The basics of becoming a Beekeeper
By Protech Pest Control|November 14, 2016
There are so many mistakes we make when we first start learning. We usually learn on the job and as we go about learning this new activity. But the best way to start out any project is to first read about it and research it till we get sufficient information on how to go about it.
There is so much to learn as a beekeeper and there are mistakes that are inevitable.
So when we learn about beekeeping, here are a few things that go unnoticed and can go on to pose problems.
The health of the colony isn’t based on bee traffic
You need to check on the hive regularly. This helps in observing the hive and gaining useful information.
It even helps you get more informed about the pollen they use or if there is an annoying ant wandering about.
It is extremely helpful to make yourself familiar with the type of pollen they use which helps you familiarize between normal and any abnormal activity the colony goes through.
This monitoring can help discern whether there are changes in the normality of the hive. Observing the hive from outside doesn’t substitute for a hive inspection at any cost.
If there are noticeable changes that can be noticed from outside it means that inside the hive things cannot be remedied. And so you need to inspect the hives at least once every two to four weeks.
Inspecting the hives regularly can cause a disturbance and can be stressful for the bees.
A queen-less hive
It is extremely important to recognize when the bees have lost their queen. When this happens, the behaviour of the bees change dramatically. This makes it obvious that there is something wrong with the hive.
To an untrained eye, the hive usually looks normal but slowly the bees begin to die out and since there is no queen to lay anymore eggs, this is the first sign.
The lack of eggs is the first sign and then the lack of larvae. In time there will be no more bees buzzing around.
A hive cannot at any cost survive without a queen. And if there is no queen for too long, there is a point where the hive cannot be redeemed. Checking for eggs every time you do an inspection can keep you updated.
Don’t be greedy for honey
The thumb rule for harvesting honey is to never take honey from a colony in the first year of its inception.
Bees need every drop of honey to make it through winter and it always depends on the geographical location of the colony for harvesting. It is criminal if we harvest too much as the bees could die of starvation.
It is best to take advice from local beekeepers on accurate timings for harvesting.
Feeding new bees
It is important for you to consistently feed new bees for at least a month. When you purchase package bees, they are too weak to support themselves and need to honey to feed on. You need to feed them for a month to make them strong.
If you don’t feed them, they could die as the colder seasons come rolling in. feeding them can start colonies and increase their population and this is critical to start during the spring for their survival in the winter.
When your bees aren’t moving around, it is then that you should know they need to be fed.
Right place for your bees
Ideally you need a location with plenty of sunlight for bees to thrive. You need to ensure that you have enough space all around the hive to stand and work on them.
Ensure that when you place the front of the hive, it faces the spot that isn’t visited by people frequently. The entrance of the hive is where the bees are the most active.
Suit up!
New beekeepers think that since they have seen experienced beekeepers inspect their hives without suits they can too. But the fact of the matter is that even the most experienced get stung when they aren’t wearing a suit.
It is important to keep the bees calm but it sure takes a lot of time to learn and it is always better to wear a suit. Bees are temperamental and can be calm for one inspection but not the next, and their stings can even land you in the hospital.
Always suit up and check your suit for weak spots and proper footwear. Ignoring this can seriously put you in danger.
Always use your smoker!
Using your smoker can be extremely helpful to distract the bees from your activity.
When bees get a whiff of the smoke they usually gorge the honey and prepare for evacuation. This also blocks the signals they send the other bees. These signals could involve a defensive attack on you.
The smoker is extremely helpful in situations like these and make sure to always use it. An alternative to the smoker can be essential oils and water mixtures or even sugar water which can be sprayed.
Although since the smoker gives the bees a sense of wildfire, it acts as a natural warning and is safer to use.
Two is better than one
Working on two hives isn’t time consuming. When you have two colonies, you learn more and can compare both the hives to test specific theories.
You can even try breeding two types of bees to learn more. You can even mix the two colonies to see how they work together. And in case one colony loses its queen, you can take some eggs from the other hive and place it in the one that doesn’t have a queen. Having two hives can help you keep your hive alive.
