Generate Buzz as a Beekeeper
Fresh honey and happy flowers are just two of the perks of a backyard beehive. These 5 guidelines will help you get started
If you can garden, you can be a backyard beekeeper, says Bee Thinking proprietor Matt Reed. Based on his experience with customers in Portland, Oregon, he's found that chickens have become the gateway animals to bees. "If you already have a chicken coop," he says, "there is a high chance that you're on your way to becoming a beekeeper."
Location hasn't been a hindrance to urban beekeepers, Reed says. "Bees are incredibly efficient and resilient; when it's cold, they clump together and can manage their internal temperature. People in New York City have apiaries on their rooftops throughout winter, and some people here in Oregon have them on their balconies; there are garden hives in the White House and on top of the Paris Opera House."
Honeybees pollinate a third of the nation's food supply and are crucial to our ecosystem. And as the number of bees nationwide decreased recently due to viruses and pathogens, more and more people have been starting their own apiaries at home and increasing the bee population, one hive at a time.
Reed, who holds beekeeping classes at his store, outlines five essential steps for those who are thinking about having their own apiaries at home.
Location hasn't been a hindrance to urban beekeepers, Reed says. "Bees are incredibly efficient and resilient; when it's cold, they clump together and can manage their internal temperature. People in New York City have apiaries on their rooftops throughout winter, and some people here in Oregon have them on their balconies; there are garden hives in the White House and on top of the Paris Opera House."
Honeybees pollinate a third of the nation's food supply and are crucial to our ecosystem. And as the number of bees nationwide decreased recently due to viruses and pathogens, more and more people have been starting their own apiaries at home and increasing the bee population, one hive at a time.
Reed, who holds beekeeping classes at his store, outlines five essential steps for those who are thinking about having their own apiaries at home.
by Bee Thinking
»
1. Talk with your neighbors and check local beekeeping ordinances.
"In Portland, as long as the beehive is not within 150 feet of the property line, you really don't have to consult with your neighbors. But usually, neighbors appreciate the notice. It's also a good chance for everyone to get more educated about bee colonies: to know that honeybees only sting when their honey-making mission is in jeopardy, and that many times, the stingers that people complain about are not even honeybees — they're hornets or wasps," says Reed.
Sabine Axt, beekeeper and member of the San Mateo Beekeepers Guild in California, also suggests that you let neighbors know about your plans. "You should always point the hive entrance away from the neighbors' property. That way, the hive isn't in the direct flight path of the honeybees. The bees will still visit your neighbors if they have a fountain or pool or if they have food sources, like flowers or trees, which is why I recommend coming over to your neighbors with a jar full of honey to sweeten the deal," says Axt.
"In Portland, as long as the beehive is not within 150 feet of the property line, you really don't have to consult with your neighbors. But usually, neighbors appreciate the notice. It's also a good chance for everyone to get more educated about bee colonies: to know that honeybees only sting when their honey-making mission is in jeopardy, and that many times, the stingers that people complain about are not even honeybees — they're hornets or wasps," says Reed.
Sabine Axt, beekeeper and member of the San Mateo Beekeepers Guild in California, also suggests that you let neighbors know about your plans. "You should always point the hive entrance away from the neighbors' property. That way, the hive isn't in the direct flight path of the honeybees. The bees will still visit your neighbors if they have a fountain or pool or if they have food sources, like flowers or trees, which is why I recommend coming over to your neighbors with a jar full of honey to sweeten the deal," says Axt.
by Bee Thinking
»
2. Assess your home environment.
Once you've determined that beekeeping is legal in your area and you've addressed any neighbors' concerns, ask yourself:
• Where will you keep your bees?
• Has everyone in your family signed off on having an apiary?
• Has everyone in the family been tested for bee-sting allergies?
• If you have pets in the home, have you talked to the vet about the high chance your pets will step on a few bees?
"Our guild has some very young beekeeper members; families can certainly learn the beekeeping trade as a team. I think it's wonderful to involve kids in beekeeping, to have them learn the amazing workings of nature firsthand and convey respect for these extremely well organized and cute critters — without which we would loose a lot of our sources of nourishment," says Axt.
