wanting to start

[DebbieMartin]

Hello
My son (11) is home educated and very interested in rural pursuits / land management etc. We would both like to start bee keeping. We have just under an acre of rural land but to be hones havnt got a clue what to do first and having had a read of some books and a good search on the internet has only left us more confused. We would love to be able to visit an established bee keeper just to have a look and a chat about first steps. We already keep ducks, chickens and goats so understand about the responsibility of keeping living things. Are there any friendly, enthusiastic beekeepers in Staffs/ North Staffs/Shrops who would be willing to let us come over and meet them. At some point we will do a bee keeping day but for now just wanted something a bit less formal to see if its the right thing for us. Thanks in advance

 

[susbees]

Posts under "mentor" section...

 

[itma]

Debbie there is a standard "getting started" advice post here -> http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14770

I'd suggest that you make contact with your local association, and go along to one of their meets, to see how you react to insects flying around you!
However, the season hasn't really started yet - and the first 'spring cleaning' session is probably not the clearest learning experience. A later meeting would be much more typical.

Normal beekeeping intro courses are a couple of hours a week for 8 or 10 weeks, plus at least one 'practical' session. And that's just the beginning... !
You won't/can't learn it in a day.

Meanwhile there are some decent books listed on the 'start here' thread, which you should be able to access through your local library.

 

[Chris B]

Debbie,

You are going the right way about things. Lots of beekeeping groups offer taster sessions at various times. I would suggest google "beekeeping taster" and see what appears. Also google "Bee Craft" and you might find one there in the classifieds/events. Also the BBKA website often lists taster events.
We'll be doing one here in Worcestershire but probably not until September. If you can't find an earlier/closer one then give us a shout.

The best time to start beekeeping yourself is May/June and I think you've got your work cut out for this year. Set your sights on working out if it's for you or not and getting prepared for a start in 13 months if you go for it.

The annual BBKA beekeeping convention is this Saturday at Harper Adams college Newport, Shropshire. You can turn up on the day, and go to lectures and go round the trade stands. It's about £20 for an adult but kids are free. Some of the lectures might not be suitable but some will. At the very least you will get a good feel for what it's about and an idea of equipment costs, get a good book or two, and talk to some beekeepers.

 

[Willie Bee]

Hello.

I am not a beekeeper yet, although I am doing a course at the moment. I hope to get involved fairly soon.

Why not take a look on Youtube. there are videos about all aspects of this fascinating hobby.

Although not so common in the UK (I think) quite a lot of beekeepers in the USA buy packaged bees .. basically about 10,000 bees and a queen, which all come in a small wooded cage. Seeing them tipping the bees into their new hives looks scary.

I don't like spiders and would no more pick one up as to jump out of a plane. However, when handling the bees, on frames I had no problem.

Good luck in your venture

 

[itma]

I am not a beekeeper yet, although I am doing a course at the moment. I hope to get involved fairly soon.

Why not take a look on Youtube. there are videos about all aspects of this fascinating hobby.

Although not so common in the UK (I think) quite a lot of beekeepers in the USA ...

I'd make the opposite suggestion.
As a beginner, try to avoid random redneck opinion!

After you have some understanding of what is (more or less) "standard practice" (and importantly why it is) - ONLY then and not before - should you be thinking of starting to look for other methods and the ideas behind them.
There are lots of YouTube videos proudly demonstrating the lack of skill and understanding of the demonstrator. That's a bad choice of a place to start.

It is *not* that there is 'one true way'. There isn't. And because of that, its very hard for the novice to tell whether what they are being shown is orthodox, novel, obsolete, weird or just plain daft.
Read a couple of recommended books by different authors. Recognise their differences and work out the reasons they do it their way.

There is a better filter on print publication than internet self-promotion!

 

[Mellifera397]

I'd make the opposite suggestion.
As a beginner, try to avoid random redneck opinion!

After you have some understanding of what is (more or less) "standard practice" (and importantly why it is) - ONLY then and not before - should you be thinking of starting to look for other methods and the ideas behind them.
There are lots of YouTube videos proudly demonstrating the lack of skill and understanding of the demonstrator. That's a bad choice of a place to start.

It is *not* that there is 'one true way'. There isn't. And because of that, its very hard for the novice to tell whether what they are being shown is orthodox, novel, obsolete, weird or just plain daft.
Read a couple of recommended books by different authors. Recognise their differences and work out the reasons they do it their way.

There is a better filter on print publication than internet self-promotion!

I've seen some awful videos on youtube of people doing things that are so daft that they end up killing bees in droves and then wonder why the bees are angry, often brought about by people in the USA starting 'on the cheap'. Beekeeping doesn't have to be expensive but if you can afford it a little extra money can be the difference between angry bees and happy bees.

M

 

[beekeeping4you]

There are lots of YouTube videos proudly demonstrating the lack of skill and understanding of the demonstrator.

...its very hard for the novice to tell whether what they are being shown is orthodox, novel, obsolete, weird or just plain daft.

Good example here, the guy surely has seen lots of videos about "all aspects of this fascinating hobby".
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUrlipnW2es[/ame]

 

[susbees]

I assume the bit at 2:00 is some sort of ceremonial demonstration? Cute bit of brush though for the several minutes taken to brush the bees off the queen cage prior to several minutes pointless fiddling with half a toolbox and the fondant.

Whatever you do, do not watch the autumn (no stores) inspection video :S

 

[Chris B]

Anyone care to precis the rest?

It's the way Stan Laurel would do it.