1. Bees & Apiary – Part 2

2. Realistic expectations
What do you know? – Bee biology gaps?
Bees
Bee hive – what is needed/extra?
Apiary preparation?
Bees – you – neighbors

3. Beekeeping level Small-scale (Hobbyist) part-timer (side-liner)
Do you want to keep bees for
fun or profit ??
Small-scale (Hobbyist)
part-timer (side-liner)
commercial
The objective of each beekeeper will vary and their level of commitment of time and resources will vary accordingly. We can categorize into 3 broad groups – see text discussion for further explanations – objectives of each of groups varies. For side-liner and commercial beekeeper there is no one way to make the bees profitable – there are many ways to make (or lose) money. Beyond the gate a backyard apiary of 2 colonies.
If interested, how will you
make bees profitable???

4. Realistic expectations
What about stings?
Time for bees?
Enough funds?
what is needed ?
Protective equipment-
what does it take to be
comfortable?

5. The Bees What is ‘Best’ way to start? Beekeeper Bees
So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others!
L Connor photo

6. Bees Bees Bees
Starting bees - what is best way? FREE BEES

7. Bees Bees Bees
Package bees or purchase nuc

8. A nuc tale…. Overheard at the Bee Supply Store…
Mary and Dorothy are waiting to check out.
Dorothy says --
“Let me show you this new 5-frame nuc I just got”
Mary responds “what did you get the nuc for?”
Dorothy answers “I got it for my husband.”
WOW exclaimed Mary “That’s a great trade!”

9. Bees Bees Bees
Anticipation not reaction

10. Installing Bees

11. Capturing swarms - dividing

12. Feeding of new livestock
Feed feed feed

13. Feeding sugar syrup
Stimulate- keep productive - survival

14. Feeding Feeding Feeding

15. Opening the New Hive Give bees time to settle and adopt new hive
BUT - Continue to feed

16. Care the first couple of months
Resist initially “looking”
Inspect under optimum conditions
Inspect for a reason
Expanding from the initial box
nuc box to 8 frame or 10 frame box
from 8/10 frame box to 2 box brood chamber
need to super? Extract?

17. First season Chic

18. So where do you get ‘em?

19. The Bees What is ‘Best’ way to get ready to start? Beekeeper Bees
So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others!
L Connor photo

20. What do you need – how much will it all cost?
Personal equipment
Coveralls – bee suit
Veil
gloves

21. Feeling comfortable

22. Costs

23. Bee comFortable

24. Costs tools

25. Bee Hive

26. Beekeeping Basics

27. The perfect Hive
Painting outside of boxes (and outer cover) helps preserve and protect the bee hive. Beekeepers like to personalize colonies – can do this with equipment or with external paint job as Tom Chester shown in his apiary has done Figure 11-6 (insert colorful All American Hives). For urbanites the traditional white painted hive boxes may better yield to camouflage colors to avoid problems with neighbors.

28. Costs Hive

29. Costs MISC

30. The Bees What is ‘Best’ place for bees? Beekeeper Bees Here? Here?
So one of ‘things’ needed are the bees! Is there a best way to start? There are several ways – some are ‘easier’, ‘less expensive’, more readily ‘doable’ than others!
Here?
Here?
L Connor photo

31. The perfect Apiary

32. The Apiary (Location) traditionally – out behind the barn
Traditional apiary location is in some sheltered, less exposed site in a backyard, on a farm, etc. Out behind the barn – a traditional colony location (apiary site). Figure L. Connor photo of author shows such a site – wooden pallets are used during winter for wind deflection (and serve as hive stands)
L Connor Photo
traditionally – out behind the barn

33. Ideal apiaries
L Connor Photo
L Connor Photo
Ideal apiaries. Figure top left a commercial apiary in piney woods of Texas – lots of space, easy to move vehicle onto site in most weather conditions, water nearby, some shade from summer sun – lots of convenience for the beekeeper. Bottom left Figure drawing of 5 different arrangements seen in commercial apiaries. Figure bottom right city apiary site – hidden, protected with room for beekeeper to manipulate, water provided on site – plenty of convenience for beekeeper. Both sites have flowering plants nearby, some wind protection, protection from direct pesticide applications, water within apiary site or nearby and sunlight and favorable weather for foraging. Figure camouflaged city apiary.

34. More Urban Apiaries
Different apiaries – all within urban/suburban setting.

35. The ideal Apiary – tips for urbanites
Consider neighbors 1st
Keep gentle, manageable bees
Know bee biology
Control swarming
Keep water source nearby
Conceal or camouflage bees
Limit inspections to ideal weather
Don’ permit robbing
add/remove supers in timely
fashion
Be an active beekeeper
Most beekeepers are urbanites – some tips – more could be included in such a listing. Figure rooftop apiary (single colony painted grey o blend into surroundings) in middle of city.

36. Location...location...location
Bee considerations
weather
food resources (flowering plants)
water
sunlight
Beekeeper considerations
close to home/work
available year round
secluded yet accessible
good resources close-by
adequate space/storage space
Some of the considerations for bees or beekeeper. Figure the winter apiary
L. Connor photo

37. OK Ready --- get set ----GO!!!!!!
Ready…set…START!!! Are you in this picture? NOTE: large smoker as these are Africanized bees in Central America.
You
& your friends ??