Bee keeping can be a business venture or a hobby.
For those who would like to do something in the agricultural field and do not have too much place or money this would be an ideal agricultural business to star. Of course after ensuring that they are not allergic to bee stings!
What it takes to start bee keeping
Bee keeping is not a very expensive venture and for anyone with a little space it is possible to start this business with just about $300 for one hive. This is enough to get started with and you can expand later if space permits. However, the very first thing that you should do is to find out whether you or any family member of yours is allergic to bee stings, if not you can go ahead and get your first bee hive.
Another point that you should clarify from the local cooperative office, is whether you are permitted to keep bee hives in your area. If you can do so, then you will have to get registered as a beekeeper with the beekeeping organization.
Select a suitable place to cultivate your bees
Once you have your beehive, you can keep it away from the home somewhere in the corner of your back yard in a spot which you feel will be suitable to have your beehive.
You will have to have the necessary equipment for maintaining your beehives successfully. You can find out about the equipment that you will need from the Federation of American Beekeepers or Cooperative Extension office of your locality.
Most of the equipment is available online and through EBay. You could search on the internet and get all the information and equipment that you need and order it to be mailed to you.
Play it safe with bee hives
You will have to ensure that you have the proper beekeepers tackle and do not get stung by bees. Make sure that all those who will be handling the bees have this gear available to them whenever required.
Place an order for your bees at an apiary
Order your bees only after you have all the equipment and the bee hive in place. The apiary where you order the bees from should be one that is well established. Winter is usually the bet time to order your bees, which means around January or February and you will get your shipment of bees by March or April. The U S postal service carries the bees for apiaries and will inform you once the bees arrive so that you can come and pick them up. Mail carriers do not like to carry a box full of bees that are agitated with the journey all over the countryside. You should pick up the bees as soon as possible as they
are not going to remain healthy for too long in the confines of a vehicle.
Bees are packed in a “House”
Bees are normally shipped in wooden cases specially made for this purpose. The package will have a sign saying “house” on it. These wooden frames are covered with a screen which allows air circulation and also protects those who have to handle this package like the people from the postal service, from being stung. There will usually be a few dead bees lying on the bottom of the container, but do not get perturbed. This usually happens as you cannot expect all the bees to take the journey well. You will find the remaining bees clutching on to the sides of their container.
The Queen Bee
The queen bee is kept separately along with a few nurse bees, and her container will be covered with a piece of sugar candy. The rest of the bees for your bee hive will be put in a container together and these will form the remaining hierarchy. In this container there will be a bowl of sugar syrup which is for the bees to feed on while traveling.
The bees will need a drink once you get them home, for this you should spray the container with a fine spray of water. Now your bees are home and you can get started on your bee hive.
If you may have more useful info about Bee Keeping, I recommend this wonderful Ebook:
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