Getting started in beekeeping can be tough, even for the most prepared beekeepers. If you are reading this before getting your first hive, you are in a good place. Choosing the right bee hives and understanding their maintenance is crucial. That first year of beekeeping isn’t so easy and any preparation you can do before you get your first colonies going, the better off you are. But where do you start?
Our beekeeping guide teaches you how to start a hive, manage colonies, maintain hives, and produce honey, for all experience levels.
Learn the essentials of beekeeping with our guide. Start your hive, maintain colonies, manage bees, and produce honey successfully.
Master beekeeping with our comprehensive guide. Start your hive, manage healthy colonies, maintain hives, and produce honey for beginners and beyond.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Beekeeping Preparing for Beekeeping Checking for Allergies When Is The Best Time To Start Keeping Honey Bees? Beginner Beekeeping Books Buying Beekeeping Books Beginner Beekeeping Books Advanced Beginner Books Setting Up Your Apiary Choosing a Safe Location Essential Equipment for Keeping Bees Local Beekeeping Association and Clubs Online Classes Beekeeping Magazines Opening A Hive The Role of the Beekeeper In-Person Classes Finding A Mentor Master Beekeeping Courses
When I got started in beekeeping, it wasn’t so easy to learn how to keep bees. Basically, the only advice I got was to find a mentor. This really wasn’t super helpful because I couldn’t go to Walmart and get one off the shelf. Where do I find a mentor? What do I pay them? Do I pay them? Are my questions going to just be annoying? Can I just trade “help” for their time?
These are all the questions I had getting started and I look back at my notes from that time and I just laugh at those questions I had. They seem so obvious now, but back then, I didn’t know a super from a brood box filled with baby bees. If that’s you, you are in good company. Fortunately, there are better solutions now for you.
A healthy queen bee is essential for laying eggs, which is crucial for the development of baby bees and the overall growth of the colony.
Introduction to Beekeeping
Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the practice of maintaining honey bee colonies, typically in man-made hives. There are various types of bee hives, each with its own design and benefits, crucial for effective beekeeping.
This fascinating hobby involves a variety of tasks, from managing the health and productivity of the bees to harvesting honey and other valuable hive products like beeswax , propolis, and royal jelly.
Whether you’re drawn to beekeeping for the honey production, the pollination benefits, or simply the joy of working with these incredible insects, beekeeping offers a rewarding experience that connects you with nature in a unique way.
What is Beekeeping?
At its core, beekeeping is about the care and management of honey bee colonies within bee hives. This includes ensuring the health of the queen bee, who is the heart of the hive, and managing the worker bees and drones.
Beekeepers must also be vigilant about controlling pests and diseases that can affect the hive. The ultimate goal is often to harvest honey, but beekeepers can also collect other products like beeswax, which is used in candles and cosmetics, and propolis, a resinous substance with medicinal properties.
Successful beekeeping requires dedication, a willingness to learn, and a passion for these industrious insects.
To be a successful beekeeper, it’s crucial to understand the biology and behavior of honey bees. These social insects live in highly organized colonies, each with a specific structure and division of labor. Understanding honey bee behavior is essential for the effective management of bee hives.
Preparing for Beekeeping
Before diving into the world of beekeeping, there are several important preparations to make. One of the first steps is to ensure that you are not allergic to bee stings, as this can be a serious health risk.
Additionally, choosing the right bee hives and maintaining them properly is crucial for the health and productivity of your bee colonies.
Checking for Allergies
Before you start your beekeeping journey, it’s essential to check for any allergies to bee stings. A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
If you suspect you might be allergic, consult with a doctor and consider undergoing an allergy test. If you are found to be allergic, it’s best to avoid keeping bees.
However, if you are not allergic, you can proceed with confidence. Equip yourself with knowledge about honey bee biology , invest in the necessary beekeeping equipment, and familiarize yourself with local beekeeping regulations to ensure a safe and successful start to your beekeeping adventure. Once allergies are ruled out, the next step is to learn about bee hives and their management.
When Is The Best Time To Start Keeping Honey Bees?
Regardless of how you learn beekeeping, the timing of when to learn beekeeping is almost as important. The best time to start learning beekeeping is the summer or fall before you actually plan on starting your own colony.
Most beekeepers start their colonies in March, April, and May. Colonies can be started during any warm months, but the earlier the year, the better. Early preparation includes learning about different types of bee hives and their setup.
Start too late, and you don’t have time to make good choices about equipment, where to get bees, and to learn local knowledge about your area.
If you start learning and thinking about beekeeping early enough, you might get the chance to actually open up a colony and see a working bee hive for yourself. This experience alone is worth all the beginner beekeeping books.
