How Do I Get Started In Beekeeping? The First 7 Steps

Are you interested in and maybe even excited about becoming a beekeeper? It’s a rewarding hobby that can provide you with delicious honey and other fantastic bee products, while also helping to pollinate your garden or farm. If you’re thinking about keeping bees, there are a few steps we recommend you take to start this rewarding journey.

 

Step #1. Get Educated. One of the most important things you can do as a new beekeeper is to learn all about bees. There are lots of great books on the subject, and the more you know about these amazing creatures, the better prepared you will be to start your hives off on the right foot. We recommend reading “Beekeeping Basics” and connecting with a mentor as well as local beekeeping organizations in your area. It’s always a good idea to go out with an expert a few times before raising your own bees. Mountain Sweet Honey has more than just bees for sale. Check out our selection of industry-leading books and our online education page. You may even want to attend our upcoming “Beginning Beekeeper Bootcamp” in Toccoa, GA on September 24, 2022. So plunge in and start learning all you can about bees! You won’t regret it.

 

Step #2. Identify/Decide Where You Will Keep Your Bees. Once you’ve determined that it is legal to keep bees in your area, the next step is to find out how many hives you are allowed to have. This information can usually be found at your local city hall or by contacting your local beekeeping association. Once you know the answer, you can start planning where you will put them. It’s important to choose a location for your hives that is sunny and sheltered from the northern wind. Bees do best when their hives are in a protected area. Most hives require at least three square feet of space, so you’ll need to find a location that can accommodate that. You’ll also need to make sure your property will be pesticide-free and other chemicals that could be harmful to bees.

Now that you are thinking about where to keep bees and how many hives you can have, it’s time to start thinking about what type of hive you want to use. 

 

Step #3. Setting Up Your Beehives. There are many different types of hives for sale. As a backyard beekeeper, you will provide a man-made hive for your bees so you can help maintain the colony and easily harvest the honey. The most common type of beehive is the Langstroth hive, named after its inventor, Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth. This hive consists of a series of stacked boxes, each with frames that hold the beeswax comb. The boxes are designed so that the bees can move between them as they please, and the frames can be removed for easy access to the honeycomb. A basic hive setup includes a brood chamber, frames, a bottom board, and an inner cover. We recommend either an 8-frame or 10-frame hive. Whichever type of hive you choose, make sure you start small so that you can easily manage your colony and learn the necessary beekeeping skills.

 

Step #4 The Beekeeper’s Tasks. As the beekeeper, you will be responsible for providing your bees with everything they need to survive and thrive. This includes a water source, food, and a safe place to build their hive. One of the most important tasks in beekeeping is inspecting your hives regularly. This allows you to check on the health of the colony and make sure that the bees have enough food. It also allows you to harvest any honey that is ready. Inspecting your hives every few weeks is a good starting point, but you may need to do it more often if there are problems with the colony or if the weather is very hot or cold.

 

Step #5 The Supplies You Will Need And The Clothes That Will Protect You. There are several basic hand tools that beekeepers use to work with the bees. The most common are hive tools, scrapers, and uncapping scratchers. Hive tools help break apart the boxes that make up beehives, which can be stuck together with beeswax and/or propolis. Scrapers can remove wax and/or propolis buildup from hive components. A smoker will help keep the bees calm when you’re checking on them or harvesting honey. Here’s our recommended list of beekeeping supplies.

 

As a beekeeper, you will inevitably get stung by bees at some point. While it is possible to keep bees without any protective gear, it is generally advisable for beginners to take precautions. Wearing the proper protective clothing can help you from painful stings and other potential hazards. There are a few different types of protective gear that you may need, depending on the type of hive you are using. For example, you will likely need a veil, gloves, and other protective clothing. 

 

No matter what type of hive you are using, it is important to be aware of the potential hazards and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself. Wearing the proper clothing and gear can help make beekeeping a safer and more enjoyable experience. Currently, we have a really good deal on our Beekeeping Jacket & Tools Combo. Click here to see all of our beekeeping supplies.

 

Step #6 Determine Your Budget.  The minimum cost to start beekeeping with one beehive is about $760 for the first year. One set of hive components costs around $270. A bee package is approximately $175. Protective gear and basic tools cost $165 while miscellaneous costs for supplies are about $150. These estimates are based on surveys of several major online beekeeping sites and do not include shipping costs or other expenses that may be unique to your situation and environment. 

 

Step #7 Order Your Packaged Bees. There are two main ways to get bees for your hive – you can either buy a “package” of bees or a “nuc” (short for nucleus) colony. Package bees are typically less expensive than nucs, but they also require a bit more work to get started. With a package, you’ll need to introduce the queen bee to the colony yourself. Nucs are more established and come with a queen who has already started laying eggs. This can give your hive a head start, but they’re usually more expensive than packages. When ordering bees, make sure to do your research and order from a reputable source. This will help ensure that your bees are healthy and ready to start building their new home. We have Packaged Bees For Sale and ship to 31 states.

 

It’s really rewarding to see your bees thriving and building their hive. You’ll notice them flying in and out all day long when the weather is warm. And on hot days, they’ll congregate outside to cool off. Unless their hive is threatened, they’re generally peaceful and will leave people alone. They’re also great for pollinating fruits and vegetables if you have a garden. My family enjoys having them around the yard and watching them collect pollen from all the flowers. Plus, we love getting raw honey from them. With a little patience and effort, you can be a successful backyard beekeeper. Just remember to start small, so you can learn as you go. And don’t forget to have fun!