Installation- Set up

How can I start my own bee colony?

Beekeeping is an epic hobby. In recent years, the number of backyard beekeepers has been on the rise due to the sweet rewards. The beekeeping season takes plight in spring when bee packages arrive and are installed in hives. While it may look like an easy one, it requires knowledge, commitment, and year-round management.  Here is a guide on how you start a bee colony. 

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Know the Beekeeping Rules in Your Area

There are some rules that govern beekeeping in every locality. You should seek to know and understand them before you begin preparing for your own colony. This will save you from clashing with the law. 

Begin with Bee Education

You should embark on beekeeping with some basic knowledge and advanced preparation. Failure to understand your role as a beekeeper, unrealistic expectations and hive mortality problems are some of the issues that cause beginners to give up early. It is good to start learning as early as fall if you aspire to raise a bee colony in spring. 

Choose an Ideal Location for Your Hive

You should choose a location that is accessible, have good airflow, is near water and food resources and has good drainage. Other considerations include early morning sunshine and afternoon shade, and winter windbreaks. The hive should face the east or southeast direction so that these fantastic creatures can enjoy the early morning sun.  

Buy the Beekeeping Supplies plus the Protective Clothing

It is not cheap to buy the hive and the equipment. You will require a bee suit or jacket, leather gloves, a bee brush, a hive tool, and a bee smoker.  A smoker helps to calm the bees while you are doing inspection or harvesting, and a bee brush will gently remove the bees from surfaces you dint want them. A hive tool will assist in prying open through the propolis seals that bees create in the boxes and frames. In the beginning, you may use a whole bee suit, but with experience, you may ditch some of the clothing. Experienced beekeepers rarely use gloves. It is good to note that however much you shield yourself from bee stings, you will definitely be stung. 

Buy Bees

It is good to look for local breeders since they have bees that are adapted to your climatic region. You should order your bees early enough so that they can get to you in early spring. You can either order a bee package, nuc or even seek to catch a swarm. The bees have already started to produce honey and comb for a nuc. All stages of bee development are also present. 

Instal the Bees

You should set up the hive before the bees arrive. They should not wait or keep them for a day while you try to put things in place. Installing a bee package can be more complicated than a nuc. You will require to keep the queen in a cage for a few days before the colony accepts her. You should wear your protective gear and remain calm. 

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Feed the Bees

Feeding the bees with sugar syrup is essential while they seek to set up their new home. You should continue feeding them until they get established. You can stop when you realise they longer feed on it. 

Manage your colonies

You should carry out routine inspections to monitor the colony’s health and status. Some things to check include the status and health of her majesty the queen, available space and food stores, evidence of pests and diseases, signs of swarming and many more. Any issue that arise should be attended to as soon as possible. Add or remove boxes as needed and prep the colony for winter.

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