How to Become a Honey Bee Keeper
Honey bees are highly productive insects that pollinate crops and produce honey and beeswax. Some people create or purchase artificial hives and keep honey bees as a hobby or even as a business endeavor. Whether you're a hobbyist or a professional honey producer, beekeeping can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Hives
- Smoker
- Protective equipment
- Hive tool
- Extracting equipment
- Sugar water
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1
Before you get started, research honey bees and beekeeping to learn all you can. If possible, get first-hand experience by visiting with a honey bee keeper to get a better idea of whether or not it's a feasible venture for you.
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2
Determine whether your state and local laws require you to register or obtain licensing in order to raise honey bees. Note: Do this before you purchase equipment, just in case you have difficulty.
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3
Evaluate the number of hives you'll need. If you are a hobbyist, you may want to begin with a single hive. If you are starting a honey-producing business, you may need several. Each hive could produce upwards of 50 pounds of honey each year.
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4
Obtain hives, frames and other beekeeping equipment. You may find inclusive beekeeping kits that contain all of what you'll need; or, you can purchase equipment separately. Invest wisely: You'll need to buy hives (including an extra for bees to travel to when they swarm), a smoker for calming your honey bees, and protective equipment (gloves and a veil) to minimize the number of stings you are likely to receive. You'll also need to buy a hive tool for opening the hives, and you may need honey extracting equipment, filtering equipment and holding containers.
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5
Select a good spot in which to place your hives, such as an area with direct, full sunlight. Note: Sunlight helps breeds stay warm, and signals when to begin working in the morning.
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6
Choose a location with an easily accessible source of water so the bees don't have to go over to your neighbor's yard to look for water. The area should be protected from the wind.
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7
Ensure that your hive will have the best protection possible from predators by keeping it at least 6-inches off the ground. This may help prevent flooding of your hive in heavy rain as well.
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8
Keep your hive where it is not visible from the road or sidewalk if you feel vandalism may be a problem.
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9
Buy the honey bees according to the laws of your state. You may have to order them from a state-licensed breeder. You may contact your local extension office (see Resources below), which is a national educational network funded by the government for bee breed recommendations.
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10
Transfer the bees you ordered to your hives, providing about 1 pt. of sugar water, one part water and one part sugar. Monitor regularly to ensure the bees are settling in and producing.
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