More and more people in urban areas are taking up bee keeping. As well as producing delicious honey, they enjoy interacting with nature and helping the environment. Bees are being cultivated everywhere from small suburban backyards to high rise rooftops and balconies. If you're contemplating taking up this rewarding hobby, here are a few considerations.
Before investing in a hive, bees and equipment, make sure keeping bees is legal in your city or county. If you rent your property, get consent from your landlord. Seek approval from your neighbors. If anyone near you has a potentially fatal allergic reaction to bee stings, choose a different project.
Research the various types of beehives available and choose one that suits your budget and the space available. Some hives are specifically designed for urban use. Invest in a protective suit, a smoker to calm the bees and a hive tool to separate the frames. Of course, you'll also require some bees. Chose a non-aggressive species recommended for your area.
Give careful consideration to the placement of the hive. Ensure that it is in a space that will leave you adequate room to work with it. If the ground beneath the hive isn't level, create a level base. Unless you live in a hot climate, try to place the hive where it will receive full morning sunlight. A hive placed behind a fence is less likely to catch the attention of vandals.
Bees will drink from the nearest water source to their hive, so be sure to give them one. You don't want your neighbors complaining about bees in their children's wading pool. Use a shallow container such as a dog dish or cake pan. Add some pebbles that stick up out of the water so that the bees have a safe perch to drink from. Refill the container as necessary.
Urban beekeepers can stay on good terms with the locals by being considerate of others when working bees. Don't do anything risky such as opening the hive when the people next door are sunbathing. Do everything possible to keep bees calm when manipulating the hive. Check that neighbors are indoors before attempting to remove honey.
You can avoid many common bee keeping mistakes by learning as much as you can before you start. A good guidebook for beginners can be an invaluable reference. You may also consider taking a course run by a bee keeping association. More help and advice is available from internet forums for beekeepers.
Before investing in a hive, bees and equipment, make sure keeping bees is legal in your city or county. If you rent your property, get consent from your landlord. Seek approval from your neighbors. If anyone near you has a potentially fatal allergic reaction to bee stings, choose a different project.
Research the various types of beehives available and choose one that suits your budget and the space available. Some hives are specifically designed for urban use. Invest in a protective suit, a smoker to calm the bees and a hive tool to separate the frames. Of course, you'll also require some bees. Chose a non-aggressive species recommended for your area.
Give careful consideration to the placement of the hive. Ensure that it is in a space that will leave you adequate room to work with it. If the ground beneath the hive isn't level, create a level base. Unless you live in a hot climate, try to place the hive where it will receive full morning sunlight. A hive placed behind a fence is less likely to catch the attention of vandals.
Bees will drink from the nearest water source to their hive, so be sure to give them one. You don't want your neighbors complaining about bees in their children's wading pool. Use a shallow container such as a dog dish or cake pan. Add some pebbles that stick up out of the water so that the bees have a safe perch to drink from. Refill the container as necessary.
Urban beekeepers can stay on good terms with the locals by being considerate of others when working bees. Don't do anything risky such as opening the hive when the people next door are sunbathing. Do everything possible to keep bees calm when manipulating the hive. Check that neighbors are indoors before attempting to remove honey.
You can avoid many common bee keeping mistakes by learning as much as you can before you start. A good guidebook for beginners can be an invaluable reference. You may also consider taking a course run by a bee keeping association. More help and advice is available from internet forums for beekeepers.
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