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Ivor Davis
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The BBKA Guide to Beekeeping, Second Edition Paperback – 24 Sept. 2015

4.8 out of 5 stars 638 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Beekeeping
The number of people interested and active in keeping bees at an amateur level has continued to increase over the past few years in both rural and urban situations. This guide, aimed at beginning beekeepers, and the only one to be endorsed by the BBKA provides an authoritative text, along with clear photographs and illustrations. The book introduces the reader to beekeeping, including such areas as the workings of the colony, the structure of a hive, how to acquire bees and keep them healthy and what happens in each month in a beekeeping year. Each chapter is accompanied by anecdotes, answers to frequently asked questions and fascinating facts about bees and honey. The new edition includes new step-by-step sequences to illustrate procedures such as containing a swarm, identifying the queen, using a smoker and cleaning a hive as well as more information on different kinds of hives, disease management and many other key areas.
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  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Natural History
  4. Publication date
    24 Sept. 2015
  5. Dimensions
    18.87 x 1.26 x 24.84 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    1472920899
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1472920898
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Product description

Review

The word that first comes to mind when reading this book is 'comprehensive. This book contains all the information that you would need to get started in beekeeping and the authors have managed to convey a vast amount of information, complete with many beekeeping tips and techniques, in a concise and helpful way … this is an outstanding book. ― The British Bee Journal

This easy-to-follow guide explains everything a novice beekeeper needs to know … superb photographs enliven every page. ― BBC Wildlfe

About the Author

Ivor Davis is a past president of the BBKA, a Master Beekeeper and one of the few people to hold the National Diploma in Beekeping.'

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Natural History
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 24 Sept. 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472920899
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472920898
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 635 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 18.87 x 1.26 x 24.84 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.8 out of 5 stars 638 ratings

About the author

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Ivor Davis

Ivor Davis

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
638 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this beekeeping guide very informative and comprehensive, making it a great introductory resource for beginners. The book is well illustrated with lots of great pictures.

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Information qualityBook for beginnersIllustrations
65 customers mention ‘Information quality’65 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very informative and comprehensive, serving as a great introductory guide to beekeeping.

"This is the standard text on bees. The place to start." Read more

"Very informative read." Read more

"like most good sections and better sections good for starting out got some older books from library old black and white better in some ways de brun..." Read more

"...Whilst the book was OK and has some good reference material I found it a little confusing and actually gave up on the idea of getting a hive at that..." Read more

62 customers mention ‘Book for beginners’62 positive0 negative

Customers find this book excellent for beginners, providing a simple introduction to the basics of beekeeping.

"...Lots of great pictures and presented well to keep you engaged. If you are new to Bee Keeping I urge you to get this book." Read more

"like most good sections and better sections good for starting out got some older books from library old black and white better in some ways de brun..." Read more

"...This book is perfect no confusion, so much so I've ordered my hive to build ready for next year and also signed up for a spring beginners course..." Read more

"Great book, very clear and informative" Read more

22 customers mention ‘Illustrations’22 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, which are well illustrated with lots of great pictures and good detail.

"...Lots of great pictures and presented well to keep you engaged. If you are new to Bee Keeping I urge you to get this book." Read more

"...The course was good. It was based upon this book. Clear info, good pics, essential material, especially for a beginner." Read more

"A really well laid out book, with great tips and loads of information." Read more

"...Well illustrated and easy to understand, a good book." Read more

Work WITH your bees
4 out of 5 stars
Work WITH your bees
Very basic but clear advice.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Ben
    5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for a beginner bee keeper.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I've bought many books to start my hobby into bee keeping and this one is by far the most beginner and reader friendly. Lots of great pictures and presented well to keep you engaged.

    If you are new to Bee Keeping I urge you to get this book.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Stephen morris
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bees kneeees
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 May 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This is the standard text on bees. The place to start.
    Helpful
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  • Paddy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on bees a must read for beginners.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very informative read.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • john dunphy
    4.0 out of 5 stars good
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    like most good sections and better sections good for starting out got some older books from library old black and white better in some ways de brun has good summaries despite not being as new better in this way, hayes better illustrated for beginner if any one knows a good concice point format reference book well illustrated like hayes i would find it a better investment. my mistake not checking out in library before hand
    3 people found this helpful
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  • jason the duckpimp
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book a beginner could buy.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A few years ago I brought dummies guide to bees. Whilst the book was OK and has some good reference material I found it a little confusing and actually gave up on the idea of getting a hive at that time. Two year later (now) after taking a renewed interest because a relative had a hive I could actually look at I came back and brought ti's bbka guide. This book is perfect no confusion, so much so I've ordered my hive to build ready for next year and also signed up for a spring beginners course through bbka at a local facility. By far the best book to read for any begginer
    10 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Dave
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bee book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great book, very clear and informative
    Helpful
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  • Amie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great knowledge about bee keeping
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This book is great for people interested in bee keeping and people who are curious.
    I have bought this book for a gift.

    The book is good quality and arrived quickly thank you
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  • David
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fully comprehensive introductory guide - excellently done
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I rarely write reviews, but after buying and retuning 2 other beekeeping books, I tried this official BBKA one. Whilst many other guides are quite literally 'for beginners', with step-by-step instructions for people yet to get a colony they have limited scope outside of the first year. This BBKA guide goes further, providing in-depth information and understanding for beekeepers at all levels of experience. New beekeepers may naturally find the direct, instructional nature of other 'beginner guides' useful, this book will remain a constant reference for as long as I keep bees recreationally and would recommend it to all!
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Sandra Wolf
    5.0 out of 5 stars Arrived sooner than expected!
    Reviewed in Australia on 20 August 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I was given the first edition by a friend when I became a beekeeper and it is one of the best books I have on the subject. My friend is now also a beekeeper and I wanted her to have the latest edition. She was as pleased to receive her book as I was to have received mine.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very happy
    Reviewed in Germany on 25 November 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It arrived on time.The book is very professional written easy to understand and I highly recommend it for people that would like to start bee keeping or have an interest in bees .
    Report
  • Old girl
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic User friendly
    Reviewed in Canada on 29 September 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This is a fanatastic book - user friendly
    Amazon price was the best
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  • MrDrProfessor
    5.0 out of 5 stars BBKA Guide to Beekeeping
    Reviewed in the United States on 21 October 2016
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    As a incoming beekeeper, I have been absorbing all different sorts of knowledge from beekeeping books and accumulating a nice collection. This one is definitely a favorite. Well written and highly illustrated with many color photographs show all the aspects of beekeeping, the tools, life inside the hive and so much more. I highly recommend this book to other aspiring beekeepers as well.
    Report
  • Brian
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginning beekeepers
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 June 2017
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I am a second year beekeeper and have read a lot of books about the subject. I rank this in my top three books for learning the basics of beekeeping.
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