easy beekeeping » Beekeeping For Beginners http://easybeekeeping.net Learn to be a beekeeper Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:47:41 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Joy of Learning How to Keep Bees – 5 Reasons For Learning How to Keep Bees http://easybeekeeping.net/the-joy-of-learning-how-to-keep-bees-5-reasons-for-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php http://easybeekeeping.net/the-joy-of-learning-how-to-keep-bees-5-reasons-for-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:13:18 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/the-joy-of-learning-how-to-keep-bees-5-reasons-for-learning-how-to-keep-bees Of all pastimes, learning how to keep bees has to be one of the most satisfying. The process of honeybees collecting nectar, reducing its water content and converting it into honey is one of nature’s miracles. As a beekeeper you can be a part of this process and have a ready supply of delicious honey. Even with just a single hive it is likely that you will produce more than you need and will be able to supplement your income by selling your surplus to friends, family and neighbors. There are plenty of reasons for keeping bees, but here are my top 5.

There are many more reasons of course, but I hope that these have given you some inspiration to think about learning how to keep bees.

Before embarking on beekeeping you should ensure you have all relevant information. To find out more about bee keeping, visit How to Keep Bees. Get more information about beekeeping for beginners at The Beekeeper.
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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/the-joy-of-learning-how-to-keep-bees-5-reasons-for-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php/feed 0 How to Keep Bees – A Short Guide to Beekeeping http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-a-short-guide-to-beekeeping.php http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-a-short-guide-to-beekeeping.php#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:49:44 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-a-short-guide-to-beekeeping Beekeeping is becoming an increasingly popular pastime, but to those new to this hobby it may feel a little daunting at first. This short guide to how to keep bees looks at the basics of beekeeping and aims to give you an idea as to what you will need to do to ensure that your bees remain healthy and productive.

Before you obtain your bees you will need to make some necessary preparations, so you will need to make sure that you have all the necessary equipment. Your most obvious piece of beekeeping equipment is the bee hive. There are many different types available, but whatever type you choose it is better to ensure that you choose one and keep with it. The reason for this is that at some stage it is likely you will want to extend your beekeeping to more than one hive you will need to be able to interchange the various parts.

The other main items of beekeeping equipment that you will require are the beekeeping suit, gloves and a smoker. If you are buying the suit second hand you should ensure that you check it thoroughly to ensure that there are no gaps for the bees to get into. There are a number of different smokers available with a range of prices. However, you will find that the cheaper ones dent and corrode easily so will probably only last you one season. If you pay more you will find that they will last you longer.

A frequent question amongst those looking to learn how to keep bees is where to obtain your honeybees from. Your main option for this is to obtain them from a specialist supplier who can send them by mail order in a small nucleus hive. Alternatively, you could see if there is a local beekeeping association in your area who may have a member who could supply you will a small starter colony.

Once you are set up it is case of regular maintenance. You should check your beehive regularly for signs of damage, particularly during the winter months. Any broken or rotten boards should be replaced if possible. If this is not feasible then you should fill gaps with a weatherproof filler.

You should check your bees regularly for signs of mites and treat them as soon as any signs are detected. You should also check for any signs of swarming and take steps to prevent this. The key issue for swarming is space; if your bee colony runs out of space then they will swarm in a bid to find a new home. One factor in ensuring that they have sufficient space is regular honey collection.

