How To Start Beekeeping?

Beekeeping has been practiced since the period of ancient civilizations in Egypt and Greece. It can be dated as early as 13000 B.C. There are even cave paintings found in Spain depicting beekeeping. Nowadays, beekeeping has been a frequent choice for hobby and as source for additional income. An average farmer could yield around 40 to 60 lbs. of honey every year. If the foraging area is rich with pollen, there could be times when a colony could give about 100 lbs. of honey every year.

Aside from being a hobby or a source of additional income, there are those who do beekeeping for commercial and regular source of income. How to you start beekeeping?

* Learn

There are many sources of information and knowledge for a beginning beekeeper. You could start with learning from books. You could start visiting beekeeping organizations, they would usually have their own local library, you could check the internet for beekeeping books on sale. When picking out books, make sure to get those recommended by BBKA. This would ensure that the information there are actually applicable and effective.

There are websites, magazines, booklets and leaflets that can also be used to learn more about beekeeping. In addition to learning from texts, you could start learning from beekeeping associations. Beekeeping associations usually hold demonstrations and lectures.

* Join and Understand

For more information and also for best experience, it is best to join beekeeping associations. They would be able to help you with any difficulty you may experience as a novice beekeeper. They would also be able to help you in understanding the life cycles and season changes in beekeeping. Beekeeping associations can also help you whenever your bees are suffering from diseases. They can share their expertise and methods they did before to help you out.

If you are not yet prepared to join a beekeeping association or the nearest association is not accessible for you, you could get a mentor who is interested and willing to help you out.

* Basic equipment

There are different tools and equipment you will need when starting out. You could buy brand new equipment, but the good news is that beekeeping associations normally would know sellers of second-hand but quality equipment. Of course, you will need hive tools, smokers and hives.

You would need protective clothing. Make sure to get light-colored and smooth protective suit, since bees feel different with dark color and with wool. A veil and a hat could also protect your eyes and face from being stung.

When getting bees for you hive, you could start with Italia bees which are the most common and readily available. You could get them from a breeder.

* Season

Consider the season when starting, you could start at around late April to May. There are different packages that can be bought readily during this period.

When setting goals, make sure to understand that you are not getting maximum yield on your first year. This is your learning time and if you are getting package bees, then it would be difficult to get surplus honey immediately. Just enjoy your first year. There are even beekeeper saying that beekeeping can be very relaxing and calming. So go ahead, try it!