Beekeeping and the Bee Hive

The hive that a beekeeper uses determines much of the amount of honey production. Over the years, beekeepers have innovated on the structure of the artificial beehive to make it easier for them to gather the honey.

The type of hive that is most commonly used in the United States is the Langstroth hive, called the “movable frame beehive.” The hive is a rectangular wooden structure with several frames within. The box does not have any top or bottom. Usually, there are nine or ten frames within that are hung freely, parallel to each other. The frames are either plastic or wax which becomes the foundation on which the bees construct their honeycombs of beeswax. Honey and pollen are deposited within the cells of the combs. When it is time for the beekeeper to gather honey, all he has to do is lift these free-hanging frames.

Aside from the Langstroth hive, some American beekeepers have adopted the use of the top-bar hives that are used in Africa. This type of hive, however, is not practical and limits the production of honey. This hive is constructed with bars placed across the top of the box. Bees then build hanging honeycombs attached to each bar. When the beekeepers extract the honey, the combs can no longer be used. The reason some beekeepers use this method is that it produces the highest quality of honey. The honey can also be sold “in-comb.”

Before deciding on what type to use, a potential beekeeper needs to determine first if his locality does allow beekeeping in private properties. He also needs to determine if he has enough room within his property on which to place a hive. One common restriction is that beehives are not allowed in properties near recreational areas. Not only can bees be troublesome, but some people can be fatally allergic to bee stings.

Aside from people considerations, bee hives also need to be placed in an area close to the food source of bees. Bees gather nectar and pollen from plants and in effect help pollinate crops, which is actually one of the reasons why beehives are maintained. It is also important to place the beehive near a fresh water source. But if there is no such natural water source, the beekeeper can supply the bees with water, himself.

Another concern that should be addressed when deciding to take on beekeeping is the possible entry of animal predators and human vandals. Bears and skunks are just two animals that may be interested in gathering the honey for themselves. Severe weather conditions should also be considered in keeping the beehive protected, while keeping it accessible at all times. Bees are active during the months when they can gather nectar and pollen for honey production. But maintaining the beehive is required all-year round.

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Behind the Scenes with the Honey Production

Honey production is generally the main objective of people who venture into the business of beekeeping.  Although a lot of insects can also produce honey, the variety produced by honey bees is the honey commonly collected for public consumption. In the same way, not all honey produced by bees are the same. In fact, honey produced from certain nectars like tuliptree, sourwood, and basswood can command a very high price in the market.

Bees create honey from the nectar secreted by a variety of flowers. Once transformed, the bees store the honey in the comb and this serves as their main food source. They usually keep a surplus supply for emergency purposes like the existence of cold weather and when other food sources become scarce. This is the portion taken away by the beekeeper.

The kind of honey produced by the bees will depend on their nectar source, which is why the hives should be, ideally, located in an area where spring, summer, and fall flowering plants grow. The ideal spot should also have abundant flowering plants in order for the bees to produce a sufficient amount of nectar. Beekeepers should avoid placing hives in land areas where cultivated crops are grown because this would make the hives vulnerable to insecticide exposure.

Once the honey is ripe for harvesting, it can be sold either in its original honey comb form or the extracted liquid form. Deciding on which kind of honey to produce also depends on the available nectar sources. Comb honey for instance requires a steady and rapid flow of honey so it’s best to produce this kind in areas where flowering plants can yield abundant nectar rapidly.

Honey production can be a very costly venture because of the required initial investments on hives, beekeeping equipment, and tools. At most, producers of comb honey can expect to recoup their investment on the materials after a year. Extracted honey producers have to make an additional investment for the extracting/pressing equipment.

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The Basics of How to Keep Bees

Bees are probably one of the most misunderstood creatures on Earth. They’re not just “bugs” or the insects with the terrifying stingers. Aside from their notorious reputation, they’re one of the most dependable pollen carriers around. One-third of the human food crops depend on insect pollination, and honey bees do 80 percent of the work. They’re also responsible for that sticky and sweet treat called honey.

As surprising as it might sound, beekeeping is a very legitimate hobby. In fact, it’s been around since ancient times. With the advent of the internet age, beekeeping has become a more accessible hobby. Not only does the internet connect beekeeping enthusiasts from all over the world, it can also provide aspiring and novice beekeepers information and useful tips on how to keep bees. More importantly, beekeepers can easily access to all the necessary equipment they need from bee suits to the actual bees themselves.

Aspiring beekeepers should do their homework first before anything else. Bees didn’t gain their notorious reputation for nothing, so it’s best if you gain an understanding first on everything about bees like the biology of their colonies, behavior patterns, even their social hierarchy. The internet is replete with information and useful tips on how to keep bees, though it’s best to also seek out an experienced beekeeper or visit a beekeeping farm to get first hand data. Your homework also includes asking around if your area has any legal restrictions on keeping bees in the premises.

Once you’ve done all that, you’re now ready to start scouting for your equipment: a bee suit, feeder, smoker, supers, frames, a hive, inner and outer covers, frames, and a bottom board. Bee hives can be easily purchased from suppliers, though you can also build them from scratch. The bees can be ordered online or obtained from your local beekeeper.

While beekeeping can be a very taxing venture, it’s also a very rewarding one. Keeping your bees happy would take a lot of patience and effort on your part, but it is well worth it in the long run.

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