How To Begin Beekeeping

     You can keep bees almost anywhere people live. They won’t all make tons of honey every year – that varies with seasons and climate effecting the floral blooms or nectar flow. Most of us keep the critters for the fun of it.

     Beekeeping is usually legal. In most states, you are required to register as a beekeeper. This is really a pretty neat thing to do. Here in Arkansas, you call The Apiary Board and they’ll send out an inspector to inspect your bees for diseases and record the location. All this is free. They are always there to help. Some cities also require registration. Best to check to be safe.

      If you are wondering how much cash you’ll need to get started, that depends on several things.

      One hive of bees with supers to hold comb honey and equipment to care for the bees will probably cost you about three hundred dollars. (veil, gloves, smoker, feeding equipment) It’s best to start with two hives. You’ll need a small hobby extractor to separate combs from honey, honey strainers, buckets, uncapping knife-- another three hundred dollars.

       If you have the tools, build your own hives.  I do, as most hobby beekeepers do.

       Yes, there is lots of money in the honey business, but not as lucrative as it once was. The big money is in pollination of agricultural crops. You will discover that most of the money travels OUT of your pocket. So do like most of us do. Keep bees for the fun of it. Help bees survive.

        There are several bee supply places with excellent reputations. Three are listed below.

    This hive is an example of the hive parts needed to get started in bee-keeping.

     The bees survived the 2008 winter in good condition. As I was taking a picture of the hive on the right a bee stung me on the top of my head. This hive of bees has always been aggressive, therefore they'll get a new queen. They are good honey producers but so are gentle bees.

      The photo on the left is an example of bees swarming. This is the second swarm of bees to leave the hive in about a week. Usually bees swarm due to overcrowding, but I do not believe that is the case here. They did the same last year; therefore I should have already replaced the queen. And replace the queen, I shall.

       Walter T. Kelly Co.  P. O. Box 240, Clarkson, Ky.  42726   Also sell and ship bees.

        Dadant and Sons,  51 South 2nd Street, Hamilton, IL   62341

       BeeSource.Com,  Free--Elements of Beekeeping. Bee Hive Plans'