Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
trees are already a way of life. Be realistic about what you need in terms of yard
space required, flight paths, equipment storage (and construction, if you go that
route), cost, harvesting, and even beeswax activities if you decide to make candles,
creams, or lotions. These will require room, time, and resources.
• Make sure you and your family members aren't in that tiny minority of the popula-
tion that has honey bee allergies. But don't confuse normal bee stings with trouble-
some, but far less likely, allergic reactions. If you are unsure, get everybody checked
out by a physician so that there is no doubt. Be safe.
• Next, find out what your neighbors think of your new-found hobby. Even if there
are no, or only limited, restrictions on having bees in your yard, if a neighbor has an
irrational fear of honey bees (and certainly if they have a health issue), your plans
may evaporate. You can pursue this, but living next to a hostile neighbor makes life
difficult for everyone.
• Be realistic about your available time when deciding how many colonies to manage.
Even if local regulations allow up to five colonies on a lot the size of yours, do you
have the time to take good care of that many? Begin with fewer hives, so that you
can learn the ropes at a gentle pace.
• Learn as much as you can. Read books and magazines. Join the local beekeeper's
association. Visit other beekeepers, buy or rent videos so that you see how to do the
things you'll need to do, not just read about them. Take a beginner's class. Get all
the catalogs.
Getting Ready
• Set your calendar so that your bees arrive right about the time dandelions and fruit
trees bloom where you live. The following preparations have to be done by then.
• Prepare the place the colony or colonies will be. Provide screens so that the colonies
aren't visible to neighbors, or from the sidewalk. Make sure flight paths are up and
away from where people spend time-decks, the garden, play areas and especially
neighbors' yards.
• Make sure your hive stands are tall enough to be out of reach of animal pests, and
sturdy enough to hold one or more colonies weighing up to 150 pounds (70 kg)
each, by season's end, and that the area around them is cleared and weed free.
• Provide a permanent source of water that will not dry up if a natural source is not
available.
• Order your bees from contacts made at meetings or classes, or from suppliers, four
or five months in advance, if possible, to ensure availability and timely delivery.
Ask local beekeepers what race of bee works best where you live, and why they like