If you get the chance to open a hive, do it. But this can only be done with another beekeeper’s hive during the warm months.
Beginner Beekeeping Books
The local library is a great resource that I used and it was extremely helpful. At the library, they have books (I know, shocker), but they usually have bee books . When I was about to get started, I went to my library and got ALL the bee books.
I apologize to anyone in my area that was also considering beekeeping. I remember that giant stack of books next to my bed for a few weeks. As I flipped through everyone to see what the fuss was about.
Many beginner beekeeping books provide detailed information on different types of bee hives and their maintenance.
Flipping through them, I was able to see what the important parts are to know. I didn’t realize this going into them, but I learned that all the beginner beekeeping books are 80% the same material.
The difference comes with how thorough the images and details were. Good quality color images made such a huge difference to learning and only recommend books with good color pictures to beginners.
So if you drop by the library, take a look at all the bee books, and get at least the one that has the best images. Good images help beginners understand the roles of different bees, such as the ‘worker bee’.
Buying Beekeeping Books
There seem to be new beekeeping books coming out every month. This is good because the information is easier to find, but it can be hard to sort through all the options. You can go to the library and see their selection, but libraries don’t always have the newest editions available.
I found it helpful to go to a big bookstore like Barnes & Noble (if you can find one) and check out their selection. More than likely, they will likely have a half dozen beekeeping books to look at. Joining a local beekeeping association can also provide recommendations for the best books and practical advice tailored to local conditions. Beekeeping books often include sections on the history and evolution of bee hives.
Flip through these books and get one that draws your attention. Being able to hold the book in front gives you a better understanding of what you are buying. It can be hard to buy online without a recommendation. Here are the books that we have held and can recommend for getting started with bees.
Beginner Beekeeping Books
For the beginner who really wants the basics, just enough information to give you an idea of what it’s all about without being overwhelming. You can’t go wrong with any of these books as they all contain quality information that will get any beekeeper off to a good start.
Our favorite beginner beekeeping book and the one that we recommend to customers is Backyard Beekeeper Book . It’s an excellent beginner book with lots of pictures, and updated information, and written by a great author. Beginner books often cover essential beekeeping equipment, such as the ‘hive tool’, which is crucial for hive inspections. Additionally, beginner beekeeping books typically include information on the different types of bee hives and their setup.
See our whole collection of Beginner Beekeeping Books.
Advanced Beginner Books
Beekeeping books that are great for beginners, but include more information that goes a little deeper into the hobby. For example, they may have information about planting flowers or slightly more advanced techniques. These are great for beginners who really like to dive deep into topic and immerse themselves.
You know i’m talking about here. Advanced beginner books often cover pest management, including dealing with ‘wax moth’ infestations. Advanced beginner books often provide in-depth information on the maintenance and management of bee hives.
Get these ones for the beekeeper who is really interested in beekeeping and isn’t afraid of getting too much information.
Setting Up Your Apiary
Choosing a Safe Location
When setting up your apiary, choosing a safe and suitable location for your honey bee colonies is crucial. A well-chosen site ensures the safety of both the bees and the people around them. Here are some key factors to consider:
Distance from Neighboring Properties : Ensure your apiary is at least 10 feet away from neighboring properties. This minimizes the risk of bees entering neighboring yards and causing potential issues.
Sunlight and Wind Direction : Select a location that receives partial shade to full sun, depending on your climate. Also, consider the wind direction to prevent bees from being blown into neighboring properties.
Accessibility : Choose a spot that is easily accessible for regular inspections and maintenance. This will make it easier to manage your hives and ensure the health of your honey bee colonies.
Water Source : Ensure your apiary is near a water source, such as a birdbath or a shallow dish filled with water and rocks. Bees need water for various hive activities, including cooling the hive and diluting honey.
By carefully selecting the location of your apiary, you can create a safe and productive environment for your honey bees.
Essential Equipment for Keeping Bees
To successfully keep honey bees, you’ll need to invest in some essential beekeeping equipment and supplies. Here are the most critical items you’ll need to get started:
Bee Hive : There are various types of hives to choose from, including Langstroth, Top-bar, and Warre hives. Each type has its own advantages, so choose one that suits your needs and preferences.
Protective Clothing : Invest in a beekeeping suit, veil, and gloves to protect yourself from stings. Proper protective gear is essential for safe hive inspections and maintenance.
Smoker : A smoker is a vital tool that helps to calm the bees by producing smoke. The smoke confuses the bees and prevents them from becoming aggressive during inspections.
Hive Tool : A hive tool is used to open the hive and scrape off excess wax and propolis. It’s an indispensable tool for any beekeeper.
Frames and Foundation : Frames and foundation provide a structure for the bees to build their honeycomb. They support the honeycomb and make it easier to manage the hive.
