By Jessica Crabtree

Last month we detailed the types of bees, their habitat, fascinating growth rate, distinguished between each and their life cycle. This month we will visit reasons people become beekeepers, how to become a beekeeper, ordering bees, capturing or extracting bees, what to expect your first year as a beekeeper and how to maintain your hive.

Getting Started
In recent years bees have been of greater interest due to the crisis in bees as pollinators. In the media, the buzzing insects seem to be constantly under attack. Most people do not think about bees and may have a memory of being stung once as a child. Somehow, some way, a person’s interest is peaked and they want to raise bees. President of the Red River Beekeepers Association, Kerry Roach, insists people first educate themselves. “There are thousands of sources and discussions online to read. I also tell people to pick up a book and read it,” Roach said. Specifically for Roach, “Beekeeping for Dummies” helped him. After researching, another vital and imperative task is to make completely sure you or anyone close to you is not allergic to bees.

Roach has observed a recent wave in holistic and organic living that may have prompted the rise of beekeepers, especially in gardeners. Once people realize beekeeping is fairly inexpensive, Roach urges those interested in bees to join a local club, group or beekeepers’ association. As president of the Red River Beekeepers Association, in the past eight years Roach has seen the roster increase from 12 members to more than 100 paid members. Some are very active to others who are simply interested and don’t own a single bee. They are merely learning. “At local meetings, it is a good way to learn more about supply companies and a way to get catalogs. Here in Texas there are three major, nationally known supply companies,” Roach explained.

What’s Next?
After joining an organization and researching bees, hobbyists begin to prepare for bees. Roach said that the first thing to learn is bee suppliers only sell bees in the spring, starting late March and early April, never in the fall or winter when queen bees are not laying. Therefore, Roach suggests beginning preparation for bees in the fall, prior to ordering. That means ordering equipment, the hive and appropriate safety apparel. As stated previously, the honeybee and bumble bee are not bred to be aggressive; however, they can sting.

Hive or Box Sizes
The most used hive box is the Langstroth hive. It is a 10-frame box, meaning there are 10 frame-like pieces that insert into the box, fitting perfectly. The Langstroth hive is 19 7/8″ in length, 16 1/4″ in width, and 9 5/8″ in height. Another is a more modern hive box with eight frames. It is not as heavy and easier on older beekeepers. A popular box for some beekeepers is the Top-Bar Hive Box. This is a wooden hive box that allows bees to make their honeycomb suspended from the top bar in the hive box without frames.

To read more pick up a copy of the September 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.