Did I Make a BIG MISTAKE Getting BEES?!

Рет қаралды 176,272

Жыл бұрын

In this video, I explain how I was unsure if I should get bees and why I finally got them anyway. Have I made a big hummer of a mistake getting bees? Plus, we do our first-ever bee hive inspection, which was quite a buzz for someone like me who has never handled honey bees before!
Go here to get Birdies Raised Garden beds in the USA, Canada, and UK: lets.growepic.co/self-suffici... for a 5% discount, or use SSME2020 at checkout.
In Australia, go to birdiesgardenproducts.com.au/ and use Code SSMEbird for a 5% discount. In New Zealand, go to birdiesgardenproducts.co.nz/ and use Code ssmebird22 for 5% off your first purchase.
Hoselink Garden Products such as hose reels go here l.linklyhq.com/l/5uZu and you will automatically get a 10% discount on checkout!
Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout.
Harvest Right freeze dryer website: affiliates.harvestright.com/1...
For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly.
Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping).
Rolling Sifter: rollingsifter.ecwid.com/
Support me on Patreon: / selfsufficientme (the top tier $25 AU enables mentoring from yours truly via an exclusive VIP email where I will answer your questions etc ASAP).
My second channel Self Sufficient Me 2: bit.ly/331edDu
New (third) Channel: Self Suffishing Me bit.ly/2LiIWqt
Help support the Channel and buy a T-shirt/Merchandise from our Spreadshirt shop: bit.ly/3lmqMkr or Teespring bit.ly/3neEYO8
Shop for plants or garden equipment on eBay Australia: bit.ly/2BPCykb
Blog: www.selfsufficientme.com/ (use the search bar on my website to find info on certain subjects or gardening ideas)
Forum: www.selfsufficientculture.com
Instagram: / self_sufficient_me
Facebook: bit.ly/2Zi5kDv
Twitter: / sufficientme
Subscribe to my channel: goo.gl/cpbojR
Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online, so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)
*Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I am yet to do a sponsored video.
#beekeeping #bees #gardening

Пікірлер: 1 700

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

G'day Everyone! So I got some bees... The ones that sting. Some might say a bit "bee-lated" but I think the timing is about right, well, we'll see how they go. Thanks for your support! Cheers :)

@hankventurez Жыл бұрын

Next should be mason bees. Actually requires almost no work and no stingers.

@huggy-Bear Жыл бұрын

Mark bee-hive yourself please!

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

You’ll be an excellent 🐝… Honey Daddy! 🍯 You’ll never be stung if you maintain your ‘humble’ and calm self! You can hear it in their ‘bumble’ when they’re agitated!! 😜 Whatever you do, DONT stop, drop and roll! Ouchy…🤭✌️🐝

@VeysPlace Жыл бұрын

I know what you can name the Queen. Bee Sufficient. LOL.

@yugmartreb7722 Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy this wonderful experience. SSM garden will be really pumping in spring..

@JefesGarden Жыл бұрын

I am a gardener and veteran, too. I come here mostly for the dad jokes. 😁 Bee well, Mark!

@GoAwayNow-iz3du 11 ай бұрын

Then punch yourself. Dad jokes are a boil on the anus of humanity.

@emwhaibee 11 ай бұрын

bzzz bzzzz (aha 😅) 🐝

@HomeStudioBasics 11 ай бұрын

Ugh, dad jokes. Can you please just let them bee?

@JefesGarden 11 ай бұрын

@@HomeStudioBasics Hive got a bunch of 'em.

@HomeStudioBasics 11 ай бұрын

@@JefesGarden Seriously dude, buzz off. 😂

@shadowlessxpan Жыл бұрын

So glad to see you keeping bees! My vote is to name the Queen “Beeatrice” 👑 🐝

@phullyloadid07 Жыл бұрын

Great idea, I didn’t see your comment or I wouldn’t have posted the same thing 4 days later 😅

@bronhaller 11 ай бұрын

It's the only name for a Queen Bea, really!

@thewaxingmoonlotus 10 ай бұрын

had the same idea lol

@FLPhotoCatcher 9 ай бұрын

Kinda late now, but Dot would be an obvious name.

@jaytango3594 8 ай бұрын

Queen B

@lynsoeder7422 Жыл бұрын

I am a beekeeper in the mountains of NC, US. Congratulations! You will love this adventure! Yes, it's a lot of work and a lot to learn, but so worth the effort. Best of luck.

