Preparing for my 3rd Year of Beekeeping - Building hives, cleaning equipment and getting more bees

[@Muddaking01]

i really love these videos, they are so calming, no bullshitting and no exaggerating, no show off, just showing the learning process and the reached achievements. Alex please keep up your videos, this ist what i love the most and this is what makes you my fav youtuber

[@matatath]

This! Exactly this! They're a point of tranquility in a sea of madness.

[@anesukafesu7875]

It's the type of content I hope all creators will start producing.

[@ilovetomato1-uv5ef]

Me too.

[@shauncollins4291]

Well said

[@aderadela7851]

me too

[@avetere71092]

I'm a woodworker....please please please don't wear a scarf when using power tools! If that scarf gets caught in that circular saw blade your head will find its way very quickly towards that blade which would not be good. Stay safe! Hope that helps.

[@mycomaniac316]

Natural selection

[@Flippin_Crazy]

@@mycomaniac316stop.

[@SamuelDixon-xh9wy]

My immediate thought as a fellow woodworker

[@randym8963]

very good advice

[@CamdenBintcliffe]

Never wear gloves either. Especially with lathe

[@isabellajones9450]

My three year old is fascinated about bees and beekeeping thanks to you and your videos!!! He goes around the house and pretends different things are ‘his beehives’ or ‘his smoker’ or pretending to find ‘his queen bee’. It’s amazing what he picks up from listening to you. Thanks for inspiring him so much!!!

[@schnitzelhannes6431]

Maybe this kid should see a doctor

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

Maybe he will be a surgeon and also bee a honey Doctor!

[@Beekeeping4Hope]

Since I last saw you. Things have really taken off. I’m now a fully registered charity. Love the journey you’ve been on and thanks for the promo last year. 🙏

[@zaid711]

🎉

[@Sue_Anthony]

Nice vlog Alex, I'm a beekeeper of 60 years, and its good to see someone like yourself really looking after bees, giving good sound information and advice.

[@DimitarPetrevski]

My grandpa is a beekeeper for almost 60 years. He scrapes and collects the propolis from the frames and majority of it he sells for usage in different medicines. Keeps a bit for himself and puts it in his rakija bottles (fruit spirit). He believes this is the secret to his longevity (beekeeping, honey + rakija with propolis) - 87 years old. Thank you for the video, brings back memories of childhood, harvesting honey and selling it later with my grandpa on the market.

[@Cole778]

This is why I started beekeeping, I attribute you to the reason why I started last year, I tell people all the time :D

[@Billionf0ld]

Same here, I was inspired by the videos and have begun gathering parts and supplies to start next spring.

[@minifolko]

me to

[@johnanwana5193]

Bristol resident here. Can't wait to buy your honey! Hopefully i get to know when it goes on sale. I'd be miffed if i miss out because it's sold out.

[@Acudit]

Anytime I talk to anyone about my preference for long format videos, I alway go to your channel as my gold standard. No bs. Just a wealth of highly entertaining information. A deep dive, if you will, instead of just skiing across the surface of knowledge.

[@bennettoast4958]

Using power tools with the scarf on made me tense up a little! However, the ingenuity and problem solving skills you have are nothing if not admirable. Can't wait for another video when it gets to harvesting season!

[@carolinelingaitis4744]

Yes. Alex as a Mom I have to say...... Please be safe and tuck in that scarf when using power tools.

[@Zogg1281]

*Really Important!!* Please don't wear clothing items like hoodie draw cords or scarves when using power tools..... especially circular saws! If the long dangly thing, that is wrapped around your neck, gets caught in a spinning tool it can get wrapped around the tool really quickly. This means that the bit that's around your neck gets really tight, really quickly...... I hope you can see where this is going? "My circular saw strangled me" looks really back on a headstone 😅

[@CamdenBintcliffe]

Or wearing gloves. Especially with a lathe

[@CamdenBintcliffe]

Don’t wear gloves either. Especially with a lathe

[@sg224]

Another outstanding video. It never ceases to amaze me how my teen went from zero interest in beekeeping two years ago, to helping me enthusiastically thanks to your videos. Our family loves watching your stuff and we are excited to see what this summer brings!

[@TerrariumDesigns]

No better video to watch whilst drinking a morning coffee!

