Beekeeping Basics

(Page 3 of 5)

February/March 1999
By Keith Rawlinson 
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For each hive you intend to assemble, I recommend the following: two deep supers, three shallow supers, 20 deep frames and sheets of deep-wired foundation, 30 shallow frames and sheets of shallow-wired foundation, an inner and outer cover, and a bottom board. You will also need a queen excluder, which goes between the deep and shallow supers, to make sure the queen lays her eggs in the deep supers and not up upon the shallow supers where the bees store the honey.

All hive parts mentioned above can be purchased through the suppliers listed at the end of the article, or you can save some money and build them yourself (see "Build Your Own Beehive" below). You will need basic woodworking skills and access to a few basic woodworking tools.

Where Do I Get the bees?

Surprisingly enough, the bees can be ordered and delivered through the U.S. mail. Mail order suppliers can be found in any copy of Bee Culture magazine (see below). I cannot recommend any supplier in particular because it is generally good practice to order from a reputable supplier as close to your own vicinity as possible. This reduces the time the bees spend in transit and gives them the best chance of arriving healthy. Ordering one three-pound package with queen per hive will get you off to a good start. The books listed at the end of this article will tell you exactly how to put the bees into your hive once they arrive and how to care for them from that point on.

When Is the Best Time to Get Started?

The best time of year to get started in beekeeping is in the spring, but orders for bees should be placed in January or February to assure delivery. Starting in the spring, give the bees plenty of time to get established in their new home and to build up their population adequately so they can make it through the winter.

These are just the very basics for getting started in beekeeping. There is of course a bit more you will need to learn about what to do and when in order to proper care for your bees. Listed below are two books I strongly recommend: Starting Right With Bees and Hive Management. Also listed is the address to order a subscription to Bee Culture magazine With these three publications, you'll have more than enough information to be successful in beekeeping.

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