The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Bees & Beekeeping => Topic started by: sjw on March 29, 2011, 08:37:46 pm
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I am interested in getting involved with bee-keeping and have looked into the courses that run near me, of which there are a couple over the next few months. However, I am uncertain as to whether or not this is a good time of year to have the training and then hope to get some bees follwoing that. I wasn't sure when the optimum time of year to move bees to a new hive would be? Any advice on this greatly appreciated.
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Hiya :wave:
Would strongly advise that you locate & join your local beekeeping group/society asap (you can join before you have bees), ours usually only meet in the Autumn/Winter months then have visiting days at experienced keepers hives throughout the year. They will also be able to advise you on equipment - often able to supply new gear on discount/recommend where to get gear/ have second hand gear for sale. Also they will be all to happy to supply you with a nucleus or recommend where to get one, as they will be keen to make sure you do not import any diseases into the area. You never know, you may get lucky & someone has a spare swarm ;D
If you want to buy a Nucleus from elsewhere, please be careful - go to a reputable supplier or you could end up losing your money & upsetting your local keepers!!! Most suppliers are booking-up now for deliveries for June of this year.
The most popular hive in the UK is the National - probably the easiest type to use. You could buy your hive secondhand, but blowtorch it carefully - especially the joints - to ensure it does not harbour disease NEVER USE SECONDHAND FRAMES if you buy them with an old hive BURN THEM.
You should buddy-up with an experienced keeper - your "mentor" will be able to be at the end of the 'phone & come to help you through the first season's activities.
Bees are amazing little things - I can lose hours just sitting & watching mine - very good for stress - bee therapy :love: :bee: :love:
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Completely agree with Beewyched; join your local beekeeper's association(BKA), from whom all good things will flow - or certainly should do! You will find that most BKA's run a theory course for beginners in late winter, with the plan then to move them on to practical beekeeping in spring. You should be offered a mentor, an experienced beekeeper who will guide you in the first season and by then you will surely know enough local beekeepers to advise you when needed.
Having said that, it is a great help at least to have looked into a beehive before you start the theory course as this will give you valuable context for what you learn. Again, your local BKA can probably help with apiary open days, taster visits or whatever. There may even be a member willing to let you shadow them at their own apiary if you miss the theory course and want to make a start in summer.
If you've looked at commercially-run courses as well as BKA ones then these may have a wider variety of start dates as they may be run by professional teachers, rather than BKA members volunteering their services. Some of these courses are undoubtedly very good but bear in mind that they may not offer you mentoring, or the range of local contacts that you will get through a BKA course. Check before you book and bear in mind that you are unlikely learn enough to enjoy beekeeping safely for yourself and others in a weekend crash course with no follow-up.
In short, you can make a start in beekeeping in a variety of ways and at various times, from late winter (theory courses) to late summer when practical beekeeping finishes for the season and all beekeepers finally get to go on holiday! Start by contacting your local BKA, which you can find via the British Beekeepers Association website. Have fun with your new hobby but don't expect to learn everything too quickly.
And btw, while you can join the Brit. Beekeepers Assn as an individual, they are really set up to take members via the local BKAs and I'd advise you do it that way. Good Luck!