I’ve covered quite a few beekeeping topics for beginners over the past year and want to continue sharing about what I’ve learned so far. I’ll share links to each of the posts below, if you’d like to read up on them. Anyway, it’s about time I write a blog post from the very start of the subject of beekeeping. In this blog post, we’ll explore what beekeeping is, where you can set up a hive, and break down the anatomy of a beehive to help you get started with your own backyard apiary.
This blog post is all about what beekeeping is called and how to get started.
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Update from Cedar Homestead
Before we dive into the subject, I wanted to write a little bit about the Etsy shop I started this year. It’s called The Charlotte Printing Co! It’s named after our daughter, Charlotte. I’ve always wanted to be a small business owner – for quite some time. Over the past few years, I’ve tried different types of businesses. However, they never became something I could truly rely on. In the small amount of time it’s been open, it’s already making sales, which I’m so happy about! I’ve been working so hard on the shop, which is why I haven’t been posting lately on this little corner of the internet. But I’m hoping to get back in the swing of regularly posting and creating Pinterest content.
If you’d like to take a look at my shop, visit us here!
Ok, let’s get on to the post 🙂
What is Beekeeping?
Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, is the practice of maintaining bee colonies, typically in hives, to harvest honey, beeswax, and other products, or simply to keep bees for their pollination benefits. Bees are wonderful to keep around just to increase the production of your backyard garden, if you have one.
The term apiculture comes from the Latin word “apis,” meaning “bee.” While beekeeping can be a hobby or a profession, it plays a vital role in sustaining the environment by promoting biodiversity and supporting crop pollination.
As a beginner, your main focus will likely be learning how to manage the bees, ensure their health, and eventually harvest the sweet rewards they offer—like honey. Actually, I can’t stress enough the importance of the hive’s health. In my personal opinion, honey bees can be pretty fragile between all that they’re up against in the world with pesticides, pests, and other things that wreak havoc on them. Before you get to that stage, it’s essential to understand the basics of where to keep your hive and the anatomy of the hive itself.
[RELATED POST: How to Start Beekeeping in Your Backyard]
Where Can You Keep a Beehive?
One of the best things about beekeeping is that you don’t need acres of land to get started—beehives can thrive in many different environments. However, there are some important considerations for choosing the right spot for your hive:
1. Backyard
Many backyard beekeepers start with one or two hives in their gardens. Your backyard should be at least 10–15 feet away from any areas of high traffic. High traffic meaning anywhere in your yard that is highly used by you and your family or any other animals you may have. Beekeepers recommend placing the hive in a corner or an area that gets good sun exposure, especially in cooler climates. Bees are most active in the warmth of the sun.
2. Urban Areas
Believe it or not, urban beekeeping is becoming increasingly popular! Rooftops, balconies, or small private gardens are all viable options for keeping bees. The key is ensuring your bees have access to plenty of diverse forage (flowers, trees, and other plants) and that you comply with any local regulations.
3. Rural Properties
If you live on a larger property, a secluded spot away from foot traffic and roads is ideal. Bees typically forage up to 5 miles from their hive, so having a mix of wildflowers and other plants nearby is beneficial.
4. Beekeeping Associations or Shared Apiaries
If you’re not sure about keeping bees at home or want to learn from experienced beekeepers, many regions have beekeeping associations that offer shared apiary spaces where beginners can keep hives and receive guidance.
[RELATED POST: Beekeeping for Beginners: How Many Bee Hives Per Acre?]
The Anatomy of a Beehive
A beehive is more than just a box—it’s a bustling, complex home where thousands of bees work together in a highly organized society. Understanding the parts of a hive is crucial for managing your bees properly. Let’s take a look at the main components:
Hive Body (Brood Box)
The brood box is where the queen bee lays her eggs, and the worker bees raise the young. It’s the most important part of the hive, as it houses the “brood” (developing larvae) and young bees. It typically contains frames, which are removable pieces that hold the honeycomb structure.
Frames
Frames are rectangular wooden or plastic inserts that you place inside the hive body. Bees build their honeycomb on these frames, and the frame structure allows for easy inspection and honey harvesting. The frames in the brood box contain cells for the queen to lay eggs and for worker bees to store nectar and pollen.
Honey Super
The honey super is a box placed above the brood box. This is where the bees store extra honey. The super is primarily used for honey production, and it’s where you’ll find the honeycomb that’s ready for harvest. Like the brood box, the super also contains frames.
Foundation
Foundation is a thin sheet of wax or plastic that helps guide the bees in building their honeycomb. It provides a template for bees to create uniform hexagonal cells for storing honey, pollen, and brood.
Queen Excluder
The queen excluder is a grid that fits between the brood box and the honey super. Its purpose is to prevent the queen from laying eggs in the honey super. Worker bees can pass through the excluder to work in the honey super, but the queen is too large to fit through.
Entrance
The hive entrance is where the bees come and go. It’s usually located at the bottom of the hive and is guarded by worker bees who protect the colony from intruders. You can adjust the size of the entrance to regulate airflow and discourage predators like mice.
Outer Cover
The outer cover is the topmost part of the hive that protects it from the elements. Most hives have a telescoping cover that helps to keep the bees dry and sheltered from rain and cold.
Bottom Board
The bottom board is the base of the hive, and it provides a solid foundation. Some bottom boards have small mesh areas that allow for ventilation and help control pests like the Varroa mite.
Caring for Your Hive
Once you’ve set up your hive, regular inspections will help you monitor the bees’ health, manage any pests, and ensure that they are thriving. You’ll want to check on the bees every 7-10 days during the warmer months, looking for signs of a strong colony (such as plenty of brood and bees), adequate food stores (nectar and pollen), and healthy queen activity.
As you gain experience, you’ll learn when it’s time to add more supers (for honey) or make adjustments to ensure the bees stay healthy and productive.
Conclusion
Beekeeping is an incredibly rewarding hobby, and starting with a basic understanding of what beekeeping is and how a hive works is an essential step. Apiculture is not just about the honey—it’s about fostering a healthy environment for bees and contributing to the local ecosystem.
If you’re setting up your first hive, make sure to choose the right location, learn about the different components of the hive, and keep a close eye on your bees. With time and care, you’ll enjoy watching your colony grow and thrive.
Happy beekeeping! 🐝🍯
If you have any questions about starting a hive or need advice on getting started, feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to your local beekeeping association for more resources!
