Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Beekeeping 101 - Beekeeping Basics

Beekeepers can be divided into two distinct
groups. For some it is just a hobby, while for
others it is a full time business. Both parties
still really need to practice proper caution when
performing this activity. Both will typically
need to know the exact same amount of knowledge
when it comes to regular maintenance of their
bees. While some are dedicated to it as a
business, this does not mean that they won't or
can't enjoy what they are doing.

What do those who are new need to know?

Know the laws.

A license may be required in some states to
legally proceed, and a minority of states have
outlawed the practice as a hobby. This is
becoming less common, with major areas such as
New York City recently overturning this ban, but
check your local by laws just in case.

Tell your neighbors.

Not everyone is educated with all of the habits
of bees, and some may not have an appreciation
for the important role they play in our
ecosystem. Bees in general just want to do their
work. They can continue to work in the presence
of humans, but sometimes the humans feel
overwhelmed. When a person makes a strike toward
the bee, the bee may sting back.

It's a good idea to have a chat with your
neighbors on the benefits they will ultimately
provide and give them some tips on how to keep
visits from the bees reserved to areas they are
comfortable with. It doesn't hurt to offer an
occasional honey jar gift to keep them happy.

Be careful.

When you don't really know what you are doing,
bees can be dangerous to handle. Wear the full
bee suit and protective gear. Don't chance things
by showing up in a rush to your hive armed only
with a veil and gloves. And get the right kind of
gear. There are gloves on the market that are for
the specific purpose of handling bees. There are
bee suits that are thicker and more protective
than others.

Get the best quality you can afford as ultimately
this is your first defense against the insects
should unforeseen trouble arise. Even with all
your gear you can still get stung - but the best
gear will keep this to an absolute minimum.

Choose right.

There is more than just one type of honey bee.
Get the wrong one and you could wind up going out
of business before you even get started. Some
will provide more honey than others and some will
thrive better in certain climates. If you are not
sure where to get them, you can check out some
commercial bee farms. These farms will send you
some bees in a nuc box (nuc short for nucleus). A
simple starter nuc box may contain a queen with
10,000 working bees.

Choosing the right hive is important as well. Top
bar beehives and standard Langstroth beehives
both perform differently and can offer different
results on what is harvested from the hive.

For example, a top bar hive will produce some
honey, but will also produce a great amount of
wax. While some may not really want the extra
wax, their budget may only allow them enough for
this type of hive. It can be a mess trying to
change your arrangement later, so take the time
to decide which type you will want for the long
haul.

As they say, garbage in - garbage out. Gather the
best information, supplies, and bees. Put some
love and care into the mix and you are sure to
have a wealth of honey come harvest time.

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Val Wilson is passionate about all things
beekeeping! It is an incredibly rewarding hobby
in so many ways, so if you would like more
information about how to start beekeeping, and
produce your own honey, go to
http://www.bestbeekeeping.com and sign up for the
FREE 7 day beekeeping ecourse.

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