There are a couple of reasons why people love beekeeping: it gives you homemade honey, helps you make some money (if you do it right), and it can also give you a glimpse into the fascinating world of bees.
However, starting your first beehive can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start. You will need a beekeeping kit, beekeeping supplies, and some knowledge about beehive basics.
In this article, we will show you everything you need to know about how to start a beehive, so keep reading!
How To Start A Beehive - What You Need
First, you need to ensure you have a good location to set up your beehives. The ideal location has morning sun, and it is protected against the wind. Needless to say, there should be flowering plants around the area, along with some clean water.
Next, you will need to gather some essentials before you can get bees. Invest in a starter setup that will include the following:
- A hive box
- Frames with foundation
- A smoker
- A hive tool
- Protection - bee suit and gloves
- A bee package or a nucleus colony (nuc)
You will also need to learn about beekeeping as much as possible. The Internet is always a great source of information because you can find many articles and books on beekeeping. You can also join online beekeeping forums and communities, where you can get useful tips from more experienced beekeepers.
How To Start a Beehive Without Buying Bees
Some people start a beehive without buying bees. It is a good way to save money, but it’s a bit more complicated because you will need to find a way to attract and trap a wild bee swarm. The best time to do this is usually in the spring or early summer.
You can buy a swarm trap online, or you can make it from an old hive box. Get a frame of old brood comb and place it inside the box. You will need some patience, as it usually takes some time until a wild bee swarm notices and approaches this trap.
How To Start In Your Backyard
When choosing a good location for your beehive, there are many things you need to consider, along with what we already mentioned - the amount of sunlight and having enough flowering plants. Many people feel compelled to start a beehive in their backyard, but it’s not that simple.
- Before you even begin to wonder how to start a beehive in your backyard, there are two things you need to get out of the way.
- First, you need to check the local laws and regulations on beekeeping. Some laws are stricter than others, and they can prohibit you from keeping bees in your backyard.
Next, even if the law permits you to keep bees in your backyard, you need to ask your neighbors. After all, these bees won’t just stay on your property. They might fly all around your neighborhood. Are your neighbors comfortable with that? Are there any neighbors with bee allergies?
If your neighbors are fine with you keeping the bees, and no one is allergic, then you can proceed.
Choose a secluded area in your backyard that doesn’t have heavy foot traffic and that is shaded from the sun during the hottest parts of the day.
How To Start A Beehive For Honey
Most people start beehives so that they can harvest honey. If you are one of them, then you need to adjust your initial preparations accordingly.
For example, you will need to adjust your hive style so that it is convenient for honey harvesting. That’s why Langstroth hives are popular among beekeepers who collect honey.
- Start your colony in the early spring, so that your bees become strong before winter comes. Don’t harvest honey the first year, as your bees will need it to survive winter.
- If there aren’t enough flowering plants around your beehive, you can feed your bees with sugar syrup.
- After the first year, you can start harvesting the honey. However, make sure always to leave enough honey for your bees.
Otherwise, your bees will become malnourished, and that will lead to numerous issues with your beehive.
Newbie Beekeeping Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most common mistakes that new beekeepers make is checking their hives too frequently. Yes, we understand that initial excitement and curiosity, but it can also stress out your bees and even lead to queen rejection.
Check your bees no more often than every 7-10 days and try to use the smoker sparingly. Many newbie beekeepers don’t feed their bees enough, especially in the early stages, or in case of nectar shortages.
Make sure that your bees are always well-fed. Also, don’t ignore if anything looks off with your bees and their hives. It could be an infestation or disease. Many inexperienced beekeepers ignore these signs until it is too late.
Best Beehive Kits For Beginners
Now that you know how to start a beehive colony, let us help you find the equipment. Here are some of our best beehive kits for beginners:
CO-Z Langstroth 30-Frame Beehive Kit
This beekeeping kit is made of durable pine wood construction and has a pre-assembled metal roof. This is a complete design with all the essential components, such as a bottom board and entrance reducer:
CO-Z 5-Layer Beehive Kit
This durable firwood beehive is a bit larger than other similar beehives. As a result, it offers 30% more volume and up to 20% more honey than an 8-frame hive. Due to its pre-assembled metal roof and complete components, you can set it up in under 15 minutes.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some basics on how to start a beehive. It's time for you to expand your knowledge and gradually gather the essentials needed for your first beehive. Remember, beekeeping is a beautiful and rewarding activity, but you need to do it with love and care. Good luck!
