Bees and Equipment For Beekeeping

For the beginner who is just starting with bees, buying all new equipment with package bees is the best way to start. An established hive can create problems for the beginner in areas such as swarm control, re-queening, and colony defensiveness. Buying new equipment will allow you to learn the individual parts of the hive while putting it together, and with package bees you can gain valuable experience from manipulating a small colony. You will witness the colony's growth from a small package into a strong honey-producing colony. This way your beekeeping skills will grow as your colony grows. Starting with more than one colony is helpful and will give you more management options. Two to four colonies are ideal for new beekeepers.

Buy your first bees and equipment from a well-recognized source. Refer to advertisements in beekeeping journals and request catalogs from the suppliers listed at the end of this publication. Before you buy used equipment, familiarize yourself with honeybee diseases and pests. Second hand equipment may be safe; or it may turn out to be a costly and discouraging investment.

Click here to learn details about the equipment you will need.

Getting Ready -- Yourself

Outfit yourself with work clothes and needed accessories to make your work easier and more enjoyable. When working with bees, always use a smoker and hive tool. Learning to use these tools properly is an important skill for the beginning beekeeper to master. You should be able to light your smoker and keep it burning before you attempt to open a colony. Never attempt to open a colony without having a smoker burning. With a well-lit smoker, you are in charge; without it, the bees may take control.

Attend short courses, field days, and beekeeping association meetings. Subscribe to at least one beekeeping periodical. If you have friends who keep bees, go with them when they work with their bees. This experience will prove very helpful when you get your own bees.

When you begin working with bees, always wear bee gloves and a veil. As you become more aware of the factors that affect a colony's temperament, you will learn when you can work with your bees without gloves and when the colony will be quite defensive. You will only learn these lessons through experience working your bees, so be well protected. Before attempting to open a colony, carefully study information on how to handle bees when opening the hive.

Everything you need to know about Beekeeping Clothing. This is an extract from the broadcast 'Studio Bee Live" by David of Honey Bee Farms in Illinois. It is an mp3 audio file and should automatically call up your Windows Media Program or maybe Quick Time to play it when you click on the speaker. An excellent discussion that plays about 20 minutes. You can save it to your computer to play again at any time.

People react to bee stings in different ways. Most people become accustomed to bee venom with time and tolerate occasional bee stings with little reaction. Unfortunately, a small fraction of the total human population can be dangerously allergic and have a life-threatening reaction. Generalized reactions, where symptoms occur away from the site of the sting, indicate a dangerous sensitivity. These symptoms include difficulty in breathing, swelling away from the site of the sting, itching and hives, nausea or abdominal cramps, dizziness, and confusion. If any of these symptoms occur, the beekeeper should seek immediate medical attention. Allergic reactions can be stopped by administering epinephrine. Allergic individuals can be desensitized in most cases and should consult their physician.

Some of these tips provided by the Monadnock Beekeepers Association.

Check our Beekeeping Links Page to learn where to get your Bee Equipment and Bees.