awesome, I wasn't able to turn away. You really know how to keep a person's attention!

[@Annpalekreyol]

My 9 year old got inspired by your journey. He just got his own hives yesterday. He is excited 🎉❤

[@jakebennett2613]

that was 1:43:07 worth of great watching. not only watching you make mistakes and learning but actually enjoying yourself. and you could seriously see how proud you were of what you had done. well done mate, hope to see more long form of videos. keep it up

[@robertkitchen3069]

I watched your 1 year gardening video whilst looking for tips and stumbled upon this video. I have been gardening as a hobby for about a decade now and last year I really expanded my garden and the yeilds were off the charts. Companion planting, square foot gardening, and regular pruning really gave me a wonderful harvest with more produce than I could use in the summer months. We tried herbs and most went to waste because I didn't realize the amount of pruning needed to keep from bolting and seeding. It made me realize I need preservation equipment to expand (canning and drying). With that, however my wife and I have been playing at the idea of chickens and bees. The chickens are probably going to happen this year but I've been so hesitant to try bees (mostly because I didn't want to accidentally kill a hive). This video was so well put together and showed the struggles and rewards so well documenting everything an amatuer could expect to face. I have gained so much knowledge from this video alone and I cannot wait to start my own beekeeping journey. Whether its this year or down the road. Thank you so much for this vast amount of beginners knowledge. I can't wait to see the rest of your videos.

[@bluemoon5809]

Hello, I just watched the entire video and I have to say that I'm truly impressed with how well you managed everything. I want to express my utmost respect for you. It's probably super difficult at times to do all of that, and I'm amazed that you delved so deeply into it and that everything turned out so well in the end. Now you have your own honey! It was incredibly satisfying and beautiful to see, especially because my family used to work with bees as well. I love honey, and I'm really happy for you that everything worked out. I live in Munich, Germany, and I want to send you my warmest regards. Tanja

[@maxingtothegame2278]

Thank you for taking us with you on your bee keeping journey. Bee population has been decreasing over the years and bees are very important for life on earth. I feel it’s a lesser known topic, so thank you very much for this video and keeping bees! #savethebees

[@HappyHitman]

I was expecting a simple video but this has become one of the best starter video formats I've ever seen. The long form year long end to end video is amazing

[@Jay-qv8hq]

I just was given a hive from a customer of a roof job I did ..no bees . So I've been doing tons of research before I commit to the process and your video is super interesting and helpful.thank you

[@DonGrigorianFishing]

What a comprehensive tutorial on a beekeepers journey... I watched it from the beginning to the end and I'm proud to say you taught me so much I didn't know about bees. Thanks Alex

[@aga5897]

I had Bees once, by sheer luck - a small wild colony went into a Hive i set up, which i bought on a whim. Wax Moth killed them in the end. In the meantime, they did have varroa, which i discovered when investigating a deformed-wing bee that i saw thrown out of the hive. It was hard to see the bee under the microscope as it kept moving, but there was certainly a varroa mite attached. They really are on a scale like us having a Cat stuck to our ribs. To immobilize the bee i used Chloroform as recommended by a circa 1950 beekeeper. The Mite was dead and fell off as the bee recovered. (that) Varroa cannot tolerate chloroform even briefly ! (a sample of 1 isn't Science, or proof of a general rule). Unfortunately i was very arrogantly drunk when i tried to report this one evening, so spewed all over the internet, which is probably why that 'discovery' was ignored completely.

[@xdirtyrandyx]

did you drug a bee with chloroform and it knocked the sucker out while also killing the mite and allowing the bee to live?

[@aga5897]

@@xdirtyrandyx Bees tolerate chloroform well - better than other things in fact. Ribbens published his studies about it in 1950. The bee recovered fine. The varroa mite was dead. This was nothing 'scientific', just a chance observation.

[@BonganiComfortMashinini]

I am interested to do beekeeping classes. I'm definitely motivated. I have 3 hectors of land where I kept beers on, whit out any knowledge about how beers should be kept. I'm only doing this by the experience that I got from my ankle. Today I learned that my knowledge is incorrect and I really appreciate your experience that you shared us. Thank you very much Alex, keep up the good work🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@gaminghame8245]

Me, watching the video: "huh, this guy looks just like this guy who I just watched build a Koi pond in his backyard" *The swarm happens and Alex's "brother" appears*. Me: "oh."

