Beginning Beekeeping, Things the Beginner Should Know

Beginning Beekeeping, Things the Beginner Should Know

Beginning a beekeeping operation can be very rewarding. The current prices for honey are at all-time highs, making beekeeping and excellent way to earn extra cash. With that said, if starting from scratch, its best to start small, then expand your operation over time as you gain more knowledge and experience.

The initial cost for beginning beekeeping can be as high as $300 per hive. Then of course you will need other equipment such as a bee smoker, veil and gloves and many people just getting started will want a full beekeeper suit. After spending your hard earned money on your initial startup costs, it makes good sense to have as much knowledge as is possible.

One popular method of acquiring honeybees is to buy an established colony. However, this method is not recommended for beginners. There are many problems associated with purchasing used equipment. Most beginners need time to gain experience before managing a full strength colony. It's recommended that beginners start by purchasing either package bees, or a nucleus colony, also called a nuc. By starting small your knowledge and experience will develop as the colony size increases throughout the season.

For people just getting started would have little or no experience beekeeping the best way to acquire your first bees is to purchase package bees. There are many companies throughout the southern United States as well as California that sell package bees for shipment throughout the United States. Package bees are often purchased by established beekeepers to strengthen weak colonies. Package sizes range from two, three, four or 5 pound sizes. Typically a two or 3 pounds size is recommended for the beginner. Each pound of honeybees contains approximately 3500 bees. A Queen bee is included in all packages but packages may be purchased without a Queen bee to strengthen an existing week colony.

The best time to order your package of honeybees is in January or February. It is very important that your hives be assembled and placed in their location before your packages arrive. As soon as you receive your package bees be sure to inspect it for any unusual numbers of dead bees. It is normal for some bees to die during shipment. If an excessive number of bees have died or the Queen has died you should file a damage claim immediately with the postal clerk, you should send a copy to the shipper so they may replace any losses.

It's best to install your packages as soon as possible after they arrive. But installation can be delayed for up to two days without any problems. You should feed the bees as soon as you get your package home by spraying or sprinkling a 50% sugar syrup on the cage. This should be done indoors in temperature approximately 70F. If installation in your hive is to be delayed they should be stored after feeding in a cool dry place preferably in the dark.

To install your bees start by opening your hive and removing six Combs from the center of your hive. Place a hive entrance reducer in the opening the finished closing the entrance was something like green grass placed loosely in the opening. Doing this will help keep the honeybees inside of the beehive until after they settled down.

There are many different ways to install the package bees in the hive. The most popular way is by direct release. To do this, start by sprinkling the bees with sugar syrup before opening the package, this will cause the bees wings to get wet so there will be very few flying about. Next gently jar the package against the ground or hive, knocking the bees to the bottom of the cage. Next remove the feeder can then sprinkle the bees again. After removing the Queen Cage pour the bees from the package into the hive in the space created by removing the six frames. Most of the bees will fall out of the hive the remainder can be shaken out of the package. Place the shipping cage on the ground next to the hive and leave it there overnight. You may either directly release the Queen bee into the cage or let the worker bees chew through the candy plug to release her. If directly releasing the Queen remove the screen and allow the Queen to climb onto the comb or in among the other bees. Then very gently replace the removed frames being careful not to injure the bees or their Queen. Next replace the top of the hive, once again being careful not to injure the bees.

And there you have it, your first colony of bees installed in your beehive ready to go to work collecting pollen, making honey, and most importantly, making you money.

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