[@luci75d76]

Alex keep this in mind : every beekeeper is a carpenter ( more or less). I do that for days and weeks in winter Some days i am all day long in workshop ....when you have 500-600 gives you work whole winter

[@DannyTheViking]

I hope you make a video dedicated to making mead using your own mead and messing with flavours. I really like how you put your videos together.

[@vonbondeuce5368]

Alex, go grab a pop-up gazebo. They're super cheap and will serve as a shelter for selling at markets and help you keep your woodworking up in the garden/by the hive in the rain. Much love.

[@sc0ttw22]

Using the circular saw with your lovely scarf dangling nearby made me so anxious :'))

[@alexandrachristiansen383]

Yessssss! A video from Alex 29 minutes of joy!

[@TheBonnieberry]

Yes!

[@ruairiloughran]

I hate to be a pain pal, but im gonna need more videos. The honest and calming nature of you, and your videos, has become one of my favourite things on KZbin. Your range of interests and approach to learning new things is fascinating. You are doing an excellent job pal. But please, more videos

[@damianromaniak3336]

It's funny because I started watching you when I became a beekeeper myself

[@aaronedwards3007]

this will be my 3rd year of watching your bee keeping. super excited for this years videos.

[@jaejinplaysgames3839]

I came across your channel about a year ago. now I've recently started my own vegetable garden. I don't really know what I'm doing and just playing along as it goes. Thank you for inspiring me Alex

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

Gardening books, there are loads at the library. And local knowledge from gardening folks in the neighborhood. There is a book that I had that talked about veggies you can plant together to utilize the space in your plot(s). Keep us posted!

[@keepingupwithcarson]

Lmao nooo not the spilled screws! I've done that! I felt that in my soul! 😢😂 Ooooo pretty color! I love blue 💙!

[@ME_MeAndMyBees]

Yeah : You got yourself a "Warre Hive." I just love them. Have several here in my Garden. Made loads of my own Equipment too. Have Nationals, Langstroths, Warre and a huge Horizontal Hive. All doing well here in Scotland. Tip: I would do a Warre to National transfer (why would you ? Keep the Warre Hive too.) By cutting only a Third of the Comb out of the Warre Frame : Leaving about x2 Inches of Comb in the Top of the Warre Frame (Bees will draw down more Wax in these. Back to normal.) Keep the Comb the right way up ! And use Elastic Bands around your National Frames, to keep this Comb in place, until the Bees build them with secure holding Brace Comb. If any Beek has a Langstroth Hive : Warre and National Super Frames fit within them. Just Inset that 2nd Frame and Zip Tie one Top Rail to another. Simples. Hope this helps. 😎 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 Happy Beekeeping 2024. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 I have made Langstroth, Nats and Warre Nuc Hives. All using Pallet Wood. Use the ones that are light Pine Wood with only "Heated Treated" Logo or Image on them. Really easy to break down into lovely Planks, Glue these together to make Walls, Floors, even cut up into Frames. All doable in DIY terms. Add a little bit of Essential Lemon Grass Oil onto a bit of Cotton Wool, or melt that 'Dark Bees Wax' to make a "Bait Hive" by catching a Swarm. A Free Bee Hive and Free Bees. Had x3 Swarms find me last Year. 👍 Yes they were local Black Bees and no, not any of my Bees swarming, but 'Bees from the local environment finding me.' What's not to like. . .🙃

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Wow! Thank you SO much for that wealth of knowledge ❤️🇺🇸

[@dcrowsfeet]

I really enjoy watching you with your beekeeping. I have always been afraid of bees, but learning about them from you have made them feel more familiar and not so scary. I now see them as little critters instead of scary insects, if that makes sense! Thank you for teaching us!

[@TheChapelMouse]

Great to see you back Alex! Watching your mushroom growing video got me interested in it, and I'm currently building an environment control panel for a Martha tent. So thanks for that! Love your style and presentation. You really are a breath of fresh air on youtube!

[@Delibro]

I won't watch his mushroom video. Otherwise I'll start a mushroom business ... Alex is so inspiring :D

[@Mxegan]

These are my comfort videos, thankyou Alex ❤

[@jonathanluce9130]

Very impressed, your woodworking skills are coming along well, and it's going to save you loads of money on hives, keep up the good work!

