Table of Contents
Beekeeping Guide For Beginners
The mention of bees can have a negative and positive effect on individuals; the fact that when stung by a bee is irritating but from that sting comes healing effects that most of people were never aware of.
Beekeeping (also known as apiculture) has become the most sought after venture for families for income generation and becoming advantageous for people who has adequate land to pitch the hive boxes.
Bees have the most valuable products that are consumed and used worldwide; besides getting honey, there are other products like bees wax, pollen, royal jelly and bee venom are also produced by honey bees. These buzzers have historically been known to build hives in tree holes or in hollow places, though not all bees make honey.
To become a beekeeper (also called apiarist) it would be advisable to seek information from veterinary offices or to get advice from other local beekeepers in your area.
Beekeeping occupies the apiarist’s social life, culture and local economy.
Equipment And Tools Needed
The equipment and tools for hives collection;
- Veil, gloves, protective clothing – these will help protect from feeling the stings and handling the hives without dropping them from stings.
- Hive tool – for prying supers and frames apart.
- Brush – is used to gently remove bees on extracted hives to help them return into the hive box.
- Smoker – clams the bees and reduces stinging.
- Frames and foundation – wooden frames hold sheets of beeswax or plastic foundation imprinted with the shapes of hexagonal cells.
- Feeders – they hold the sugar syrup that feeds bees for energy when needed.
- Beehives and traditional hives.
Another way to save costs is to use recycled material like drums, logs, old cabinets, etc and make sure it is clean and disinfected. Another option would be considering making your own equipment.
Honeybees Colony
The importance of each honeybee and how long they can live;
- The Queen bee – is a reproductive female and there is only one queen in the hive and her job is to lay eggs and produce queen substance (pheromones).
- When a new queen starts life, she mates only once with drones outside the hive. A good queen can lie between 1,500 – 2,000 eggs per day but after two years she lays fewer eggs.
- She has long and slender body and short wings and can live for three to five years.
- Drones – are males and are bigger than the workers; developed from unfertilized eggs. Their major task is to mate with the queen.
- They are stingless, very large eyes which are used to spot the queen during mating. They look large and square; making a loud buzzing noise when they fly.
- They are dependent on the workers for food because their proboscis is short and cannot collect food for them.
- There can be about 200 to 500 drones in a hive but in time of food shortage the workers chase the drones out of the hive to die, considering that their lifespan is usually not more than 2 months.
- Workers – they are all sterile females and most of the bees in the hive are workers. The worker bees’ change tasks according to age.
- Young worker bees clean the hive, feed both young and the Queen and make the beeswax combs. They control the temperature of the hive by flapping their wings and also guard the hive.
- Older workers scout for food and collect the pollen, nectar, water and propolis. They have a sting plus special glands and organs to help them to defend the colony against enemies.
- The workers are also responsible for the honey formation process. The lifespan of a worker bee is 7-8 weeks during the main flowering season when they work hard and they can live longer during dormant periods.
Harvesting
Honey is harvested at the end of a flowering season and the beekeeper selects those combs which contain ripe honey, covered with a fine layer of white beeswax. The combs are usually the outside moist ones; however combs containing any pollen or developing bees should be left undisturbed.
Honeycombs are harvested from the hives and gently remove each hive to avoid upsetting the bees.
Beeswax is also collected when the honey is extracted from the honeycomb.
Sometimes honey may not be harvested for whatever reason and this will assist bee colonies to feed in cold winter months; thereafter they will not build up on the hive they were feeding on in the next season.
How To Raise Bees. This will also encourage other bees and insects to steal the honey or have colonies claiming that hive so they can build on it.
Collecting Swarm
Catching a wild swarm of bees happens when the colony gets too big and the bees want to reproduce the colony by making a new queen.
The old, experienced queen and most of the adult workers leave the hive with the swarm and fly out of the old hive looking for a new home.
New queen later hatches out and takes over the old colony and the remaining bees. The beekeeper can capture the swarm and place it into a temporary or permanent hive.
The swarm has a better chance of staying into the new hive if it is captured during a nectar flow season.
Importance Of Hygiene In Apiculture
Bees are very clean and want a clean home. They will not move into a hive that is leaking or has rats, spiders or other undesirable creatures already living there and if a hive remains uncolonized after the swarming season, clean it out, sterilise over a fire and add new baits.
The cleanliness of the hives will not aid in infiltration of pests and diseases, so it is important to know where your bees come from unless you started out with swarms.
Diseases And Pests On Honeybees
Honey bee colonies, or even single queen bees, must never be moved from one area to another without expert consideration of the consequences.
There are numerous pests that will disrupt a beehive and prey on your bees. Wax moths are almost universal, ants a very common and persistent hazard, and honey badgers a serious nuisance especially in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions on Beekeeping, organized to cover essential topics for beginners and enthusiasts:
Getting Started
- How do I begin beekeeping?
Research local regulations, take a course, join a club, and acquire basic equipment (hive, suit, smoker, tools). - What equipment is essential for beekeeping?
Hive components, protective gear (veil, suit, gloves), smoker, hive tool, and a bee brush. - How much does it cost to start?
Initial setup ranges from 300–300–800 for hives, bees, and gear. Ongoing costs include maintenance and medications.
Bee Species & Hives
- Which bee species is best for beginners?
Italian honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are docile and productive. - What are the differences between hive types?
Langstroth (modular, common), Top-Bar (low-intervention), and Warre (vertical, natural comb).
Location & Logistics
- Can I keep bees in urban areas?
Yes, with proper space, water access, and adherence to local laws (e.g., distance from neighbors). - How much time does beekeeping require weekly?
30 minutes to 1 hour weekly for inspections, plus seasonal tasks like harvesting.
Honey & Health
- When and how is honey harvested?
Typically in late summer/fall using centrifugal extractors. Leave enough for winter bee food. - How do I prevent pests/diseases?
Regular hive inspections, mite monitoring, and hygienic practices (e.g., replacing old comb). - How do I manage Varroa mites?
Use integrated methods: screened bottom boards, drone comb removal, and treatments like oxalic acid.
Safety & Behavior
- How do I avoid stings and calm aggressive bees?
Wear protective gear, move slowly, use smoke, and avoid perfumes. Requeen overly aggressive colonies. - Why do bees swarm, and how do I manage it?
Swarming is natural reproduction. Prevent by providing space, splitting hives, or clipping the queen’s wings.
Seasonal Care
- How do I prepare hives for winter?
Ensure adequate honey stores, insulate hives, reduce entrances, and protect from moisture/wind.
Legal & Environmental
- Are there legal requirements for beekeeping?
Check local zoning laws, permits, and registration (some regions require inspections). - How does beekeeping benefit the environment?
Pollinates plants, boosts biodiversity, and supports sustainable food systems.
Hive Management
- Where should I place my hive?
Sunny, sheltered spot with morning sun, windbreaks, and a water source nearby. - Should I feed bees sugar water?
Yes, in early spring or late fall when nectar is scarce. Use a 1:1 sugar-water ratio. - When and how do I requeen a hive?
Replace queens every 1–2 years if productivity declines. Introduce her slowly via a cage.
Tools & Threats
- Why use a smoker, and how does it work?
Smoke masks alarm pheromones, calming bees during inspections. Use dried herbs/pine needles. - What predators threaten hives, and how do I protect them?
Bears, skunks, and mites. Use electric fencing, hive stands, and pest treatments.