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Beekeeping in your Farm

Beekeeping

This page contains information about beekeeping in your farm (or even backyard) along with tips, instructions and useful techniques to help you start your own farm and living independently away from cities. Below are information about raising bees in your farm. If that's what you're loooking for then this is the place for you. Below you will find the most important aspects related to beekeeping, just enough to get you started, if you have any question you can visit our forum and ask our expert farmers.


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Bee Keeping

Beekeeping is an interesting hobby if you're not allergic to the little guys. It's not an inexpensive hobby and can cost upwards to $300 for a single hive to set it up and running. In most communities you can set up a bee keeping operation, but it's best to check with local regulations to be sure as there are some places where it's illegal. There is a certain risk to raising bees, but these risks can be minimized with a little precaution, having the right equipment, and following proper procedures.

You'll also have to register as a beekeeper with your local state. This will bring an inspector to your operation to verify that everything is as it should be, not only for your protection, but for neighbors and visitors.

Beekeeping can be done almost anywhere that people can live. Honey production varies with climate and seasons and just because you have a bee hive, don't count on making a gazillion pounds of honey every year. Most non-commercial beekeepers do it for the fun of it!

What equipment is needed?

You can Google up any of the major beekeeping supply companies such as Dadant, Brushy Mountain, Mann Lake, etc. and order a "beginner's kit" for between $200 and $300.

How do I get or buy bees?

raising bees in your farm

There are companies that supply package bees, which is a shoe box sized container of honey bees and a queen that is used to start a new colony. Because of the spread of the dangerous African bee, which looks exactly like the more gentle honey bees in managed colonies, in Florida, never take wild honey bee colonies from the environment.

To start an apiary (a bee yard, is a place where beehives of honey bees is reared and kept), two bee colonies is considered an ideal number. You can expand it in few years as you gain experience. It is assumed that a single hive produces 50 to 100 pounds of honey every year. Start with right type of hive. Assemble bees in hive using experts. You can either build your own hive or get one build from local tinsmith. You can also order all the parts of hives from a store.

Plan bee apiary in upcoming season by ordering bees, hives and other apiary supplies and equipment well in advance. Fall is the best time to buy all the supplies. All the equipments should be assembled in winter so as to make arrangement for bees to be placed after arrival. Then place hive at the designated place for the apiary. At this juncture, you can become member of local apiary association to gain further information about beekeeping. This will also help you in sharing your problems with more experienced apiarists who will eagerly help you out.

Location of apiary is very important. It is advantageous to place apiary where there is plenty of pollen and nectar source such as flowers and corn, ornamental trees and plants. Apiary should be near a good source of clean water. It is prudent to provide water source so as to prevent bees from moving into neighbor’s area in search of water. A bee apiary must face south or southeast along with a windbreak behind. The area must not be damp and must have sufficient shade. The apiary must be easily approachable for you to work around it.

Selection of correct apiary equipment is very essential. Buy new equipment if you are new to beekeeping apiary. If you purchase colonies or equipment from other beekeeper, get it tested by concerned department for any disease or pest stains. Irrespective of how and from where you purchase your apiary equipment, it needs to meet the standard required by you. Buy all the protective gear required for beekeeping apiary such as overalls, gloves, masks, veil and smokers so as to protect from bee stings as well as facilitate easy handling of bees.

Take precaution against spread of disease. Use Terramycin twice every year before and after the honey flow so as to prevent foulbrood disease. Use Fumadil "B" (Fumagillin) to control Nosema disease which inflicts adult bees. Hive should be tilted slightly so that water does not accumulate inside. The hive should be properly ventilated from top. Food supply should be ensured to prevent bees from dying due to hunger.

If you liked this page, you might also be interested in this page about Raising Fish.

This page is just one of many pages dedicated to sustainable living through organic farming and living wisely. beekeeping will enable you become one step closer to food independance. This is beneficial to your health, peace of mind and lifestyle, great for nature, and reduces your carbon footprint. You can really do it yourself, grow your own food, raise your own animals, from simple means. You can go back to nature and sustainability one step at a time. Today beekeeping, tomorrow something else. That's why we have many articles that you can find on the left side of this page to choose from. Each time try to add something to your farm. Sustainable living is your ticket to true freedom. Enjoy the rest of our pages.
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