Hobby Beekeeping For Beginners – The Basics You Need to Know

Whether you’re looking to keep bees to sell honey or as a hobby, there are a few basic things you need to know before starting. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most important facts to know before starting a hobby beekeeping endeavor.

Joining a beekeeping association

Choosing to join a beekeeping association for beginner beekeepers can be a very smart move. Not only does it give you access to other beekeepers, but it also provides you with a great source of advice.

You can find a local beekeeping association by checking out your local state Beekeeping Association. You will find that these associations usually meet at least once a year and are a great resource for beginners.

They may also hold a state beekeeping conference that will give you an opportunity to meet new beekeepers and learn new techniques. They also often have nationally recognized speakers.

Feeding bees

One of the first beekeeping essentials to figure out is where your bees are going to live – their hive! Whether you are new to beekeeping or an experienced beekeeper, you may want to consider building your own hives. It’s a great way to save money compared to purchasing a commercial hive. In addition, you will have the satisfaction of building something yourself.

But, if you’d rather buy a hive, there are many types of hives to choose from. Some are designed specifically for the hobbyist. My favorite is Hoover Hives – not only are they sturdy and functional, they are also well-crafted and gorgeous!

If you’re going to build a hive yourself, you’ll want to find a design that’s easy to open and close. You’ll also want to make sure your hive is located near food sources. It’s also a good idea to place it in a location that’s out of the way.

Resolving problems with beehives

Fortunately, there are ways to resolve problems with beehives for hobby beekeeping for beginners. But before you go out and start beekeeping, you’ll need to learn a few important basics.

Start by finding a location for your beehive. This should be in an area where you can easily access your hives. It should also be away from areas where people might walk on the ground, like sidewalks.

Checking for varroa mites in a beekeeping hive

Keeping an eye on varroa mites is important for both hobby and commercial beekeepers. High mite populations can reduce honey yields and cause the hive to die. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to keep them under control.

One easy way to detect varroa mites is to count the number of mites that fall from the bees to the bottom of the hive each day. This is especially important in summer when mite populations are at their highest.

Mites are small, oval creatures with a red-brown color. They are attached to the bees like tiny ticks. They can feed on the bees’ hemolymph, and also lay eggs in drone cells.

Protective clothing

Whether you are just beginning your hobby beekeeping adventure, or you are an experienced beekeeper, you should consider wearing protective clothing. This is important for a number of reasons. First, the protective clothing is designed to help prevent stings, which can be very painful. Second, it can help calm the bees and make them more at ease. Third, it can help keep you comfortable while you are in the hive.

There are a number of different styles and materials of protective clothing available, but all are designed to keep you safe from bee stings.

Some are made of vinyl or polyester, while others are made of thick cotton. The Humble Bee beekeeping suits are the best in my opinion!

Stinging bees as a last resort

Getting stung by a bee is an experience all beekeepers will encounter. Unlike stinging snakes or venomous spiders, the experience is generally not life threatening. Honey bees are not aggressive, but they do have a stinger that they use to defend their homes.

The first line of defense is sanitizing your hive tools. This means you should sanitize your hive combs, wax and pollen. Likewise, you should sanitize your tools when moving from one location to another.

One of the best ways to sanitize your hive is to shake the bees onto a new foundation. This will prevent the dreaded European Foulbrood (EFB).

Beekeeping is a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s important to do your research before you get started. By following advice for new beekeepers, you should be well on your way to becoming a successful beekeeper.