Beekeeping can be a fulfilling and delicious endeavor. Raw honey, of course is a sweet reward in and of itself. However, beekeeping can also help pollinate your plants, produce beeswax to use in other projects, and help your community. This enterprise is also relatively low cost and low maintenance. That being said, everyone needs to start somewhere. Here are some tips on how to get started keeping bees on your homestead.
Wear Protective Gear
Bees sting you when they feel threatened. When you keep bees, you are working closely with bees and they can feel threatened a lot. That is why it is important to have the right kind of gear. When you have the right kind of gear you avoid getting stung as much as possible.
There are many companies that sell beekeeping suits that will help protect you. The suits are made of thick, light-colored or white fabric that isn’t threatening to the bees. These suits include gloves, a hat with a veil, and a full-body suit that doesn’t have openings that bees could slip into. It is possible to make your own suit, but be careful to seal all openings and choose thick, light colored fabric. If you still end up getting stung, remove the stinger, wash the stung area, and apply a cool compress. This will do a lot to reduce your pain and inflammation. If you start having an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately and seek help.
Source: https://www.podium.com/article/insect-pain-index/
Check Local City Codes
Local city codes on beekeeping vary by the city, and it could be illegal to keep bees in your area. City codes and regulations relating to beekeeping should be relatively easy to find online by searching for your area’s municipal codes, and searching beekeeping. If the website is confusing to navigate or doesn’t give you the information you need, look up your county’s or city’s non-emergency number and call to ask for that information. Consider also connecting with local beekeepers to ask for more information about keeping bees in your area.
Source: https://www.beepods.com/check-city-allows-beekeeping/
Create a Calendar
Beekeeping tasks change from month to month, especially as seasons change. Having a clear vision of what and when tasks need to be done will help you keep your bees healthy and producing. It is also part of your responsibility as a soon-to-be beekeeper to understand what will be required of you and make sure you can deal with beekeeping on top of all the other tasks you have at hand.
Source: https://ebka.org/how-ebka-can-help/beekeeping-tasks-by-month/
Whether you’re hoping to sell honey, give it away, eat it all yourself, or have thousands of lovable pets, beekeeping is a wonderful undertaking. Before you can really jump into beekeeping, there is a lot to learn. Just follow these tips and you’ll be sure to enjoy raising bees on your homestead.
Read this next for more homesteading tips: Essential Tools for Maintaining a Large Homestead Property
Leave a Comment