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.