I presume you're reading this because you would like to keep bees and you don't know where to start. I hope it means you haven't rushed into keeping bees.
Far too often would-be beekeepers buy hives and honeybees in a rush. They've never looked under the roof of a beehive before and they haven't a clue what they (or the bees) are doing. Frustration and discouragement set in and they soon give up after the bees have died or swarmed away. It's a shame but it doesn't have to be that way.
The current plight of the honeybee has been well publicised and more people keeping bees can only help. A lot of valuable research is carried out by amateur, back garden beekeepers and there is scope for much more. But it only seems fair to the bees that their keepers know what they are doing.
First steps
I always advise anyone thinking of keeping bees to take the following steps first before getting them.
1.Get some experience with a professional beekeeper.
The simplest way to find one is to buy some local honey at your farmers' market or health food shop, the beekeeper's address should be on the label. Alternatively join the local beekeeping association (every county has one). Do this in time so you can organise something with the beekeeper during the spring and summer.
The same beekeeper may offer a course or point you in the right direction. You can't keep bees for long without knowledge of the honeybee's life cycle and biology, disease recognition and pest management, swarm control and queen bee rearing. Read as many beekeeping books as you can.
You can keep bees anywhere. It is quite possible to keep bees in a back garden. They are kept on rooftops in cities all around the world. There are many examples of houses incorporating hive cavities built into the walls, and some so bees could even be accessed from inside the house!
What equipment do I need?
A protective 'veil' or suit (£20 - £100), a 'smoker' (£30 -£40) and a 'hive tool' (£10) are necessities, everything else is optional. You will of course need a hive and bees!
There are many different hives designed for commercial beekeeping, the most popular in the U.K. is the British National. For each colony you will need one complete hive (£250 - £300) for your first year and a second spare hive in your second year (this is needed as part of swarm control). I suggest you research alternatives. Top Bar Hives are a low cost and sustainable option requiring no extra kit. Beware second-hand equipment though, as it can harbour disease and is more often umpteenth-hand and on its last legs.
Observation Window & Panel + Legs - £190 + £25 P&P to UK & Europe
What bees should I have?
Bees are normally sold as a 'nucleus' (£180) - a small starter colony containing a laying queen. These are normally available from early summer, you must order early. Try to buy your bees with a queen from locally bred stock. Many bees are sold to beginners with imported queens of strains unsuited to the U.K. Queen bees imported from all over the world are often used to 'queen' nucleus colonies for sale because they are available early in the year. They are also particularly susceptible to viral disease. Beware trying to start with a swarm unless you know its origin, it could harbour disease.
You should start with two nucleus colonies as bees sometimes do not make it through the winter. If you only have one colony and it succumbs, you will not be a beekeeper in spring, very sad.
If you have any questions just let me know, I'm happy to help - email is best.
