Not That Bryan

Why I Now Face My Beehives North (And What Went Wrong Before) Hive placement seems simple at first. Pick a spot, face the entrance, and let the bees do their thing. But the direction your hive faces can have a much bigger impact than most new beekeepers expect. This is one of those lessons that only really sinks in after things go wrong. Watch What Happened When I Changed Hive Direction ▶ See this video about why hive direction and sun exposure matter for beekeeping For more content beyond beekeeping, including leadership and real world thinking: https://linktr.ee/thelongwayforward Why Hive Orientation Matters The direction your hive faces affects more than just where the bees fly in and out. It influences: Temperature inside the hive Early morning activity levels Foraging efficiency throughout the day Overall colony strength and development In cooler climates, these factors become even more important. Small differences in warmth and sunlight ca...

No Eggs. No Brood. Is This Hive Queenless? This hive has always been one of the strongest. Heavy, active, full of energy. The kind of colony that gives you confidence before you even open it. But this inspection takes a turn very quickly. At first, everything looks normal. Bees are flying hard. Nectar and pollen are coming in. Honey stores are building. Then the brood box tells a completely different story. Watch What Happened Inside This Hive ▶ See this video about identifying a queenless hive with no eggs or brood For more content beyond beekeeping, including leadership and real world thinking: https://linktr.ee/thelongwayforward The First Warning Signs As soon as the brood frames are checked, something feels off. There are signs of activity: Drone brood present Nectar and pollen stores building Strong population throughout the hive But what is missing stands out immediately. No fresh eggs No larvae No capped worker brood For a hive of ...

Full Summer Hive Inspection – What the Bees Are Really Telling You What are your bees actually telling you when you open the hive? During summer, everything speeds up. Nectar flow increases, populations grow, and the hive can shift quickly from stable to under pressure. This inspection slows things down and looks at the hive frame by frame, focusing on what is really happening inside rather than rushing through the process. Watch the Full Frame by Frame Inspection ▶ See this video about a full summer hive inspection frame by frame For more content beyond beekeeping, including leadership and real world thinking: https://linktr.ee/thelongwayforward Why Summer Inspections Matter More Summer is when hives are at their most active. Colonies expand rapidly, nectar flow can peak, and small changes inside the hive can quickly turn into larger issues if left unchecked. Regular inspections during this period help you stay ahead of: Overcrowding inside the hive R...

This Hive Might Be About to Swarm… Here’s What I Found Inside How do you know when a hive is about to swarm? It is one of the biggest questions in beekeeping, especially during the warmer months when colonies can grow quickly and change direction almost overnight. This inspection takes place straight after removing insulation from the hive in the previous episode. What we find inside raises some important questions about space, pressure, and whether this colony is getting ready to split. Watch the Full Hive Inspection ▶ See this video about how to spot swarm signs during a full hive inspection For more content beyond beekeeping, including leadership and real world thinking: https://linktr.ee/thelongwayforward Why Swarming Happens So Quickly Swarming is not random. It is a natural response to pressure inside the hive. When conditions are right, strong colonies can move from stable to swarm ready very quickly. Key triggers include: Rapid population growth...