Spring buildup is one of the most exciting times in the apiary—but it can also bring some of the biggest decisions, especially for new beekeepers.
PerfectBee on YouTube: Inside the Lyson RAPID Hive
If you missed it last week, we released a detailed look at the Lyson RAPID Hive system—and it’s worth a watch.
This video gives you a close-up view of the hive’s components, design, and what sets it apart from traditional setups.
If you’re considering new equipment or just curious about innovative hive systems, this is a great way to see it in action before making a decision.
Seasonal Beekeeping Tip: First-Year Focus—Setting Your Colony Up for Survivals
One of the most important (and sometimes surprising) lessons for new beekeepers is this:
In your first year, you have two choices – harvesting honey or increasing your colony’s chances of surviving winter.
Why? Because everything starts with comb.
Before your bees can store surplus honey, they first need to build out their home—drawing wax comb across frames for brood rearing and food storage. This process takes a tremendous amount of energy, fueled by the nectar (or sugar syrup) they collect.
Every bit of energy your bees use to produce wax and raise brood is energy that isn’t being stored as reserves for the colder months ahead.
For first-year colonies, the real goal is building a strong, sustainable foundation:
- Growing a healthy population
- Drawing out comb across frames
- Establishing adequate food reserves for winter
Because of this, most new beekeepers won’t usually harvest honey in their first season—and that’s not a setback. It’s often what gives a young colony the best chance to survive its first winter.
Harvesting too early or too aggressively can reduce the resources your bees need, potentially putting the entire colony at risk.
Instead of focusing on honey, focus on supporting your colony’s long-term success:
- Provide consistent feeding when natural forage is limited (especially while comb is still being drawn)
- Make sure your bees have room to expand as they build
- Perform regular inspections to track progress and colony health
Feeding tools like entrance or hive-top feeders can make it easier to support your bees during this critical stage, especially before they’ve built out enough comb to store incoming resources efficiently.
A strong, well-prepared colony going into winter sets the stage for both survival and a productive honey harvest in seasons to come—and that’s a win worth working toward.
Ana’s Journey to Beekeeping
From Bolivia to Bees continues this week with a reflective and inspiring chapter:
A First Season of Hive Treatments
What happens when a new beekeeper takes a more natural, hands-on approach to hive health?
In this week’s blog, Ana shares her first season experimenting with hive treatments—balancing simplicity, curiosity, and a desire to support her bees in a more natural way.
From essential oil sprays and feeding mixes to small hive beetle traps and Varroa treatments like Apiguard, she walks through what she tried, what worked, and what she learned along the way.
It’s an honest, thoughtful look at:
- Natural vs. conventional hive treatments
- Using essential oils in the apiary
- Managing pests like Varroa mites and small hive beetles
- Why experimenting is part of becoming a better beekeeper
First-Year Beekeeping Lessons & Varroa Control
From Our Team: Follow Brittany’s Beekeeping Journey
Want a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to learn beekeeping from day one?
One of our own team members, Brittany, has been documenting her journey—from installing her very first package in April 2025 to successfully managing swarming, overwintering with 100% survival, and stepping into her second season in 2026.
It’s a real, relatable look at the wins, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
If you’d like a glimpse into the beekeeping journey of someone right here at PerfectBee, we’d love for you to follow along.
Brittany’s Botanical Bling – YouTube
Every beekeeper starts somewhere—and the first year is where the foundation is built.
The time and care you invest now in growing strong, healthy colonies will pay off in ways that go far beyond a single season’s honey harvest.
Keep observing, keep learning, and trust the process.
We’re glad to be part of your beekeeping journey.
Until next time,
The PerfectBee Team
