Basics of Beekeeping by Roger Engle
Beekeeping has likely been going on for thousands of years. It’s likely that people of the Stone Age made the first crude hives. The people probably gathered honey from hives found in the wild, and then learned to make and keep hives so they would have easier access to honey near their homes.
These first man made beehives may have been made out of hollow logs with sticks inside to support the honeycombs. Later, farmers in Europe would build what they called skeps out of straw; these beehives looked like baskets turned upside down. Colonists probably brought honeybees from England to Virgina in 1622. Swarms of these bees later escaped from their man built hives and built new nests in the woods. Later, these settlers took hives of honeybees with them as they continued to move westward.
Beekeepers can make money not only from the sale of honey and beeswax but also from leasing their hives to fruit and vegetable growers whose crops require bees for pollination. Honey is a common ingredient in crackers, cookies and other baked goods, while beeswax can be used for candles, polishes, waterproofing compounds, and even lipstick.
Most beekeepers use what is referred to as a standard hive for their bees. These hives consist of several removable supers or sections that have the appearance of a drawer. The bees build their honeycombs inside these supers.
Beekeepers typically keep around 50 to 100 hives in one location. Any more than that and the hives will have to be spread out several miles apart, as there must be enough plants nearby to supply nectar for the bees. A typical bee colony will gather around 25 pounds of nectar per day.
Handling bees can be tricky. The beekeeper must make slow movements, never fast or jerky movements that could startle the bees. They also wear veils of mesh screen to protect their faces, and tie clothing at the wrists and ankles. The hands however, typically remain unprotected, as gloves are considered too bulky and clumsy.
About the Author
Roger enjoys the outdoors and living in the country. He also enjoys collecting neon signs. You can visit his his website over at href=”http://www.neonbarlight.org/”>www.neonbarlight.org and find some great deals on href=”http://www.neonbarlight.org/Neon-Beer-Lights.html”>Neon Beer Lights.
Cottage Garden Skep
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