So You Want to Keep Bees...

So you're thinking about becoming a backyard beekeeper...

What considerations are involved?

Honey bee guru Eric Mussen, Extension apiculturist and member of the UC Davis Department of Entomology faculty, has just revised his Bee Brief on "Getting Started in Beekeeping," posted on the department's website.

"One of your most important considerations," Mussen says, "is the safety of family members and neighbors." Indeed, someone might be allergic to bee stings and require immediate medical attention.

"The only way to find out is to ask the neighbors, and this will allow you to find out whether or not there is serious opposition to your keeping bees in the neighborhood," Mussen says.

Among the other considerations:

1. Over how much of the year will nectar and pollens be available to the bees?  Will you have to feed the bees to ensure their survival?

2. Over how much of the year will water be available to the bees?  They need it every day.

3. What will the bees be flying over to get their food and water? They defecate in flight and bee feces can damage finishes on cars and leave colored spots on everything below them. Also, will they be flying across a pedestrian, bicycle or equestrian pathway? If so, they have to be encouraged to gain altitude quickly by installing fencing or solid, tall plantings near the hives.

4. Is the apiary accessible year around? Flooding at or near the apiary site is the usual problem.

5. Try to avoid low spots.  They hold cold, damp air for prolonged periods.

6. Try to avoid hilltops.  They tend to be windy.

Mussen goes on to talk about beekeeping equipment, costs, knowledge of diseases, beekeeping journals, and the "bible" on honey bees, the 1324-page book: The Hive and the Honey Bee.

It's a good idea to join a local beekeeping organization and get tips from the veterans.

Beginning beekeeping books? Mussen points out that Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture magazine,  recently published a 167-page book, The Backyard Beekeeper, and that UC Davis emeritus professor Norman Gary (and bee wrangler) has written a beekeeping book, The Honey Bee Hobbyist, due out in November or December.

There's a wealth of information out there to help you get started.