FAQs
Below are a number of questions and answers we get about beekeeping and have put some of them below. It is important to say that all of these subject areas are dealt with at some length on our two-day course here at Staithe Farm Beekeeping.
Go on a course run by a Master Beekeeper. There are many fancifully worded courses available out there being offered by people who have little or no beekeeping qualifications. We all expect our doctor, mechanic or hairdresser to be qualified and beekeeping is no different. A Master Beekeeper has been assessed on multiple occasions and is qualified to teach beekeeping.
You will probably find it is one of the most rewarding things you will ever do and interacting with a creature that has been around for many millions of years never ceases to amaze even the most seasoned of beekeepers. There is a lot to learn with beekeeping which makes it an exciting challenge. Honeybees are vital for the pollination of many of our crops. They produce honey and taking some of it is the reward for looking after them. They also produce other products like wax which can be made into candles and lip balm. There are many directions you can take your beekeeping.
Same applies really to our first answer. If they are being offered by a Master Beekeeper then fine, but they are not practical courses. Of course, they will be less costly but weigh that up against someone qualified in the subject. Beekeeping is a ‘hands on’ skill and an online course does not allow you to practice the necessary skills under supervision required to become a successful beekeeper. Books are great. But again a bit like an online course as there is no practical input, at least a good author is likely to be an authority on the subject whilst the online course tutor may not, shall we say, be so well informed. Importantly, there is no regulation on platforms like YouTube. Anyone can do it.
Not necessarily. Types of hive vary in price and if you are prepared to put them together yourself then you will save a lot of money. There are many bargains to be had in the sales and Beekeeping Associations have auctions selling equipment often from people downsizing or giving up beekeeping for varying reasons. So equipment can be sourced for a fraction of the new price. Naturally, there is some cost at the start of your beekeeping but if looked after hives and items like a decent smoker will last a lifetime.
During the active season, you need to be able to inspect your bees, likely treat for mites and feed them ready for the Winter. End of April into beginning of July is the swarming season when weekly inspections and swarm control are necessary otherwise you are likely to lose half of your bees! So no, outside of this it is much less time consuming. But there is always something to do like making frames for the following Spring and cleaning up hive parts which helps keep our bees healthy.
You do not need permission from your neighbours to keep bees but we do advise making contact them to see how they feel about it. Siting your bees is important. You wouldn’t want them flying over a childrens’ playground or public footpath and don’t have them coming out of the hive over your neighbours’ washing. Bees are very clean and go to the toilet as they leave the hive and brown streaks over their bright white sheets will not make you popular. We all have to try and get along so it’s about being reasonable.
You may get very little especially in your first year. Some years you may do well and others you will not have much of a return for your efforts but then beekeeping should not just be about the expectations of large quantities of honey.
Yes, you can but there are regulations so it is best to familiarise yourself with them before you do.
Yes, that is a good idea because if one of your hive goes what we call hopelessly queenless, in other words, queenless and with no prospect of producing a queen then because you have another hive you are able to transfer a frame of eggs into your queenless hive and they will make you another queen. It is important to say that any transfer of frames from one colony to another, the donating colony must be disease free.
Yes it is. You will meet likeminded people and there will often be someone there to mentor you. You will also become a member of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) so you will get a monthly magazine and have some automatic insurance cover. Local associations have events with guest speakers so there is usually something there of interest to everyone.