Bee Keeping

[florence]

I have a curiosity about keeping bees but know near nothing about it. Can anyone recommend a good, honest, practical guide book that perhaps I could request from my library - or even offer their own guidance?

This is still dream-stage for me, and with two very young and curious boys I may wait a few years before I take this any further...but I have been thinking about it more and more recently and now feel I ought to start to educate myself on what's involved to see if it's still something I want to pursue.

Thank you!

[Martin]

I've been thinking along the same lines - I had a chat with a local beekeeper who suggested contacting the local association - I gather they're all over the country, and are keen to help beginners. He suggested "learn during the winter - get going next year"

[9ball]

Hi Florence, try the British Beekeepers association - there should be a group close to you http://www.bbka.org.uk/
This is an excellent website as well with lots of info for beginners http://www.beeginners.info/

[Meredith]

Definitely contact your local beekeeping association and see if there are any courses being run in your area. I had been toying with the idea of keeping bees for years and this Springtime I went on a course run by my local council. I got far more from this than any of the books I had read, although books are necessary too. They also provided me with my first nucleus of bees.

I got my first hive just before all the rain and floods of the Summer so they didn't get off to the best start and we didn't get the honey we might have hoped for this Autumn. We are planning to have about half a dozen hives in all.

Good luck, they are fascinating little critters.

[QuakerBear]

The best book is 'Guide to Bees and Honey' by Ted Hooper.

However... nothing is as good as getting yourself on a course, you really do need practical handling experiance. Contact your local bee keeping association, they're usually really friendly and enthusiastic to have beginners. They want to share their hobby so they'll be happy to help you.

I did a theory course last winter and a practical one in the summer and you'll find bee keeping endlessly fascinating. Also on my course there were two children doing it with their dad. The eldest must have been about 12 and the yougest about 8 but they really enjoyed it. Kids will know to be abit cautious around the bees, they will get stung and so will you but that won't do them any real harm. I think Thornes (the major bee keeping store in the UK) even sell childrens gloves and veils. However the kids on our course just wore thick trousers or jeans, sensible closed shoes and tucked their trouser bottoms into their socks. They wore adult tops with a bit of cord tied round their middle to stop the bees going up and small, yellow marigold gloves (actually many bee keepers do prefer marigolds, Mr. QB does). So why not get your boys involved, especially if they're already enthusiastic.

How far away are you from Woking as I'd highly recomend the apiary where I started?

[glenniedragon]

Local Beeks assoc. for sure is the best way! most run courses (theory and practical) and often can point you in the direction of decent equipment, sometimes at a discount. Thats the way I started!

kind thoughts
Deb

[florence]

Thanks to all of you for such good pointers - I have had a look at Beeginners website and the BBKA and it all looks pretty comprehensive and helpful. I am now even more intrigued and may well follow some of your suggestions to contact my local BBKA, simply to 'get closer' to it all. My sons are 2 and a half and 10months old so I think I may leave it 3 or 4 years before I really go for it, but am certainly still keen to get involved in the learning meanwhile.

Guakerbear - unfortunately I am in Suffolk, far away from Woking, so unable to take up your kind offer of seeing your apiary. But thanks anyway

I am even more excited about this fascinating hobby now. Thank you everyone!

[Silver Ether]

I love bees... that was an interesting read ...

Would local beekeepers appreciate or even like help in looking after their bees ? ... could be a good way to learn and be involved

[QuakerBear]

Good luck Florence. Let us know if there's any advice or help you may need.