Beekeeping Information: A Brief Overview
Even if you have an interest in bees, you may not realize that there is a great deal of beekeeping information on the Internet and in books. With the concern about the decreasing number of bees for pollination purposes, any encouragement that can be engendered toward raising the number of available hives is beneficial for agriculture. You may want to start with just one hive, or you may be hoping to start a new business with several hives. Here are some of the facts you will need to consider before setting up your first hive.
The most important preparation that you can make is to learn everything possible about beekeeping. You can read books, talk to local beekeepers or check out the many Internet locations. Some of the things you should find out include the right type of hives construction, which bees to use, where to find your bees and when to start.
Basically there are three ways to start a colony. You can purchase an established colony with equipment from a nearby beekeeper; you can buy the equipment and get a minimum of three frames installed by a local beekeeper. The third method is to purchase a three-pound bee package from a southern producer. This package must include a queen. A beginner should probably stick with method number one. You could also get some practice by helping a neighboring beekeeper for a full season.
Bees can be maintained nearly anywhere you can place a hive. You don’t have to place a hive where there are flowers. They could even be placed on a city rooftop, since bees will travel for miles to find the food they require. If possible, keep these things in mind when you choose a position. You should be able to access the hives easily. Make sure there is good drainage with water nearby. Provide a windbreak and face the hive to the southeast. The hive should be level from one side to the other, but slightly lower in front than in the back.
The hive itself is fairly standardized today. The frames should be removable so that you don’t destroy the combs during harvest. In most cases, a healthy hive properly placed will not need a lot of intervention from you. The best way to help your colonies is to take classes, participate in field trips and work with an experienced beekeeper to learn more about the subject.
Protective equipment and clothing is something that you should study. Gloves and a veil should be a minimum. Unless you are one of the individuals who is seriously allergic to bee stings, this will probably be enough to protect you. As you become familiar with the temperament of your personal colony, you will have a better understanding of when to work with the hive and colony.
Part of the interest of a colony is the harvest. You may not get much the first year, but even a small about of local honey will far surpass bottled and processed honey. You can use the harvest personally, give gifts to friends and family or sell honey and related products to others.
Beekeeping information is constantly expanding as the study of bees is more detailed. Because much of the information is readily available, you can learn and grow with the industry. Whether you consider beekeeping as a hobby or want to earn a living from your hives, you can enjoy sharing the harvest with others.
This Strange Little Beekeeping Hobby!
Many people worldwide who are fascinated with bees enjoy their beekeeping hobby. Keeping bees has many benefits besides enjoying your own freshly harvested honey. You can also collect the beeswax and pollen. Beekeeping also helps to pollinate your garden. For quite a few who begin maintaining a bee colony, their hobby eventually grows into a business. Many families enjoy the educational aspects of beekeeping and sharing their bounty with their family and friends.
The history of the beekeeping hobby dates back to antiquity. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of beekeeping in ancient Israel, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Europeans began to scientifically study bees in the 18th century. Artificial hives used to provide an enclosure for domesticated bees have evolved over time. Early beekeepers used hollowed out logs, wooden boxes, mud and clay vessels and straw fashioned into a hive, as the some of the earliest forms of hives. Bees would create their honey comb within these hollow structures. Today there are a variety of modern hive options and the Langstrom is a common choice.
Bees make honey from flower nectar that they use for food. They store the honey in the combs in their hives. Generally, honey harvesting is done in the late fall when the combs are full. The spring is also a good time to harvest the honey after the bees have wintered and are ready to replenish the supply. Honey is ready to be harvested when the bees have covered the frame in the hive with wax. A beekeeping hobby is always an adventure but harvesting the honey is looked forward to all year long by beekeepers.
Those who have adopted a beekeeping hobby are rewarded at harvest time with warm fresh honey that is loaded with health benefits. Those who suffer from allergies have reported much relief from eating locally harvested honey. In theory, if you eat locally harvested honey that was created from pollen in your area, then your body will build up defenses against that pollen, which in turn will lessen the severity your pollen allergy. Honey is also used for a variety of health and beauty benefits, including treating wounds such as burns. Additionally, you will find honey in numerous beauty treatments from soaps to shampoos and face masks to hand lotions. Beekeeping is truly a rewarding and enjoyable adventure and one that, in time, could also lead to a profitable business venture.
