Keeping bees
Is everyone happy?
Bees are a huge boon to us as they’ll assist with the pollination of many different crops. However, the first step to beekeeping is checking that others are okay with it. If your neighbour has a severe bee-sting allergy, or your allotment site representative isn’t on board, forget it. The ideal site is out of the way, where the bees can have an uninterrupted flight path, with the hive entrance facing away from human paths.
Hives can be made relatively easily
You can buy as much or as little of it ready-made as your time and money allow. But you must have all the kit ready – including bee suit and smoker along with a fully-assembled hive – before swarming season starts in late spring.
Beekeeping is a craft
Beekeepers are generally willing to share their knowledge and help others. The best way to learn is to join a society or club, which is also the established way to get a swarm of your own when the time comes. Visit the British Beekeepers’ Association (www.bbka.org.uk) for more details.
What to do
The main work of beekeeping is hive inspections every few weeks over the summer to check the colony is in good health and to remove any emerging queen cells that might cause the colony to split. Treat for varroa in early autumn, protect against mice over winter and, with any luck, the following summer you should have a decent crop of honey. Extracting it is a job in itself, and requires specialist kit; joining a beekeeping club or society is the best way to find out more.