Learning more about them is fun
The best part of beekeeping isn’t the honey, it is learning about the fascinating bees. You need to learn more about bees to ensure you look after them effectively and well.
There is so much to learn as a beekeeper and there are mistakes that are inevitable.
So when we learn about beekeeping, here are a few things that go unnoticed and can go on to pose problems.
The health of the colony isn’t based on bee traffic
You need to check on the hive regularly. This helps in observing the hive and gaining useful information.
It even helps you get more informed about the pollen they use or if there is an annoying ant wandering about.
It is extremely helpful to make yourself familiar with the type of pollen they use which helps you familiarize between normal and any abnormal activity the colony goes through.This monitoring can help discern whether there are changes in the normality of the hive. Observing the hive from outside doesn’t substitute for a hive inspection at any cost.
If there are noticeable changes that can be noticed from outside it means that inside the hive things cannot be remedied. And so you need to inspect the hives at least once every two to four weeks.
Inspecting the hives regularly can cause a disturbance and can be stressful for the bees.
A queen-less hive
It is extremely important to recognize when the bees have lost their queen. When this happens, the behaviour of the bees change dramatically. This makes it obvious that there is something wrong with the hive.
To an untrained eye, the hive usually looks normal but slowly the bees begin to die out and since there is no queen to lay anymore eggs, this is the first sign.
The lack of eggs is the first sign and then the lack of larvae. In time there will be no more bees buzzing around.
A hive cannot at any cost survive without a queen. And if there is no queen for too long, there is a point where the hive cannot be redeemed. Checking for eggs every time you do an inspection can keep you updated.
Don’t be greedy for honey
The thumb rule for harvesting honey is to never take honey from a colony in the first year of its inception.
Bees need every drop of honey to make it through winter and it always depends on the geographical location of the colony for harvesting. It is criminal if we harvest too much as the bees could die of starvation.
It is best to take advice from local beekeepers on accurate timings for harvesting.
Feeding new bees
It is important for you to consistently feed new bees for at least a month. When you purchase package bees, they are too weak to support themselves and need to honey to feed on. You need to feed them for a month to make them strong.
If you don’t feed them, they could die as the colder seasons come rolling in. feeding them can start colonies and increase their population and this is critical to start during the spring for their survival in the winter.When your bees aren’t moving around, it is then that you should know they need to be fed.
Right place for your bees
Ideally you need a location with plenty of sunlight for bees to thrive. You need to ensure that you have enough space all around the hive to stand and work on them.
Ensure that when you place the front of the hive, it faces the spot that isn’t visited by people frequently. The entrance of the hive is where the bees are the most active.
Suit up!
New beekeepers think that since they have seen experienced beekeepers inspect their hives without suits they can too. But the fact of the matter is that even the most experienced get stung when they aren’t wearing a suit.
It is important to keep the bees calm but it sure takes a lot of time to learn and it is always better to wear a suit. Bees are temperamental and can be calm for one inspection but not the next, and their stings can even land you in the hospital.
Always suit up and check your suit for weak spots and proper footwear. Ignoring this can seriously put you in danger.Always use your smoker!
Using your smoker can be extremely helpful to distract the bees from your activity.
When bees get a whiff of the smoke they usually gorge the honey and prepare for evacuation. This also blocks the signals they send the other bees. These signals could involve a defensive attack on you.
The smoker is extremely helpful in situations like these and make sure to always use it. An alternative to the smoker can be essential oils and water mixtures or even sugar water which can be sprayed.
Although since the smoker gives the bees a sense of wildfire, it acts as a natural warning and is safer to use.
Two is better than one
Working on two hives isn’t time consuming. When you have two colonies, you learn more and can compare both the hives to test specific theories.
You can even try breeding two types of bees to learn more. You can even mix the two colonies to see how they work together. And in case one colony loses its queen, you can take some eggs from the other hive and place it in the one that doesn’t have a queen. Having two hives can help you keep your hive alive.
Learning more about them is fun
The best part of beekeeping isn’t the honey, it is learning about the fascinating bees. You need to learn more about bees to ensure you look after them effectively and well.
