6 Things To Think About Before Beginning Beekeeping
So, you are thinking about beginning beekeeping as a new hobby. It's not a simple hobby like video gaming, model trains or coin collecting. You are going to consider a few more things before taking on this hobby.
Here are six important ones:
1. You’ll want to consider whether or not you have a location that’s conducive to keeping bees. You’ll want the hives accessible year round. Avoid low spots for your hives because they hold the cold, damp air. You’ll want to avoid high spots for your hives too, because they can be too windy.
2. Check with the county, city or town you live in to find out about any ordinances or laws prohibiting or restricting beekeeping.
3. Consider the safety of family, friends, and neighbors. You wouldn't want any of them to get stung. Be sure to ask your neighbors and friends, if any of them are allergic to bees. Ask if there might be someone who is not comfortable with beehives so close to their homes.
4. Look around the neighborhood and find where the bees will have to fly to retrieve nectar and pollen. Keeping a few plants they like nearby is a good idea.
5. What will be underneath the bees as they fly to get the nectar and pollen? The bees will defecate as they are flying and their feces will fall on everything below them. The feces could ruin the surface of vehicles. You can force the bees to fly at higher with a tall fence.
6. Since bees need water every day, you’ll need to have a good water source for them close at hand. You don't want them visiting neighborhood swimming pools.
Before investing a lot of time and money in your beekeeping hobby, you might want talk with a few beekeepers in your area. Many will more than happy to share their experience with you. Most beekeepers love keeping bees as a hobby and they can give you some valuable insights and great beginner level beekeeping information. Listen closely and take plenty of notes.