Bees & Apiary – Part 2

Realistic expectations What do you know? – Bee biology gaps? Bees Bee hive – what is needed/extra? Apiary preparation? Bees – you – neighbors

Beekeeping level Small-scale (Hobbyist) part-timer (side-liner) Do you want to keep bees for fun or profit ?? Small-scale (Hobbyist) part-timer (side-liner) commercial The objective of each beekeeper will vary and their level of commitment of time and resources will vary accordingly. We can categorize into 3 broad groups – see text discussion for further explanations – objectives of each of groups varies. For side-liner and commercial beekeeper there is no one way to make the bees profitable – there are many ways to make (or lose) money. Beyond the gate a backyard apiary of 2 colonies. If interested, how will you make bees profitable???

Realistic expectations What about stings? Time for bees? Enough funds? what is needed ? Protective equipment- what does it take to be comfortable?

The Bees What is ‘Best’ way to start? Beekeeper Bees So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others! L Connor photo

Bees Bees Bees Starting bees - what is best way? FREE BEES

Bees Bees Bees Package bees or purchase nuc

A nuc tale…. Overheard at the Bee Supply Store… Mary and Dorothy are waiting to check out. Dorothy says -- “Let me show you this new 5-frame nuc I just got” Mary responds “what did you get the nuc for?” Dorothy answers “I got it for my husband.” WOW exclaimed Mary “That’s a great trade!”

Bees Bees Bees Anticipation not reaction

Installing Bees

Capturing swarms - dividing

Feeding of new livestock Feed feed feed

Feeding sugar syrup Stimulate- keep productive - survival

Feeding Feeding Feeding

Opening the New Hive Give bees time to settle and adopt new hive BUT - Continue to feed

Care the first couple of months Resist initially “looking” Inspect under optimum conditions Inspect for a reason Expanding from the initial box nuc box to 8 frame or 10 frame box from 8/10 frame box to 2 box brood chamber need to super? Extract?

First season Chic

So where do you get ‘em?

The Bees What is ‘Best’ way to get ready to start? Beekeeper Bees So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others! L Connor photo

What do you need – how much will it all cost? Personal equipment Coveralls – bee suit Veil gloves

Feeling comfortable

Costs

Bee comFortable

Costs tools

Bee Hive

Beekeeping Basics

The perfect Hive Painting outside of boxes (and outer cover) helps preserve and protect the bee hive. Beekeepers like to personalize colonies – can do this with equipment or with external paint job as Tom Chester shown in his apiary has done Figure 11-6 (insert colorful All American Hives). For urbanites the traditional white painted hive boxes may better yield to camouflage colors to avoid problems with neighbors.

Costs Hive

Costs MISC

The Bees What is ‘Best’ place for bees? Beekeeper Bees Here? Here? So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others! Here? Here? L Connor photo

The perfect Apiary

The Apiary (Location) traditionally – out behind the barn Traditional apiary location is in some sheltered, less exposed site in a backyard, on a farm, etc. Out behind the barn – a traditional colony location (apiary site). Figure 11-15 L. Connor photo of author shows such a site – wooden pallets are used during winter for wind deflection (and serve as hive stands) L Connor Photo traditionally – out behind the barn

Ideal apiaries L Connor Photo L Connor Photo Ideal apiaries. Figure 11-16 top left a commercial apiary in piney woods of Texas – lots of space, easy to move vehicle onto site in most weather conditions, water nearby, some shade from summer sun – lots of convenience for the beekeeper. Bottom left Figure 11-21 drawing of 5 different arrangements seen in commercial apiaries. Figure 11-19 bottom right city apiary site – hidden, protected with room for beekeeper to manipulate, water provided on site – plenty of convenience for beekeeper. Both sites have flowering plants nearby, some wind protection, protection from direct pesticide applications, water within apiary site or nearby and sunlight and favorable weather for foraging. Figure 11-20 camouflaged city apiary.

More Urban Apiaries Different apiaries – all within urban/suburban setting.

The ideal Apiary – tips for urbanites Consider neighbors 1st Keep gentle, manageable bees Know bee biology Control swarming Keep water source nearby Conceal or camouflage bees Limit inspections to ideal weather Don’ permit robbing add/remove supers in timely fashion Be an active beekeeper Most beekeepers are urbanites – some tips – more could be included in such a listing. Figure 11-24 rooftop apiary (single colony painted grey o blend into surroundings) in middle of city.

Location...location...location Bee considerations weather food resources (flowering plants) water sunlight Beekeeper considerations close to home/work available year round secluded yet accessible good resources close-by adequate space/storage space Some of the considerations for bees or beekeeper. Figure 11-26 the winter apiary L. Connor photo

OK Ready --- get set ----GO!!!!!! Ready…set…START!!! Are you in this picture? NOTE: large smoker as these are Africanized bees in Central America. You & your friends ??