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4 Responses to I’m going to start beekeeping and need tips for getting started and for where to by my stuff.?

1. Do an Internet search and ask some local bee keepers. They usually form a bee keeper’s association.

   

   kittyrogers
   November 4, 2011 at 8:37 pm
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2. Around Dallas build a lattice type cover the top of hives for summer, but do not place under oak trees the web worm will kill the hive. You will have to feed them through the winter and to make any honey a cotten patch or clover field is needed other wise there is not enough flowers to make honey for robbing. If there is no other hives in your area there is a reason.

   

   Ibredd
   November 4, 2011 at 9:10 pm
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3. How to Gear Up for Beekeeping
   Your new hobby will require an initial investment for beekeeping equipment. But if you’re going to be selling honey, you’ll earn back your money in no time.

   Tools to Begin Beekeeping

   Steps:
   1. Purchase one standard 10-frame hive with bottom board and telescoping cover.

   2. Purchase a hive stand with the hive body, or make a stand with cement blocks.

   3. Purchase or make an entrance block to reduce the size of the hive entrance, hold in heat, and prevent small animals from moving into the hive.

   4. Purchase an inner cover for the hive to keep the bees from propolizing (see glossary) the telescoping cover to the frames.

   5. Purchase 10 frames to hold the foundation for bees to start building comb.

   6. Purchase at least 20 pieces of foundation. Store extra foundation in a cool area away from mice.

   7. Purchase a bee veil to protect your face and gloves to protect your hands.

   8. Buy a hive tool to pry the telescoping cover and inner cover from the hive.

   9. Buy a bee brush – a soft brush used to remove bees gently from comb without killing them.

   10. Buy a bee feeder and a bee smoker.

   11. Pack a beekeeper’s toolbox. It should include a long butane lighter, tin snips, pruning shears, tack hammer, hive staples, a few nails (to repair hive, super or frames), queen catcher, knife, sting ointment, needle-nose pliers, nylon rope or hive strap (to secure a swarm hive), gray duct tape, newspaper, and a spray bottle of sugar water.

   Tips:
   Some of the equipment – such as the smoker, hive tool, feeder and brush – can be purchased “used.”

   If you plan to have more than one hive, purchase the foundation in larger quantities for a better buy.

   Warnings:
   Used hive bodies and frames may not be a standard size. Have an experienced beekeeper go with you to look at used hive bodies.

   Equipment Needed in Late Summer

   Steps:
   1. Buy one deep super for bees to store honey for winter.

   2. Buy 10 wooden frames to hold foundation and wax foundation.

   3. Use two shallow supers with frames and foundations to fit for storing honey you plan to harvest and eat.

   4. Get a queen excluder to prevent queen from moving into shallow supers and laying eggs.

   5. Get a bee escape to allow bees to get out of shallow supers when they’re full of honey.

   How to Start a Beehive
   Here’s a general overview for starting a hive. Be sure to follow the specific instructions given by the manufacturer of your hive.

   Location

   Steps:
   1. Check local city ordinances or covenants about keeping bees in your area.

   2. Select a location that provides morning sun and late-afternoon shade.

   3. Avoid a location where bees might fly into a neighbor’s yard.

   4. Make sure bees have access to water without having to use a neighbor’s pool.

   5. Consider planting flowers and shrubs that attract bees and that provide a good source of pollen.

   Tips:
   Bees love cotton, soybeans, holly, black gum, white clover, sweet clover, black locust, honey locust, willow, rattan vine, buckwheat vine, sumac, brambles, fruit tree blossoms, and redbud, among others.

   Warnings:
   Do not use pesticides on blooming plants. This is one sure way of wiping out an entire bee population.

   Hive Setup

   Steps:
   1. Set up your hive before early spring to catch the first nectar flow.

   2. Purchase bees and install them in your hive.

   3. Feed bees until honey flow begins – when plants and trees begin to bloom.

   4. Check bees periodically for disease.

   5. Add a super when six frames are full of capped honey

   

   tiger_lily57
   November 4, 2011 at 10:01 pm
   Reply

4. Let me also suggest that you look through George Imirie’s Pink Pages for some really good how-to. He covers many aspects of beekeeping. Beekeepedia has some good general overview that is applicable for most of the US and new beekeepers. And if you need more specific help, you can post to Bee Talk Community, a beekeeping message board.

   The links:

   http://www.christopherpetree.com/docs/pinkpages
   http://www.christopherpetree.com/docs/beekeepedia
   http://www.christopherpetree.com/community/

   

   Christopher Petree
   November 4, 2011 at 10:34 pm
   Reply