Want to start beekeeping?

Please read this before you start.

 Many people who want to start beekeeping always look towards obtaining honey first.  Beekeeping is the practice of looking after bees in order to achieve pollination, or to obtain honey and other products of the hive. Some people even breed bees for sale to others. Of course bees know how to take care of themselves and will give honey at the end of the season, but in order to get the most honey there are some factors which are important to note.

Before you install your first hive, you must consider the following:

1.       Location of the apiary

-          Source of nectar

Bees need nectar from flowers to produce store. A lot of flowers with nectar ensure more honey to be produced by bees. Fruit trees are good sources of nectar for bees. Farm crops which benefit from bees include cucumbers, melons and eggplant.

-          Distance from the public

Bees don’t want a noisy environment and too much noise may trigger the bees to sting. Therefore consider keeping bees at some distance from the public places. Or maybe install hives on top of a building.

-          Accessibility

Your bees should be accessible because you must visit them at any point for supervision or during honey harvesting.

-          Temperature

Bees like a regulated temperature. A shady place with a good breeze is ideal. Colonies in hives installed in swamps face a challenge of dampness in their hive.  Colonies installed in direct sun may find a problem of too much heat which could cause wax and propolis to melt.

-          Neighborhood

Before establishing an apiary, in an area with a neighboring homestead, it is wise to consult them before establishing the apiary. Bees can attack them one day or the bees can go to their water points and inconvenience them. The children should be warned never to play with the bees. You may consider putting a fence around your bees.

-          Local council laws

What does the local council laws in the area you want to establish your apiary say about beekeeping? Does it allow beekeeping in the area?

2.       Time available

-          Bees require your time to inspect them for diseases and pests. To align the combs in case they are building them wrongly. To see if the queen is present and active (laying eggs.) This is easily done once every 4-6 weeks, depending on what the conditions are (honey flow, drought, etc.)

3.       Source knowledge

-          Beekeepers in the locality

See if there are other beekeepers in the area you wish to start beekeeping. Experienced and successful beekeepers will let you visit and you will get guidance, knowledge and skills. Talk to them and make them your friends because you will need them in the due course. Make sure you share your progress with these beekeepers for more advice and guidance.

-          Attend beekeeping trainings and seminars

Attend beekeeping trainings to acquire more knowledge and such ideas and experience.

-          Join  beekeeping clubs and associations

This helps you to get access to various beekeepers, talk to them, and share a lot. As a member, you can access free services available in the club such as equipments (honey extractor).

-          Use the Internet

There are chat rooms, forums, videos and more that you can access.

4.       Obtain the required equipments

-          Smoker

-          Bee suit

-          Hive tool

-          Bucket (airtight)

5.       Consider getting a friend involved

-          Gives confidence while working with bees

-          Helps on carrying equipments or a hive

-          Helps on pumping the smoker

Now you are truly ready to get a hive! Good Luck!