Backyard beekeeping is a rapidlygrowing hobby , with people from all walks of life history joining in on the fun for the first sentence each year . ethnic music from the city , those living in rural setting , even apartment inhabitant and full - time RVers are embracing this exciting venture . And whileit ’s true that men typically command the beekeeping world , women are one of thefastest growing groups of new beekeepersin many region of the United States .
However , many char have questions or concerns that are n’t addressed in stock beekeeping meeting , book of account or conference , such as how to lift those heavy box or how beekeepers can move hives around when going solo . So here ’s a piffling primer to get you blend in , as I myself had to answer these interrogative sentence many years ago as I begin my own solo journey into the world of beekeeping .
First Things First
Before you make your first bee purchase , go to monthly beekeeping meetings regardless of how intimidated you mayfeel sit in a room full of gentleman’s gentleman . I ’m from a southerly town where most men in the beekeeping residential district are big and burly Fannie Merritt Farmer , often with grey-haired hair and bass , badly voices . I sympathize firsthand how anyone , regardless of sex , may finger a piece apprehensive by these guys .
However , most of the folk I ’ve encountered over the years have been nothing but helpful and kind anytime I ’ve had questions .
Infact , all my mentors — and I ’ve had many wonderful ones — have been those precise same man that I was onceunnecessarily intimidated by . And my beekeeping operation would not be where it is today—350 colonies at its peak — without the vast amount of beekeeping soundness each of these mentors has given me . It ranges from how to move those heavy boxes by myself to how to fire queens , how to intimately contend nuc production and even how and when to expatiate my mental process . Without the timely guidance of these mentors from the beginning of my journey , I would in all likelihood not even be hold back bee today .
So how do you receive a mentor or find someone willing to answer your questions ? Sometimes it can be toughened , peculiarly when not go to monthly meeting or living in an area that does n’t have a local beekeeping association . You may need to expand your search outside of your local area by attending beekeeping schools , beginners ’ socio-economic class or even beekeeping conferences that may be pop the question throughout your commonwealth or nearby regions .
For example , family line such as Kent Williams , an Eastern Apicultural Society MasterBeekeeper and commercial apiarist in Wingo , Kentucky , are more than eager to assist new and old beekeepers likewise . Williams offer a free annual beekeeping school at his dwelling house place each April with theLake Barkely Beekeepers Associationto do just that — teach raw and experient apiarist of every kind the rophy of beekeeping . He also speaks at numberless conferences and beekeeping get together around the nation each class to further portion out his decades of experience just so others may be successful in beekeeping .
“ When looking for a mentor , it ’s crucial to choose someone that take a leak you comfortable , ” Williams says . “ This might mean pick someone of the same sex as you , but that is not an infrangible … be tender to any possible green-eyed monster issues from family on either side of the mentorship . It is difficult to learn when you are not comfortable . ”
Kristi Cook
Some things for those in a wise man / mentee relationship to consider include the pursuit . “ The wise man is not there to do all of the work for the mentee , ” William says . “ But ideally , [ he or she ] should demonstrate the work once and pace back while the mentee fill out the task , while offer advice and either corrections for mistake or affirmation for proper body of work . Be venerating of your wise man as they have almost certainly paid their due by hurt the consequence of making the same mistakes you will make .
“ The purpose of a good wise man is to serve the mentee avoid the pitfall we fell into . ”Kristi Cook
Heavy Lifting
“ The wakeless lifting has been the biggest battle for me so far , ” says Heather Wicker from Bay , Arkansas , a solo newcomer apiculturist and owner of The Bees Knees Motel .
Over the years , I ’ve encountered countless woman concern over how to handle and move those heavy boxes , which can weigh anywhere from 60 to 100 Irish pound each , as well as moving entire colonies when require . However , there ’s no demand to feel embarrassed when search steering in these topic because I have a little mystery to tell you : No one enjoys lifting or go those boxes . In fact , well-nigh everyone complains over the weight issues . As a result , those very same man can offer lading of helpful advice to make the movement of those boxes a breeze if you ’ll just ask .
So , I asked Williams what his advice is on these matters so you do n’t have to . as luck would have it for us , he offers three solutions to this payoff .
Kristi Cook
Grab a admirer or fellow beekeeper to share the work load . Just remember this helper does n’t have to be a beekeeper . They simply need a protective suit and an apprehension of what is expected , let in the theory of being bite through the bee suit .
Williams also recommends use the various tools available for travel equipment ( such as the two - somebody hive lifter ) when moving intact colonies .
“ One path to carry out this is to move oneframe at a meter into an redundant box , whichcould be post on a garden cart / wagon , wheelbarrow or motortruck tailgate or bed . Then repeat the physical process to unload , ” Williams says .
Kristi Cook
“ This will take more metre and someplanning , plus extra equipment … but it is less expensive than the third choice . ”
While this option may seemto be in the first place for those seeking commercial-grade status or for someone who wants 100 - plus colonies , do n’t be too agile to dismiss this possible choice if your budget allows .
