Watch our video on Beekeeping for Beginners:
Learn how to set up a hive and start your beekeeping journey with these essential tips and tools. Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby that not only provides you with delicious honey but also increases pollination in your garden.
Selecting the Right Location
- Dry and Accessible: Choose a dry, level location that you can access year-round.
- Southern Exposure: Face the hive entrance towards the south to maximize sunlight and help the bees stay active.
- Avoid High Traffic Areas: Ensure the entrance isn’t facing sidewalks, play areas, or your neighbor’s yard. Use a hedge or fence to direct bees to fly up and away.
- Pest Prevention: For areas with bears, install an electric fence. If skunks are a problem, place the hive on a stand at least 18 inches tall to prevent skunks from eating bees.
Hive Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to set up a hive:
- Hive Stand: Use a durable base to resist rot. Consider the Redwood Hive Stand for its durability.
- Bottom Board: Choose between solid and screened bottom boards. Screened boards help monitor pests like Varroa mites.
- Entrance Reducer: Essential for controlling hive traffic and keeping mice out.
- Feeder: An entrance feeder is ideal for new colonies, allowing easy access to sugar syrup (a mix of one part organic sugar and one part hot water). The Hive Starter Kit includes an entrance feeder and other essentials.
Building the Hive
- Brood Boxes: These two large boxes (9 5/8 inches) house the queen and the brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae).
- Queen Excluder: Place this between the brood boxes and honey supers to keep the queen in the lower chambers.
- Honey Supers: Add these smaller boxes (6 5/8 inches) one at a time as the colony grows.
- Inner Cover and Roof: The inner cover provides insulation and ventilation, while the roof protects against weather.
Maintenance Tips
- Inspect Regularly: Check the hive for pests, brood health, and honey stores.
- Paint for Protection: Use non-toxic, clear varnish or latex paint on the outside of the hive to protect it from the elements.
- Start with Two Hives: This allows you to compare hive health and better understand what’s normal.
- Color Coding: Paint hives in different colors to help bees navigate back home.
Why Start Beekeeping?
Beekeeping offers endless rewards, from harvesting your own honey to supporting local pollinators. With the right setup and care, you can enjoy a thriving hive and the benefits it brings to your garden and beyond.
Be a beekeeper and grow organic for life!
