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Beekeeping for Beginners by Vegas Bees

Beekeeping For Beginners and Helpful Advice For New Beekeepers (by Vegas Bees)

A New Zealand Beekeepers' Association report published in the September 2022 edition shows a prominent proportion of beekeepers that quit within a couple of months. This is due to:

 

  • The higher cost of the project (in dollars or time)

  • The mortality of the hive

  • Lack of understanding of the job

  • Unrealistic expectations

Start out by doing a little bit of basic training for an enjoyable beekeeping experience.

 

This article provides detailed instructions on the best ways to relax and have fun keeping bees.

Betsy with a Hoover Hive of bees at the Joshua Tree Preserve.
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Let's Get Some Bees

Beekeeping for the Beginner

My advice to anyone considering getting into beekeeping is to do your research. The more you know from the start, the better off you'll be.

Of course, the fastest and easiest way to research beekeeping is to watch YouTube videos.

 

Many YouTube channels feature experienced beekeepers who show you practically everything about beekeeping.

 

This video buffet is how I learned a lot about beekeeping and how much enjoyment the bees can bring you.

 

On our website, we have many links to our favorite YouTube beekeepers. Another great way is to go to the library and pick up books about beekeeping.

​But what helped me along was when I became an apprentice beekeeper.

 

This decision gave me hands-on beekeeping knowledge; you have the master beekeeper to answer any of your questions.

 

He taught me everything from live bee removals, moving bees, hive inspection, and the importance of when the hive entrance should be opened for ventllation, or reduced to help with defense.

 

Working with a professional beekeeper, you will learn all the ins and outs and tips and tricks they have to offer about beekeeping. Not to mention it is a lot of fun to do it with someone who is a pro.

 

They will make everything look so easy, and it will become easier and easier for you as you gain experience with the master.

There is so much to know and learn about beekeeping.

 

It's funny, but when you start thinking you know the bees, they will do an about-face on you and make you sit there scratching your head, wondering what just happened. 

 

Sure, the apprenticeship will be rough at times, and the pay will be non-existent, but the information and learning you get will last a lifetime.

 

Check with your local beekeeping organization for possible apprenticeships. You will have many experiences that you will never forget.

A beehive located underneath a shipping container in Las Vegas.
A BBQ grill with a beehive on it
Pete checking a hive in Moapa, Nevada
Slab of brood comb from a bee removal
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Saving a Swarm of Honey Bees

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Beekeeping Training

Training with the Master Beekeeper

Pete getting some beekeeper training

Beekeeping Training and Learning the Ropes

 

My training started out doing bee removals with a bee removal company. I was working with them for an entire summer, usually five days a week.

 

Las Vegas summers, as you know, are sweltering, and I wasn't that prepared for the hot bee suit.

 

The entire time you are in it, you sweat non-stop. So you better have water close by, or you'll drop dead from dehydration.

 

So the key to doing no-kill bee removals in the summer is staying hydrated and focusing on the job despite bees flying around you, bombarding you, sweating, and you being so hot. It is a challenge but a doable one.

Water Sources

Rise and Shine with the Bees

Get to Work Early

 

In the summer, you want to work early in the morning, finish a job or two, and call it a day later.

Then, when the sun goes down, you could do another job; although it is still scorching out, you'll be working with flood lights on.

 

My training was intense, and we did many different cut-out bee removals. The education that I received that summer was outstanding.

 

It's something you could never learn in a classroom. You must be in the field doing the work under extreme weather conditions that you will be working in daily.


Someone can tell you how hot it is in the middle of July in Las Vegas, but until you put that suit on and do a beehive removal, you will never know the unbearable conditions you will have to work in five days a week.


The bees work in the same conditions as us gathering nectar, honey production, gathering pollen, making bee bread, feeding the queen while she lays eggs all day, and taking care of the young.

 

That is just a short list of their duties! 

Pete working as a beekeeper
Betsy at a bee removal
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How Many Beehives Should a Beginning Beekeeper Start With?

Start with at least two beehives, it is always nice to have an insurance policy.

When we started beekeeping, a friend told us to get two hives up and running. You would still have a beehive if something went wrong with one of them. And with bees, there is a lot that can go wrong.

 

This advice was constructive, as one of the hives swarmed out and never recovered. However, the other hive is doing great, and they are a healthy colony.

 

So, I recommend starting your adventure with at least two beehives. It is always nice to have an insurance policy.

 

This is another instance where local beekeepers can help you decide the number of hives you should set up in your area. Most will be happy to help a new beekeeper.

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What are the Best Bees for Beginners?

Italian Bees Are Tops

 

Hands down, the Italian honey bees are the best.

 

They are very sweet-tempered, and we never even need to use the smoker with these bees. They are an excellent option for backyards, too.

 

We love our Italian honey bees and are so happy we got them right from the start. You can stand around their hive, and they won't bother you or get angry with you being so close.

 

They are busy worker bees and do a great job managing their hive and bringing pollen like crazy. The queen is a very good layer and keeps the combs full of brood.

Bees feasting on old honeycombs

How Much Does it Cost to Start Up Beekeeping?

 

At a minimum, you would be looking at around $400 for the equipment. And between $150 to $250 for your initial box of bees. This cost is to start one beehive.

 

Depending on how deep your pockets are, you can spend way more than this base price. Especially if you buy Apimaye hives!

It is not a cheap hobby, but you will have hours and hours of enjoyment doing it.

How Do I Start Beekeeping as a Beginner?​

If you followed the advice and all the questions we've answered in this blog post, you should be well on your way to your beekeeping adventures.

 

We also have many posts and articles on our website answering most questions when starting out.

 

Local beekeeping groups are beneficial and may help you set your honey bee hives up.

 

They can advise you on small hive beetles and varroa mites. These villains can wreak havoc on your bee hives. Varroa mite hive inspections must be done at least twice a year.

Betsy checking out her new beehive
Beekeeping starter kit example
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How Many Acres Do You Need to Start Beekeeping?

Apimaye beehive in the Arizona desert

Just a Backyard

 

We have four acres on our Joshua Tree Preserve, one of which is used for our bee colonies.

 

An acre could house more than 20 beehives, but I would keep it just under 20. If you have a backyard, you can easily do one or two hives and not make your neighbors too crazy.

 

They will compete for resources in the area, so you want to do it correctly. When we say 20 beehives, that is the maximum we would do for one acre.

 

We have several Langstroth hives, a few Apimaye hives, and a Warre top bar hive here. We really like the top bar hive layout and ease of use.

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