Bee Basics

Bee Basics!

Bee Learning Curve

History of Early Beekeeping

20,000 BCE 6,000 BCE

Beekeepers v. Honey Robbers

Ancient Egypt

The Langstroth HiveBEEGINNING OF MODERN BEEKEEPING

1810-1895

The Langstroth Hive

Rectangular hive

Movable Frames

Bee Space: 1/4”-3/8”

Components of a Modern Langstroth

Hive

Bee Hives

Passageways through comb

Worker cells: 5 per inch

Drone cells: 4 per inch

Queen cells: much larger

The Apiary

An Ideal Site Hives should face South-East

The winter sun will warm the entrance

A windbreak to the North

Good airflow

Consistent water source

Moderate accessibility Accessible to you but not vandals

Downhill vs. uphill Downhill protects from wind but damper

Uphill, drier but less wind protection

An Ideal Site

The Worst Site

Low area brings runoff and cold

Poor air flow

Hives are in constant shade

Threats have easy access

The Worst Site

Things to keep in mind

Bees don’t like dark clothing

They can forage a radius of 3 miles, so anything in that space should be noted

Beekeeping by Weather

Hot (brood rearing) Increase ventilation

Supplement water

Cold (Chilled brood or starvation) Reposition food

Drought (starvation) Supplement food and water

Wet (chalkbrood, dysentary, mean bees) Increase ventilation

Beekeeping Stewardry

As a bee steward I must observe

The laws of nature and strive to keep my bees in harmony

Responsibility for the bees that depend on me

That I alone am accountable for my part in their lives

In order to learn I study the works of bee authorities

I adhere to the advice of more experienced bee keepers

Beekeeping Stewardry

To make decisions I avoid excess in actions and judgment

I accept my mentors’ help on terminology

So I can… Use correct vs. “common use” beekeeping

language

Attend my and other association meetings regularly

Participate in various beekeeping functions

And… Endeavor to give back more than I’ve recieved

To BEE the best I can BEE

I OBSERVE

I LEARN

I DECIDE

I ACT

I OPEN MY PATH TO SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING