Beginner Beekeeping – Week 1Getting ready to start

Spring What do I need? Where do I get it? How do I start?

And what’s it all about?

Bees build comb from wax

The use the comb for storage of brood (babies) and food

smoke?

The Challenge of SpringLike many animalsin the springthe hive wants to make a new hive They make queen cells and prepare for swarming. Allowing them to do this tends to

freak out the neighbors!

A more controlled method:

A package is an imitation swarm 3 pounds of bees and a

caged queen

A nucleus colony (“nuc”) is a miniature hive 4 or 5 frames with brood,

resources, and a laying queen

Summer

Inspections for queen and brood health, pest management, always thinking about winter

• What am I doing here?

• How often should I get in?

• What can go wrong?

• Am I going to get stung?• Am I going to get any honey?

Fall

• Pulling honey supers• Treating for Varroa

mites*• Preparing for winter

*If you learn only one thing from this class, learn about Varroa mites!

For the coming spring

Learning . . . and waiting . . .

Winter

When the cycle begins again

Equipment – Necessary and nice[here is where you need to make some choices]

Necessary Parts Bottom board

◦ Use a screened one

◦ With an entrance reducer Hive Bodies

◦ 2 Deeps vs. 3 Mediums Honey Supers

◦ medium, or shallow Inner Cover

◦ Two sided, with a dado Telescoping Outer Cover

◦ “English Garden” Style, or galvanized

Frames

◦ 8 vs. 10 Foundation

◦ Beeswax vs. Plastic

Recommended Parts Hive stand with landing board

◦ with legs, or other support Slatted Bottom Board

◦ Helps with swarm prevention and overwintering

Some kind of feeder

* We strongly recommend you start with two hives

Tools – Necessary and niceNecessary Tools Smoker

◦ And fuel Hive Tool

◦ Good, better, or best Protective Gear

◦ Veil (with or without jacket)

◦ Gloves

◦ Leg Straps

◦ Or a full suit (not really necessary)

Spray bottle (for packages, or swarms)

 

Recommended Tools  Smoker box

◦ Ammo box from the Army store Queen Catcher

◦ Metal vs. plastic Bee Brush Reading Glasses Queen marking kit Wintergreen Alcohol (a really good

idea)

Sources of SupplyLocal vs. catalog

◦ The Honey Exchange

◦ Brown’s Bee Farm◦ Humble Abodes◦ Bee Pride◦ Brushy Mountain◦ Betterbee

We’re not fans of all-inclusive “Beginner Kits”

◦ Bees

Packages vs Nucleus Buzz Cooper 232-3807

Swan’s 437-2251

Merrimack (978) 667-5380

Bob Egan 474-2945

Check out the Maine State Beekeeper’s website

Join the Club!Register with the state June 1st

◦Bookmark Tony Jadczak, save his e-mail

Maine State Beekeepers Association◦The best $15 you can spend

The Bee Line

Cumberland County (or York Co.) Beekeepers Association◦The best $4 you can spend◦Get a mentor

Neighbor ManagementLike it or not, you will become a

Bee AmbassadorCamouflage, vs. visibility

◦Put your name and number on your hives

Site selection◦Flyway barriers◦Water sourceRead the South Portland Beekeeping

Ordinance, even if you don’t live in South Portland