You are thinking of keeping bees in your backyard perhaps to pollinate your garden or fruits. Or maybe, because you just like honey bees. Or maybe you want to harvest your own honey.
Whatever the reason you want to become a beekeeper here are some things you need to consider before you get your first hive:
Personality......If you have an insect phobia keeping bees isn't for you. If you have a problem moving slow and staying calm when the unexpected happens, it's still possible but you will likely be stung quite often because honey bees prefer slow movements and a calm reaction to being engulfed by thousands of bees when you check on them. Bees are curious and will check you out everytime you open their hive.
Allergic reaction to bee stings....If you or a member or your household is in the 1% of the population that is highly allergic to honey bee stings it probably isn't a good idea because you can count on being stung while checking your bees.
Zoning Laws in your community...You need to check the zoning laws in your community to find out if it's legal to keep bees in your area. Generally, most places allow honey bees but may restrict how many hives you can have or require you to be registerd and inspected by the state honey bee inspector. Some places won't allow them so be sure to check.
Neighbors and family members.....You should check with your neighbors and family for their reactions to your new hobby. Some will think you are crazy to want to keep bees in your backyard but not care otherwise. Some won't care one way or the other about it. Some will be negative about it usually due to fear of stings and swarms. Most times you can allay the later group's fears by educating them about keeping honey bees. A gift of honey usually goes a long way to win them over too.
Water supply....Honey bees need a permanment supply of fresh water nearby. They use water to dilute the honey they feed their young, cool the hive on real hot days, and to liquefy honey that has crystalized in the comb. They need a miniium of 1 quart of water per day.
Location....You need a sunny or partially sunny location to place your hive. All day sun is OK if afternoon shade is available during the hottest days is best. Placing your hive in a partially shady location is good for the bees and good for you. Wearing a bee suit on a hot summer day is no fun at all but neccesary. The location also needs to have good air flow and not be damp. Putting your hive on a hive stand 2' to 3' off the groudn will help with this.
How much time can you devote to checking and maintaining your hive? During the first year or two you will spend quite a bit of time learning what's normal and what's not. After you gain experience, 35 to 40 hours per year will be all you need to spend with your hive. The more hives you have the more time you will need to allocate. Making a business of beekeeping will also add to the amount of time you spend.
You will also need to be physically able to lift the hive bodies which can weigh up to 100 pounds when filled with honey. Or have someone who can do the lifting for you on hand.
Read all the books and magaines you can beforehand to learn eveyrthing you need to know. Your library may have a section of good beekeeping books you can check out. If not, ask if they will get some in.
If you decide that beekeeping is for you, get all the equipment you need before you get your first bees. The hive should be assembled and ready to house them. You should be familiar with the hive tools you will need. Order catalogs from beekeeping suppliers; they are free and contain a wealth of information. You can find bee suppliers online. .
And plant plants that honey bees like for pollen and nectar if you have the room to do so.
