Beekeeping is essential to both the health of the environment and the agriculture industry, as any beekeeper will know. Bees pollinate more than $15 million a year in crops in the United States alone. But all those bees need a place to safely build their hives, and that’s where your beekeeping hives come in. Avoid these common mistakes with your beekeeping hives to keep your bees safe and healthy, as well as encouraging them to produce as much organic honey as possible.
Leaving Frames Out
Bees are surprisingly crafty and creative creatures, and will build comb in just about any space they can reach. Beekeeping hives are designed to have just the right amount of room and space in them, without letting bees into areas they shouldn’t be building in. Leaving frames out of your hives to give bees more space to build can end up with them getting into spaces they should stay away from.
Location, Location, Location
Setting up homes for your bees relies just as much on location as setting up homes for people. Look for a level, clear space with full sun as much as is possible given your environment. This will give bees plenty of room to find the entrance to the hives, and make it easier for them to maneuver around the hives.
Less Isn’t More
Many beginning beekeepers think they’ll be able to start with a single hive. This is especially true of beekeepers on a budget, who might be relying on minimal used beekeeping supplies. However, keeping at minimum two gives you the best chance of success, and allows you to plan around problems you might run into with a single hive.
Hands Off Approach
As tempting as it can be to get as much raw honey from your hives as possible, try to avoid taking too much or too often from your colonies. Your bees rely on their honey as well, so be conservative with how much you take to sell or use for yourself.
There are a few common mistakes that you can make with your beekeeping hives, but avoiding them will be best for both you and your bees. For more information on beekeeping basics and how to take care of your hives, contact us today.