Before embarking on beekeeping you should ensure you have all relevant information. To find out more about choosing and maintaining your bee hive visit How to Keep Bees. Get more information about beekeeping for beginners at The Beekeeper.
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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-a-short-guide-to-beekeeping.php/feed 0 Beekeeping For Beginners – Learning How to Keep Bees http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:18:54 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners-learning-how-to-keep-bees Learning how to keep bees may feel a little daunting at first to the uninitiated. In fact it is easier than you might think and it is just as possible in urban areas as it is rural areas. It does not take a great deal of work either – it is more a matter of regular maintenance in order to prevent possible problems.Your first consideration is your beehive. There are many different types available, but the most commonly used around the world is the Langstroth. Different beekeepers have different preferences, but the most important thing is to ensure that you decide on which hive to use and stick to it. The reason for this is that if you have more than one hive you need to be able interchange the parts between your hives.Another consideration in learning how to keep bees is when to start and to introduce bees to your beehive. There is no fixed time to do this, but it is generally accepted that the best time of year is early spring when the bees will just be starting to becoming more active and foraging for nectar.Your routine as a beekeeper will largely be determined by the seasons. In the spring and summer you will need to be checking for mites, preventing swarms and collecting your honey. It is important to collect honey regularly to ensure that the bees do not use up all their space in the hive as this can lead to swarming.During the winter months your main tasks will be concerned with inspecting the hive ensuring that it is in good condition and that the entrances are free of blockages. You will need to provide your bees with food over the winter months.As you can see learning how to keep bees is something that everyone can do regardless of your living circumstances. More and more people are discovering the joys of beekeeping and having a ready supply of sweet honey for themselves or to sell for a profit!

Before embarking on beekeeping you should ensure you have all relevant information. To find out more about choosing and maintaining your bee hive visit How to Keep Bees. Get more information about how to keep bees at The Beekeeper.

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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners-learning-how-to-keep-bees.php/feed 0 How to Keep Bees – How the Seasons Affect Beekeepers http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-how-the-seasons-affect-beekeepers.php http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-how-the-seasons-affect-beekeepers.php#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:09:52 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-how-the-seasons-affect-beekeepers In learning how to keep bees you will find that your planning and your activity is ruled by the seasons. Beekeeping is a wonderful pastime through which you can help to boost the declining honeybee population, not to mention have a ready and plentiful supply of honey. If you manage to produce more honey than you need (which you most certainly will) then you could make a little extra money selling it to friends and neighbors.

Although there is no real set time to start, the best time to begin your beekeeping project is the winter. This is really the planning and preparation period. So during this time you will need to purchase your equipment; principally the bee suit, hive and smoker. You should also think about where you are going to site your bee hive, ideally this should be in a relatively sheltered position facing away from the prevailing wind.

Although not essential, the best time to obtain your bees is early spring so as to make sure that your colony is well established by the time they are collecting nectar and producing honey. You can obtain a starter colony by mail order from specialist suppliers or contact your local beekeeping association who may have a member who has a queen and small colony to spare. It is possible to collect a passing swarm of honey bees, but this is really not recommended for beginners.

During the summer, your bees will be busy collecting nectar, producing honey and reproducing. Your main tasks are to check your bees to make sure that they are free of mites and to make sure that they have plenty of space. The issue of space is important as if they start to run out of room then this will trigger the queen to initiate swarming – essentially this is a case of the bee colony leaving their hive in a bid to find more roomy accommodation. You obviously want to avoid this as this will mean you no longer have any bees. Not only this, but your neighbors might find it a little disturbing to find a swarm of honey bees in the back yard!

Late summer is honey collecting time. This is a sticky and messy task, but highly rewarding. This is after all the reason why you learn how to keep bees. It is a matter of straining the honeycomb to produce clear honey. A honey extractor make the task considerably easier. Alternatively, you could simply cut the honeycomb into pieces and package it into jars as it is.

Over the winter, your colony will be less active and your main task is to check that your beehive remains weather proof, replacing any damaged boards or filling holes with weatherproof filler. You will need to replace the honey that you have taken with sugar water to provide your colony with food.

As you can see, the natural process of keeping bees and producing honey is tied to the rhythm of the seasons and you need to bear this in mind when planning for your beekeeping project.