@bunhelsingslegacy3549 Жыл бұрын

I had my own "Was this a mistake?" moment when I installed my first nucleus hive in 2021 and was surrounded by a cloud of buzzing when I'd handled bees exactly twice before that ... My hives are at my mom's place and she had so much fun helping me that the next year she ordered two nucs herself even though neither of my first hives made it through spring (moisture issues), so we went into last winter with 4 hives and now we have 8 after making two splits and catching two swarms! I wear my full bee suit every time and I even tape the velcro flaps in case some industrious lady decides to go exploring, I DO NOT want a bee in my bonnet. I wear a pair of thin gardening gloves underneath a pair of dish gloves (I have weird hands and leather gloves don't give me enough ability to feel what I'm doing but I can actually find garden gloves that fit well and the dish gloves are a bit of extra protection and also keep my gardening gloves from getting all sticky) and mom's bratty hive left a bunch of stingers in my glove as a reminder to move more slowly. We do bee stuff about one day a week. I got my first sting last year and by the time I got my suit off I coudln't even find it, and got another sting when I wasn't suited up and that one left me a red mark for about a week, just feels like getting stuck with a sewing needle and I'm lucky I don't seem to get any swelling or itching at all so far. The first sting was actually kind of a relief because I'd only ever been stung by a wasp and a yellowjacket before this and those were pretty awful, by comparison a honey bee sting isn't bad at all for me. You might want to get a frame grabber if you feel your fingers are too fat, they're not great for manipulating the frames but sometimes they're really great for getting them out of the hive when you can't get your fingers in. We use the deep hives for brood but we've switched to only having a deep as the bottom box and we put mediums on top of it for both additional brood as well as honey because I can lift a medium full of honey but a deep is too heavy for when we need to get into the bottom box.

@johnwatkins7322 4 ай бұрын

Great share! One trick I have found with Bee stings (we have many bees and Mozzies in Florida) putting meat tenderizer and a bit of water or spit to make a paste on the sting helps neutralize the venom and histamine reaction. Any other tricks from anyone else?

@kurisute Жыл бұрын

Mark, you have such a great attitude as a student. Thank you for getting kind and funny while being uncomfortable! 🐝

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

Thanks Christi! I was so petrified of dropping one of those frames, but thankfully I had a good teacher. Cheers :)

@TheDavebala Жыл бұрын

@@SelfsufficientmeThe introduction of yourself to the hive was spot on. 😂👌 Self-sufficient Bee" has a ring to it. ❤

@tubeta028 Жыл бұрын

Hello Mark, very proud of you for becoming a bee keeper, I am looking forward for your first video on teaching me how to keep and look after bees and bee flowers. By the way I would like to suggest a name of your first queen bee 🐝 if you haven't get one. Here it is: Queen Momi - Momi is an island word meaning my favourite. It pronounced mo-me.

@user-je1wx1ow1m Жыл бұрын

BEEYONCE is a name for the Queen. 👑

@HoneyMarketingBoard Жыл бұрын

Congratulations Mark and welcome to the club. And don't worry, the bee's will teach you all you need to know.

@johnlord8337 Жыл бұрын

When you do hive inspection with your smoker - if you also add in lemon balm essential oil - sweet and fragrant - the bees will calm down even more. If you put some small drops of lemon balm oil at the entrance - the hive airflow will aromatize the hive with the lemon balm. Bees love lemon balm (mint). It is an antiseptic, and the bees will bring it inside and use it in all of their sanitary and hygiene activities. If you would have a first time hive, then spritizing the hive and boards with lemon balm oil - an antiseptic and antibacterial - bees will readily run into the hive (like a hospital smell for them) if you have swarms. Lemon balm aroma also stops or slows down infiltration by wax moths, hive beetles, and the throat choker mites that plague honey bees. Lemon balm, like modern orange oil treatments of houses infested with ants, termites, earwigs, silverfish, cockroaches etc ... will choke them out, like smoke of a fireplace chases away mosquitoes. They can't breathe, and the smoke interferes with their hormonal communications - so they remain calm and not anxious or hostile.

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

Oh… I forgot to mention, it cost us a fortune to hire a professional Pest Control Co. and we’ve still got the termites! I ended up using clove oil drops at the house ant 🐜 holes and they’ve never come back!!😏 Good riddance AND I don’t have to feel guilty…they didn’t die, they moved! 😜

@willieadams7930 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info

@nannygranny9534 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing that. I have hives and dud not know that.

@ds3356 Жыл бұрын

Limonene is also responsible for a relaxing effect in marijuana

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

@@ds3356 lemon, lime and sandalwood are my favourite scents of all! Also I love the different flavours that different regions impart in each honey that’s local to the area that the hive is in! I’ve recently learned that if you consume honey that’s locally produced by your local bees, it increases your immunity against your local allergy pollens in your area, and can also have distinctive flavours of distinctive flora growing around you! How wonderful would it ‘bee’ 🐝 to taste lemon 🍋 in your honey 🍯??

@JensOdense Жыл бұрын

It's refreshing to see an adult, who has got such a good attitude when it comes to learning. And it was a pleasure to learn with you as a result, good video :)

@denisea3465 Жыл бұрын

We got bees 7 years ago and I thought what am I doing? I'm terrified of them and afraid they would be stinging my young kids in the small yard all the time. But i quickly realized I love them and don't regret it for a minute! We started with two and are up to five hives, we have no room for more! Last year we got 120kg of honey and still have about 85kg in our basement. You will be really happy when you see the difference in pollination. Our fruit trees and berries especially flourished, and our neighbors' as well! Its incredible. No one in the family has ever been stung by them, and our chickens LOVE getting treats from the drone comb we have to cut out!

