subject: Lessons in Starting Beekeeping [print this page] Lessons in Starting Beekeeping Lessons in Starting Beekeeping
The procedures involved in beekeeping are controlled so that the honey can be gathered. Keeping bees is a fantastic hobby to get into and has a long history behind it, but it's possible to turn beekeeping into a business as well. Before one can take advantage of the potential of beekeeping though, some basic information on beekeeping needs to be learned first.
The Equipment You'll Need
Having the correct supplies and equipment is paramount to being a success in beekeeping. The cornerstone of beekeeping is the hive itself - so the parts of the hive are the key to your hobby and business. Beekeepers can begin their business by purchasing "package" bees which is a quantity of adult bees, usually between 2 to 5 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms), purchasing an established colony or by collecting swarms themselves. Package bees would be the preferred option for those just starting out though. The compulsory items needed for beekeeping are as follows: the beekeeping suit, thick gloves and a hat with an accompanying veil. Smokers are used to moderate the bees so that working with a hive and the colony is made possible. Smokers are a device that emits smoke which then prompts the bees to prepare to vacate the hive due to threat of a possible fire. It also hides the pheromone that the guard bees discharge to the hive when it is thought that there is a dangerous presence close by.
Honey Extraction
The honey bee is quite a social insect and lives in hives because a colony can be home to thousands of bees. Every bee contributes to the colony by helping to build the nest, find food sources and by raising the newly born bees. The inherent docile nature of honey bees allows beekeepers to collect honey for themselves and also to sell for a profit. Leaving the honey in the hive for extended periods is not advised and regularly removing the honey is a challenge for all beekeepers. If left for too long, honey takes on a darker color and the bees will have no room for accumulating more honey. Most people have the impression that all honey is light in color, so although a darker honey is not of inferior quality, some may believe it is based purely on ignorance. But it's of paramount importance to not harvest honey before it's ready. While honey matures it contains a good amount of water, and if harvested too soon, the honey could spoil or ferment. Leave it to the colony to give you the signal that the honey is ready to harvest. When you see that the honey cells are concealed by a wax cap then it's definitely harvest time. The recommended time for harvesting is on a sunny day or when the bees are foraging for food. Aim for the morning as bees are usually active at this time.
Advantages of Keeping Bees
You'll need to determine whether keeping bees is even permitted in your area by contacting the local council or government. But the introduction of bees has its benefits. Bees do have a docile disposition compared to the aggressive nature of wasps or hornets. If bees are the predominant insect in a particular area, then it's less likely that wasps or hornets will want to co-inhabit with them. But bees are capable of delivering a painful sting. Just ensure that your hive isn't close to any places that are known to have high numbers of foot traffic such as parks or schools, and you should experience very few problems.
