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What to Think About Before Becoming a Backyard Beekeeper

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Beekeeping is a hobby that has been growing in popularity with increasingly more people choosing to set up a hive in their backyard. There are many reasons why people choose to do this, with some wanting a new hobby while others are hoping to do their bit to save these wonderful pollinators. If you are eager to get started, it is important that you do your research before even thinking about buying any supplies. You need to know if you are even permitted by local laws to have a beehive in your backyard. In some towns you will need a permit; in others there will be no restrictions at all.

What Else to Consider

Beekeeping requires work and effort on your part. You are responsible for the wellbeing of any bee colony that you have, so you need to be sure that you are prepared for what is involved. Although you won’t have to spend every day with your bees, you will still need to check them each week. Some experts say that beekeepers need to spend around 30-40 hours in a year at the hive, while others are of the opinion that just half an hour each week per hive is sufficient to tend to a hive.

Nevertheless, it is not the actual time that puts some people off, it is the nature of the work. If you are afraid of getting stung by bees, then this may not be the best hobby for you. All beekeepers get stung from time to time. Moreover, it doesn’t matter how many layers they are wearing. And yes, they even get stung when wearing a full beekeeper suit. If you don’t mind getting stung every now and then, then beekeeping could be for you. If you do, then maybe you could think of another way to help save the bees. This might be something like bee adoption that automatically comes with purchases of bee themed jewelry from Projecthoneybees.com.

If you are still keen to get started, you will need to make sure you have a safe place to put your beehive. Talk to your neighbors to let them know that you are considering a beehive because there is no doubt that they are going to have more bees in and around their property once you do. If your neighbors have concerns, explain to them why you are keeping bees and educate them on the benefits of doing so. Make sure that you place the beehive well away from the property line that you share with your neighbor, particularly if they are not keen on your plans.

You will also need to make sure that the hive is placed somewhere in your backyard where it won’t be disturbed by pets, children, or visitors. Keeping the hive in an out-of-the-way location will keep your bees and visitors to your home safe.

Conclusion

There is a lot to consider before getting started with a colony of bees. It is important to think about your reasons for beekeeping and then decide if you have what it takes to do it. Although the time required to tend to a beehive is minimal, you still need to be able to take care of the bees all year round to make sure they are thriving. You need to have a safe space for the bees and yourself and you need to be okay with getting stung every so often.

Remember, if your main goal is helping to save the bees, then there are other ways to do it without spending substantial amounts of money on a beehive and a starter colony. But if you are looking for a new hobby, then beekeeping could be ideal.

Ailbe Kash
the authorAilbe Kash