@domscrocca5301 Жыл бұрын

You looked somewhat nervous!! Hahah "Beetrice" is an idea! Ive had a hive for nearly 3 years now and doesn't take up much time at all. In fact its great seeing them doing their thing throughout our garden. Enjoy them Mark. They are a wonderful gift from mother nature.

@amypatterson-bocchi2514 Жыл бұрын

Yes! Perfect. Beetrice. Love it.

@amichan5 Жыл бұрын

My grandfather had a 3-4 beehives at a time. He was making them himself, left some sugar syrup inside, and bees were coming by themselves to live there. Let me tell you that the taste of fresh honey just from the wax is one of my best childhood memories

@amberl2639 Жыл бұрын

Congrats on the bees, Mark. I think you should name the queen BEEtrice! 🤣

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

That's two BEEtrice's so far! Thanks Amber :)

@jasenanderson8534 Жыл бұрын

Haha that's what I was going to suggest.

@LandoftheSarah Жыл бұрын

Hey I’m make that three! I just put that down!

@MAYHEMSCO Жыл бұрын

Same came to the comments after he said he wants name suggestions and instantly saw Beeatrice:)

@ebw78756 Жыл бұрын

Oh, Mark, you are going to LOVE - LOVE - LOVE having bees!!! They are the gentlest of creatures. And you are going to be amazed at the increased production in your garden. Congratulations, Brother..

@tonicodner6189 Жыл бұрын

When I started bee keeping, I studied and learned as much as I could for at least two years before I actually got bees, and I started with a flow hive. I love the product. Believe me, Mark. I was very scared as well as being allergic to bees. But I had no choice but to learn as i was in the deep end with little or no help(my own fault) I live in the Hunter Valley and have just lost my hives in the last few weeks and after three years of enjoying them, learning every time i did a hive check, loving the moods of my girls, hive beetles loss of a hive, wax mothe loss of a hive, going from no honey in the super to completely full in just six weeks and now I miss the buzz in the garden so much. I kept my hives in the chook pen because the chooks love the hive beetles like candy, and they don't bother the bees at all. So have fun learning and trust me they will become addictive.

@colonagray2454 Жыл бұрын

Parden my American word use but is that chicken? I never concidered it being a safe haven. Neeto! My grandmothers family farm always had the girls keep the bees even though most of them were alergic. Your a special breed of mad my friend! I want bees but my wife is way too terrified.

@ritasaragosa3829 Жыл бұрын

You say you started with a flow hive,so if you don't mind me asking,do you have a different preference of brand or do you still suggest it for beginners? I'm thinking of purchasing something of the like. Thank you ❇️🐦🌺🌿🐝🐞🪲🐝🐝🐝🐝

@keeponsingin247 Жыл бұрын

Greetings from the USA! We love your helpful videos! I think you should name your queen bee BEEatrice

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

"BEEatrice" Nice one, Rhonda, thank you!

@Whimspiration Жыл бұрын

I was scrolling through the comments to see of BEEatrice had been mentioned yet, as it was my first thought too. 😅

@Dalavine Жыл бұрын

Dang I looked before commenting and said the same thing 😅

@SlippyDude Жыл бұрын

14:59 "So you've given me a pretty nice hive, that's already had a sh**... heap of honey in it." Made me laugh so much. Were you about to say a "shit ton of honey?" 😂😂😂

@lukehoagland1394 Жыл бұрын

I have learned tons from you! Thank you for sharing all your trials and tribulations! I vote Dottie for the queen’s name :) 🐝

@yacobshelelshaddai4543 9 ай бұрын

Haha yes I second that! Dottie! Great name

@christinechapman9764 Жыл бұрын

I love that you greet your local birds. I've never seen anyone do that, apart from me. I particularly pay respects to our iconic Australian Magpies, and I've never been swooped by one in my life.

@learoser1339 Жыл бұрын

Christine how lovely. I also greet the local birds and lizards and the neighbours goats as well as my chooks. Have conversations with them as well and like you I have never been swooped by the Magpies. A kindred spirit.❤

@mrsb33 Жыл бұрын

That’s so funny! I say good morning, Robin and good Mourning, Dove!

@_Myriad_ Жыл бұрын

Oh i do this too! Magpies and we have a lot of crows where i am too so i always make sure they know im a friend just passing through and mean them or their nests no harm 😇 some of them are cautious to watch me as i pass by but ive never been swooped either and the younger ones quickly learn im not an agressor to them. I think some of them only watch me because i wear a lot of shiny metal accessories on my clothes haha

@christinechapman9764 Жыл бұрын

@@_Myriad_ I'm so glad to hear that many people also love and respect our wild neighbors. I have heard that research has shown that these birds have good facial recognition of humans and can remember an individual for many years, I do believe this could be true.

@hevvab8151 Жыл бұрын

I am also a Magpie greeter. So much so that I now have a permanent family of 5 that wake me up every morning with some beautiful song outside my bedroom window; I'd like to think not just for the food I give them! lol. Love my Maggies; have dubbed one of my newest ones "Havachat" - coz that's what she does!