Bee Brush : A bee brush is used to gently brush bees off the frames during inspections. It’s a handy tool for keeping the bees safe while you work.
Having the right equipment is essential for successful beekeeping. Make sure to invest in quality tools and supplies to ensure the health and productivity of your honey bee colonies.
Local Beekeeping Association and Clubs
Beekeeping clubs are everywhere and are all very unique to their area. One of the great things about beekeeping is the hobby brings out so many different types of people. Beekeeping is a really unique hobby where all the different kinds of people, interests, and backgrounds will come together to talk about their interest in honeybees.
Individuals with completely opposite political opinions, mountain men, doctors, wealthy, poor, men, and woman all come together to talk about bees.
The clubs are good places to learn beekeeping and to find your local club, just search for “(your county) beekeeping club”. That will usually bring up something that will help you. Sometimes clubs are organized by region or city, so you can look it up that way too.
Beekeeping clubs often discuss the importance of managing honey bee health to prevent the spread of pathogens to wild bees. Local beekeeping associations often provide practical advice on the management and maintenance of bee hives.
Nearly all of the beekeeping clubs I’ve visited are organized the same way. They are typically open rooms where people come to learn, regardless if you are a member or not.
There are usually some club announcements, a recap of what is happening locally in beekeeping, and a 30-60 minute talk about a certain subject that is helpful during that month followed by a Q&A.
These meetings are a great place to learn about what is happening locally, meet some beekeepers (nobody is an expert (even if they act like it)), and hear the jargon. Unfortunately, great beekeepers are not always great teachers, so the quality of the teaching may not always be the best.
Be prepared to hear a lot of terms that you don’t understand and for Q&A’s to devolve into multiple people giving their opinions about the topic. Even if you feel like everyone there knows way more than you, that is ok. In reality, most people at the meeting have had bees between 0 and 2 years, so you are in good company.
A great place to learn how to keep bees is from Universities or Extension services groups. There are “Land Grant” colleges all over the US and most of them have a sort of free educational element for adults. Most of these groups cover some type of beekeeping information, so they are worth checking out. Just search “Extension Service in (your state)”.
Online Classes
Online classes have become more popular, especially since much of in-person teaching has moved online in 2020. The online classes give more people access to beekeeping which can really be great.
Online classes do have their limits as, without good pictures and videos, it is difficult to understand how bees work. Online classes often include modules on the history and evolution of bee hives.
Beekeeping is best learned by experiencing bees and how they operate inside the hive and it can be difficult and almost impossible to learn this virtually. With great content and instruction, an online beekeeping class is a great way to start learning beekeeping but it can also be a waste of time.
It would be a good idea to do a little research on the instructor and the class. Online classes often cover the history and evolution of techniques to collect honey.
A great place to learn how to keep bees is from Universities or Extension services groups. There are “Land Grant” colleges all over the US and most of them have a sort of free educational element for adults. Most of these groups cover some type of beekeeping information, so they are worth checking out. Just search “Extension Service in (your state)”.
Look for good reviews and for the instructor to be a certified Master Beekeeper. If it isn’t clear, you can always send a message and ask. You don’t have to be a Master Beekeeper to be a good teacher, but it is a good base-line question to start with.
There are two types of online classes to be considered, the live class where you sign in and listen to a live lecture. And the other is a pre-recorded class. Both are good options but are very different. The live class would be preferred over the pre-recorded class if you can help it. The live class will give you the opportunity to ask questions and clarifications. I’ve seen too many teachers gloss over a topic assuming that it is understood, but it is unclear to students and it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
Beekeeping Magazines
Magazines alone won’t be able to teach beginner beekeeping, but they are a good way to expose yourself to beekeeping. There are two main beekeeping magazines in the US and they both have multiple sections for beginner and advanced beekeeping topics. You can’t go wrong with either one and many beekeepers get both of them each month.
One of the best parts is seeing all the ads in them. I know that sounds odd, but the ads are specifically for beekeepers from companies selling new products. You won’t see ads for medicine or all the normal ads you see in most magazines. Beekeeping magazines often feature articles on the maintenance and types of bee hives.
Bee Culture and American Bee Journal are both available on Amazon for usually around $20-30 a year.
Opening A Hive
Without a doubt, the best way to learn beekeeping is by opening an actual hive up and looking at the bees with your own eyes. Actually handling equipment, putting on protective gear, and seeing a working hive helps to pull everything together.
This is an experience that can’t be replicated by books and most people do not get this experience before actually getting their own bees. Opening a hive can also help beekeepers learn about predators that eat bees , such as skunks and bears.
