The practice of beekeeping or apiculture has been a part of humanity for thousands of years. While others practice it as a hobby, some have made it a full-fledged profitable business and a source of their livelihood. The honey business in the US has constantly been growing over the past decade, and honey prices on the shelves have almost doubled within the same period. This is not to say that the industry is devoid of challenges such as stiff competition from cheaper imported honey.
All the same, if you’re in it for commercial reasons, successful companies like Beezy Beez Honey company should be a source of inspiration. You can adopt a similar strategy to spice up your honey and sell it alongside other natural products like botanical hemp extract oil or CBD. However, before you start, keep in mind that preparation is crucial, and you’ll need to proceed gradually while continuously learning the ropes along the way. Below are eight valuable tips to help you navigate as a beginner in the game.
Tip #1: Learn all you can learn about bees and beekeeping
Bees, unlike livestock or poultry, are largely autonomous. However, this does not mean that they should be entirely left by their own devices. You’ll have a great deal of learning to do about them and the process of beekeeping if you are keen on reaping maximum benefits. The good thing is that there is no limit to resources that can teach you essential facts about the beekeeping process in general. It’s also relatively easy to manage bee colonies as they don’t demand much.
Tip #2: Develop an effective plan
You’ll need to have an elaborate plan complete with a budget that states every detail of how you intend to begin your project. Some of the things the plan should cover include the type of bees to source and from which supplier, the needed equipment, records, and a myriad of other things you deem relevant.
Tip #3: Understand your state’s laws
Before venturing into the honey business, you’ll need to understand what it entails to keep bees in your state. Various states have different requirements and regulations governing beekeeping. Some may require licenses, while others need beekeepers to register with relevant bodies. For instance, in New York state, all beekeepers must register annually with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets as of 23rd December 2021.
Tip #4: Purchase the right beekeeping equipment and clothing
To effectively perform most of the beekeeping activities like inspection and harvesting, you’ll need to have the right equipment and clothing. Some of the necessary equipment includes gloves, beehives, queen catcher, spray bottle, and more. As for protective clothing, you need to have them smooth and light to avoid aggression from the bees. As for equipment, you can opt for those already used, but you need to buy them from a reputable vendor to avoid those that may have diseases. These can include hives with bees in them.
Tip #5: Choose the most suitable place for your beehives
Your beehive location is paramount; they should be within areas where the bees have easy access to pollen and nectar. You can also plant various plants that are friendly to bees, such as hollyhock and potentilla. Avoid locating your apiary in places near public areas where disturbances can occur, causing the bees to be aggressive.
Tip #6: Understand the beekeeping schedule
As a beekeeper, you must be conscious of the seasons as most of your activities will be centered around them. You should begin your beekeeping program within the summer season for the best results. The beekeeping equipment should be set up during spring as bees usually begin stocking up honey during summer. You can boost their food supply during winter with sugar syrup as they are likely to experience food fluctuations around this time.
Tip #7: Place a water source in a suitable location
When identifying a location for your apiary, you should also consider identifying a suitable and accessible area where you’ll place clean water for the bees. The water source should be near the hives and set up before the bees are brought in to familiarize them quickly. You can also add some floating material and ensure it is always filled.
Tip #8: Lookout for local beekeeping clubs
Local beekeeping clubs may provide invaluable information about beekeeping specific to your area. There are many such clubs in almost all states across the US. Attend their meetings and learn about best practices from other like-minded people in your locality. Having strong ties with other beekeepers in your area will go a long way if you need help with your bees. Other than that, you’ll also be exposed to various learning materials and a myriad of other relevant things.
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