“ Mechanizing can take different forms concord to your budget and pauperism , ” Williams say . “ It may be as round-eyed as a curing of hired hand trucks and a small trailer with a ramp . [ It ] could also escalate to the same dolly coupled with a lift gate or a small swing boom with a cable and winch , or on the more serious end of the spectrum , a sideslip loader or articulated wheel loader and flatbed truck . These are the different possibilities for considerateness when explore for solutions to handling heavy hives and honey supers . ”
These are n’t the only solutions to the heavy lifting issues , as beekeepers are a originative sort and often find many solutions to each job . AndWickeroffers yet another answer to this problem .
“ I have learned that I need to adjust my hives to be lower to the terra firma to make that much easier for me . When it amount to removing the boxes that are full for inspection , I need to remove a underframe to be able to place my hand inside for leverage due to the weight . ”Kristi Cook
Building Equipment
Beekeeping equipment can be expensive , and in today ’s economic mood , we’re all seek for mode to savemoney .
However , many fair sex find buildingequipment intimidating , as well , specially because most of us do n’t typically spend our days perform carpentry work with power tool and the similar . So I reached out to a couple of new distaff beekeepers to see how they managed this concern in their own operations .
“ construction equipment was a learning curved shape , ” Wicker says . “ The man I buy my supply from gave me instruction , and I see a few television to get it right . The equipment I used was trial and wrongdoing . Once I had what I needed , it was evenhandedly promiscuous to build . My only complaint that I would have is how time - consume it becomes . ”
Lori Corbett from Jonesboro , Arkansas , a beekeeper for two years , echoes Wicker . “ I am always in for a deal so I began making my own equipment , ” she says . “ Use Google and YouTube . appear up what you want to make for your beehive and make it ! You will keep a ton of money that path . ”
Here ’s where a mentor comes in handy even when building equipment . Williams , yet again , offers advice on how to work up well - character equipment while save money .
“ If you project to get your own equipment , ensure the dimensions are correct [ and ] logical from box to box,”Williams says . “ Take into invoice the proper ‘ bee distance ’ between the top of the frames in a lower box and the bottom of the fit frames in the next box ( 1⁄4 to3⁄8 inch ) … . Grade of cloth is not asimportant as the preservative or key used . Get the best level pigment you’re able to open , or have your equipment wax dipped . ”
When explore the exciting rocking horse of beekeeping for the first prison term , many folks — gentleman and women alike — find they question whether they ’re up to the task of being beekeepers , be it due to the heavy lifting , the construction of equipment , manipulation of chemical … the leaning go on . However , because the beekeeping community is still predominately male , many women are a bit unsure of how to enter this mankind or even if they can become apiarist .
With just a bit of self-assurance and some good guidance , women of all ages are just as capable as the guys to being stellar beekeepers , whether as a hobby or as a commercial enterprise . You just take to take a cryptical breath andwalk into that way . Tap a gentlemen on theshoulder , and commence to expect query .
More Information
Bee Kind
Kent Williams , an Eastern Apicultural Society Master Beekeeper in Wingo , Kentucky , remind unexampled beekeepers that we all , charwoman and men likewise , can learn from any grade of teaching .
“ Attend get together and conferences , ” he says . “ Ask question . Never think that a subject or course of study is above your level of beekeeping . Everything that is compose or learn affects the tyro and the greatly experienced exactly the same . The difference is in the response , which is what you learn in classes you consider above your intellect . ”
Lori Corbett from Jonesboro , Arkansas , a beekeeper for two eld , counsel lots of research and then merely jumping in with both feet . “ I did a lot of research online , watched tons of YouTube video , ” she say . “ I also link up my local apiarist nightclub . It is significant to be able to talk to others that have been there and done that . You will get a wealth of information from the club . You would be surprised at how much thinking , enquiry and learning fail into beekeeping . ”
Heather Wicker from Bay , Arkansas , a solo newbie beekeeper , prove that even a newfangled beekeeper has plenty of wisdom to divvy up with others .
“ apiculture has actually become something very personal to me , ” she says . “ It has helped with genial health and learning how to have more forbearance . Spreading the small cognition I have learned in just one season has open up others ’ optic on how significant they can be for our surround , too . ”This clause appeared inHobby Farm Home , a 2024 specialty publication produce by the editors and writers ofHobby Farmsmagazine . In add-on to this piece on women apiculturist , Hobby Farm Homeincludes recipes , crafting task , preservation tips and more . you could purchase this book , Hobby Farmsback matter as well as special version such asHealing HerbsandGoats 101byfollowing this contact .
This article appeared inHobby Farm Home , a 2024 specialty issue grow by the editors and writers ofHobby Farmsmagazine . In addition to this piece on women beekeepers , Hobby Farm Homeincludes recipes , crafting task , saving tips and more . you may purchase this intensity , Hobby Farmsback progeny as well as particular editions such asHealing HerbsandGoats 101byfollowing this connexion .