3. Educate yourself.
Search for a local beekeepers association and check its website for local bee clubs and regional beekeeping organizations. Read up on beekeeping: The more you educate yourself on bees and maintaining apiaries, the safer everyone will be once your apiary is up and buzzing.
Once you've determined that beekeeping is legal in your area and you've addressed any neighbors' concerns, ask yourself:
• Where will you keep your bees?
• Has everyone in your family signed off on having an apiary?
• Has everyone in the family been tested for bee-sting allergies?
• If you have pets in the home, have you talked to the vet about the high chance your pets will step on a few bees?
"Our guild has some very young beekeeper members; families can certainly learn the beekeeping trade as a team. I think it's wonderful to involve kids in beekeeping, to have them learn the amazing workings of nature firsthand and convey respect for these extremely well organized and cute critters — without which we would loose a lot of our sources of nourishment," says Axt.
3. Educate yourself.
Search for a local beekeepers association and check its website for local bee clubs and regional beekeeping organizations. Read up on beekeeping: The more you educate yourself on bees and maintaining apiaries, the safer everyone will be once your apiary is up and buzzing.
4. Get the necessary equipment.
Reed recommends that beginners get a hive tool, a hive stand, a smoker, a full jacket with veil and gloves and a bee brush. It's good to wear long socks in which to stuff pant bottoms.
"You do not want to find out what it feels like to have a bee crawl up your boot and into your pant leg," warns Axt, who sometimes uses rubber bands to close her pant bottoms and prevent bees from going inside her clothing.
Reed recommends that beginners get a hive tool, a hive stand, a smoker, a full jacket with veil and gloves and a bee brush. It's good to wear long socks in which to stuff pant bottoms.
"You do not want to find out what it feels like to have a bee crawl up your boot and into your pant leg," warns Axt, who sometimes uses rubber bands to close her pant bottoms and prevent bees from going inside her clothing.
This image shows Sabine transferring her newly acquired bees from their temporary home in the nuc box (a mini-hive that can be picked up in a box containing a pound or so of bees, a laying queen and frames with brood, honey and pollen) into their brand new supers or honey-collecting home.
"I am wearing my jacket with a veiled hat and gloves. I am also holding a standard hive tool that most beekeepers use," says Axt.
5. Get busy!
Seasoned beekeepers usually recommend starting with a nuc. There are thousands of bee types out there, and some are more efficient pollinators than others; not all bees are honey bees. "But if you're a beginner, it's really good to start with docile honeybees, commonly known as mason bees," says Reed.
Axt, who refers to herself as a "bee steward," affirms that beekeeping is a rewarding and infinitely interesting hobby. "There's so much to love about bees: They are resilient, they work hard, you can keep them in your own backyard or rooftop, and they make the sweetest thing — honey."
Houzzers, tell us: Do you have a backyard or rooftop apiary? What are your tips for beginning beekeepers? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section below.
More:
6 Tips From Great Urban Gardens
How to Grow Your Own Edible Garden
3 Fuss-Free Ways to Garden
"I am wearing my jacket with a veiled hat and gloves. I am also holding a standard hive tool that most beekeepers use," says Axt.
5. Get busy!
Seasoned beekeepers usually recommend starting with a nuc. There are thousands of bee types out there, and some are more efficient pollinators than others; not all bees are honey bees. "But if you're a beginner, it's really good to start with docile honeybees, commonly known as mason bees," says Reed.
Axt, who refers to herself as a "bee steward," affirms that beekeeping is a rewarding and infinitely interesting hobby. "There's so much to love about bees: They are resilient, they work hard, you can keep them in your own backyard or rooftop, and they make the sweetest thing — honey."
Houzzers, tell us: Do you have a backyard or rooftop apiary? What are your tips for beginning beekeepers? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments section below.
More:
6 Tips From Great Urban Gardens
How to Grow Your Own Edible Garden
3 Fuss-Free Ways to Garden
Ideabook published on April 21, 2012.
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Chickens were our gateway animal. Once you have chickens, bees are the logical next step in raising your own food.
There is nothing more exciting than opening your hive and standing in the middle of all of those bees!
