Bee-Keeping

Introduction

Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the practice of humans maintaining bee colonies, usually in manufactured hives. Among the most popular are honey bees of the species Apis; however, other honey-generating bees like Melipona that do not have stings are also maintained in captivity. When an individual maintains bees for harvesting honey and some other goods generated by the hive (i.e., propolis, beeswax, flower pollen, royal jelly, and bee pollen), fertilizing crops, or breeding bees to sell them to buyers is known as beekeeping. An apiary, sometimes known as a “bee yard,” is a structure where bees are housed and maintained.

People in antiquity were aware that bees create excellent honey, sting, and swarm to expand their numbers. They had discovered the utility of smoke in controlling them by the 17th century and had devised the screening veil to protect them from stings.

Beekeeping for Beginners

A beekeeper should begin his beekeeping business early in the season by starting honey bee farming when the blossoms are full of nectar. Here are some suggestions regarding beekeeping for beginners.

Types of bee keeping

The two types of beekeeping:

I] Traditional Bee-keeping

The practice of traditional beekeeping is distinct from the practice of honey hunting. It is based on the building and usage of traditional hives. Traditional hives are usually cylindrical in design, with a single chamber fixed comb and no interior construction. They are also made of wood. In conventional hives, the bees build their layers of honeycomb inside the hives, called “honeycomb.”

Traditional beekeeping is an art that has been passed down from generation to generation, each with innumerable distinguishing characteristics. Here, the most common variants of traditional hive designs make use of a combination of materials such as hollowed-out logs, bamboo, bark, Ensete ventricosum (false banana trees), straw, leaves, and/or clay.

II] Modern Beekeeping

A beekeeper’s first and foremost concern is the well-being of their hives. Because of contemporary beekeeping technology, even skilled and inexperienced beekeepers can ensure that their bees are healthy and safe. You may improve your beekeeping skills by using these five technology tools, regardless of whether you manage a small number of hives or an extensive apiary of bees.

Modern Beekeeping Practices

• Purchasing Bee Packages

Contact a local beekeeper or nearby beekeeping clubs to arrange for a shipment of honey bees. A queen, numerous worker bees, and a sugar syrup-filled feeder will be included in the delivery. The honey bee provider should supply you with instructions on setting up the package honey bees in their new home and introducing the queen bee to the workers.

• Purchasing the Nucleus Hive

A nucleus hive is another option. Nucleus colonies, often known as Nucs, are small honeybee colonies derived from more extensive colonies. Its standard size is a five-frame nuc, and it is almost half the size of the larger colony. For a newbie, the ideal option is to find a local beekeeper who will sell his nucleus (nuc) colony of bees. A nuc usually consists of four to five frames of combs with brood (baby bees), bees, and an active laying queen. Only the frames and bees from the nuc box must be transferred to your hive.

• Capturing wild bees off tree limbs

By cutting the branch and gently shaking it inside a container, wild bees can also be collected from beehives on tree branches. However, it is hazardous for beginners and should only be attempted under expert supervision or the expert himself. But free isn’t always good; wild bees may be contaminated with diseases or possess a genetic defect, making it harder to spot the queen within the swarm. It is preferable to get healthy and disease-free honey bees for a better result.

Swarming

During swarming, a new honey bee colony is produced when the queen bee departs the colony with a large number of worker bees, resulting in the formation of new honey bee colonies. It is estimated that around 60% of worker bees depart the original hive site with the old queen during the peak swarming period. A swarm of bees may exist in the thousands or even tens of thousands. Mostly swarming occurs between May and June. Following it, secondary swarming may also occur, although these are often less in size and are accompanied by one or more virgin queens.

Honey bee colonies reproduce naturally by swarming, which is a process known as ovulation. During the process of swarming, the initial single colony multiplies to two or more colonies, depending on the circumstances. Initially, swarms would congregate 20–30 meters out from the hive for a few days before departing for a new nest location, which they will learn about through scout bees. Scout bees are responsible for searching for appropriate cavities in which to build the swarm’s nest. If they are successful, the scouts will return to the colony and inform the other bees of the location of appropriate nesting places.

Supersedure

When a colony is rearing a new queen to replace an elderly, sick, or absent queen, they create supersedure cells to aid in the process. The new queen that emerges from the cell will either take over for the old queen or will completely replace her. The colony produces numerous supersedure cells at the same time to increase the likelihood of generating a healthy new queen. It’s almost always the case that the first one to emerge will be the new queen.

Supersedure cells are often seen on the comb face, stretching out from the surface and dangling downwards, according to beekeepers. The colony of honey bees will develop between one and three supersedure cells at a time with the majority of honey bee species.

Beekeeping Equipment

Many individuals are unaware of the various sorts of equipment required for this Agri-business. Here are some equipment used for beekeeping:

1. The Hive Tool

Hive Tool is the first item on this list. This is a must-have for beekeepers. You’re probably aware that bees construct hives and connect them. Because of the resin-like Propolis, they are difficult to separate. As a result, this Hive Toll will assist you in detaching, cutting, and scraping the bee combs from the hives. You can’t accomplish any of the following without the Hive Tool.

2. Smoker

When you’re dealing with a swarm of aggressive bees, you’ll appreciate how valuable this Smoker is. Bees frequently refuse to let anyone come near their colonies and try to sting them as well. People can use this Smoker to scare the Bees away. It is one of the most widely available beekeeping tools in India.

3. A Jacket with a Veil on the Hat

It is another essential piece of beekeeping equipment. You must cover yourself if you approach the hives. Because it contains a veil, this jacket will also hide your face. You’ll be able to see the beehive as well. You can go without having any problems near the beehives if you wear this Bee Jacket. As a result, this is one of the most significant sections in the Beekeeping Equipment.

4. Gloves

Gloves are necessary for this form of farming. It is done to keep the area clean while removing the honey, and it lets you avoid stickiness. Apart from these two functions, gloves will also help you avoid bee stings.

5. Bumble Bee Brush

It will assist you in removing the bees from the comb gently, which is extremely important during the eradication of Swarm.

Conclusion

Honeybees are fascinating insects for a variety of reasons. Their extensive foraging mechanisms and complicated social life set them apart from other bees. Honeybees are also crucial to agricultural prosperity since they pollinate a large number of the flowers, fruits, and vegetables that we see in grocery stores regularly. Honeybees should be valued for all that they do to keep our environment working, even if they are seen as pests by many. Remember where your honey comes from the next time you try to swat a honeybee.