HAMLET - We should all love bees. Bees give so much to the world as they pollinate our food supply, and ask for little in return.
If you are a backyard beekeeper, you may not want to admit it, but you love your bees! We fondly call them the “Girls” and decorate their hives in many colors with childlike designs to brighten our backyards.
If you’ve ever thought about getting bees, you should. It’s a hobby worth your effort and the bees are worth their weight in golden honey.
You might think it takes up a lot time to care for your bees, but they are very self-sufficient in their daily lives. Checking on them once a week or so is what you should expect.
Learning about bees will take more of your time than your bees will, but don’t despair, there are many wonderful books, Facebook groups, online videos, local bee groups, and other beekeepers that will help lead you on your path to becoming an expert.
I would suggest that, before you jump into beekeeping, look for your local bee group like the “Richmond County Beekeepers” and go to one of the monthly meetings. There you can meet longtime master beekeepers, along with “newbees” beekeepers, and we’re all there to learn and share knowledge.
Once you feel you are ready, decide on what kind of hive: Langstroth (most common), Top Bar, Warré, or the Flow Hive; then the best placement in your yard.
You MUST have proper gear to wear! Even calm Italian bees will sting on occasion, so proper attire is very important, and a few essential tools, and you will be ready for your bees!
Editor’s note: This article was contributed by Robin Hewitt, a recent addition to our growing family of talented writers at the Richmond Observer.
