Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
This chapter explains what you do on
day 1
of your beekeeping career - i.e. the lead
up to when your bees arrive. You have all the equipment and now need to put your
prepared hives in the right place - which must be convenient for you, convenient for
your neighbours and suitable for the bees. A general rule is that, the better the site, the
better the colony will build up and the more honey you will be able to obtain. Everything
you do now is aimed at obtaining a surplus of honey and at maximizing your harvest.
Many commercial beekeepers have to place their hives wherever they can obtain
permission from a landowner, but the general principles apply as much to them as to
the hobbyist with two hives. It isn't always possible to get it spot on every time, but do
your best.
Country areas
If you place your bees placed in a country area miles away from your home, you should
try to stick to the following rules. These rules are designed to help you find the ideal
location, which may not always be possible. Needless to say, however, the hives are best
kept out of sight, sheltered from high winds and away from frost hollows. I have seen
bees kept in all sorts of areas over winter periods, and some of these were appalling
places. While bees are hardy creatures that can survive most things, if you expect them
to thrive in such areas and to provide you with honey, you will be disappointed.
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