Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners

Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners

It might seem like its easy to get some bees and let them loose in your backyard, but there's a lot more preparation behind successfully raising them.

Bees are important pollinators in our environment, and they ensure that a huge range of crops and ornamental flowers successfully fruit and flourish. This means more food for ourselves and wildlife.

How I Started Backyard Beekeeping

I began beekeeping in March of 2021, although my studying about bees began much earlier. I had a desire to keep honeybees for quite a long time. My husband and I visited a friend in New Hampshire that had honey bees he was much older than me so i thought if he can do it so can I. But there was such a vast amount of information, and it all felt overwhelming. I started reading all about raising honey bees around 2017 and ordered catalogs to check out pricing and different type of bee hives, So in January 2021 i put my first order in for my Bee Package to arrive in March. 

Long before you start your first beehive, you may need to consider changes to the landscaping and environment.

“If you like the perfect lawn, beekeeping is not for you, “Bees thrive on clover and other weeds which are eliminated if you have your lawn treated. Flowers that are attractive to pollinators are important to put in your landscape. Try to plant natives because they are adapted to the area and the bees and other pollinators will utilize them.”

Where is the Best Location for a Beehive?

If you don’t have a good location for bees, you shouldn’t keep them. So, that brings up the question, “what is a good location for a beehive?” I have seen hives on rooftops, backyards, in fields, and even in subdivisions. You can put a hive in many locations but here are a few things to think about when placing your hives.

• When placing a hive, the best direction for it to face is towards the East. This is so the morning sun will warm the hive and tell the bees that it is time for them to go out foraging. This gets them started working earlier in the day. Bees must have a body temperature around 95 degrees in order to fly.
• Think about the safety of you and those who may visit your home. Hives should be placed in a location that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.
• The hive should be placed with easy access in mind. When working a hive it is important that there is plenty of space around the backside of the hive to work. It is generally recommended to have at least 2-3 feet around the back of the hive.
• Hives should be placed on level ground. The boxes on the hive can weigh a lot so it is safest to have level ground to work on as you remove boxes to work the hive.
• A close water source is crucial in where a hive is placed. Bees collect water and are extremely efficient in where they go to get the water. They will choose the closest location to them.
• Wind barrier is an important factor in locations that get a lot of harsh winter weather or areas with heavy storms.
• Hives should be placed in an area where the bees have a clear entrance to enter and exit the hive.
• Check your local city ordinances. Some cities have ordinances that have to be followed if you want to be a beekeeper.

Costs of Beekeeping

Keeping bees requires a financial investment, and the initial cost of beekeeping can be intimidating to new beekeepers. You will need to purchase supplies such as a hive, proper protective clothing, a smoker and hive tool.

A single new hive may cost about $150, clothing and gear may cost about $160, and a package of new bees may run $125 to $150. To keep costs down, look for starter kits with bees, boxes and gear for a better combined price. 

Other things to consider: Bees will sting. Depending on your location, overwintering your hive can be a challenge. Diseases, pesticides and parasites are the most common troubles that could threaten your hive.

I Have Put Together A Complete List of Beekeeping Supplies 

Beekeeping for Beginners does use affiliate links if you purchase anything i may receive a small commission.

You have two bee choices:

-Package of bees. 

-Nucleus Colony. Nucleus colonies by definition are “small honey bee colonies created from larger colonies. The term refers both to the smaller size box and the colony of honeybees within it. The name is derived from the fact that a nuc hive is centered on a queen, the nucleus of the honey bee colony.” The idea is that the small hive already has a laying queen, brood, and developed comb and can get going faster in the spring.

• HIVE
• BEE SUIT
• GLOVES
• HAT/VEIL
• SMOKER
• HIVE TOOL
• BRUSH
• FEEDER
• SUGAR
• BEE PRO
• QUEEN EXCLUDER
• SHALLOW HONEY SUPERS
• UNCAPPING KNIFE
• EXTRACTOR
• HONEY CONTAINERS
• MITE CONTROL
• FOUL BROOD CONTROL