The Art Of Beekeeping
Learn The Art Of Beekeeping
Ever thought about beekeeping?
Learn the essentials of beekeeping
Bee populations are in decline in many parts of the world.
You could be part of the solution!
Many people are turning to beekeeping as a hobby, and the world is in dire need of more bees. Our food supply , flowers and fruit , are dependent on bees . The physical environment as we know it could all change without bees and pollination.
Imagine the garden without familiar splashes of colour, the meadows without flowers. Imagine depleted crops without sufficient bees to complete the pollination.
Do you know how to handle bees, do you have an interest in keeping your own hive and collecting your own honey? Perhaps beekeeping is the hobby for you. Play a part in helping to create healthy bee colonies, and enjoy the benefits of your own home produced honey! Being a backyard beekeeper is becoming increasingly popular as a way to reconnect with nature.
While beekeeping is increasingly popular, it is not a hobby to be taken lightly. Whether you are going to be a hobby beekeeper, or backyard beekeeper, or whether you want to turn beekeeping into a business, you will have to properly equip yourself with appropriate clothing and hives. Correct procedures and techniques need to be learned to make beekeeping a hobby to be enjoyed without fear.
Supers (the hive boxes) are created in pieces and require hours of assembly spent gluing and nailing boxes together. Equipment is also incredibly expensive, and insurance is needed for shipping. The most important cost you must be willing to pay is your time. The hive will require hours of attention and it cannot be left on its own, rather requiring care and the recording of all observations and events. Additionally, the bees’ survival is dependent on medicines and treatments being applied in a timely fashion, and also on regular inspections.
Choosing the location of your apiary site is vital to the success of your honeybee colonies as it affects all aspects of their health and productivity. The site will affect both the honey production and the amount of time you will need to spend to keep your colonies healthy. To begin with, the hives should be at least 3 feet apart, be easy for you to access, and have partial shade. The hives need adequate air flow, and should preferably face south east to ensure proper ventilation for the hives. Inadequate air flow will increase the bees’ tendency to swarm in hot weather, and result in damp and sick colonies in cold weather. Essential for the bees is a foraging area within 2 miles of the hive. Flowering plants or crops, preferably ones which aren’t regularly sprayed with pesticides located within 2 miles will ensure a productive hive. Additionally, ensure you place your hive on stable ground which isn’t plagued by floods or heavy runoff. A vulnerable site is sure to cause you grief and endanger your bees. Finally, ensure that the path between the bees and their foraging sites does not cross any playground or public pathway which could endanger or cause undue stress to your neighbors.
Once you have chosen your site, the next step is to buy your equipment, food supplements as well as medicines and treatments. From there you are ready to order your bees and install the hive in the apiary. Beekeeping is incredibly popular, with classes, tutorials and books available to help one learn about honeybees and the art of keeping a hive. There are also several bee keeping journals such as American Bee Journal and Bee Culture Magazine. Additionally, there are several online blogs which can give you all good information . Ensuring you have a good knowledge of beekeeping, as well as the stresses and problems honey bees face is equally as important as having the bees. It is important to remember that hives are a fragile system and even if you do all that you can to care for your bees, it is always possible they will die. However, arming yourself with the right equipment, knowledge and attitude will ensure you get the best result possible.