@pondimek Жыл бұрын

Hey Mark, I got into bees 3 years ago and haven't looked back. If you're concerned or time-poor, you could get someone from your local club to manage the hive for you. You'll have bees, receive honey and the benefits of pollination and likely for no cost. Looks like Peter will be a very handy person to have around! I noticed in your video that the hive looks to be in quite a dark location. Full sunshine is best to help reduce the impact of a pest called small hive beetle which can destroy weak hives. Full sun also makes it much easier to inspect the frames in your hive when you do inspections as you can see better into the cells. Beekeeping is a fantastic hobby and very rewarding, however, it does demand some time and some serious compliance responsibilities (Biosecurity obligations). I hope you enjoy having your bees!

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice Keith! The hive location is in a sparsely treed area and will get enough sun (especially through summer here in the subtropics) but I will keep an eye on it. Cheers :)

@pondimek Жыл бұрын

@Selfsufficientme I'm on the Gold Coast, so know how our summers can be (and hive beetle infestations). We're in the perfect region for beekeeping with hot summers and mild, short winters. All the best with it!

@vivhall6198 10 ай бұрын

Queen Esmerelda😊

@Tom-en9tc Жыл бұрын

I'm bee-lighted to see you going on this adventure! Can't wait to see you harvest the first yield of honey

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

LOL...👍

@hollyknowles5936 Жыл бұрын

Good morning, Mark. You are a brave man to become a bee keeper. I respect bees, but they frighten me. Being educated on them may help. Anyway, I was thinking of the name Queen Dot or Queen Tausend (German) for the many eggs she lays per day.😂 Thank you for the gardening tips. I'm grateful to have come across your channel a year ago. Happy bee keeping😅!

@scottroberts5492 Жыл бұрын

Got my first bees at 13 (35 years ago), they are very interesting and neat to keep, hope you enjoy!! Looking forward to watching your adventures with them.

@loupi4bama Жыл бұрын

I have my first jars of harvested honey from the hives on my property. So exciting. You will bee glad you have them. "Honey" is a great name for a queen bee. 🥰

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

"Honey" - simple sweet and I like it :)

@cherylhowker1792 Жыл бұрын

@@SelfsufficientmeI like it and Bella

@poodlepup1 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mark... well done you for going the extra length and having these life giving little ladies in your life... I find that bees are one of mother natures wonders terrific to watch and so much we do not know about.. and the gentleman that was showing you great knowledge and loved his nature around them... ... we humans on this planet do not realise that without these little workers we would not have all the food we do....

@captainreggae99 Жыл бұрын

Life is an adventure full of new experiences and familiar ones. It's such a privilege to share in your joy, to see you taking on another element of self sufficiency. We never stop learning, do we?

@elisabethlee1969 Жыл бұрын

How exciting! I'm researching and learning this year and am planning on getting my apiary started next year. I've joined my local beekeeping association and have been reading lots of books. Thank you for introducing us to your bees. I can't wait to see your adventures with those girls!

@Bush_Edge_Homesteading_Aus Жыл бұрын

We have had our bees for a good decade and they bring so much to the property, with pollination and honey. I hope you come to enjoy them Mark. But its definitely a learning exercise when you get them 😀

@karlleggett110 Жыл бұрын

Good onya Mark… in short time you will realize how great a decision this was.

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

Thanks Karl! I'm sure you are right mate! Cheers :)

@cmappouras Жыл бұрын

Hi Mark, you have created a paradise so be sure that you are giving to your bees and they will give you back too! I am also 1,5 month in beekeeping and i I have become addicted to it!😊

@justineg2121 Жыл бұрын

Relax. You got this. Bees are easy to look after (they’re pretty self-sufficient). Just keep chatting with Peter. You’ll get it. The bees will get to know you and you’ll get to know them. Then, you’ll find yourself chatting with them when you’re in the garden. Queen Bee. Queenie

@kanders7391 Жыл бұрын

Keep a shallow accessible and not slippery water source for the bees to go to for water. The bees from some neighbors hive or wild were always landing and drinking at my concrete bird bath at the house I used to live at, so I would keep fresh clean water in it. They walk to the edge of the water and sip. I’m in California which is a dry area like Australia. If the water source is slippery and steep, they may slip and end up in the water.

@jamskinner Жыл бұрын

California is dry? Maybe parts of it but it is fairly wet by western state standards.

@puggirl415 Жыл бұрын

In my community garden we have bird baths and other water sources with corks floating in them for the bees to land on and sip the water without it being slippery at all.

@ogadlogadl490 Жыл бұрын

Tell those guys to 🐝 careful near the water.

@A_nony_mous Жыл бұрын

The area where Mark is located is sub-tropical, the climate is more like Florida than California although not precisely like either.

@rickysens597 Жыл бұрын

Watching from Saskatchewan, we use a plastic chicken water dispenser.....then add small rocks and stones in the tray so the bees have something to stand on and not fall in and drown

@aussietrek Жыл бұрын

What about “BEEYONCE” the name of your Queen bee.😁

@lelleithmurray235 Жыл бұрын

THE Queen Bee!!

@Golden_SnowFlake Жыл бұрын

I'm glad to see the difference of a beekeeper, and a new beekeeper.

