Beekeeping is a hobby that you can easily turn into a side-business no matter where you live. Keeping bees requires a relatively small monetary investment to get started and can turn a profit within a few short years.
There are many non-monetary benefits to keeping bees like better garden yields, fresh honey, and a feeling of self-sufficiency.
Believe it or not, beekeeping is very relaxing. It requires a focus on the immediate surroundings and a letting go of everything else.
Getting Started with Beekeeping
养蜂人学校是学习养蜂的好方法。在过去的十年里,养蜂已经发生了巨大的变化。大多数当地养蜂组织会提供养蜂学校,许多养蜂供应公司也会这样做。这是与其他养蜂人联系的一个很好的方式,并找出在你的地区养蜂的确切的法律和规则。
Even if you live in an urban area, most cities allow bees to be kept on your property. Check with your local health department or contact your county or city bee inspector. Every state has a bee inspector and they are an excellent resource.
Low Start-up Costs
- Many companies offer a starter kit for beekeepersthat include the hive, tools, and protective gear and they can cost between $250 and $500 depending on materials and size. The kits include only one hive (that is the boxes and frames). Most experienced beekeepers recommend starting with two hives, so consider making a second hive or purchasing two hives.
- Usually the bees are sold separatelyand a package of bees that includes a queen and about three pounds of bees will cost around $75 – $100. Check with your supplier, not everyone can get bees through the US Postal Service, so you may have to arrange to pick them up.
Products to Sell
- Honey is the first product from the hive that comes to mind.这种丰富的金黄色液体被许多人誉为最美味、最健康的甜味剂。在一个良好的年份和强大的蜂房可以产生大约100磅多余的蜂蜜。随着食糖价格的上涨,蜂蜜肯定会成为一种更重要的甜味剂。
- Beeswax长期以来,它一直被珍视为蜡烛的蜡,但它也被用于化妆品,包括唇膏,护手霜和肥皂。卡塔尔世界杯赛程表时间蜡产品是一个很好的收入来源。
- Pollenprovides another hive product that is often over looked. Pollen is used by many consumers for allergies and has other health benefits.
- Propolis, a sticky substance bees produce and use like caulking, has many health benefits including antiviral and anti-fungal properties.
Services to Sell
小型农场和果园需要蜜蜂为植物授粉。有些养蜂人,甚至那些蜂箱数量不多的人,租用蜂箱来授粉。这需要更多的设备,因为你需要能够将蜂箱运输到不同的地点。在同意授粉工作之前,以书面形式签订合同。
Other Benefits of Beekeeping
如果你是一个小农民或花园,有蜜蜂会提高几乎每种作物的产量。许多作物,如苹果、南瓜、浆果和豆类,依赖蜜蜂等传粉者来结果实。重要的是要记住,蜜蜂是昆虫,所以你需要减少或更好地消除对作物使用杀虫剂。
Neighbors
你的邻居会受到你养蜂的影响。一般来说,他们的菜园会有更好的收成,树上会结更多的水果。记得保持古老的养蜂传统,每年把你的第一罐蜂蜜送给邻居。这有助于保持甜蜜的关系。
If your neighbors complain, listen carefully. Many times this can be a moment to educate others on the importance of bees. Sometimes they have a complaint that is really about wasps or insects other than bees. Help if you can. If it really is about your bees and the problem is serious, enlist the support of your state bee inspector. They can be a valuable ally when confronted by unhappy neighbors.
Before You Start with Beekeping
- Make sure you have enough time in your schedule to take care of the bees.The time commitment is much less as you become more experienced, but at the beginning you will need to be spending a fair amount of time in the hives and learning about bees to be successful.
- Check with your local health departmentto find out if there are any restrictions on numbers or locations of your hives.
- Go to beekeepers school.Check with your local beekeeping organization for locations and times. Generally they are offered for a nominal fee or free.
- Talk to experienced beekeepers in your area.They are a wealth of information, knowledge and often mentor newbees (a.k.a., new beekeepers).
- Join your local beekeeper organization.This is the very best way to stay informed about any changes in regulations regard the bees or selling products. Networking is a important part of community building.
Beekeeping Resources
Always check to see if there is a beekeeping supply company local to you. Build a relationship with these people and they will take great care of you.
If you cannot find a local company, there are a number of supply companies online. Some offer webinars to newbees as well.
My Beekeeping Story
I have been keeping bees for about four years now. I have three hives of Italian queened hives. Don’t worry if that doesn’t mean anything yet, it will! I have won awards for my honey and beekeeping skills and like all hobbies, what you get out of it depends a lot on what you put in to it.
Keep up with my bees and beekeeping adventureshere.
All images copyright Michele B. Decoteau
Laura Blockelsays
Great, clear information! I’ve always wondered what was involved in starting a bee colony.
Lamin suwanehsays
I got small experiance about beekeeping,but want to learn more about bees and meekeeping
Michele B. Decoteausays
Beekeeping can be very rewarding. There are a number of books available in the UK on beekeeping. I would looking up Claire Waring’s books. She’s a gifted beekeeper, writer and takes great photos.
Raysays
我认为养蜂不仅在经济上,而且对个人来说都是非常有益的。养蜂和照顾它们可以是一个很好的经验和消遣。你收集的蜂蜜,照顾蜜蜂真的很棒。
If you are looking to start beekeeping then contact your local beekeepers assosiations for the best advice and tips on what you will need to get started.