In the case of honeybees they are faced with continued assaults - colony collapse disorder, varroa mites, deformed wing virus, nosema ceranae (a microsporidium - a unicellarular parasite) and an extremely dangerous new threat has appeared in the form of the phorid fly (apocephalus borealis) just to name a few.
Hives need to be properly managed and maintained. So if you are unwilling to devote time to learn proper hive management from knowledgeable bee keepers, then don't have hives that will most likely become infected and thus spread these disease to healthy hives. Remember, the best of intentions can result in serious consequences.
So if you realize you won't be able to maintain a hive, do the next best thing for bees and other pollinators such as wasps, bumblebees and other solitary pollinator bees and flies. Reduce your pesticide use in your garden, plant varities of vegetation that are great nectar and pollen sources for bees and other pollinators.At least you will help in feeding and providing habitat for these essential insects.
For help and information contact your local Master Gardener Programs that are manned by wonderful civic volunteers who work with your local state horitcultural agents to provide sound horticultural advice to the community. Many Master Gardener Programs have serious and knowledgeable beekeepers as members. And I have never yet met a gardener or a beekeeper who won't be willing to share advice and help you decide if beekeeping is for you! Be a part of the solution, not the problem. BEE aware! The bees will thank you!
I live in a residential neighborhood, but local wildlife abounds. I thought about having chickens, but decided against it when I found out my area has coyotes that roam at night. (The county sometimes pays hunters to control the population). We also have a black bear that walks through the area (hoping someone left their trash out, or pet food).
I hesitate to invite the "predators" into my yard by having chickens or bees to tempt them.
I saw Balfour_girl's comment about having an electric fence, which might be a solution.
Any encouragement from knowledgeable people is welcomed! Actually, any reasonable discouragement is also welcomed. I'm just looking for input.
Thanks to everyone for sharing their hive and coop stories!!!
I LOVE being an urban backyard beekeeper. I have been fortunate to find an experienced and like-minded "natural" beekeeper to mentor me. Another local, hobby beekeeper informed/cautioned me that most serious beekeepers are whacky, eccentric, odd personality types...I keep this in mind when receiving panacea suggestions that sound extreme. Wise to cross check all recommendations.
I have been using organic, chemical-free methods, and emphasis on natural beekeeping with minimal intervention. But, with plenty of attention and care. My bees are thriving.
I did NOT ask my neighbors for permission, and that was not a bad decision. It certainly is upstanding to seek the blessing of the neighbors, and I applaud those beekeepers that have sought and obtained such blessing. However, if one neighbor states bee "allergy" or other objection, than I would be obligated to nix the prospect, or worse, go against their objection and just do it anyway. Friends have halted their plans of beekeeping based on stated objections of ill-informed neighbors... consensus is ideal, but not necessarily realistic in most practical situations. How often do all people agree, really?! Keeping bees in my town (Spokane, Washington) is allowed by law, and not regulated beyond ordinary FDA/USDA specifications. My neighbors can't object merely to my beekeeping. There is reciprocity in autonomy. My neighbors don't ask me when they're getting a new dog, for example. To my surprise and great pleasure, all of my neighbors are happy about the bees. Some were enthusiastic at first sight, others were quiet and I presume apprehensive; the later have now told me how grateful they are, rewarded with better gardens and fewer stinging pests such as wasps and hornets. All's well in my neighborhood.
Read, read, read. Volumes of books are available, and online sources are abundant. Most successful hobby beekeepers develop their own unique rhythm of beekeeping, and not simply following another's cookbook of beekeeping. I often find commingled genius and idiot remarks by more than a few authors.
Surprising, honey is not the best part of being a beekeeper. I am amazed, constantly impressed with the industrious nature and unfailing spirit and hardiness of the bees. A joy to watch them visit plants in my yard. Hours are spent beside the hive, having conversation with friends, watching bees intently. Beekeeping is fun. Bees produce pollination benefits, gather pollen and propolis--both of which are useful, and produce pounds of wax that we may use for all kinds of projects from candles to balm and even wood polish. And the honey!
Favorite beekeeping idioms:
How do you know it's really honey unless you know your local beekeeper?
Bees survive despite the things we beekeepers do to help them
When in doubt, do nothing...problems are seldom made worse by watching, and certainly made worse by inept attempts at intervention.