The more I learn about bees, the more fascinating they become to me. They are incredibly hard-workers and highly organized creatures. Everything they do has a specific purpose. One day, a seemingly obvious question popped in my head, why do bees make honey? The answer may sound obvious, but I wanted […]
Keeping bees can be an addictive hobby. When starting out a new beekeeper is very enthusiastic and keen to get started and this enthusiasm is maintained as he/she realises how fascinating bees are. Keeping bees can be an addictive hobby. When starting out, you probably feel very enthusiastic and keen
How Many Hives Should You Have?
One of the questions that I had before taking beekeeping as a hobby was how to practice it ethically. I am a true believer in leading a life that takes care of the environment and the planet that we live in. It’s no secret that our activities can have a
What Is Ethical Beekeeping And How To Be More Ethical?
For the novice beekeeper especially, working with an aggressive colony of bees can be a little daunting. When I had an aggressive colony I enlisted the help of more experienced beekeepers from my local club. They were very willing to offer advice and practical help. Finding out why is important
How To Manage An Aggressive Colony Of Bees
Depending on the season, you will find there are different tasks required to maintain a healthy hive. For example, Spring and Summer are usually busy seasons, with many duties to ensure the hive is ready for the heavy flowering seasons. I recommend keeping a record of hive inspections. I have
What To Do Each Season to Keep a Healthy Beehive
An exciting time for beekeepers is honey harvesting time. Whether you are a new or experienced beekeeper, the enjoyment of harvesting honey from your own hives is a much looked forward to event. Generally, it is a good time to harvest after a major nectar flow, and the hive is
It is important to know about the three kinds, or castes of bees in your hive and which role each of them play, so when you open up your hive you will know what kinds of bees you are looking at. Being able to identify each kind of bee will
The 3 Different Roles of Honey Bees Found Inside Your Hive
As a beekeeper, some form of protective clothing is essential, especially for the face. Stings to the facial area don’t happen all that often, but when they do, significant swelling can occur. I’m speaking from personal experience here… I foolishly walked near one of my hives without protection and bent
What Protective Clothing Do You Need For Beekeeping
As a beekeeper, it’s worth considering the types of plants you have in your backyard. A variety of plants which flower at different times of the year will help provide bees with enough pollen to thrive. Bees have a strong relationship with flowering plants. They rely upon them for nectar
How To Plant A Bee-friendly Garden
New beekeepers look forward to the time they are able to take honey from their first hive. Harvesting honey occurs in Spring and Summer, usually when there is warmer weather and an abundance of suitable flowering plants. In saying this, I have taken a small harvest in early Autumn when
How Long Does It Take To Get Honey From A New Hive?
