| Beekeeping can be seen as the farming of bees | | | | confuses the pheromones emitted by the guards |
| for their honey and other supplies. It has been in | | | | to inform the whole colony of intruders. |
| existence for thousands of years, but only in the | | | | Honey bees are very social insects living in large |
| last one hundred and fifty years has it been | | | | colonies of up to 50,000 bees. All the bees work |
| treated as a hobby and the honey harvested | | | | together to build the nest, gather food and to |
| without either killing or driving the bees from the | | | | rear the young. The colony will consist of one |
| hive. It has proved to be a fascinating and | | | | queen who lays all the eggs, drones who fertilise |
| rewarding hobby that also provides some | | | | the eggs and worker bees who build the nest and |
| excellent products. | | | | tend to the young. All except the queen will stand |
| Today it is even more important that beekeeping | | | | guard and collect food. When the queen flies a |
| is encouraged as in recent years there has been | | | | large part of the colony will fly with her, this is |
| decline in bee numbers and it is feared that this | | | | called swarming, and find a new nesting site. |
| will have a devastating effect on the pollination of | | | | Normally they will leave a new queen in 'charge' of |
| plants with the subsequent decline in food growth | | | | the existing colony. |
| and plant life in general. | | | | Harvesting the honey at the right time is an |
| In order to reap the full rewards of beekeeping it | | | | important part of the beekeepers skill. Gather the |
| is necessary to have the correct equipment and | | | | honey too early and it will contain an excess of |
| to be well read on the subject. | | | | water which could lead to the honey spoiling or |
| To start the beekeeper must have the basic | | | | fermenting. Leave the harvesting to long and the |
| components of the hive. These can be sourced | | | | honey will be of a dark less attractive colour. The |
| from any reputable supplier complete or in flat | | | | colour of the honey does not affect the taste but |
| pack form. They will also supply plans to build | | | | people much prefer the light colour. The bees run |
| your own wooden hive. Ensure that the hive is | | | | out of room and stop producing honey thus the |
| properly fitted out. The most popular hive is of | | | | overall harvest will be much decreased. |
| the Langstroth design. Also, required will be the | | | | Bees dominating an area do wonders for |
| honey frames and the wax foundations. Make | | | | pollination and also discourage more aggressive |
| sure the hive is protected against the elements | | | | insects like wasps and hornets settling in the area. |
| by painting or polyurethane the outside only. Do | | | | It is essential before starting to keep bees to fully |
| not paint the inner fitments bees don't like the | | | | investigate the view of local government to |
| smell of paint and the honey can be tainted. | | | | ensure there are no by-laws prohibiting |
| You will also need protective clothing, the | | | | beekeeping in the area. You should fully discuss |
| beekeeper suit, hat and veil and gloves. Also | | | | your intentions with your neighbours who may |
| needed is equipment to handle the bees central to | | | | have misguided prejudices against bees. There are |
| this is the smoker which emits smoke into the | | | | many arguments you can use to convince them |
| hide confusing the bees into preparing to leave | | | | that it is a good thing and it is amazing what the |
| thinking the hive is in danger from fire and | | | | promise of a jar of honey can achieve. |