These top tips beginning beekeepers should know will give you some helpful information as you build your hive. Come back to this list now and then to make sure you’re on the right track.
Use Frames
There are many hive designs on the market today. But if you’re just starting, it’s best to go with the most user-friendly approach. For that reason, you should use movable frames for your first apiary. Movable frames like Langstroth hives give you better support for the comb. Furthermore, you can quickly swap these frames between hives or boxes, which is extremely helpful for examinations.
Look at the Hive Every 7 to 10 Days
Another tip beginning beekeepers should know is to inspect the hive every 7 to 10 days. This is necessary because so much can happen in a week and a half. The bees may swarm, make queen cells, or lose their space.
Open the hive and check if the bees have enough space to inspect the bees. Pull out each brood until you feel confident everything is running smoothly. If you notice a brood pattern that’s unhealthy, check on the queen.
Start Early in the Season
It’s better to err on the side of starting too early rather than starting too late. Beginning too late in the season puts your bees at risk because they may not have the time to produce enough honey to make it through the winter.
Get New Equipment
Though new hobbyists may want to buy cheap, used equipment, you’ll likely save yourself from lots of trouble if you get everything new. Faulty equipment could lead to your hive’s premature death. If you insist on getting used gear, let an experienced beekeeper check it before you put it to use.
If you have an interest in beekeeping, you hopefully appreciate the taste of delicious honey. Before you go through all the trouble of harvesting it yourself, you can always buy raw honey from Crystal’s Honey.