[@Erikaahh_Mae]

Yay i have been rediscovering your videos recently. Im so glad theres another video!

[@NKYHoneyBees]

*Hi Alex, I've been watching your bee journey since the beginning :) I must say, it's awesome and you've come a long way. Making your own equipment is much cheaper. I wish you a great beekeeping season this year. Keep us updated.*

[@virginiaroberts3367]

Hi Alex good to see you and your bee's again. May you have a fun and productive year. You're an inspiration! Cheers

[@SethRichardson614]

New beekeeping update !! been waiting for this one.

[@kiaya007]

Agreed Alex you will find making the hives easier with each one you make and less of a hassle. Having someplace to make them other than the cramped space of your back garden will also make it easier. Perhaps the people who allow you to keep your bees on their property have somewhere you may use for making your hives in future. It should not be very difficult for them to allow you to use a space for a short time each winter to do this. Keep getting the parts ready made so it only takes some cutting/assembly and having your own tools and other stuff so you wont need anything else of theirs. So ask them if you may use a little corner of a small shed for a few days a year to build your hives and who knows you may get lucky. Some thank you honey every year always helps sweeten the deal. (sorry had to do that lol) As your operation grows your profits each year will be best spent to fund the next season and save some of that profit for future things like getting a small plot of land and build a shed as your first base to grow your business from. From humble beginnings big things grow. You are a humble man so that's half the puzzle solved. 😁👍

[@craggles]

Alex you're back ..at last ..seems like a millennium ago ..hope Bristol is treating you well..I'm so indulgent when you talk about the machinations of anything /everything ..all the comments (any/all) are the signature of your style ..I've learnt so much about bees ..thanks Mr Myagi of Bees

[@slayer2450]

Glad to see another year of beekeeping

[@daviddeane7293]

Nice one Alex it's always nice when you do a film 🎥 on your bee's 🐝 it's always very interesting it will be nice when the weather starts getting better 🐝🐝🐝😁👍

[@SteveRolo765]

I always enjoy it when you release a new video

[@Enderman0415]

15:57 oh my god they went from cool to ADORABLE

[@annir.2047]

Those boxes look so nice!

[@TheReaper1]

Great video! I recently became obsessed with bee keeping even though I don’t even own a single thing yet. Your journey has been amazing and I’m definitely looking forward to getting into the hobby, great job with everything you do Alex! Keep at it with the tools as well, the more experience you give yourself the better you will become! Cheers!

[@DontDoDaylight]

Truly appreciate your work, Alex. Thanks.

[@izabelasiczek3547]

It always surprises me that videos like this with so much info & knowledge get so little views in comparison to some gossip reaction to stupid "pranks" get millions of views !

[@priscillarnjeri7874]

True people want to watch useless videos which does not add any value to their lives.

[@NikaVillePlays]

I have been following you and your vids of planting, bees and beer for a good while, and i am absolutly loving it. I used to get panic attacks around bees, and last year i didnt cause i now know to much more about them becasue of you! So thank you for putting out such great and informative content! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more vids! :D

[@southerncaltattooedbiker3643]

I was so excited to see two new Videos Alex you should be so proud of your self making your own boxes and everything I'm very proud of you no matter what you are amazing 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝

[@ASalad-fo5il]

I wonder if you got some sort of silicone mold, if you could reuse the wax you harvested to make the sheets for the bee frames?

[@priscillarnjeri7874]

Am from Africa and I love the way you had taught me to go slowly by slowly.

[@ethann6346]

to stop the wood split at 9:19 pre drill your hole with a slightly smaller diameter drillbit. takes a few extra mins but saves the quality of your work.

[@gravity00x]

Beekeeping is on my bucket list, thanks to you! You're a big inspiration to many people.

[@realYambu]

Now you know what an ordeal it is to build the hives yourself :) always a learning experience, glad to be tagging along

[@S3RGI]

Seeing that scarf getting SO close to the saw at 13:20 made very nervous lol

[@gogidk]

Hey Alex I love your videos they always relax me keep it up!