@jasonwelch1449 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations! You will love having bees. I started my first hive last year and just got another one this Spring in the U.S. I find myself setting up a folding chair outside the hive and taking a sit and watching the bees when its been a stressful day; very relaxing. Just to give you some peace of mind, I've only been stung once and that was when I didn't have my suit on and I was doing a hive inspection. Little bugger got me on my arm, I applied a little rosemary oil to it and the pain was gone. Good luck! I can't wait to see your hive progress.

@reader649 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations Mark on getting into beekeeping.👍 That was fascinating. Peter is a wonderful teacher and very knowledgeable and confident around these bees.

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

Thanks Julius! It sure is fascinating and I appreciate the feedback. Peter definitely has a gift for teaching and keeping me calm under pressure lol... Cheers :)

@SD-bf6hk Жыл бұрын

I’m so excited for you to share your experience and the knowledge! Thank you for trying this out!!!

@hairyscary8511 Жыл бұрын

The great thing about you Mark is you don't pretend to bee a know it all so we all learn together👍🏻

@karenvastarelli1789 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on your new bees. I’m thinking Queen Beetrice. Wishing you much honey and even more enjoyment.

@skittlesrainbowprincess Жыл бұрын

As someone with a bee 🐝 allergy I'm glad it's you... Always wanted to help the bees but too afraid to keep em

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

Catch 22! 🤭✌️ I feel for you…and for bees! 🐝 🌸🌷🌸

@skittlesrainbowprincess Жыл бұрын

@Jay Khan thank you but I don't live in an area they like

@andrewthomaswilton3092 Жыл бұрын

Finally got into it a few months ago, Mark! The hive is growing faster than any around me. Pastures, meadows and woods. Killing it!

@nikigores8774 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations Mike for being open and trying out to be a beekeeper! It’s one of the most amazing and enchanting endeavors you’ll ever experience. The bees are both magical and highly intelligent. The more you learn about them, the more addicted you’ll be. They’ll never disappoint so raise your glass and cheer! 🎉🥳🙌🐝🐝🐝

@nikigores8774 Жыл бұрын

Sorry Mark, my error in addressing Mike stands corrected.

@sickcat-nu4ci Жыл бұрын

Haha, ive always thought bees were truly magical and youre the first other person ive ever heard talk about them in the same way. I always thought they were like real life fairies, thats truly how i see them :) Like, think about all the underappreciated value, beauty and wonder bees provide to all life on this planet. Theyre so important!!! Magic little sweethearts!

@A_nony_mous Жыл бұрын

@@nikigores8774 You can edit your original comment without losing it.

@laurawhigham8492 Жыл бұрын

Yeah. Beeatrice was my first choice. But of course, a bee by any other name would bee as sweet 🌸 My best thoughts for her and all her babies. Good luck to you too👍

@18Bees Жыл бұрын

Hey brother I’ve been following you for years. Try a log beehive too 🙏 ❤

@FM-uk8rs Жыл бұрын

That is what i would like , a Kenyan top bar !

@18Bees Жыл бұрын

@@FM-uk8rs haven’t tried that one yet but will.

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support! Little steps at a time, but a log beehive does sound intriguing and something I'd bee into trying. Cheers :)

@Campfire_Bandit Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video! I've been thinking about adding bees to our homestead for a few years now but the learning curve seems so huge, but with this as a guide I might actually 'buzz into it'!

@fishmut Жыл бұрын

Well done Mark , bee keeping is self sufficient, now you will be able to have your own honey as well providing bees for pollinating the flora in the area plus you are helping the bees , they have a very hard time in the wild so caring for them is very fascinating, your adventure has only just started , have fun , I think you will be hooked once you get going and learn more . 👍you tube is your friend as you know lol heaps of bee keeping videos at your disposal bud , bee careful, it’s addictive. 😁

@janet6421 Жыл бұрын

I have 4 hives. I haven't done anything with them since November. They are doing fine and I harvested a few pints of honey earlier today. It takes effort to get maximum honey production but very little to keep them alive and pollinating your garden. Talk to your local beekeeping group and ask them what you need to look out for in your area. And in large friendly letters, "DON'T PANIC" 😀

@shelleygoetchius231 Жыл бұрын

I have tossed he idea of beekeeping around several times. I look forward to more of these videos to either persuade me to get started or to show me its more work than I am willing to put into it. I sure love honey and I use a lot of it. So thanks for taking us on your beekeeping journey!

@edmartin875 10 ай бұрын

Home.produced.honey.is.much,.much.better.than.store.bought.honey...

@cartoon80s90s Жыл бұрын

What a nice surprise. I love bees. I hope you do follow up videos and show us the progress of the hive. As for a name for the queen, consider " Melissanthe ". It is composed of the Greek words for honeybee (melissa) and flower (anthos).

@kittyr6534 Жыл бұрын

Ooh I like that suggestion!

@amypatterson-bocchi2514 Жыл бұрын

Lovely name suggestion, but a bit of a mouthful.

@mannbat Жыл бұрын

Beeanca seems like a fitting name for a queen bee!

@El2ocm Жыл бұрын

I think you could call the queen Bee-yonce!

