| Beekeeping is really taking off, as people have responded to the fall in bee populations around the world, and as they realise what a fascinating hobby beekeeping is, and how delicious home-produced honey is (and how profitable it can be). Here are some answers to basic questions if you're thinking of keeping bees.
where do I start?
Get a book and read all about beekeeping. Attend a course and see what's involved, after which you'll know if it's for you or not.
what kit do I need to start beekeeping?
You'll need a complete hive – including a floor (preferably open-meshed to help control varroa); brood box (where the queen is and the majority of the bees are); at least a couple of supers (where the bees put the honey), with frames for the brood box and supers – a national hive has 11 frames per brood box or super; a queen excluder (to stop her getting into the supers); a crown board (wooden bit for the top); lid (to cover the crown board); bee escapes (like one-way valves for bees, they allow bees to get down from supers into the brood box, and not get back in, so you can extract honey); 2 feeders (for feeding the bees when they require feeding).
are there different kinds of hives?
Yes. The most common in the UK is the national hive, and so is probably the one to go for in the UK, because of availability of parts etc. The Langstroth is most common internationally. The WBC is the traditional, old-fashioned-looking hives (with the little tiers or terraces), but they're more complicated. There are also Commercial, Dadant, Smith and Dartington hives, plus Top Bar, or natural hives – see below.
can I get a second-hand hive?
You can, but a second-hand hive may be housing millions of problematic microbes, fungal spores etc. that can only be removed by scorching every little nook and cranny with a blowtorch, and you may not get them all. Get a new hive if you want to be sure it's bacteria- and fungus-free.
what clothing will I need?
Bee suit; gloves (leather beekeeping gloves – if bees are angry, they can sting you through latex or other gloves); wellies.
what other equipment will I need?
Smoker; hive tool (for cleaning, hooking frames and a variety of other uses – can be a standard tool or a 'J' tool – you have to work out which one works best for you); large hessian cloths (to cover the hive and expose only the part you're working on).
what consumables do I need?
Wax foundation (for the bees to build honeycomb on).
what kit do I need for extracting honey?
Extractor – manual or electric; jars, labels, large buckets – maybe with lever taps.
where do I get bees from?
Talk to a beekeper, or via your local Beekeepers Association. You could capture a swarm, and although free, this isn't recommended for beginners.
how do I know what to do?
Attend courses, and keep a good beekeeping book for reference.
will I get stung?
Almost definitely at some point, so this may be a problem if you're allergic to bee stings. Wear a bee suit to minimise risk.
can I sell my honey?
Absolutely. You need to get the weights right and comply with regulations, but this will be part of any good course.
how long will my hive last?
A hive could last a lifetime if looked after well – and they're completely repairable. Hives are traditionally made from Western Red Cedar, as it contains oils that preserve the wood naturally, and yet it is also light. Hives made from other types of wood may be cheaper, but they won't last as long.
can I keep bees in a city?
Yes. In the UK you don't need a licence, and there's no specific legislation to stop you keeping bees in your garden (although you could be prosecuted if it can be shown that your bees cause a 'nuisance' to neighbours. Talk to your neighbours first though, if you want to stay friends, and choose mild-mannered bees, not aggressive ones. Telling your neighbour that they'll get the occasional free jar of honey could definitely help. If the entrance is facing a neighbour's garden or a footpath, put some sort of screening in front of the hive – a hedge, a fence, hurdles - in front so that they have to fly upwards or in a different direction when they come out of the hive.
can I keep bees on my allotment?
Talk to your allotment managers. Different areas have different policies. There shouldn't be a problem if the bees are sited at the edge of the allotments away from most human traffic, and if there is screening in front of the entrance to ensure that they have to fly over head-height when leaving or returning to the hive.
how often do I have to visit my bees?
during the swarming season (mid apr-end jul), every 8-10 days to check for signs of potential swarming. After a course, you'll know what to do.
what is 'top bar' or natural beekeeping?
It's a type of beekeeping without frames, so that the bees can build their own structure for the honeycomb, from a bar at the top of the hive. The bees do their own thing much more, and therefore live more natural lives, and less equipment is required. Less honey is produced using this method, however. |