[@floe_honey]

hurray! Alex is back! Love your garden videos and the beekeeping! Just bought my own Flow Hive and waiting for my bees to arrive! Think I wnt my own KZbin channel with bees and gardenstuff. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@Lovelife10934]

I really love all your videos!! You inspire me to have these things I want like bees, my own garden to have my own food. And feel accomplish!! God Bless!!❤️🙏🏻✝️🙌🏻

[@PokemonxFanxGirl]

There's something so endearing about your voice 😊 I love listening to you talk!

[@darkangelgames9953]

Here’s a tip Alex, when you’re done harvesting your honey sit your hives with the frames out in your bee yard for about a week and your bees will finish the process of harvesting your honey

[@Budynga]

Hi Alex! If you use screws, it is worth drilling holes in the wood first. Then it won't crack. Greetings from Poland!

[@envizsagebees]

The long wait for another of your awesome bee video is over. - Hello from Melbourne Australia

[@safaa9654]

Cant wait to see the candle making again!!

[@mo_hennep]

Time flies. Feels like yesterday that you’ve uploaded the first bee video

[@seanfourie6739]

Alex, I love your beekeeping videos, you have inspired me to finally take up beekeeping, I've wanted to do it for a little while but just didn't have time or the motivation for it. But hopefully within the next 3 months I'll have my colony. Please keep making the videos and working hard. Much love from South Africa

[@TheKoiPartner]

I love the bees 🐝😍

[@petermcfadden9426]

I like your handy jig for holding the nuc hive parts during assembly.

[@banga7714]

I really love your beekeeping videos, it feels like a decade since you posted about them

[@tannerdial6619]

Alex, unless the hives you cleaned those frames from HAD diseases, there was no need to remove the wax unless there was mold or it was older wax 2+yrs. same with the process for cleaning them. best practice is to actually FREEZE them for 24hrs, thaw them for another 24 in an enclosed location, then give them to the bees!

[@benjaminberic7213]

Just an advice. When you want to screw the thinner pieces of wood, drill them out first and then screw to prevent splitting. I do woodworking as a hobby and also had learning curve. If you want to "close" the screw holes you can mix fine saw dust and white wood glue. Apply it to mask the screws and once it solidifies, just pass few times with the sand paper. Best regards from Croatia :)

[@tureehnring4632]

Finally a new bee video! I have waited waaay to long. Keep it up mate ;)

[@LexKaiNix]

Everything is looking good, Alex! Hopefully your smaller colony thrives once it starts to warm up and they’ve got some decent weather to forage 🫶🏻 Also, nice to see some bulbs. Ours have been out all winter 🫤🤷🏻 I don’t think they realise we had a winter 😆

[@lusty9410]

great video as always Alex, just a bit of advice and a warning about wearing long scarves when using the circular saw, be very careful that the scarf doesn't get caught up in the blade of the circular saw or it could be a very bad day 😅🤣

[@rickyjessome4359]

Fantastic video Alex! I hope this is the best year yet for a honey harvest. Looking forward to the future videos. Cheers

[@angelad.8944]

I love how we turn into grumpy old men and women when winter drags on, lol. ☺ Building your own, even if it is just once for now, has so much value to it. Good on you for giving it a go. I also will be inheriting some lovely bee ladies from an acquaintance. Very exciting when free bees come to us. Looking forward to your upcoming season.

[@OvcharkaShepherd]

So much easier to paint before assembling the boxes. Save the dark comb to capture a swarm. Along with lemongrass oil, the black comb will attract the swarm

[@GPH2474]

Welcome back into my front room, looking forward to your new adventures.

[@kristimitchell5749]

It's fun to watch your beekeeping journey, and I am excited to see how well you do this year on your honey harvest! Good luck!

[@reneenolan8163]

Love this, I’m in Australia so we come into winter soon, so you are ahead of me by just enough to give me new ideas!

[@heatherbailey8594]

AWESOME... more beekeeping pretty please. Fantastic work

[@katrinarose2210]

I cant believe ive been watching you for over 2 years, heres to a hardy harvest this season, i look forward to the videos

[@hokusail450]

It's a good day when Alex uploads a new video! keep it up Alex love the content.

[@myjoicare]

I also love watching these videos! And the English accent along with your jargon is really fascinating to listen too. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your harvesting and videos!

