Welcome to Part Two of our Bee-Tastic Series! If your love of bees has extended to beekeeping, check out a few amateur tips for maintaining a colony of the little black and yellow insects:
Check With Local Ordinances
Before doing anything else, check with your local ordinances to ensure beekeeping is legal in your area, and where to set up your hive. An ideal spot is one that’s sunny and not near lawn furniture or similar objects. Erecting a protective barrier is also a good idea, as it protects the bees from wind and encourages them to fly upward when it’s time to buzz off. For best results, use fencing or shrubbery that’s at least six feet high. It’s also recommended that you chat with your neighbors about your plans, if applicable, in case any are allergic to bees.
Purchase the Necessary Equipment
Conventional hive set-up includes frames, supers, a bottom board, hive body, queen, feeder, inner and outer covers, smoker and protective clothing. You can opt to build your own hive, or have an experienced individual build the hive for you after you purchase the needed equipment. The general rule is the queen’s cage is placed with the rest of the hive, but kept sealed with sugar syrup. The other bees eat away at this sugar, eventually freeing the queen. This gives the bees time to become used to her scent before working with her directly. The sugar syrup is also poured into the feeder for the bee’s nourishment.
Provide Water
Bees need water just like any other creature, so be sure to provide a water source near the hive. A small water garden featuring a dripping faucet is ideal, and will keep the bees out of the neighbor’s pools and bird baths. Place the water feature about 20 feet away from the hive, as bees generally like to fly a bit to find their water.
Prepare to Get Stung
One of the unfortunate aspects of beekeeping is getting stung. As long as you aren’t allergic and wear the right clothing, you should be in good shape.
When to Start
The best time to start a hive is in the spring, as bee colonies started in the later summer or early fall will probably not survive the winter.
Harvest the Honey
The easiest way for beginners to harvest honey is simply to cut the combs from the frames and wrap them in plastic, or place them in sterilized jars.
Keep these tips in mind and enjoy producing your own honey!
Do you have experience with beekeeping? Share your tips below!
