In the north, we have a few options for natural sweeteners. We have maple products that we can make in spring; we have sugar beets; and we have honey. Harvesting honey is about more than just the sweet, sticky gold stuff, though. It’s about properly taking care of some of the most important organisms on the planet: bees.
There are only eight surviving species of honeybee, and they represent only a fraction of the estimated 20,000 known species of bees. The best known honeybee is the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), which has been domesticated for honey production and crop pollination. Some other types of related bees produce and store honey, and have been kept by humans for that purpose, including the stingless bees, but only members of the genus Apis are true honeybees. People also value their wax for making candles, soap, lip balms and even cosmetics.
That pollination duty is a critical one; without bees, we humans, and countless other animals that aren’t strictly carnivores, would likely starve. To reproduce, plants need to be pollinated, and our little buzzy buddies do the lion’s share of that duty.
To protect bees and promote pollination, you may be considering becoming a beekeeper (or apiarist, if you want to be fancy about it). That’s awesome! However, there are a few things you need to know before you jump in.
The following information was adapted from the “Beekeeping 101” series at Almanac.com:
First, do some research to ensure you’re even legally allowed to keep bees where you are. It’s more than likely if you’re rural, it’s okay, but some places have limits on how many hives you can have. You may also need to register your apiary.
Next, site your hives properly. They should be away from other attractive places to start building hives (such as under the eaves of buildings or in large trees). Try to face the hive toward the rising sun (east) or the south so they bees can warm up quickly. Bees also need a nearby water source and need to be relatively close to sources of nectar and pollen – ones that aren’t being sprayed with large doses of commercial insecticides.
As for you, the beekeeper, you’ll need the proper clothing and equipment to care for your buzzing friends. Always wear a veil and long sleeves and pants to protect you from stings. Bees are okay with lighter colored clothing but are not fans of darker colors (hence the reason a lot of beekeeping suits are white).
There are three basic supplies you’ll want to have when handling bees:
- Smoker: Smoke, if used properly and not excessively, will help to calm bees. A small smoker is fine for a couple of hives. If you have four or more hives, you may want a larger one. You want to produce cool, white smoke. To do so, you can purchase smoker fuel or use dry pine needles in your smoker.
- Hive tool: This is a device that is used like a lever to loosen frames and boxes. Most beekeepers have more than one hive tool.
- Frame grips: These are metal pincher devices used by many new beekeepers. They make it easier to remove frames from the hive with one hand.
You may be able to find this equipment at a local supplier – check out their websites or make a few phone calls before ordering something online. Local suppliers will also be able to help answer your questions once you get started.
You also need to think about what type of hive you want to use. The three most common types are the Langstroth, the horizontal top bar and the Warré hive.
- The Langstroth hive is the most common style in use today and a favorite for new beekeepers. The design was patented by Rev. Lorenzo Langstroth in the mid-19th century and features removable frames that the bees build comb in. Langstroth hives consist of boxes that stack on top of each other.
- The top bar hive is the oldest hive design in the world. A horizontal top bar hive features wooden bars that are laid along the top of the long box. One-piece bars are used instead of the four-sided wooden frames of the Langstroth design. The honeybees build comb down from the top bars. No foundation is required, but the hive should be elevated off the ground with some sort of stand.
- The Warré hive, created by Émile Warré in the mid-20th century, is another top bar design. Instead of being a long horizontal top bar hive, the Warré hive is a vertical top bar hive. Identically sized stacked boxes have no frames or foundation sheets. Bees build honeycomb down from top bars placed within each box.
And, finally, you’ll need to find a queen bee to kick start everything. Again, check with local beekeepers or apiary equipment retailers to see if you can find something local; if not, there are a ton of online outlets to have one sent to you.
The rewards of beekeeping can be sweet, but only if you know what you’re doing! To learn more before spring does its thing, you could take the “Beekeeping 101” course from Penn State Extension.
