Every year we get asked many questions by people who like the idea of keeping bees. On this page I would like to give some of the advantages, the disadvantages and why I keep bees.
- What you might be thinking about beekeeping now:
- It would be nice to have a bee hive at the bottom of the garden
- Yes but weeding in the heat of summer in a bee suit is not fun.
- I will get lots of honey and make lots of money
- Yes but some years you get very little honey and you have to take the cost of the hive etc from any money you make.
- Autumn is spent making beeswax candles whilst drinking mead.
- Sounds nice but I don't know anybody who does - and I know a lot of beekeepers
- Christmas presents are a variety of bee products from honey to propolis cream
- Again a nice idea but few do it.
- It would be nice to have a bee hive at the bottom of the garden
- What you have to look forward to:
- Giving up a lot of time.
- In the summer each hive requires about 30 minutes a week for inspections.
- In the winter the hives are less demanding.
- Being fascinated by living creatures
- That is why I keep bees. How do so many bees work so well as a single unit - fascinating.
- But you may find that you spend more and more time reading about beekeeping.
- Spending a lot of money to start with
- Most suppliers do beginners kits. However much is available second hand.
- After setting up you should cover your annual costs from honey sales.
- Meeting other beekeepers
- We are not bearded long haired ex-hippies - well not all of us.
- In our Association we have company directors, teachers, nurses and plenty of retired.
- We all have a common aim and will go out of our way to help beginners.
- BUT ask 6 beekeepers a question and you will get at least 6 different answers.
- Giving up a lot of time.
- The qualities a good beekeeper needs include:
- An interest in the natural world
- Bees are living things - 60,000 of them in summer in a hive. If you are not fascinated by way the bees behave then this is not for you.
- Bees are pollinators of many food crops- if you don't care how they fit into the overall picture then beekeeping is not for you.
- Patience
- Bees will not be hurried. They will do what they want and you have to persuade them to do what you want.
- You may have read all the manuals - but they have not!
- You will do many inspections in the heat of the summer sun wearing jeans, long sleeve shirt, hat, sweat band, rubber gloves, wellingtons and a bee suit - often enough to test anybody's patience.
- Strong arms
- A full super - the bit where the honey is stored - can weigh 14 kilograms. Imagine picking that up wearing all your bee kit.
- A strong back - I know beekeepers who do not have strong backs but they cope. It is just that a strong back makes it easier.
- Deep pockets
- A well known supplier does a complete beginners kit for about £600. However some can be bought second hand from local beekeepers and some can be borrowed from your association.
- Time
- About 30 minutes a hive per week in the summer - April to September
- You cannot plan to do that every Sunday afternoon -
- It may be too windy
- It may be too cold
- It may be raining
- There may be thunder about - bees get really upset in thunder
- Apiary site
- You need somewhere to keep your hives.
- Gardens have to be very big to contain a hive and not annoy you.
- Allotments are generally not a good idea.
- Ask your local association - they get requests for bees to pollinate soft fruit etc.
- You need somewhere to keep your hives.
- Storage space
- As you get more equipment you will need more space to store this all.
- Tolerance to being stung
- If you are allergic to bee stings then just stay away.
- We do get stung - but not often. I don't think I have been stung for some three years.
- An interest in the natural world
I hope that gives you an idea of what is involved.
Much of this information is available in more detail on the BeeInfo pages on this site.
If you are interested then why not become a member and do the Beginner's Course.