Bee Keeping

Because they are social insects, looking after these bees involves keeping large amounts of them as they raise their young, pollinate their surroundings and live their daily lives as part of a fairly sophisticated social system.

This job is a very detailed task, but one that is rewarding with season after season of satisfaction while watching bee colonies grow. (You can tell me your story below).

Those who are invest in this as a hobby generally do so for the much needed plant pollination that honey bees contribute to our environment.

Plus for the production of their own delicious honey from their own honeybee gardens.

Others do it to simply observe the different castes of bees that live and work within a colony and their ways of communication which is facinating.

There are also those committed because they enjoy the natural raw honey these tiny insects produce and can use for their own medical benefits.

However, bee careful as this activity or hobby goes far beyond merely feeding honey bees and sheltering the insects.

There is a lot to know and a lot of things to do on behalf of the bees to assure their good health and reproduction.

It is recommended that anyone who is interested in this as a hobby, first spend time observing an expert, maybe watching an established bee keeper in action.

Having a mentor experienced in this activity offers an opportunity to ask a lot of questions beekeeping equipment and to receive a type of hands on training that can't be found in a book or in a beginner's honey bee keeping kit.

While studying printed materials is also recommended, doing so while learning from a mentor can significantly reduce the amount of mistakes made, many of which can result in dead or disappearing bees and sick bee colonies.

The cost for man-made bee hives, protective gear and equipment may vary.

Second-hand items are sometimes available, but a beginner should always start with new equipment.

Equipment that is home-made or that has already been used may be infected with diseases harmful to bees or otherwise cause problems that a person new to this may not immediately recognize or be prepared to solve.

This is idealy best done with bees bought localy, which tend to be non-aggressive and are much easier for a new bee keeper to handle.

These bees do not always produce the largest amounts of honey, but should be viewed as an opportunity to train with live insects that are less dangerous than other varieties.

In raising honey bees it is important to provide them with the right pollen and nectar sources so that they can produce enough honey to nurture their queen, feed their young and enough for their keeper to harvest.

Therefore, things like buckwheat, sunflowers, berries and nectar fruits should be readily available for bees to regularly forage.

The bee keeping industry for organic honey farming is especially picky about their plants and the hobbyist takes great care with his or her honey bee gardens.

A very important fact involves keeping colonies healthy and well protected against bacteria, viral infections, mites and fungi that can be harmful and even deadly to the bees.

This involves a careful eye and regular strict monitoring of the bee hives.

And, if bees do become sick, this also entails providing them the right medications in an attempt to restore their good health and for us too to benefit from eating.....Mmmm, yummy.

Whilst this is a highly rewarding task, it is one that should not be taken lightly.

While many believe that this merely involves sheltering bees and collecting honey, there is much more to know and to do in order to ensure the bee's healthy survival and to avoid injury to both the bees and their keeper.

This is why if possible you could find yourself a an expert mentor.

Still, honey bee keeping is a unique hobby and one that brings a sense of satisfaction to those who are most successful at performing it.

I am providing a link at the bottom of this page which I feel will be extremely useful to you if you wish to know more about beekeeping.

I really hope you do and please write to me with stories of your experiences.

Would you like to see what Equipment you will need

Bee Hives

The Beehaus

Buying your Bees

The Queen Bee

Feeding Honey Bees

Life cycle of Honey Bees

Being aware of Honeybee Disease

Read an Expert Beekeeper Interview

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