subject: Beekeeping Tips [print this page] Beekeeping Information on how to obtain your first jar of organic honey. Keeping bees is a hobby to many and a very profitable business to others around the world. In order to start you need the basic information on beekeeping."Having the correct tools get the job done more efficiently."Make sure you have the correct equipment to start keeping bees. What you need first is the components of the bee hive. Beekeepers can start their bee business by purchasing package bees, purchasing an already established bee colony or collecting by swarms. But for beginners it is recommended to buy packaged bees. You will also require protective gear, equipment for handling the honey, as well as a bee source.Bees do not usually sting unless provoked. Use beekeeping gloves, suits, hat and veil to stay well protected. They also use smokers to subdue the bees in order to work with the colony & the hive. Smokers emits smoke that creates a response within the bees to make them prepare to evacuate the hive due to a fire. You can even imagine them shouting "Fire, Fire, Fire" to each other in their squeaky voices. It also distorts the pheromone that the guard bees release to the other members of the hive on detection of an intruder.Honeybees are very social insects that settle in hives as a colony that can number up to thousands of bees. All of the bees work together to build the nest, collect food & raise their young. Beekeepers can work with the natural instincts of the honeybee to collect honey that can be used or sold for profit. Removing the honey from the hive can sometimes be challenging but it is important not to leave the honey in the hive for long. If it is left in the hive for a very long time, the color of the honey will be darker & the bees won't have room to store honey.The color of the honey does not affect the quality & taste but most people would prefer light colored honey. It is equally important not to harvest the honey soon. Honey that is harvested soon contains much water & it might spoil or ferment. So how do you know when the time is right? The best indicator of when honey is prepared is actually by observing the bees. When the beekeeper sees wax caps over the honey cells, then its 'harvest time'! However keep in mind that the best time to harvest honey is in the morning or a sunny day; when your bees are busy.Head down to your local government or their official website to check for permits on beekeeping. But, the benefits of adding bees to an area are massive. Mild honey bees will even keep out the more aggressive insects such as hornets and wasp. And, as everyone knows, bees are the best thing for the local plant life, pollination. By placing your hives in an open area, the experience you get from keeping bees will be great.Having a hobby to pursue is great, especially one that has so many advantages! Start now!