Before embarking on beekeeping you should ensure you have all relevant information. To find out more about bee keeping, visit How to Keep Bees. Get more information about beekeeping for beginners at The Beekeeper.
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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/how-to-keep-bees-how-the-seasons-affect-beekeepers.php/feed 0 Basic Beekeeping Tools – What Do You Really Need? http://easybeekeeping.net/basic-beekeeping-tools-what-do-you-really-need.php http://easybeekeeping.net/basic-beekeeping-tools-what-do-you-really-need.php#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 01:25:54 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/basic-beekeeping-tools-what-do-you-really-need When you first start a beekeeping business you may feel overwhelmed with the huge amount of choices you have when it comes to beekeeping equipment. There are a lot of beekeeping product suppliers, and unless you are familiar with the basic equipment you will need, you won’t know what basic beekeeping tools you will need, and which you won’t. In this article, we will go over the basic equipment you need, and what you absolutely must have, and what you can do without.
-The Most Important Equipment is the Hive-
First you need to think about the hives you get. The hive is the absolute most important piece of equipment you have, and you need to take the time to educate yourself and find the right hive for your needs, the type of beekeeping you want and the area you are in.
When you choose your bee hive you can’t let the cost affect your decision. You need to choose a hive that is well constructed, made of quality wood. If you can find red cedar, all the better. You see, cedar smells good and is also very attractive. Pine is also used for hives but it isn’t as stable as other types of wood. Hives that are made of cedar will not warp and the oils keep the wood very stable.
Once you have looked at different types of hives and asked other local beekeepers what the best hive is for your area, and have chosen the one you want, then its time to go on and look for other equipment.
-The Bees Themselves-
At this point you will need to decide on whether or not you plan on buying a bee colony, or whether you plan on harvesting a swarm. It is easier to buy them, and less dangerous and risky than harvesting them, although it is a little more expensive too.
-The Smoker-
Your next essential item is the “smoker.” This item is what allows you to check the hive without being stung. A puff or two of smoke calms the bees down and lets you check the hive while they are disoriented. The smoker allows you to manage the hives safely. When you don’t use one, you need to have a top-bar hive, or you risk the chance of being stung.
-Protective Apparel-
You should also get some protective clothing like a bee suit so that you protect yourself from being stung, while you work on the hives. The protective clothing also keeps the honey bees from getting into your clothing. Not only that, but a bee suit will also keep you cooler when you work in the sun.
-Hive Tools and Gloves-
You need to use hive tools to extract the honey and the wax from the hive, you also need the tools to open the hive up. Hive tools come in handy for everything you need that relates to hives.
Gloves are also an item that you might consider getting. Gloves will keep bees from stinging your hands and wrists. They will also help you keep bees from going up into your skin, and stinging you.
Other smaller items you will need are bee feed and honey comb supplies, which the supplier can help you acquire. Essentially that is all the equipment you will need to start your beekeeping business. As you can see, for a business, the investment is minimal. This is good news if you are looking for a home based business that will bring in that extra income you need.