[@just_alex]

Haha that’s funny. Glad you found both the videos!

[@aerypear2254]

Today years old realizing they are not in fact... the same... person . . .

[@spirestocksnotification6710]

Genetics@@aerypear2254

[@throneisbed7833]

I've always been very terrified of bees, but this video was actually very fun and relaxing to watch! Bees are kinda cute when they're not in my general vicinity!

[@JFunk717]

Wow! I watched your entire video, and I must say how much I appreciate the effort you have put into sharing your journey! What an incredible amount of effort into both the beekeeping, but also compiling all of your videos, editing, and so on. I’m in the USA, and contemplating taking the plunge into beekeeping myself! I went through so many emotions watching along, and I was so ecstatic to see your success!! It was definitely a lot of work, but your appreciation for the bees, your environment, and your loved ones was truly a blessing to witness! Thank you so much for sharing!!! I really can’t thank you enough!! Good luck in the future!!

[@chickadddee]

Alex, this has been a fascinating video. I'm really impressed. Shout out to your parents for bee-ing cooperative, (hee hee), and to Carl for his support. Tell Carl it's good for him to eat the honey...it might even help him with his allergy as it helps his immune system not to over react to the specific types of bees in your area. Also...if your business grows in leaps and bounds, you can make unbelievable skincare with honey, propolis, pollen and even some wax mixed with essential oils. I sometimes use Honey Girl Organics from Hawaii, and it is awesome! Check out their story. Honey is anti-bacterial and the propolis (in the right amount which I don't know) is anti aging. 🌺🐝 👋🏼 Cheers.

[@JuliusSeizure1]

My uncle keeps bees I think 3 hives. I remember last year he had spilled a jar of honey he harvested on the trailer bed. So he parked the trailer a foot or two away from the hive. And they had cleaned the lot. (At least a jars worth) within 30 minutes! Bees really are a clever and unique species! Was incredible to watch them do their thing and scoop up all the beautiful sugary nectar for the winter!

[@ReadyUpGo]

You taught me a lot so thank you so much. Maybe the biggest lesson for me to ask my step daughter the first time beekeeper as of yesterday, is if she has looked at how this pursuit can evolve and have the potential to become a vocation. The bees are on their own schedule and they will leave an enlarging footprint if healthy. Best of everything to you, SD in Oregon.

[@TheLaughingDove]

Renter who loves bees here, love seeing you going through this and what nice bees you got!! Very lovely girls. Hopefully one day I can be somewhere stable enough to have a go at this hobby too!

[@Balidor]

30 years ago I did exactly the same things with my grandfather anytime I was for vacation back in our village.... exactly the same steps and equipment... so many memories... and now that he is gone... I might do the same, probably with my son... thanks for the inspiration mate.

[@user-qs6jz6yt9g]

You are doing a great job, explaining what's going on for all us bee keepers. I'm new and my bees arrived today. Its amazing , good luck

[@sangen5367]

I cannot believe that I already saw a entire 2 hours video of a guy making his first steps as beekeeper. I really enjoyed all your bee adventure and was quite nice to see a newbie sharing his experience, mistakes, sufferings and, above of all, achievements in this fantastic adventure. Thank you for sharing with the world your experience! Hope I can see more of your new projects 🙏 Edit: 1:37:10 you and your brother looks like so similar that when I saw this part looks for me like those movies when the same actor makes 2 different characters at the same scene interaction each other... was very funny to seen! Greetings from Mexico!

[@snowritsch]

Great job Alex, my grandmother was a Beekeper for over 50 years and I grew up with it. I´ve watched your Video in total because it was such a nice journey. Keep going mate and show all those people out there the incredible doing of bees. Greetings from Germany 👍

[@dawnmyers5166]

Thank you. I have been thinking about having some bee hives on my homestead when I retire. You were so informative with information but also how you felt, which I enjoyed. I was all ready to plan mine, then yours swarmed. Not sure I could do what you did, but I think I want to learn more. I hope I can be successful.

[@415752]

Well done Alex I’m beekeeping for a few years and this is the best beginner’s video I have seen with lots of info well delivered .Good job