Is Starting a Beekeeping Business Hard?
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No matter to what you might think, to start a beekeeping business is not as difficult as you may think. It doesn't require a lot of knowledge, special skill or even a large investment. It does involve learning a little about bees and the equipment needed.
Although starting is not difficult, most beekeepers enjoy their new found business because there is always something new to learn.
Your First Step
Your first step in a beekeeping business is to read about beekeeping and the process, and then get the beekeeping equipment needed. Stay away from used equipment, or if you decide to get used equipment get it inspected first. The last thing you want to do is get hives that have had a previous virus, or illness, and which scares away new bees.
- The Second Step - Figuring out the Type of Hive You Want
In most cases it's hard to give a general "best" hive to buy. It really depends on the region you are in. The best thing you can do is talk to local beekeepers and ask them what they use, and which works best for that area.
The Third Step
The third step is adding bees to you bee hive, and you can do that in one of three ways. You can use a nucleus, a package, or a swarm.
The nucleus is where you buy a 3 to 5 frame, hive with a brood and a laying queen. You usually buy a "nuc" with bees of all ages. You will also need to feed the bees immediately after installation and till they are used to their new hive.
The Package. The bees are sold by the pound and the laying queen in the main cage. Sugar feeders come with this package to allow the bees to eat while being transported. The length of time it takes to install a package depends on where you live, and you should get advice from a local beekeeping association, or beekeeper.
*Swarms* There are beekeepers that catch swarms and they use these to supplement their hives, but this system sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, because of the risk of the onset of Tracheal Mites or Varroa. The good thing about this method is that the swarms march right in and go to work immediately.
- Step Four - You're Equipment
Your best bet is to start getting different suppliers and comparing prices. In the first year though, you probably won't need an extractor, because you won't have a large harvest. You probably want cut comb honey instead of extracted honey in your first beekeeping year
- A Smoker
Getting a smoker depends on the type of hive you will use, as a smoker helps in calming the bees when you do your inspection. The best of these comes in copper, so it lasts for a long time.
You're Beekeeping Suit
You need some type of protective suit, and you don't want to skimp here. A little piece of netting on a flimsy hat won't do. You need something that wont com loose and let a bee get caught inside.
You don't need to overspend here, and so you want a dealer that is honest, not someone who will try to sell you every product on the market.
As you can see, that not much equipment is needed, and for a lucrative business, you don't have to make much of an initial investment, but you do need to read up on bee husbandry, so that you get the best out of your honey bees.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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