Six Important Tips For Raising Productive Bee

Beekeeping is something that’s highly beneficial not only to you and your family’s well-being but to the environment also. Simply because bees play a pivotal role in pollinating most of the crops that are produced by farmers, making them indispensable by the farming community if they’ll look forward to a successful harvest of crops.

Research has shown that bee populations have in declined in some regions of the world and this is threatening the supply of crops. This fact doesn’t just affect consumable crops but many other plant species that rely on pollination are also threatened and if nothing is done nature can be thrown out of balance. It’s unimaginable what could happen to the planet if it was to lose these creatures, so beekeeping is not just about making bucks but contributing to keeping the planet and nature in balance.

Honey has healing properties to many ailments as it able to strengthen the immune system and bee stings have also been used by many natural therapists to cure certain illnesses. Anyone who is interested in beekeeping but don’t have a clue as to where they are going to start, I have compiled 6 important tips to get them going.

Tip #1. Research:-
There’s more to beekeeping than what meets the eye, it’s not about getting some bees and throwing them in box placed in the corner of your backyard and just checking on them from time. There are thousands of bee species available so you must find out which ones are best for your region. (N:B please register with your local beekeeper’s association as they can be able to guide you about most regulations in your state.)

Also you’ll need to acquire some knowledge about diseases, pests and predators that can affect the development of your colonies and what you can do should you encounter some of these problems.

Tip #2. Acquire Equipment & Supplies:-
Once you’ve decided that this is the path you’d like to embark on, the next thing to do is to get all the equipment required in beekeeping. You need a beekeepers suit to protect you from bee stings when you’re working on the hives, the smoker to calm the bees whenever you’re working. You also need the hives where your bees are going to live and an area where you going to place your hives, and make sure that it’s somewhere your bees won’t be a threat to your neighbours and their pets.

Tip #3. Getting The Hives Ready:-
The best numbers of hives to start with is two, and then grow from there. You can look at it as your honey plant where the bees are going to produce and store the honey for you until you’re ready to have it harvested.
The hive must have a brood chamber where the Queen is going to be placed so she can start laying eggs. A single hive usually houses about ten frames but only nine will be kept to make room so you don’t crush the bees during inspection.

It’s important that your hives are in a good location where there’s not too much human traffic as the bees will cause traffic of their own when foraging. It should also have quick access to water and foraging sources, if natural sources aren’t available you can create artificial ones. Simply place a syrup mixture and a water pond for your bees so they won’t have to travel long distances. Make sure that the hive opening faces east or south so that they can be easily warmed up in the morning and it should have sufficient shade during those hot summer days.

Tip #4. Get the Bees:-
There are various ways of acquiring bees but for someone who’s starting out in beekeeping, it’s always advisable that they purchase bees for their first hives. A starter packed colony consists of a Queen, the drones and worker bees.
Once again your local beekeepers association can give you a list of reputable breeders where you may be able to buy from.

Tip #5 Get the Bees Down to Business:-
Unlike human beings, bees know exactly what is required of them. As soon as the queen has been placed in her new home, everyone will start doing their part. But good beekeeper will always make it simpler for the bees; by feeding them sugar syrup and water so they can start building up honey in the combs.

In the beginning check the hives at least two or three times a week just make sure they’re settling in well. The first year of honey production will be solely for the bees to meet their survival needs, so it’s important that you harvest just little and leave them a sufficient quantity as storage for the winter.

Tip #6. Harvest Time:-
In the first year you’ll need to harvest just a small amount of honey, but in the next coming seasons you can start harvesting substantial amounts. But before you start you must be able to identify the signs of honey that’s ready. Honey is ripe and ready when you observe the cells and you see them capped.
Remove the frames from the hives using a special brush for bees, remove all the dead bees and other rubbish from the honey comb then replace the frames.

I’d like to highlight that if you’re totally new to beekeeping and you have never observed or seen someone go through these processes, acquire a beekeeping handbook from the links below. It has all the necessary step-by-step information to help you succeed in this rich and rewarding endeavour.

About the Author

Want to learn more about raising bees that are healthy and productive? Visit my website at http://www.beesandhivesmastery.com for helpful tips and information on raising productive, gentle bees that produce honey of the highest quality.