So…you want to be a beekeeper?
Beekeeping is a rewarding experience. If you’ve decided you’re ready to start your first honey bee hive you’re probably pretty excited, a little nervous, and REALLY confused about what you’ll need to get started. We’ve all been there!
Your first move - open a new tab and search for your local beekeepers association.
Kind of a hermit or just not ready to break your covid zoom addiction? No problem, there are plenty of online Facebook groups and you’ll likely find local or state beekeeper clubs online too!
Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a good quality mentor or at the very least a couple hands-on classes. You can read all the literature you want but cracking open a book is nothing compared to cracking open a honey bee hive with THOUSANDS of little bee faces attached to thousands of barbed stingers!
You’ll need to determine your local and state regulations, HOA rules, decide on a location, pick a hive style (there are MANY) and purchase your equipment all prior to receiving your bees. You’ll have questions posed to you like treatment or treatment free? Italian or local stock? To bee or not to bee? <— Just kidding 😉
You’ll probably ask a lot of questions in whatever group you find and you’ll DEFINITELY get a different answer from each beekeeper who responds! This hobby tends to attract independent thinkers. Stubborn… I didn’t say that… … …
Ultimately, the best thing to do is to GO FOR IT! You will find out really quick if you’re cut out for the “dance of the bee” and if it doesn’t work out you’ll be glad you joined those local groups and have someone to buy those bees from you! (Please don’t ever abandon a honey bee colony! There are ALWAYS beekeepers willing to rehome a wayward hive.)
If it turns out beekeeping isn’t your jam plant native shrubs and trees to feed your local pollinators! If you succeed then congratulations, you’ve likely found a life long journey to enjoy and share with your family, friends and community!