Beekeeping is a regulated process of raising bees so that honey can be collected. There is a long history behind the keeping of bees and it's not merely a pleasing hobby to indulge in. It can also be a profitable business. But in order to see the potential from this enjoyable pastime become a reality, a great deal of beekeeping information must first be absorbed.

Suggestions for Buying Bees

Having the correct supplies and equipment is paramount to being a success in beekeeping. The base components of the hive is the first thing any beekeeper will need to consider, as the hive itself is the key to your hobby and your business. Beekeepers usually begin their business by buying "package bees". These are an amount of mature bees usually between 2 to 5 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms), or by investing in an established colony. It's also an option to collect your own swarms. For the beginner though, it's recommended to purchase the package bees to begin with. Other important elements to beekeeping is the protective clothing you'll require. This includes the full-length suit, the gloves, the hat and the veil. Smokers are used to moderate the bees so that working with a hive and the colony is made possible. Smokers give forth smoke that triggers a mechanism in the bees to abandon the hive due to the threat of a fire. It also masks the pheromone that is released by the guard bees to the rest of the hive when it is believed that an unwanted presence is nearby.

The Behavior of Bees

The honey bee is highly social and needs to be, as it shares it's residence in the hive with thousands of other bees. All the bees in a colony give of themselves to the collective by locating food, building the nest and raising the bees that are born. Beekeepers can take advantage of the natural inclinations of the honey bee to collect honey that can be used for themselves or sold for a profit. One challenge that beekeepers face is the extraction of honey from the hive. It's actually very important to not leave it in the hive for too long. If left for too long, honey takes on a darker color and the bees will have no room for accumulating more honey. Most people have the impression that all honey is light in color, so although a darker honey is not of inferior quality, some may believe it is based purely on ignorance. But it's of paramount importance to not harvest honey before it's ready. No beekeeper wants their honey to spoil or begin the fermentation process. This is what could happen if the honey is harvested early as honey contains quite alot of water as it matures. When the honey is ready to collect, the bees will let you know. When you see that the honey cells are concealed by a wax cap then it's definitely harvest time. The recommended time for harvesting is on a sunny day or when the bees are foraging for food. Aim for the morning as bees are usually active at this time.

The Benefits of Keeping Bees

But before you even get your bees, make sure that your local council or government allows beekeeping in your area. There are advantages to introducing bees though. Bees possess a calm nature compared to the likes of the hostile disposition of hornets and wasps, and if bees are the dominant insect population in a given area, then the wasps and hornets are less likely to move in. Of course, bees have the ability to sting. If you have your hive located in a place that's not close to other residences or close by a school or park, then you should have few issues.