How to Start Beekeeping
If you love nature, take pride in your garden or perhaps some a soft spot for honey, beekeeping could be the ideal pastime for you. Bees are one of the most interesting creatures on this planet and we’ve got a lot to thank them for as they keep our ecosystem thriving.
Start your beekeeping journey with this beginner guide.
Take a beekeeping class and start researching
To start beekeeping you first need to learn all about the process and start training. There’s a lot to learn so enrolling in a beekeeping course will help you understand the basics including health and safety, looking after the hive and how to keep your bees thriving. It’s a good idea to start this in the autumn or winter when bees are dormant so by the time spring and summer comes you’ll be ready to go!
Now its time to order your bees as well as a beekeeping suit, face protection and gloves. When first creating your hive there are two options to consider - a nucleus hive of around 10,000 bees or an established colony of around 50,000. Purchasing a colony may be a quick way of getting started however be mindful that this amount of bees may not always be suitable for beginners. You should also be mindful of where you place your hive within your garden. Consider the bees flight path and keep the hive away from high traffic areas such as paths.
Although it is not mandatory, registering yourself as a beekeeper has a lot of benefits. The National Bee Unit, which is part of The Animal and Plant Health Agency, offer free inspections of your bees to ensure that they are disease-free as well as offering advice on how to tackle common problems - you will also be informed about serious disease outbreaks. Furthermore, as a registered beekeeper, you can access lots of useful information such as best practice guidelines and advisory details.
At Mr Wasp , we understand that bees, wasps and other animals can become pests around your home or business. If you’ve found a hive or signs that pests have infested your property, our team will assess the situation and find the best solution for safe removal. Look no further than Mr Wasp for pest control services across South Wales. Contact us today for more information.
