A couple of hives should do it. That’s the advice you’ll get from beekeepers when you ask them how many you should start keeping. If only that information is enough to get you started. Maintaining a backyard swarm of honeybees takes much planning and organisation. You should give this informative introduction your full attention.
The cost of starting a backyard bee farm
Beekeeping can be an expensive hobby, and you might end up investing more than you intended. That’s one point of view. Others say that they keep the bees because it costs almost nothing and that they don’t mind the time and effort required. You might not even have to spend any cash to start out. However, for most people, there is an initial cost that covers monthly equipment needs.
The housing should fit beekeeping requirements, and you’ll need equipment that will assist you in daily maintenance and monitoring. Included in the list is protective clothing. You might fancy yourself a bee whisperer, but you don’t have the power to predict when the flying insects will become defensive and start stinging. Typically, hobbyists stating out with beekeeping elect to purchase and utilise the necessary protective suit, helmet, gloves, and veil. Lastly, unless you capture an entire swarm in the wild, you’ll have to purchase the bees themselves. You’ll find numerous local resources online detailing where to buy supplies for beekeeping. There are plenty of merchants nearby who can give you comparative prices.
For the bees
Like humans, bees need shelter and food. You might think that planting flowers and shrubs in the yard will help them. You’ll be surprised to know that bees go far for sweet nectar. They travel as far as three miles from their hives just to gather what they need to make honey. You cannot provide what they need unless there is already orchard of apples or basswood. If you’re really dedicated to helping them find food, then cover a meadow with clover.
Bees need water, too, and they like it a certain way. If there is a pond or creek nearby, you don’t have to worry about the bees becoming dehydrated. However, if your area is lacking in natural bodies of water, you can place a wooden barrel about 20 feet away from the hives. They will look for water nearby, but they don’t patronise water sources that are too near the hive. Keep the water fresh so that they won’t go to nearby homes to drink from birdbaths and the food bowl of someone else’s pet.
The bees will fend for themselves. If your county or town is rich in natural resources, then you do not need to worry about the bees. They will find adequate food and water for the colony.
Bees are fascinating insects. They work as a colony and produce honey. If you have a weakness for the golden and beneficial food for the gods, then it makes sense to keep a backyard hive. When is the best time to start? It depends on your local climate and the availability of bees. Start working out a detailed plan of your backyard project today!
