DIY: Recreating the buzz around backyard beekeeping
In recent years, as urban gardening has become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, backyard beekeeping has gained traction as well. While many people may think of beekeeping as a quirky hobby, backyard beekeeping is slowly turning into a more ubiquitous activity. If you want to start your own hive or simply learn more about it, this guide will fly you through the essentials!
Getting started:
Research local laws: Some municipalities have certain regulations on the distance between a beehive and neighboring homes, as well as maintenance and registering the hive.
Purchase equipment: Purchase a bee suit, gloves and a smoker, which calms the bees before one opens the hive to reduce bee aggression. Order a “bee box,” which will contain one colony and a queen for your hive. Mann Lake is a commonly used online supplier for equipment.
Select the right location: Select a sunny location for the hive that is protected from the wind. It is preferred to have the hive facing flowers to guide them on their pollination journey. Make sure to also have distance between neighbors to prevent any disputes. Be sure to get permission from your neighbors before purchasing all of your equipment.
Care for the hive: Inspect the hive every one to two weeks. Regular inspections help prevent pest infestations, such as varroa mites, early. If the bees are looking stressed or malnourished, one should feed them sugar syrup. Some signs of stress to look out for are when bees swarm in circles and/or deviate from their normal behavior. Malnourishment presents itself in slow bee movement. It is normal for bee populations to fluctuate, especially in winter months when there are less flowers to forage from.
So why beekeep?
Pollination power: Bees are the cornerstones of ecosystems; research shows that global food systems would collapse in the absence of bees. By keeping bees, you are directly benefiting local flora and fauna and contributing to the upkeep of the ecosystem.
Honey harvest: Once the hive is flourishing, keepers can extract honey from the wax-coated frames. Cut off the wax tops of the frame, let the honey flow and strain with a cheesecloth. There is nothing that tastes better than home-harvested raw honey! Be sure to keep some frames for the bees during winter months. In addition, there are other hive byproducts such as beeswax that can be made into lip balm and other products.
Environmental education: Beekeeping provides hands-on learning into the complex relationships of our ecosystems and how to keep them in balance. Living in our increasingly fast-paced world, it is an excellent way to take a break outdoors and reconnect with nature. Additionally, it is important for people to take a more active role in protecting our planet as we continue to amplify climate change.
Community collection: Connect with other beekeepers in your community. Most likely, you are not alone! There are plenty of community-based organizations focused on beekeeping in addition to online forums. Experienced beekeepers can also provide localized insight and support.
By no means is beekeeping an easy feat, as it requires much patience and care. Remember, beekeeping is more than a hobby; it is developing a commitment to environmental stewardship. Through promoting awareness and advocating for the protection of bees, we can all contribute to a healthier planet.
