In this blog, I’m going to give you the information you need on how to become a beekeeper.

These 10 things are what I believe will allow you to be a successful beekeeper. Here’s the first 5.

Other beekeepers may disagree, or choose a different order, and that’s okay. But if you follow these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great beekeeper.

WHY?

The first question you have to ask yourself is “Why do I want to keep bees?”. This is important because knowing why will allow you to plan for the goal. If you don’t know what your goal is, how can you get there?

Some reasons may include:

Help the bees

Honey!

Garden pollination

Commercial interests

All of these are valid reasons. But each choice has it’s own set of points that will need to be addressed.

Start a year ahead

Beekeeping takes time. Time for your bees to arrive. Time to assemble equipment. Time to learn. By planning ahead you will reduce the problems you encounter because you’ll know what to expect. The peak season for beekeepers is roughly March through September. If it’s already in that time frame, it’s best to wait.

Also, plan on keeping two hives your first year. This gives you a comparison to see if there’s something abnormal in a particular hive.

Find and join a beekeeper club

Beekeeping techniques vary widely from region to region. What works in one place may NOT work in yours. By finding a club, you can determine what the local practice is and emulate that, and this will give you greater chances of success.

Next, find a mentor. More importantly, find a successful mentor. I say “successful” because there’s lots of beekeepers out there who may not exactly be good at beekeeping.

Additionally, a local club may have bulk purchase deals and suggestion on equipment that work in your area.

Research, read, ask questions

Next, you need to research bees. The more you know, the better off you’ll be. Learn bee anatomy. Learn what their behaviors are. Learn the different role within the hive. Ask your mentor questions.

Also, research your local laws. In some places, keeping bees isn’t allowed. Others, don’t specifically prohibit them, but they fall under a nuisance ordinance. It would be a good idea to speak with your neighbor also.

Even if bees aren’t allowed in your area, an “out yard” is a possibility. This is simply a location that you can have bees. Maybe it’s in cooperation with a farmer or other location.

Take a class

And #5 on our list, is take a class. Many universities offer classes, as well as local beekeeping clubs. Try and find one that offers as much hands-on as possible. Learn by doing is key. Knowing WHAT a hive tool is, is dramatically different than knowing HOW to use one.

That’s it for now. in part 2, I’ll give you the final 5 things on how to become a beekeeper.

Until then, like and subscribe to our page on Youtube and of course Facebook at Twin Cedar bees. We also have a Twitter page if you prefer.