Hi from a complete novice

[adambasey]

Hi all. I am starting a Beekeeping course in October this year and am trying in the meantime to gather as much information as possible. I've never done this before or even been around a hive so any information, tips, hints or just help in general would be great.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sutty]

Welcome!
I hope you enjoy your course and get hooked on this wonderful hobby¡
I'd see if there's any way to get into a hive with a mentor ASAP.

 

[Paulypaul]

I started a very good 6-month beginners course in January of 2023. My intention was to have 1 or 2 colonies in the back garden.

Caught my first swarm that June.
I now have 14 colonies across 2 apiaries.

Hopefully you'll get the bug and read and watch as much as you can.
There's a huge difference between theory and practice. Intellectually knowing what to do, and being able to actually do it, takes time and practice.

 

[enrico]

Dont buy any kit until you know you are OK round a few thousand bees and then buy the best you can afford
Welcome from someone who started off with wanting a few bees in the garden ....... 45 odd years ago

 

[ericbeaumont]

never done this before or even been around a hive

see if there's any way to get into a hive with a mentor ASAP

Yes, this week! You may like it, you may decide against; best find out.

 

[madasafish]

Yes, this week! You may like it, you may decide against; best find out.

More than one person has given up when bees surround them and every landing may be the precursor for a bee sting.. Or not.
Buy nothing - as above - until you know you like it..

 

[Erichalfbee]

I hope you love it but you need to know if you’re ok with your hands in something like this

 

[Newbeeneil]

I hope you love it but you need to know if you’re ok with your hands in something like this

Exactly, we had a guy turn up at the association who had spent a fortune on hives, super suit and much more only to freak out at the prospect of putting his hands in a box of 50,000 stinging insects!

 

[Sutty]

to freak out at the prospect of putting his hands in a box of 50,000 stinging insects!

You could easily argue that's the normal response!

 

[JamezF]

I think there's something very deeply wired into our psyche that means the "normal" response to the high-pitched whine of flying insects is to get away as fast as possible. I'd not be surprised if it originates from a time long before Homo sapiens.

Though it was many years ago, I still recall that the first time a hive "boiled over" when I took off the crown board it took a considerable act of will to take a few deep breaths, calm myself down and get on with what I needed to do.

James

 

[Erichalfbee]

calm myself down and get on with what I needed to do.

This still unnerves me!

 

[Sutty]

Is that a hand under there?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is that a hand under there?

Yes….. mine.

 

[Just Steve]

Hi all. I am starting a Beekeeping course in October this year and am trying in the meantime to gather as much information as possible. I've never done this before or even been around a hive so any information, tips, hints or just help in general would be great.

Hi, have you joined your local beekeeping association? I'm not sure if they are very active or not but by joining you can introduce yourself and perhaps find a mentor to help until the course starts. They will almost certainly have an aprairy which needs managing and voluntary help as and when needed.
The Haynes manual of beekeeping is a very good book to begin with. Utube has lots to offer, and lots of poor information unfortunately too.
Whereabouts in Brum do you live? I had a friend in Erdington who asked on Facebook for aprairy space and he was offered some really good sites. He also asks for offers removal on there and seems to get plenty of opportunity's. I'm not a million miles away so it's maybe a bit too far to meet up regularly but I don't mind talking you through the ins and outs if it helps.

 

[Paulypaul]

When you get bees, resist naming them. It takes too long, and most of them only live for 40 days, so you shouldn't build emotional attachments.