Additionally, opening a hive provides hands-on experience with different types of bee hives. It’s tough to find a beekeeper that will let you do this. Sometimes the beekeeper can’t help it because when many people decide to keep bees, it is during the fall or winter and those aren’t great times to open up a hive.
And the next opportunity to do this would be in the spring, which is usually when bees you’ll be getting your own bees. But even if you already have bees, it is a really good experience to see another beekeeper open their hive. There are little tricks that only experience can teach you about handling bees.
For example, bees do not like when equipment separates with a crack. Beekeepers often have to pry boxes and covers apart from each other because bees will stick it together. When opening the telescoping cover, it helps to lean on the top cover while pushing up on the corner at the same time.
This helps to separate the top from the rest of the hive without sending that vibrating pop through the hive. Sometimes a local beekeeping club will have open hive classes early in the spring.
It would be worth it to check out the club events and see if they will be hosting one. If there isn’t anything scheduled, just send an email to the club and ask.
The Role of the Beekeeper
As a beekeeper, your role is to manage the honey bee colonies to ensure their health and productivity. Here are some of the key responsibilities you’ll need to take on:
Inspecting the Hive : Regularly inspect the hive to monitor the health of the queen bee, the brood, and the overall condition of the colony. Look for signs of disease, pests, and other issues that could affect the hive.
Managing Varroa Mites : Varroa mites are a common pest that can weaken the colony. Use integrated pest management techniques to control Varroa mites and keep your bees healthy.
Controlling Swarming : Swarming can be a problem in populated areas. Use techniques such as splitting the colony or using a swarm trap to control swarming and prevent the loss of bees.
Harvesting Honey : Harvest honey from the hive when it is ripe and ready. Use a honey extractor to extract the honey from the frames without damaging the comb.
Maintaining Equipment : Regularly maintain your beekeeping equipment to ensure it is in good condition and ready for use. Proper maintenance helps to prevent issues and ensures the smooth operation of your apiary.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, you can ensure the health and productivity of your honey bee colonies, leading to successful honey production and a thriving apiary.
In-Person Classes
In-person classes are the best option out of all the options available to you. The ability to ask questions to a live instructor will really help you to grasp how beekeeping works. There are a lot of topics that build on each other, so if you get lost at the beginning of the class it’s hard to keep up if you don’t ask questions.
And with any class, if you have a question, you likely aren’t the only one with that question. In-person classes often include practical demonstrations on the setup and maintenance of bee hives.
As a part of these in-person classes, if it is a good class, the instructor will bring a lot of supplies and equipment with them. Having the equipment there helps you to really grasp the weight and feel of what’s available. When we teach our in-person classes, we always bring lots of supplies for students to touch and feel.
It can be hard to tell the difference between 8 and 10 frame equipment from a picture, but when it’s right in front of you it is easy to understand. It’s also easy to understand why you need to pick one or the other.
Finding A Mentor
Because beekeeping is very local, having somebody nearby you can ask questions to can make the difference between success and failure. Beekeepers can be hesitant to become a “mentor” because it may be more work than they are wanting to signup for.
If you do find somebody you can ask questions to , be aware of their time and the number of questions you ask. Mentors can provide valuable insights on the management and maintenance of bee hives.
Text messages and images go a long way to helping to get to the bottom of the issues. Another helpful tip is to know the basic terms that beekeepers use. Understanding the right terms helps to communicate what you are looking at so you can get the best help.
Beekeeping clubs are full of people with all types of experience and those are great places to reach out to somebody and ask your questions. Usually, you can figure out who are the “regulars” and you can approach them and ask them questions.
This may sound like simple advice, but beekeepers are typically very happy to help beginners at these meetings and offer their opinion. So don’t be intimidated and feel like you are the only beginner there.
A great tip is to offer to pay! Beekeepers are always looking for ways to feel less guilty about buying new supplies, so offering $50 to tag along the next time they open a hive or two is good advice.
Master Beekeeping Courses
I took the exam with the Eastern Apicultural Society to become a Master Beekeeper and was fortunate enough to pass. It was very difficult and I was able to go from a regular beekeeper to a EAS certified Master Beekeeper in one week.
This isn’t always the case as most beekeeping programs require a stair step approach to certification. This includes going from Journey to Master beekeeper over the course of about 5 years. And that is only after you have kept bees for a year or two to qualify for the program.
These programs are a great way to educate yourself on beekeeping in a structured way. These programs aren’t for the absolute beginner, but if you have been a beekeeper for a year or more, you can usually qualify to enter one of these programs.
There are online master beekeeper programs as well as in-person programs sponsored by a state or a region. If you are really in love with beekeeping, we highly recommend checking out these courses. Master beekeeping courses often include advanced modules on the history, evolution, and management of bee hives.
Adam Hickman
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club.