@nysari_ Жыл бұрын

We'd love to keep hives ourselves someday, so this was a lot of helpful info! Also my queen name suggestion would definitely be Beeatrice

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

G'day Tiffany, another BEEtrice... That's 3 so far! Cheers :)

@Ccal488 Жыл бұрын

You are just the funnest guy, I love your content so much! Such great humor and informative content. ❤

@Lsmith-ly2cm Жыл бұрын

You will do ok with the bees I promise. I have kept bees since about 1985 and still have a few hives. I remember whwn I first started beekeeping years ago I was unsure and a little panicky . I will get better and you will have fun. Enjoy Mark😀Great video thank you.

@mylavenda1 Жыл бұрын

Welcome to bee family Mark! I have 2 hives. The queen's are Beeyonce and Queen Clarice (Princess Diaries). I'm still a new beekeeper but I love it so very much. They are just the sweetest little buzz butts! Have fun!

@sunnysmilessunshine4060 Жыл бұрын

Congrats for stepping out of your comfort zone & giving this a go! Wouldn't surprise me if it becomes a fav. for you. YUMMM, to have your own honey: how cool is that! Looking forward to updates.

@JTull Жыл бұрын

I would really love to see you do a comparison between a traditional hive and a flowhive. I remember when that company first started out and they were seeking crowd funding. Now, look at them. I think it’s a great innovation.

@michaeljoncour4903 Жыл бұрын

no don't do it , hobbyists don't look after their hive properly[mostly] double the problem with flow hive..

@LordFraggle Жыл бұрын

@@michaeljoncour4903 Started with a flow hive 3 years and it's incredible, I have 5 of them now and all bees are happy and healthy. I get some hobby bee keepers don't look after the hives correctly but the same could be said with any bee keeper that doesn't care about their apiary, not exclusive to flowhives

@jaemin33 Жыл бұрын

Well done. I have been keeping bees for a few years now and I love it. It is not that labor intensive to have just a have or two, and you get wonderful benefits from having the bees. Enjoy.

@oz-ska-fest4580 Жыл бұрын

Bee utiful show Mark

@MizuMing Жыл бұрын

If opening this type of beehive is a bit too much work for you or is time-consuming, you could always try a FLOW beehive. You don't even have to open the hive in order to collect the honey from that system. They have tubes which the honey gets fed into and you can immediately drain it into a glass jar, the size of your choosing. ✌️ 18:23 Queen Bee: Hildee

@leigh-annh2544 Жыл бұрын

I’ve got 5 Flow Hives. They help a lot with the harvesting honey, but inspections still have to occur . I sing to my bees in the evening and when I do inspections. It keeps me calm , as it can be scary sometimes. I tell them important stuff about the family and news events. I’m pretty sure they recognise me and on one terrible occasion kept bumping me when I was outdoors. I think they were trying to get me to see that after my inspection the entrance of one hive became closed and bees couldn’t get in or out. A hard lesson as I lost dozens of bees but pay attention if they bump me. Fortunately the hive recovered. Suggestions for names for your Queen Mama….Matilda (Matilda M Darling if you watch her she’ll waltz.)

@jamskinner Жыл бұрын

Flow hives cost too much in my opinion.

@laurab8547 Жыл бұрын

I look forward to watching your bee keeping journey, Mark. As a small homesteader in Texas, USA, I have thought occasionally about learning how to keep a hive. I need pollinators in my garden, and As a side benefit, would love to be able to harvest honey. Even though you had some initial reservations about keeping bees, I am fully confident that you will do a great job learning about your new pastime. Please keep the bee videos coming!

@edmartin875 10 ай бұрын

InTexas.we.have.to.watch.carefully.for.Africanized.bees.with.each.queen.change.unless.you.installed.an.bred.northern.queen...

@fuzzynuggetsbees Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on your bees!! They are addicting, FYI. We started with one and I’m totally hooked and have 13. They are so good for the soul. As for your queen… I’d go with Egglentine as her name.

@evussya Жыл бұрын

Hi Mark. Really glad you ve got bees. You shall notice an increase in your pollinated yields around 20% with these helpers. Just dont register your hive anywhere. Authorities are eradicating bees. They come and birn peoples hives saing there s some kind of infection around and if they dont birn your hives it will spread around. Pretty much what they do with us humans as well. God bless you and your family.

@MrsGisawesome Жыл бұрын

Im very excited to see you taking this next step in self sufficiency. I live in Perth and our garden is very busy with bees - we had something flowering most months of the year and as I walked around or watered I always chatted to them. I guess it was more about being calm but despite frequently brushing past branches and disturbing bees they were never aggressive or bothered by me. I even held off pruning flowering shrubs in winter as it fed them when 'food' scarce. It sounds odd, but you need to visit every day and say 'hello bees!' 🐝

@Not_all_as_it_seems Жыл бұрын

Well done Mark!!! As an ameatur bee keeper myself, tbh, you need to be prepared to lose a hive or two, as you learn how to keep bees. Do the courses, watch the multi media vids & learn up! My best advice for a newbee... learn how to trap swarms, therefore replacement of lost colonies is free!! Good luck! ps... When you get a harvest, DO NOT DESTROY THE WAX COMB!! It is worth more than gold to a keeper. You will learn

@janet6421 Жыл бұрын

Talk to your local beekeeping group. There are different problems that you need to be aware of in different areas. Learn how to do a hive split. I have found this more effective than catching swarms. Bees are very self sufficient so don't worry too much about neglect. As long as you keep out pests, predators, and properly deal with winter, they will bee fine.

