Introduction to Beekeeping
Beekeeping (apiculture) is the maintenance of honey bee colonies in hives to collect honey and other products while supporting pollination and conservation. Beyond honey production, beekeeping plays a vital role in global food security, with approximately one-third of food crops depending on bee pollination.
Core Beekeeping Concepts
Understanding Bee Society
| Bee Type | Role | Lifespan | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen | Reproduction | 2-5 years | Larger abdomen, only fertile female, lays up to 2,000 eggs daily |
| Workers | Foraging, nursing, defense | 6 weeks (summer), 4-5 months (winter) | All female, perform all colony tasks |
| Drones | Mating with queen | 8 weeks | Male bees, no stinger, die after mating |
The Beekeeping Year
| Season | Primary Activities | Colony State |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Hive inspection, swarm prevention, adding supers | Rapid growth, foraging begins |
| Summer | Honey collection, swarm management, pest monitoring | Peak population, maximum honey production |
| Fall | Harvest, mite treatment, feeding if needed | Preparing for winter, population decreases |
| Winter | Minimal intervention, occasional checks | Cluster formation, minimal activity |
Getting Started: Step-by-Step Process
Research and Education
- Take beekeeping classes
- Join local beekeeping association
- Read beginner beekeeping books
- Shadow experienced beekeepers
Site Selection and Setup
- Choose location with morning sun, afternoon shade
- Provide windbreak if possible
- Ensure water source within 1/4 mile
- Position entrance away from foot traffic
- Check local regulations and permits
Equipment Acquisition
- Purchase or build hives
- Obtain protective gear
- Acquire tools and accessories
- Order bees (package, nuc, or captured swarm)
Bee Installation
- Install package bees or nucleus colony
- Feed sugar syrup (1:1 spring/fall, 2:1 winter)
- Minimal inspection for first week
First Year Management
- Regular inspections (every 7-10 days in season)
- Monitor for queen performance
- Add boxes as colony grows
- Treat for parasites/diseases as needed
- Prepare for winter
Essential Beekeeping Equipment
Hive Components (Top to Bottom)
- Outer cover/roof: Weather protection
- Inner cover: Insulation and ventilation
- Honey supers: Boxes for honey storage
- Queen excluder: Keeps queen from laying eggs in honey storage
- Brood boxes: Where queen lays eggs and brood develops
- Bottom board: Hive entrance and floor
- Hive stand: Elevates hive from ground
Personal Protective Equipment
- Veil/hat: Protects face and neck
- Suit/jacket: Protects body from stings
- Gloves: Protects hands
- Boots: Protects ankles and feet
Essential Tools
- Smoker: Calms bees during inspection
- Hive tool: Multipurpose lever for hive manipulation
- Bee brush: Gently remove bees from frames
- Frame grip: Helps remove frames from hive
Hive Types Comparison
| Hive Type | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langstroth | Industry standard, interchangeable parts, widely available | Heavier when full, winter preparation more complex | Traditional beekeeping, honey production |
| Top Bar | Easy on the back, natural comb building, less expensive | Less honey production, not compatible with standard equipment | Natural beekeeping, hobbyists, observation |
| Warre | Mimics natural tree hives, less intrusive management | Limited inspection capability, not standard sizing | Natural beekeeping, minimal intervention |
| Flow Hive | Easier honey harvesting, less disruptive | Expensive, still requires normal management | Hobbyists, urban beekeepers |
Bee Races Comparison
| Bee Race | Temperament | Productivity | Disease Resistance | Winter Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian | Gentle, calm | High | Moderate | Moderate |
| Carniolan | Very gentle | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Russian | Moderate | Moderate | Excellent (varroa) | Excellent |
| Buckfast | Gentle (but can change) | Very high | Good | Good |
| Caucasian | Very gentle | Good | Moderate | Good |
Common Challenges and Solutions
Pests and Diseases
| Issue | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varroa mites | Deformed wings, weakened bees, visible mites | Organic acids, thymol, approved miticides | Regular monitoring, resistant stock, integrated pest management |
| Small hive beetles | Beetles in hive, slimed frames | Traps, soil drenches, freezing affected frames | Strong colonies, full sun, dry conditions |
| Wax moths | Webbing, destroyed comb, larvae | Remove and freeze affected frames | Maintain strong colonies, remove excess comb |
| American foulbrood | Sunken cappings, ropey dead brood, foul smell | Antibiotics (with permit) or destroy by burning | Regular inspections, clean equipment, resistant stock |
| European foulbrood | Twisted, yellowed larvae, sour smell | Requeening, antibiotics if severe | Strong colonies, good nutrition, resistant stock |
| Nosema | Dysentery, reduced population, spotting on hive | Fumagillin, requeening | Good ventilation, fresh equipment, sunlight |
Behavioral Issues
| Issue | Signs | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Swarming | Queen cells, overcrowding | Split colony, add space, remove queen cells |
| Robbing | Fighting at entrance, frantic activity | Reduce entrance, add robbing screens, avoid open feeding |
| Absconding | Entire colony leaves | Ensure good hive conditions, adequate food, pest management |
| Aggression | Excessive stinging, following | Requeen with gentler stock, inspect in favorable conditions |
Best Practices and Tips
Inspection Technique
- Work on calm, warm days (60°F+)
- Mid-day when foragers are out
- Use smoker properly (cool white smoke)
- Move slowly and deliberately
- Avoid crushing bees
- Keep inspections under 20 minutes
Feeding Guidelines
- Spring: 1:1 sugar syrup (stimulates brood rearing)
- Fall: 2:1 sugar syrup (winter stores)
- Winter: Candy boards or fondant if needed
- Pollen substitute: Early spring if natural pollen unavailable
Record Keeping Essentials
- Queen status and age
- Colony temperament
- Brood pattern quality
- Disease/pest observations
- Treatments applied (with dates)
- Honey production
- Colony strength
Honey Harvesting Tips
- Wait until 80% of cells are capped
- Harvest when honey is 18% moisture or less
- Use escape boards or bee brushes to clear supers
- Extract in clean environment
- Store honey in airtight containers
Resources for Further Learning
Books
- “Beekeeping For Dummies” by Howland Blackiston
- “The Beekeeper’s Handbook” by Diana Sammataro
- “The Backyard Beekeeper” by Kim Flottum
- “Natural Beekeeping” by Ross Conrad
Organizations
- American Beekeeping Federation
- Regional beekeeping associations
- Local beekeeping clubs
- Cooperative Extension Services
Online Resources
- BeeSource.com
- HoneyBeeSuite.com
- ScientificBeekeeping.com
- University extension websites
Supplies and Equipment
- Mann Lake Ltd.
- Dadant & Sons
- Brushy Mountain Bee Farm
- Local beekeeping supply stores