Site Content

---

Beekeeping for Beginners

My focus today is to educate new beekeepers on the problems with Africanized bees, Varroa mites and some of the challenges we have with the heat here in Arizona. 

Can or Why should we keep bees? The general public is scared of killer bees. As beekeepers, we don’t like them either. Can we change the public view of bees, spraying chemicals (non-target victims)? Honey is not only something sweet – it is a source of cures for allergies, lime disease, and many others.

Can we give them a good home, pollinate about 70% of all the food we eat? Without bees do we survive and keep life as we know it?

Equipment:

The first question is - Are we going to be Bee owners or Bee Keepers? – Inspection? 6 weeks to Bi-Monthly

The Second Question is - Type of hives, Lifting capabilities do you have, Deep Boxes weigh 95 lbs. Can you inspect them without destroying/killing them and their home? 

The Third question is – What equipment is needed to keep them? – Shade covers, Freshwater, Food – nectar & pollen

The Fourth question is - Are we going to move the bees around?

The Fifth question is – Are we going to harvest honey and bottle it or cut comb? – Extractor (what size)

The Sixth question is – What kind of PPE’s should I purchase? Suits (ventilated or not), Veils (can you see good), Gloves, Shoes, 

The Seventh question is – What kind of hand tools do I need? Smoker and fuel, hive tool, lighter, frame holder,

Africanized Bees / Calm European Type:

First question is – What are mean bees? 95 % of all feral bees are Africanized bee in Arizona.

Second question is – What is a marked queen? When to replace her? How to replace her?

Third question is - Are you a good neighbor? (Drones) 

Fourth question is – Where do I get bees? – Package Bees, Swarms, Cut outs? - How to wire and rubber band a frame? – Bee Vacuum – gentle and survivability as they are given a new home.

Fifth question is – What are treatments for Varroa mites, Tracheal mites and diseases?

Bee Life Cycles: 

First question is - When to add and remove equipment for the bee cycles? / Not enough room they will swarm – too much wax moths problem, cold brood (95 degree) area

Second question is – Queen superseded / replacement 

Third question is – How long does a worker bee live? / 6 weeks in the summer

Fourth question is – How do I look for eggs, larvae, brood / Sun to your back. Color of foundation?

Arizona Heat and Cold on Bees:

First question is – How to keep them alive? Insulation, water, shade

• This beekeeper's hive although shaded, had been located close to a metal building on a metal shelf which radiated the heat off of it. Even shaded, it did not provide a good home for the bees to stay cool and the bees swarmed. She caught them, then the hive was moved 3' at a time over a few days to a shady tree area away from the building. 
• Another mistake is open feeding. This is especially dangerous if there are other Africanized bees in the area. They will rob and kill your bees. 

1. Second question is – Frames and foundation – Natural wax foundation will melt in the summer if not properly shaded and kept at the right temperature. Color of foundation helps inspection?

Follow me on Facebook for weekly updates: https://www.facebook.com/roy.arnold.338

I am a proud supporter of the Arizona Honeybee Festival. For more info click here: http://www.azhoneybeefest.com/

I speak regularly and mentor for the Arizona Backyard Beekeepers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1861521930726332/

I am a member of "BACA", Beekeepers Association of Central Arizona: https://www.azbeekeepers.org/

Coming soon! 

I am a proud supporter of the Arizona Honeybee Festival. For more info click here: http://www.azhoneybeefest.com/

I speak regularly and mentor for the Arizona Backyard Beekeepers group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1861521930726332/

I am a member of “BACA”, Beekeepers Association of Central Arizona: https://www.azbeekeepers.org/

Topics Coming Soon (Look for dropdown menus):

• Swarm removal and recovery services
• Become a backyard beekeeper/mentorship program
• Common Beekeeper mistakes
• Host a hive
• What’s in a hive?
• Honey harvesting
• Websites for supplies
• Websites for live bees

In the Spring - our busiest bee season of the year, Much help is needed to keep the bees growing and thriving so they can sustain the rest of the year. There are many obstacles they face. But if we succeed? Honey! Sign up for weekly classes on Sunday mornings. Sign up for honey harvest helpers too. If you'd like, you can help save a swarm. Just contact us today.  

More to come - best to learn hands on! Come to a class on Sundays.