How to Get Started With Beekeeping

This article is intended for people new to beekeeping and is just getting started on their fascinating journey. Beekeeping isn’t usually something you will naturally take up as a hobby. In all likelihood, your affair with bees will be something different, and only a few of such people will end up with their hives. If you are one of those persons in any step before you have a beehive, this article is for you. These essential steps you need to follow to get started on your beekeeper journey. They are as follows:

Step #1- Pay A Visit To A Beekeeper.

Suppose you are even remotely serious about beekeeping. In that case, the very first thing you need to do is to visit a local beekeeper. Nothing is quite useful to give you a feel of what the practice entails, like wearing bee suits and having a close encounter with a beehive. Remember, not all bees produce honey. Some, like mason bees, have an aesthetic quality besides helping the pollination of fruits and nuts. If you want to keep them, you would need mason bee houses. It would help you a lot to have a comprehensive conversation with the beekeeper you are visiting. Discuss things like how much effort you need to put into it in terms of time and money. Also, of course, ask about what you get in return. Beekeepers, by the nature of their hobby or work, are collaborative and social people. This characteristic is because bee diseases spread fast from hive to hive. If any hive owner is irresponsible, it will affect all the beehives in the local region. There are many alternatives to beekeepers also if you want to know more about it. They include unforgettable experience and mentorship programs offered by beekeeping groups. Other options include public firms, cultural institutions, and schools that host hives open for the general public.

Step #2- Research Beekeeping Thoroughly

The second essential thing to do is to gain a thorough understanding of beekeeping and what it entails. Becoming a Beekeeper can be achieved by reading a good book on the topic. As a novice, you want a book that presents beekeeping in a straightforward and easily understandable manner. One book that stands out is “Future Farmers of America Guide to Beginning Beekeeping brought.” It gives you a solid foundation on the subject, and it serves as a valuable guide for beginners. You can find a suitable book for you at your local library. There are plenty of online resources available as well in the form of websites and online newsletters. You will also find plenty of titles dedicated to beekeeping on Kindle.

Step #3- Enroll For A Beekeeping Class

Books and part-time mentors can only do so much. Taking physical or online beekeeping classes with an experienced beekeeper is a great way to learn about beekeeping. When there are a dozen or so participants in the study each wanting to know, the collective discussion is far more informative. If you do decide to take beekeeping classes, make sure that the instructor knows his stuff thoroughly. And never hesitate to get your queries resolved!

Step #4- Set Up Your Yard For A Beehive

You want the beehive to be shielded from the wind and exposed to the southern sun. Choose the hive location in your yard according to these parameters. Make sure that there are no people, especially kids, in the vicinity. Weather assumes greater importance for beekeepers in urban areas. To protect bees from the most likely predator- the bear, you need to fence your hive. Solar-powered electric fences are best suited to achieve this.

Step #5- Get Your Hive.

You can source your first beehive from the nearest beekeeping supply store. Such stores have a beginner’s package that usually comes bundled with a few beekeeping classes as well. In case there are no such stores in your area, search online for such beekeeping supply companies. You would also need the following equipment: bee suits, parts of the hive, and finally the bees themselves.

Step #6 Keep In Touch With Local Beekeepers

The community surrounding beekeepers is a particularly strong one, especially in the United States. In contrast to gardeners, who usually work in isolation except for the occasional visit to the farmer’s market, beekeepers deliberately stay together to enhance their learning. When you join one such association, you get an opportunity to meet beekeeping novices and experts alike. 

After you have followed the sex steps mentioned in this article, it is time for you to take charge of your beekeeping responsibilities. You are now responsible for the thousand of tiny beings living inside your beehive. Remember to inspect them regularly and ensure that the queen is fit and fair. Ensure all the bees have enough room to move and work and the resources they need to go about their daily tasks. While you approach your beehive, honor the fact that it is their world and that you are a well-meaning outsider at the end of the day.