{"id":229,"date":"2021-03-04T08:08:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T08:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propolis-etc.ca\/welcome-to-the-world-of-bees\/"},"modified":"2021-11-25T14:59:30","modified_gmt":"2021-11-25T14:59:30","slug":"welcome-to-the-world-of-bees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propolis-etc.ca\/en\/bienvenue-dans-lunivers-des-abeilles\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the world of bees"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Here's a short guide for people considering the idea of having a small apiary at home or at the cottage. You might be asking yourself questions like, "\u00ab\u00a0Is it right for me? How much does it cost? What level of commitment does it require?\u00a0<\/em>\u00bb"? Then this is for you.".<\/p>\n

Training is the essence of all success\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First and foremost, you need to get some training. Trying to keep bees blindly is almost always a recipe for failure. The ideal combination is basic training with a mentor who can guide you through your first few seasons. A few essential books to help you absorb the material, and you're all set. Be aware that while there's some good information online, much of it isn't suited to our climate, so it's crucial to assess its relevance. Confirm your doubts and assumptions with experienced beekeepers; it could save you time, money, and energy.<\/p>\n

Taking a training course allows you to understand both the "macro" and "micro" aspects of beekeeping. It's important to grasp the overall plan of a beekeeping season, the stages and key moments that shouldn't be missed, for example, for treatment and feeding. Furthermore, training also equips us for the "micro" level, that is, learning to detect hive abnormalities when necessary. The impoverished environment and lack of biodiversity for bees unfortunately leave room for pathogens and disease infestations. Being a beekeeper in 2020 means facing a completely different reality than that of 1980. Today, not being able to detect diseases in a hive can prove extremely destructive to neighboring hives. Take the time to learn properly; you'll never regret it.<\/p>\n

Everything takes time\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Secondly, let's talk about the time you'll need to dedicate to your bees. A hive needs to be inspected on average once every 10 days during the season (May to September). Allow about fifteen minutes per hive maximum, although this depends on the circumstances. Sometimes an inspection will take you 5 minutes, and other times you'll need to spend more time.<\/p>\n

Next, you need to consider that you'll have honey to extract; one extraction at the end of the season or several depending on the blooms\u2014it's up to you! However, plan at least a day for honey extraction. Uncapping the frames, putting everything through the centrifuge, filtering, and jarring it takes time, but how rewarding it is to harvest your own honey!<\/p>\n

The two make a good pair\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n

How many hives do you need to start? Every beekeeper will tell you it's always better to start with two hives rather than one. Why? It's easier to assess the health of a hive when you have a comparison. A single hive to start with can be difficult if you lack experience. With two, you'll have more options; if one is weak and the other strong, you can balance your small apiary.<\/p>\n

Money buys happiness\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Starting a beekeeping project inevitably means spending some money, of course. You'll need a few essential items to begin with, and you can gradually add to your equipment throughout the season, depending on your budget. Let's say we're going all out and buying two hives with all the necessary equipment. I'll spare you the details, but basically, you'll need to think about the bees (nucleus colonies), complete hives, a smoker and tools for working inside the hive, feeders, syrup, protective clothing, parasite treatments, and finally, all the equipment involved in harvesting the honey (extractor, filter, bucket, jars, etc.). Your bill for two hives in the first year will be around 20,001 TP4T with all these items. Keep in mind that you won't have to spend this money again in the second year. When the hive is thriving, the only expenses are the cost of treatments for varroa mites and the containers for jarring the honey. You can manage with less than 250$ per year. That said, beekeeping is considered a fairly expensive hobby, but if you're a bit handy, it's possible to minimize costs. It will just take a little more time than if you bought everything ready-made.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it's quite possible to recoup the expenses related to beekeeping by selling the harvested honey. Your friends and family will be the first to ask you for honey year after year. Usually, after the third season, you start to see a return on your investment. So, it's important to persevere.<\/p>\n

As a beekeeper myself, I must describe how working with bees fascinates me at every moment, bringing me a joy that is both serene and ecstatic. Learning about the character of each hive, being soothed by its buzzing, catching a glimpse of the queen, witnessing the color of the pollen pellets brought back to the colony\u2026everything, as soon as you are in the presence of these magnificent beings, is a magical moment in itself and transports you beyond space and time. You quickly forget the occasional sting from the hive guardians!<\/p>\n

So I invite you to embark on this great adventure if you feel so inclined. You don't need to want to save the planet, you just need to love bees and commit to taking care of them as best you can!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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