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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/basic-beekeeping-tools-what-do-you-really-need.php/feed 0 Beekeeping For Beginners http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners.php http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners.php#comments Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:14:30 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners Contrary to what you might think starting a beekeeping business is not that difficult. It doesn’t require a lot of knowledge, special skill or even a large investment. It does involve learning a little about bees and the types of things you will need.
Although starting is not difficult, most beekeepers enjoy their new found business because it is a project in which you will continually learn.
-First Step-
Your first step in a beekeeping business is to read about beekeeping and the process, then you will need to purchase the equipment you need. Stay away from used equipment, or if you do purchase used equipment be sure to get it inspected by an expert. You don’t want to purchase hives that have had a previous virus, or illness, and which scares away new bees.
-Second Step – Figuring out the Type of Hive You Want-
In most cases it’s hard to give a general “best” hive to buy. It really depends on the region you are in. The best thing you can do is talk to local beekeepers and ask them what they use, and which works best for that area.
-Third Step-
You now need to add bees to your hive, and you can do that in one of three ways. You can use a nucleus, a package, or a swarm.
The nucleus is where you buy a 3 to 5 frame, hive with a brood and a laying queen. You usually buy a “nuc” with bees of all ages. You will also need to feed the bees immediately after installation and until they get used to their new home.
*Package*
This is where bees are sold by the pound with a laying queen that is inside the main bee cage. The package comes with a sugar feeder so the bees won’t starve while you transport them. The length of time it takes to install a package depends on where you live, and you should get advice from a local beekeeping association, or beekeeper.
*Swarms*
There are beekeepers that catch swarms and they use these to supplement their hives, but this system sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, because of the risk of the onset of Tracheal Mites or Varroa. The good thing about this method is that the swarms march right in and go to work immediately.
-Fourth Step – Your Equipment-
Your best bet is to start getting different suppliers and comparing prices. In the first year though, you probably won’t need an extractor, because your harvest will likely be small. You probably want cut comb honey instead of extracted honey for that first year.
*A Smoker*
Depending on the type of hive you get, you may need a smoker, as these help calm the bees while you are doing your inspection. The best of these comes in copper, so it lasts for a long time.
*Your Protective Suit*
You need some type of protective suit, and you don’t want to skimp here. A little piece of netting on a flimsy hat won’t do. You need something that wont com loose and let a bee get caught inside.
You don’t need to overspend here, and so you want a dealer that is honest, not someone who will try to sell you every product on the market.
As you can see, you don’t need a lot of equipment, and for a lucrative business, you don’t have to make much of an initial investment, but you do need to read up on bee husbandry, so that you do a good job of managing your bees.

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]]> http://easybeekeeping.net/beekeeping-for-beginners.php/feed 0 Starting a Beekeeping Business – is it the Right Decision? http://easybeekeeping.net/starting-a-beekeeping-business-is-it-the-right-decision.php http://easybeekeeping.net/starting-a-beekeeping-business-is-it-the-right-decision.php#comments Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:53:31 +0000 http://easybeekeeping.net/starting-a-beekeeping-business-is-it-the-right-decision Are you wanting to start a beekeeping business? Do you love beekeeping and want to take your new hobby to a whole new level? Starting a beekeeping business can be a bit tricky, but with persistence, you can make it work for you.
Starting a beekeeping business may be right or wrong for you depending on what results you expect and what your objectives are. True, it is a business that doesn’t require a lot of investment, but it is a business that requires dedication, commitment, and a desire to learn about bees. Most of the people that are in the beekeeping business do it as a hobby, and yes they make money, but they see it as a second income.
Beekeeping is like any animal husbandry or agricultural business. You have to stay on top of new technology and trends. You need to know what the market is requiring at the moment.
The art of beekeeping goes as far back as the 13th century before Christ, when it was an art developed by the ancient Egyptians. But it was John Harbison who introduced beekeeping in the United States, and introduced modern techniques, and products, but it was Langston that showed there were many nutritional benefits from different bee products. Beekeepers know the history of bees, the history of beekeeping, and new modern procedures which improve the art.
In essence, if you want to become a beekeeper then this art needs to become your second nature, and you will need to learn everything you can about bees. Your quest and search for beekeeping knowledge should never stop as there is SO much to learn and attain.
Once you do decide you actually want to start beekeeping as a hobby, or a small business, then you need to decide on what equipment you need.
The first thing you will need to think about is the type of hive you will use. This depends on several factors like, how much time you are going to dedicate to maintaining the hive, how much honey you want to produce, how much money you have to spend, and where you are located.
To get a better idea of what you will need, you should talk to other beekeepers. Study up on different types of hives and what they are made of, and how much they cost. Don’t base your decision on cost alone. You want well made, quality bee hives.
After deciding on the hive then you need to read up and study about different bees and decide on what quantity, and type you want to purchase, or whether you want to harvest a swarm or not. What you will decide, will depend on your knowledge, and how much time and money you want to invest.
One thing is clear, the more you as a beekeeper know about biology and entomology the better beekeeper you will be, and the better business you will have.
I wish you much success in your new beekeeping venture and good luck!

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