Starting from scratch

[AndyW]

Hi, I'm looking at setting up a honey bee hive in the garden, i no very little about doing this. I'm sure it is more complex than it appears.
It's now may, so I think I am too late to start anything off this year.

From my basic understanding I will need.....

Knowledge
Hive
Suit
Tools
Bees, I think you can buy a startup nucleus with a queen???

I'm sure this is a very naive list, so hopefully someone can help me start up.

Thanks
Andy

 

[Ian123]

Hi make contact with your local association they may well run a course or welcome you to a meeting. You may make a contact or be able to offer some carrying skills to a local in return for a look in some hives with them. Good luck. Ian

 

[AndyW]

Hi make contact with your local association they may well run a course or welcome you to a meeting. You may make a contact or be able to offer some carrying skills to a local in return for a look in some hives with them. Good luck. Ian

Ok thanks, I will look and see if I can find a local setup.

 

[coffindodger]

Probably best not to buy anything this year. As I123 said, find a local association and meet some beekeepers. Lots of books and stuff on the internet, but you need to spend some time with the bees around you to find out if you are happy or not. Taster courses can be good, but a friendly keeper is probably more valuable. There are also questions about setting up a hive in a garden and it would be useful to have someone experienced who can look at it with you.
Don't be fooled by books which say it is easy and cheap to set up (just catch a swarm, etc). It is sometimes like tearing up ten-pound notes whilst someone sticks hot pins in you, so you need to be prepared in every way before jumping in. Hope you do find it as satisfying and rewarding as I do.

 

[mjt68]

Find an association to get a taste, get stung a few times and you could always stick a swarm trap up - probably won't work but you never know...

Research somewhere else to put them. Even if plan A is garden, you need a plan B.

In terms of knowledge, ask around to find 1 or 2 authors and read. Too much at this point could just confuse you...

 

[tom8400]

What I would do is...

Buy a flat budget hive from Thorne as they are often cheapest. National or langstroth whichever you prefer. I personally like how langstroth is cheaper and quick to assemble however there are a few problems lugs on frames are a bit small and foundation can fall out if not assembled correctly (my mistake) therefore I prefer the national as it's lugs are bigger you can hold frame with fingers at one end, and boxes are easier to move.

The Haynes bee manual is useful. Have also got hive management which I've started reading also very good. All the others even the ones highly regarded are a bit overwhelming and go around the houses before getting to the point.

And then thirdly a nuc of buckfasts and put them straight in it as per the normal procedure. The cost of the courses will cover this and you can ask all the knowledgeable helpful people on here and use YouTube.

Sorry I have no faith in associations and they over price courses waste of time, if you can find a local beekeeper willing to be on end of phone or even let you help them with their hives I dare say it would be a lot better.

Hope it helps however please note I do get in some right old pickles with bees and ask basic questions, but I'm sure with a hive of calm bees the bees will teach you

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

The most important thing to remember is - you tube is fine for looking at pornography and funny cat films.
The majority of the 'instructional' beekeeping videos are made by idiots with cameras and should be avoided.
Second most important thing - take care who you accept 'advice' from

Before you even think about bees, and especially garden bees, is get some knowledge
These one day/two day crash courses give you a feel for the bees, but are definitely not enough for you then to go out and buy a box of bees.
Join an association, most offer a series of theory and practical courses which will set you in much better stead at a reasonable price, offer post coure mentoring, public liability insurance, and a whole lot more.
This year is probably too late to get on to an association beekeeping course, but most associations will allow you to come along to the apiary practical days, get a good grounding - most importantly find out whether you and bees are a good mix, they supply suits and advice on equipment, at least if at that point you chnge your mind, it won't have cost you much.
If you're still decided to sell your soul to beekeeping, you can then do a theory course with the associaton next winter and will be hot to trot in the spring.
Buying a boxful of Buckies is no guarantee of success in beekeeping.

 

[AndyW]

Thanks very much everyone, really useful information. I've taken on board what has been said.
I had a really interesting chat with some keepers at the Bath and west show last year, and we will be going this year, so I can speak to them further. I've seen some hives by an allotment near to us, so someone must be looking after these.
I can pick up a few books from Amazon as well. No point rushing into a big commitment!!!

 

[AndyW]

What I would do is...

Buy a flat budget hive from Thorne as they are often cheapest. National or langstroth whichever you prefer. I personally like how langstroth is cheaper and quick to assemble however there are a few problems lugs on frames are a bit small and foundation can fall out if not assembled correctly (my mistake) therefore I prefer the national as it's lugs are bigger you can hold frame with fingers at one end, and boxes are easier to move.

The Haynes bee manual is useful. Have also got hive management which I've started reading also very good. All the others even the ones highly regarded are a bit overwhelming and go around the houses before getting to the point.