[@violetgrantsoapery]

Well done! I really enjoyed watching you build the items - excellent job mate! 🐝

[@puppysubdoll13]

Im so invested in this video.. ive been watching ur others. But tbh i never knew beekeeping is so relaxing to watch 😂

[@LeannaMichelleArt]

woohoo ! such a good thing to do for the Planet 🍀🐝

[@videogenie1236]

Thank you for showing how to clean the bee equipment with the boiler and soda crystals. Personally, I am a pensioner, and I have no experience of handling bees. I am considering different hive designs that don't require heavy lifting. So far, I have looked at horizontal hives and Slovenian hives. I am considering making my own version of a bee hive based on the A-Z hive crossed with deep and a half frame. Also, designing a building to house the hive(s) and for other uses, such as mushrooms, electronic monitoring, and solar. Keep on following your dreams. you're doing a great job showing us the parts of bee keeping that I have not seen from others

[@AllanClarkeathome]

Hello Alex, I live in Australia, but was born and raised in Chechire U.K. I moved my first lot of bees about 50km's and was stung between 30 and 40 times, so I would suggest that you travel after dark, if possible, and keep them locked up until the next day. Have a nice trip. Allan.

[@betty20s]

Lovely video again Alex. Thanks a lot for making this beautiful content!

[@rachelsly992]

I am hoping to start keeping bees in the coming months/year and I love watching your videos to learn more about the process and also, you have a very pleasant and relaxing mannerism. Keep up the good work! Pro tip for work working: when using a motorized rotary tool (like a saw) try not to wear loose clothing especially around your neck (like a scarf). Be safe and I can't wait to see the next video.

[@Jenniferhartong]

I love how you also show the struggles with what you're doing. Whenever I make stuff and I break or drop things I always feel like an idiot, but I guess it happens to all of us. Good luck with the bees this year!

[@l0ner1der]

Really good Alex, you've got some decent tools there too now. Keep up the good work 👍👍

[@MikeSharp20]

Hi Alex. You’ve been an inspiration for me and my wife on our bee keeping journey which we’re thinking to start. we’re very grateful for the videos you’ve put on and sharing your experiences with everyone. Just wanted to say, keep a magnet handy for when you drop your screws and nails. Run a strong palm sized magnet over the “mess” (not too powerful now!) It’ll lift them right up and you can pull them off within seconds. I’ve got a few for those “hard to reach” places but this will be easy pickings. Just my 2 cents. Pls keep sharing and doing all that you do. I hope we can visit you one day down the road to learn and share knowledge and most importantly… HONEY! =D

[@Soniyaaktar-47]

You are such awesome people! ❤

[@judenew5442]

Fantastic to see what you are doing now. Warre hives are used a lot in France, they are top bar hives, a bit of research will show you how to move the bees into a National Hive.

[@maxmexmellow312]

That paint was so scrumptious

[@lewisglennie]

Hey Alex. Love the content as usual. However, please don’t wear a scarf when you’re using a circle saw. It’s unbelievably dangerous because if it catches in the blade, the instinct is to try and grab it, which is a great way of cutting a finger off. Keep up the good work mate🙏

[@IceAngel_LR]

These videos are always so satisfying and calming to watch!❤

[@RegularBiscuit]

always a good day when Alex drops an slice of life

[@aderadela7851]

thank you for the video Alex it's so inspiring and so good to see all 🥰

[@ПолинаИванова-ш4л]

i love this cute comfy house that you live in, and you've made such a lovely beehives, i like the color! Waiting for more videos of yours! :)

[@rstlr01]

I don’t get why everyone is saying that a mild winter is bad for the bees. Just like in the fall if there’s nothing out there, they are just doing water and 💩 runs! If the lead forgers are not bringing anything back, they don’t send more of their sisters . Speaking from my experience this year of it being so mild. My hives still have loads of stores left from last year compared to any previous year and will probably be swarming a month early. Even looking at how much the bees have been into the fondant, and the sugar shows that they’re barely touching it.

[@darcym.9177]

13:10 Be careful cutting with your scarf down like that, last thing you want is for it to get wrapped up in the saw. Other than that loving these beekeeping videos!

[@34Calvin]

Very helpful and so many hidden little gems - a building jib!! What a brilliant idea wish you would have linked the information… AND Soda Crystals for cleaning; love it. Thank you

[@ninasaunders7565]

The quality of your editing is so good! I enjoy not just the content of the video but the quay of your editing. Keep up the good work Alex!