Beekeeping is a great way to find yourself in the outside and learn some essential life skills. But before you get started, it pays to see through to the basic principles! In this beginners' guide, we'll outline everything required to learn in order to have a successful season of beekeeping.

Do you intend to keep bees? In that case, this guide is for you personally! Inside it, we'll get you through everything required to learn in order to start beekeeping - from deciding on the best bees and equipment, to understanding the basic principles of beekeeping, and everything in between. So whether you're a beginner or an experienced beekeeper, make sure to read this guide! 

This beginners' guide will teach you everything required to learn about beekeeping, from the basic principles of bee biology and hive construction to proper beekeeping technique and seasonal tips.

If you're considering beekeeping, this guide is for you. Inside it, we'll outline the basic principles of beekeeping, discuss whether it's really worth your time and energy to begin with, and provide tips on the best way to have the best season of beekeeping possible. Stephen Gleave Ancaster

Why care about bees?

Bees are essential for the environment, and beekeeping can provide you with a rewarding hobby. Here are four reasons why you should care about bees:

1. Bees Pollinate Flowers

Bees are responsible for pollinating most of the plants within our ecosystem. Without bees, most of the plants we count on would not be able to reproduce.

2. Bees Provide Honey and Other Products

Honey is a popular product produced by honeybees. Other products that bees produce include propolis, wax, royal jelly, and bee pollen. These products are found in food production or health supplements.

3. Bees Are Important For The Environment

Bees are essential for the environment because they help pollinate flowers and create colonies that produce honey and other valuable products. Without bees, our ecosystems would be significantly impacted.

Types of Hive

There are various kinds of hives, each using its own group of advantages and disadvantages. Here we shall look at two common forms of hives: the Langstroth hive and the Warré hive.

The Langstroth Hive 
Langstroth hives are undoubtedly the most used type of bee hive in the world. These were created by American beekeeper Lorenzo Langstroth in 1851, and are still trusted today. The basic principle behind a Langstroth hive is simple: there is one main chamber in the hive, divided in to several section by movable frames. bees live and work in these sections, and use of the honey stores is given by combs on top of the frames.

Langstroth hives have several advantages over other forms of hives: they're relatively simple to create, may be moved from location to a different without difficulty, and provide good ventilation through the entire colony. They likewise have several drawbacks: they need regular inspections (every 7-14 days), they could be difficult to steadfastly keep up (the frames need to be replaced every 3-4 years), and they produce more wax than other forms of hives (this is useful for producing honey but can make cleaning difficult).

The Warré Hive 
Warre hives were invented in 1791 by Nicolas-Jacques Conte de Warré, a French aristocrat who was simply thinking about solving a number of the problems connected with using traditional wooden

Why is it difficult?

If you're considering beekeeping, there are always a few things to keep in mind. Beekeeping may be challenging, but with the right tips and preparation, it may be a satisfying experience. Here are a few reasons why it may be difficult to begin with:

1) It's a Time-Consuming Activity
One of many main reasons beekeeping may seem difficult is that it takes lots of time to complete it correctly. The procedure of keeping bees involves looking after them, harvesting their honey, and managing the hive. If you're only willing to commit a few hours weekly to beekeeping, it may possibly not be feasible for you.

2) You'll Need Some Equipment
Beekeeping requires some basic equipment, including hives, tools for pollination (like brushes or flails), and feed for the bees. Unless you intend to purchase these things separately, you'll likely need to buy them at the very least once.

3) There's A Lot To Learn
Although beekeeping is relatively straightforward when you initially start, there is still lots of information that you'll require to learn in order to be successful. Including understanding bee anatomy and behavior in addition to how different factors like temperature and humidity affect them. In addition, being familiar with agricultural terminology can help when speaking with your local beekeeper about your hive.

Tips for Successful Beginner Beekeepers

1. Focus on a well-maintained colony. Be sure you have a wholesome hive before you start beekeeping, and keep it like that by regularly inspecting the bees, removing any dead or diseased individuals, and providing them with new feed and water supplies.

2. Keep your hive warm in winter and cool in summer. Provide artificial heat if necessary, but keep carefully the temperature inside a comfortable range for the bees.

3. Be patient! Normally it takes as much as 36 months for a new beekeeper to have their colony off to a successful start. Stay with it before you see results!

4. Don't forget to request help! There are many of experienced beekeepers available willing to share their knowledge and help guide beginners along the way.