And then thirdly a nuc of buckfasts and put them straight in it as per the normal procedure. The cost of the courses will cover this and you can ask all the knowledgeable helpful people on here and use YouTube.

Sorry I have no faith in associations and they over price courses waste of time, if you can find a local beekeeper willing to be on end of phone or even let you help them with their hives I dare say it would be a lot better.

Hope it helps however please note I do get in some right old pickles with bees and ask basic questions, but I'm sure with a hive of calm bees the bees will teach you

Thanks, so maybe something like this would be ok - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Easipet-Na...ocphy=9045578&hvtargid=pla-698871624695&psc=1


I've seen some new age looking ones that come in different colours, but they are around £500, all the pics have them located in someone garden.

 

[drex]

Expensive. Go direct to big bee suppliers. I have always used Thornes flat packs and never been disappointed. Get some knowledge first. Even deciding what type of hive would suit you best requires some knowledge

 

[Newbeeneil]

The most important thing to remember is - you tube is fine for looking at pornography and funny cat films.
The majority of the 'instructional' beekeeping videos are made by idiots with cameras and should be avoided.
Second most important thing - take care who you accept 'advice' from

Before you even think about bees, and especially garden bees, is get some knowledge
These one day/two day crash courses give you a feel for the bees, but are definitely not enough for you then to go out and buy a box of bees.
Join an association, most offer a series of theory and practical courses which will set you in much better stead at a reasonable price, offer post coure mentoring, public liability insurance, and a whole lot more.
This year is probably too late to get on to an association beekeeping course, but most associations will allow you to come along to the apiary practical days, get a good grounding - most importantly find out whether you and bees are a good mix, they supply suits and advice on equipment, at least if at that point you chnge your mind, it won't have cost you much.
If you're still decided to sell your soul to beekeeping, you can then do a theory course with the associaton next winter and will be hot to trot in the spring.
Buying a boxful of Buckies is no guarantee of success in beekeeping.

Much as it sometimes pains me to agree with JBM, it is exactly what I would have written.
1 - taster day - to see if bees turn you on,
2 - spend some time in an association apiary to see if you can cope with a box full of bees at your fingertips.
3 - spring next year go on a full course and hopefully get your bees. Do not buy equipment until this point!!!

Please take note of the thread on here re angry bees in gardens at the moment!

 

[AndyW]

Much as it sometimes pains me to agree with JBM, it is exactly what I would have written.
1 - taster day - to see if bees turn you on,
2 - spend some time in an association apiary to see if you can cope with a box full of bees at your fingertips.
3 - spring next year go on a full course and hopefully get your bees. Do not buy equipment until this point!!!

Please take note of the thread on here re angry bees in gardens at the moment!

Thanks, I didn't really think about how bees could cause problem for neighbours.
How are bees purchased? Do they come with the queen? Do you but them in the hive and hope that they stay? With regards to handling the bees, I think I would want a full suit.

 

[pargyle]

Thanks, I didn't really think about how bees could cause problem for neighbours.
How are bees purchased? Do they come with the queen? Do you but them in the hive and hope that they stay? With regards to handling the bees, I think I would want a full suit.

Hi Andy ..you need to read a couple of books. The forum is an excellent resource and we are (mostly) kind and helpful to new beekeepers when they face problems or want some advice when their own level of knowledge has not provided them with an answer. But ... I don't think it's realistic to try and use the forum as you are seeking to do .. there needs to be some self-help to acquire a basic idea of what is involved. I don't mean to be unkind or quench your enthusiasm but if you don't know the answers to the above questions some research on your part is needed.

Get hold of 'Bees at the Bottom of your Garden' by Alan Campion and read it a couple of times - you will almost certainly find it in your local library or splash out £5.60 on your own copy from ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=bees+at+the+bottom+of+the+garden&_sacat=0&_sop=15

With this acquired level of knowledge and the advice above about joining an association and doing the basic beekeeping course you will find life a lot easier on your path towards keeping bees.

 

[AndyW]

Hi Andy ..you need to read a couple of books. The forum is an excellent resource and we are (mostly) kind and helpful to new beekeepers when they face problems or want some advice when their own level of knowledge has not provided them with an answer. But ... I don't think it's realistic to try and use the forum as you are seeking to do .. there needs to be some self-help to acquire a basic idea of what is involved. I don't mean to be unkind or quench your enthusiasm but if you don't know the answers to the above questions some research on your part is needed.

Get hold of 'Bees at the Bottom of your Garden' by Alan Campion and read it a couple of times - you will almost certainly find it in your local library or splash out £5.60 on your own copy from ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=bees+at+the+bottom+of+the+garden&_sacat=0&_sop=15

With this acquired level of knowledge and the advice above about joining an association and doing the basic beekeeping course you will find life a lot easier on your path towards keeping bees.

Hi, that's find, and I don't see that as being unkind. I will do some research and gain some knowledge first. Thanks.