getting ready for bees
04/19/09 09:48 AM
A few weeks ago, my family decided to become
beekeepers. We had been sort of thinking about it for
a while, but we really got started on it when my dad
(farmer Johnny) talked to my friend Brad's dad about
it. They keep bees, and I think he was really
impressed by the amount of honey they could get from
one hive(over 40 pounds!) So Papa ordered
Beekeeping for Dummies from Walter T. Kelly, a bee
provider in Kentucky, and that was when I got
involved in beekeeping. I read the book cover to
cover and was fascinated. Not just the honey and
wax, but the bees themselves. Eventually, Papa
said if I paid out the 90 or so dollars for
bees, he would buy the hive and gear and let me
take over the bees! I figured that I could more
than pay for the bees by next years harvest, so
I took the deal. After all, I have a market for
all my honey with the Blues Hill Farm CSA. And
that brings us up to today. I have the equipment
sent by Dadant and Son bee-related
merchandise, and the bees will be shipped on May
the ninth. I can hardly wait! That's why I'm
writing this blog, to give me something else to
do in preparation for the bees.
Here I am with my beekeeping equipment. Below is a description of each.
Hive Tool- This
tool is one of the most useful in beekeeping,
and also the least well-known. It has a blade
that can be used to chip wax and propolis( tree
sap bees use as glue) off of the hive. It also
has a crowbar attachment to pry loose frames of
honeycomb. It is pictured in my right hand and
the smaller picture above.
Smoker- This tool is a metal can with a funnel-shaped opening for smoke to come out of and a bellows for forcing out the smoke. The smoke does not harm the bees, but masks alarm signals released by guards. This keeps the bees calm. It is in my left hand in the picture
Gloves- The use of gloves is fairly obvious; they protect you from being stung by your bees. But gloves should be used sparingly. They prevent you from feeling small objects (like bees) and often result in you crushing them by accident. After all, how friendly would your bees be if you killed several every time you came over to the hive?
Veil- The veil is an equally obvious protection measure, but unlike gloves it should always be worn. This is not only to prevent being stung (honey bees are gentle by nature, the guidebook says; I hope that's true!), but also to keep the bees out of your hair and ears. Bees are naturally inquisitive, and will explore all over your face unless you take precautions.
Here I am with my beekeeping equipment. Below is a description of each.
Hive Tool- This
tool is one of the most useful in beekeeping,
and also the least well-known. It has a blade
that can be used to chip wax and propolis( tree
sap bees use as glue) off of the hive. It also
has a crowbar attachment to pry loose frames of
honeycomb. It is pictured in my right hand and
the smaller picture above.
Smoker- This tool is a metal can with a funnel-shaped opening for smoke to come out of and a bellows for forcing out the smoke. The smoke does not harm the bees, but masks alarm signals released by guards. This keeps the bees calm. It is in my left hand in the picture
Gloves- The use of gloves is fairly obvious; they protect you from being stung by your bees. But gloves should be used sparingly. They prevent you from feeling small objects (like bees) and often result in you crushing them by accident. After all, how friendly would your bees be if you killed several every time you came over to the hive?
Veil- The veil is an equally obvious protection measure, but unlike gloves it should always be worn. This is not only to prevent being stung (honey bees are gentle by nature, the guidebook says; I hope that's true!), but also to keep the bees out of your hair and ears. Bees are naturally inquisitive, and will explore all over your face unless you take precautions.