@Not_all_as_it_seems 11 ай бұрын

@janet6421 I agree, yet on a budget, catching swarms helps to replace colonies destroyed by Varroa. Maybe not such a rampant issue in Australia, yet they have now turned up. It is only a matter of time. In my country (nz), Varroa is an ever-present issue.

@janet6421 11 ай бұрын

@@Not_all_as_it_seems Dealing with varroa: Dusting your bees with powdered sugar to encourage the bees to remove the mites doesn't work. If you use vaporized oxalic acid, it is more effective to do it at night when all the bees are home. Use a red light (bees can't see red light) If you use white light, they will leave the hive and go to the light. There are plenty of videos on KZfaq

@Kiwi-Monkeh Жыл бұрын

Thumb-bee-lina! Loving your work, Mark! :-)

@theodoredavis-zg1ff Жыл бұрын

Dotsie for the queen name. Very motivating video Mark

@Ed-fs3xq Жыл бұрын

hi Mark. I've been watching you for absolutely years. You're maybe my longest standing subscription - albeit throughout various accounts. Your videos are always entertaining and just a pleasure to watch. You come across as a great guy, and when I finally get a house with a garden I will do my best to put into practice many of the things I've learnt from you. Thanks mate. Good on ya!

@Selfsufficientme Жыл бұрын

G'day Ed, and thanks for your longtime support! All the best when you get a house and garden, but consider growing a few things in containers (if you aren't already). Cheers :)

@shelviah Жыл бұрын

I call all of my queens Little Mama. We had five hives last year and four of those queens swarmed, so now we have nine hives 😅 And that’s how it goes with bee math!

@leigh-annh2544 Жыл бұрын

Oh dear, mine are swarmy . When I got to 5 hives I replaced a couple of queens.

@sandyhobbs6139 Жыл бұрын

Congratulations, Mark! You'll love your bees. Have you heard of Flow Hive? Much easier and less time consuming to harvest the honey.

@johnnymerchant Жыл бұрын

This is honestly one of the most educational beekeeping videos out there. Thank you.

@David-mi7jm Жыл бұрын

A veritable hum-dinger of an episode, Mark! For your queen's name, how about Beelzebub?

@evak6162 Жыл бұрын

Since I have a high allergic reaction to bee stings, I can't keep them but I'm super happy that you are giving it a go. Suggestion for the queen's name "ThumBEElina" :) Cheers from Maryland, USA!

@Gamingcommunity69 3 ай бұрын

you can still keep bees in australia we havd nativd stingless bees! check them out

@MD-bl5dp Жыл бұрын

Hey Mark. Love your content. I think Honey would be a great name for the queen! Cheers 🍻

@JoesphEKerr Жыл бұрын

I heard the smile in your voice when you saw the eggs. You're a beekeeper now! Never Give Up, Never Surrender!!!

@michellesvensson2772 Жыл бұрын

PG, Patriot Gallery here. I lost my channel. I'm using my daughters. She has been keeping bees for about 8 years. It helped her to join a bee group. Each year you learn more. You make mistakes. A harsh winter here in Ohio means she usually will lose a hive or 2. This year we had an above-average temperature so she kept 4 hives through the winter, someone gave her a hive. A hive swarmed away, but 2 more emerge so she is at 7 and has sold 2 to a friend. You are doing a great thing after the government murdered millions and millions of bees in Australia!

@DragonflyenAmber Жыл бұрын

That's so cool that you got bees. I've been wanting to do this as well, our little bee friends need us just as much as we need them. I'm sure you will do well at this, it just takes a bit of practice and getting used to them.

@arcticstorm9957 7 ай бұрын

My grandparent's neighbors got a beehive last winter and this year my grandparents had a bumper crop of apples, Italian prunes, and raspberries. It's pretty amazing because the prune tree split vertically down the middle a few years ago and what's left of it is held up only by a plank of wood and a rope tying it to the apple tree.

@jimanon5681 Жыл бұрын

Good job Mark diving into the bee world. I think you should name the queen "Beetrice". Please keep us updated with your hive. Good luck from Florida

@JustAddMoreButter Жыл бұрын

Great video Mark!! If later on down the road you decide you want a more hands free beehive, consider looking into getting a "Flow Hive". It's a great beginner way to start bee keeping. 🍯

@joatmofa0405 Жыл бұрын

I've BEEn considering Flow Hive for some time now - perhaps now is the time.

@mtate02 Жыл бұрын

I heard there is a problem if the honey "candy's" in the frame. Difficult to clean/fix

@JustAddMoreButter Жыл бұрын

@@mtate02 That's interesting, I wonder if that has to do with weather/location. I can see that happening in colder climates, perhaps. I honestly don't know myself. I haven't taken the honey bee plunge myself, but I've really wanted to! I think a flow hive would BEE a great way to get my feet wet, at the very least. We'll have to see.

