subject: Beekeeper Supplies [print this page] It is important that the appropriate supplies are used in beekeeping. Beekeeping is a hobby that could be hazardous. Yet, beekeepers can lessen their particular chances of being harmed by using the correct supplies. Many items are required in the extraction of the honey however, there are also supplies that beekeepers need so as to properly manage and sustain the colonies of bees.
A significant facet of beekeeping is keeping the beekeeper protected when they are tending to the bees. People do this in a number of ways. One method that beekeepers protect themselves is by donning protective clothing. Protective clothing includes a hat and veil, gloves and a beekeeping suit. The head is the most vulnerable area of the human body that can easily be stung. It's extremely essential for even seasoned beekeepers to safeguard their faces with a hat and veil. The beekeeping suit consists of a light weight, white full length suit. It is not very easily penetrable by the bee's stinger safeguarding the beekeeper from the bee's venom. Although many beekeepers find wearing gloves overly troublesome when undertaking delicate beekeeping tasks, gloves serve as an essential part of shielding beekeeper's hands while doing work with the colony.
Many beekeepers also use a "smoker" as a technique to relax the bees in order to work with them. A smoker is a apparatus which is designed to emit smoke by making use of various fuels. A number of different natural types of fuel can easily be used in a smoker. Some beekeepers utilize fuels like hessian, twine, burlap, pine needles, corrugated cardboard, or decaying timber. Beekeepers can also work with fuels such as pulped paper as well as compressed cotton, or even aerosol cans of smoke. The smoke initiates a feeding reaction within the bees in preparation to possibly having to leave the hive because of a fire. The smoke also masks the alarm pheromones which are released by the colony's guard bees whenever they pick up on an intruder. As the colony is confused, the beekeeper has an opening to get into the hive and work without causing a defensive reaction.
Although bees are more than capable of obtaining food on their own, a number of beekeepers supplement their bee's diet with sugar syrup. This helps prevent hunger during bad periods of the year and it also stimulates the laying of offspring. To help beekeepers to feed their bees they make use of a feeder. Several types of feeders are readily available to beekeepers. Hive top, pail or division boards can easily be applied as interior feeders through the winter. Throughout the summer when the bees are most productive outside of the hive, an entrance feeder can be used.
The largest part of keeping bees has to do with precisely what you house them in. Beekeepers make use of manufactured hives to house their bee colonies. They apply a wax foundation to stimulate bees to develop comb in a way that is convenient for the beekeeper to collect. Foundation is a slim sheet of wax with a hexagonal cell base pattern embossed on both sides of it. It also helps the bees so that they do not have to use as much effort in the building of the combs.
