What does a Beekeeper do with honey bees?
Beekeeping has been practised for thousands of years and is an important part of many cultures. A beekeeper is responsible for the care and management of bees and their hives. This includes tasks such as inspecting the hives for signs of disease, ensuring that the bees have enough food and water, and removing honey from the hives. Beekeepers also need to be able to identify different types of bees and understand their behaviour. They must also be adept at handling various beekeeping equipment, such as bee boxes and frames, which are essential for maintaining the hives.
Beekeeping can be a rewarding hobby or a profitable business. It provides an opportunity to help the environment and produce delicious honey. However, beekeepers must also be prepared for the reality of bee stings, which are a common occurrence despite the use of protective clothing.
Responsibilities of a Beekeeper
Managing Honey Bees and Colonies
One of the primary responsibilities of a beekeeper is managing honey bees and their colonies. This involves regularly inspecting the hives to monitor the health of the bees and ensure they are free from pests and diseases. Beekeepers must be vigilant in controlling threats like varroa mites and other parasites that can devastate a colony. Additionally, they need to ensure that the bees have a steady supply of food and water, especially during times when natural sources are scarce.
A crucial part of colony management is overseeing the queen bees. The queen is the heart of the hive, responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the colony’s population. Beekeepers may need to replace the queen periodically to keep the colony healthy and productive. This process requires skill and knowledge to ensure the new queen is accepted by the worker bees.
Harvesting Honey and Other Bee Products
Harvesting honey is one of the most rewarding aspects of beekeeping. Beekeepers use specialized tools to extract honey from the honeycombs without harming the bees. This process, known as extracting honey, involves using a honey extractor to spin the honey out of the combs. In addition to honey, beekeepers also collect other valuable products such as beeswax, pollen, and propolis. These products have various uses, from making candles and cosmetics to health supplements.
The process of harvesting honey and other bee products requires careful handling to ensure the quality of the products and the well-being of the bees. Beekeepers must be knowledgeable about the best times to harvest and the proper techniques to use.
Maintaining Equipment and Apiaries
Maintaining the equipment and apiaries is essential for successful beekeeping. This includes regular cleaning and repairing of tools and hives to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure the safety of the bees. Beekeepers must also secure the apiaries, protecting them from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Accurate record-keeping is another important aspect of equipment and apiary maintenance. Beekeepers need to track the health of their colonies, the amount of honey produced, and any issues that arise. This information helps them make informed decisions and improve their beekeeping practices.
Types of Beekeepers
Commercial Beekeepers
Commercial beekeepers are those who keep bees primarily for honey production and other commercial purposes. They often manage large numbers of colonies and use specialized equipment and techniques to maximize honey production. In addition to producing honey, commercial beekeepers may offer pollination services to farmers, helping to improve crop yields.
These beekeepers must be well-versed in commercial beekeeping practices, including integrated pest management and advanced honey production techniques. They may work independently or for commercial beekeeping companies, and they often produce and sell other bee products like beeswax and pollen.
Winter beekeeping
When the weather starts to cool down and the flowers die off, beekeepers have to start thinking about how to keep their bees alive through the winter. Some beekeepers will feed their bees, sugar, water or honey to help them survive the winter months. Others will wrap their hives in blankets to keep them warm. Some beekeepers will even move their hives to a warmer climate for the winter. Historically, ancient North African beekeepers relied on wild bees stored in pottery jars for honey production, highlighting the evolution of beekeeping practices over time.
No matter what a beekeeper does to prepare for the winter, the most important thing is to make sure their bees have enough food to last them until spring.
Spring beekeeping
A beekeeper’s work is ongoing throughout the year. They must constantly monitor their hives to ensure the bees are healthy and spot any potential problems.
During the spring and summer, the beekeeper will need to collect honey and pollen from the hives. This is done by opening the hive and using a special tool to remove the honeycomb. The honey and pollen are then harvested and the hive is closed back up. In the fall and winter, the beekeeper will need to feed the bees and make sure they have enough water. They will also need to check the hives for any signs of damage and repair them if necessary.
Summer beekeeping
In the summer, beekeepers work to ensure that their bees are healthy and producing enough honey. This involves regularly checking the hives, and providing the bees with food and water. Beekeepers also need to monitor for pests and diseases and take steps to control them.
The swarming season will be over by early July, which means that the colony can focus on collecting nectar. The honey for harvesting and the queen excluder should be taken off in early August, which will allow the bees to collect what little remains for themselves and start treating your colonies for varroa. In early August, insert an Entrance block to reduce entrances so the diminishing colony can defend against wasps.
The bees are especially active during this time of year, so beekeepers take extra precautions to protect themselves and keep the bees away as much as possible. They wear special clothing and use a smoker to keep the bees at bay.
Autumn
September is the time to feed the colony for the winter, replacing the honey that was taken. The colony will need at least 15kg of syrup to make it through the cold months ahead. Feeding needs to be completed before the end of the month, allowing the colony to process the excess water. Fit a mouse guard to the entrance.
With all the required syrup now in the brood chamber, all should be well for winter. Strap and or weigh down the roof against winter wind. Monitor the now small entrance regularly for the build-up of dead bees. Bees are dying all the time and just a few can block the entrance leaving the others unable to get out. Keep a regular check for Woodpecker damage or rain getting in. What is your favourite season of the year? Have you seen what a beekeeper’s suit looks like? Check out our 8 Things to Know About & Beekeeper Suits to learn more.
