subject: Bee Keeping Equipment Tips And Care [print this page] One of the first things to do as you get ready to set up a honey farm is to get the right set of bee keeping equipment. This should be done way before getting the bees. It gives you plenty of time to set the hives correctly. It also allows you to inspect if they are the correct set of equipment necessary to do the job.
Many people know about the hives. It is one of the most prominent equipments used in bee keeping. It is the structure that houses the bees, honey, wax and the offsprings. It is therefore important to invest in good quality hives as it allows proper development of bees and their products.
After inspecting the hive, you need to find the best location to set it up. The ideal place should be leveled. If you set it up where one side is raised then it might be swayed to the sides in the event there are strong winds or heavy downpour. It should also be set up facing east. Make sure that the ground below the equipment is constantly dry.
Supers are plate like equipment that are placed inside the hive. Do not forget to inspect them as well. Ensure that each one of them is clean and in good condition. They should be at least five in number. Be sure to arrange them properly in the hive, lay them evenly between the bottom and top part of the hive.
If you decide to get hives that are already in use from an established apiarist, make sure that they are in good condition. It is advisable to have them checked for diseases by a representative from the agricultural department in your home. This allows you to make sure that you are in possession of safe equipment that you can use to develop a successful honey farm.
If you have new equipment, it is advisable to think about disease prevention. One way of going about this is to apply terramycin at least twice a year. This makes the equipment safe and it is sure to safeguard the good health of your bees. The compound should be applied before and after honey flow. Make sure to follow the instruction on the package and sure the right dosage so as to get the best results.
There are a few things you can do in your honey farm to make sure that the hives house the bees properly. Make sure they are positioned facing eastwards. Do not place hives above damp or moist parts on your farm or garden. Make sure they are located in the driest position. It is also important to shelter your hives from direct sunshine too.
A spacer is used to maintain even spaces between the suppers. This is necessary as it enhances good conditions in the hives. Make sure that the supers are well arranged between the top and bottom parts of the hive. This makes it easy for the bees to live comfortably. You should also get a smoker. Good quality ones are made from stainless steel and they are large. This is the bee keeping equipment that allows you to get rid of the bees while working in the apiary. It makes it easy to carry out maintenance jobs such as checking the condition of the hive and also harvesting honey.