@JustAddMoreButter Жыл бұрын

@@joatmofa0405 Me too, but haven't pulled the trigger. I don't really know what I'm waiting for, lol to BEE honest.

@honey-bee-farmstead Жыл бұрын

Hahahahahaa my first hive inspection had my suit infiltrated by bees and stinging me all over the face and neck 😅 some european bees 🐝 can be savage 😂

@honey-bee-farmstead Жыл бұрын

ALSO biggest bonus is that your place and neighbours place, gardens will be amazing and prolific. All my neighbours loved that my bees did that to their gardens ❤

@gardengatesopen Жыл бұрын

Well, THAT just sounds horrific!! I give you big points for continuing your Bee efforts. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

@honey-bee-farmstead Жыл бұрын

@@gardengatesopen yeah it was pretty uncomfortable but I'm lucky I didn't even really swell up, I just adore bees and will always do what I can to try and ensure they thrive

@tylerm0089 11 ай бұрын

Mark is always getting more self-sufficient! You are a huge inspiration to me in middle of USA. Amazing garden and knowledge/ information to share with us. Thankyou!

@scottfortune9016 Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you finally got bees mark. I'm one that's told you several times you should get them. Not really just for pollination, but for the honey as well. Self sufficiency and honey go hand in hand. It's so expensive to buy, so you might add well have a hive. You only have to check them every few weeks once they're established. And some maintenance in the fall and spring to be sure they get thru winter well, and to be sure they don't swarm in the spring.

@Miluielle Жыл бұрын

So inspiring and informative! The husband and I went to a beekeeping course a couple of years back and sadly learnt a whole lot less than what this video showed (we spent 80 percent of the day with them talking about legislation and burning bees to death because of disease and the last ten minutes at the actual hive watching from a distance as a group) It put it us off to be frank, I'll be interested to see how you go - we both watched the video and we might reconsider it.

@kiqueenbees Жыл бұрын

Just remember, PHEB. Pollen, Honey,Eggs,Brood. That is what you look for.

@kturkey6273 Жыл бұрын

You should totally name the queen bee something punny: bee-atrice, bee-yonce, bee-atrix, bee-gonia, cardi-bee ❤😂

@justineg2121 Жыл бұрын

Oooh, and then you’ll be researching what flowers to grow to affect the Honey they make. Different flowers have different benefits, as well as changes in the taste of the honey. You’re gonna love your bees.

@TheTwistedTraceur 10 ай бұрын

idk why but that smile after you always say lets ... get into it. its always such a heart warming smile, its a smile giving comforting energy. always love your videos marc, you taught me some great tips

@cassiaspice Жыл бұрын

a name or your Queen...... Queen Beelizabeth 1st

@shanebep3135 Жыл бұрын

Her name is Betty🐝🖤🤎🖤🤎🖤🤎🖤🤎🖤🤍

@dimensionsofearth Жыл бұрын

BEE'n there, done that. I had bees for about 8 years, an absolutely great experience. You will have a blast

@dennisolive4741 Жыл бұрын

After a while if you stay calm, you don't need to wear that suit.A good idea is not drink too much coffee before you work with them, I-got stung between the eyes and my heart starting beating so fast I had to lay down and relax to slow it down.Always work from the side, never block the front. I raised them in the States and had to partially block the front the front to keep out mice and warmer in the winter months. Once I had a bear attack the hive and he knocked it down, which killed the Queen and the hive died. Some people build a bear proof fence around them that the bees can go through but no bears. Since it doesn't get cold where you are is nice. I was near the Canadian border and jad to make sure to leave them at least one box full of honey. Some people have a special box on top where can add sugar to supplement them until the flowers grow. Good luck

@branco4979 Жыл бұрын

Queen Beeyoncé

@johnlord8337 Жыл бұрын

Biggest story first - don't be running your lawn mower or riding mower or weed whacker or leaf blower near their hives - otherwise the (female) flying guards will be in your face jiffy quick !!! So put on your bee suit if you do that - to keep yourself protected.

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

@John…🤭✌️🐝 Yep… and don’t stop, drop and roll…😬🤭

@kathrynbillinghurst188 Жыл бұрын

Years ago I heard about Orange Oil and Pine Oil in repelling termites, but everyone looked at me as though I’d cracked!! 😮Thank goodness, you know … and said it! p.s… makes me want to watch Hoppity Goes to Town again! 🍯🐝🌾🦗🤭

@holzfallen1113 10 ай бұрын

such a brother. I love how how you aussies interact in a bantery manner but without stress.

@user-nc1kg5co2t Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the interesting video. I was on the edge of my seat watching you learning how to handle the inspection. You are a brave soul! My vote for naming the queen is Dottie. Thanks for all you do.

@realxistic Жыл бұрын

I bee-lieve Mark's picked up a fantastic self sufficient project. Much luck to you on this new journey! And much appreciate your honesty and you sharing your true feelings. Super humbling. 🤞🏾✨