A joint effort to develop an FAQ on all aspects of beginning beekeeping.
What needs to be considered before taking the first step.
Covers all the basic equipment needed to begin. Type, size, cost, etc.
Books and resources for the beginner.
Location, direction, stands, for hives. Things to consider when choosing an apiary site.
Package/Nuc, Swarms, Breed, etc.
For discussion of the various types of hives; Langstroth, Top Bar, etc., and how to do an initial setup. Things to consider, pros and cons; such as future extracting issues and supering. Frame and foundation types.
First season management to obtain strong colonies for wintering. How often to inspect, seasonal timing, and things to be looking for. Will/should I get honey the first year?
Different "treatment" paths to consider, pro/con. IPM strategies. What should a first year beekeeper concern themselves with?
Should you take honey the first year? If so, how? How much? Various methods for harvesting the honey.
Preparing for winter. Do I need to feed? What about reducing the entrance? Wrap the hive?
This forum is dedicated to the discussion and research of all genres of beekeeping history, including; Bee Management, Persons of Beekeeping, Bee Hunting, Archaeology of Beekeeping, Tall Tales, Folklore, Superstitions, Medicine, Beekeeping Antiques, Science and Bees in Warfare.
This is a general beekeeping forum to discuss all the various topics on beekeeping that don't fit in any of the other beekeeping forums.
Help build a database of bloom dates.
Help build a database of swarm dates.
Laws pertaining to beekeeping.
First year? First hives? Ask your questions here.
Discussion on use and design of hive parts, tools and accessories.
Identifying and treating diseases and pests.
Queen characteristics, behaviors, problems as well as bee breeding.
Top Bar, Layen, Ukrainian, any other horizontal hives.
Swarming hives as well as techniques and experience catching those "wild" bees.
Dividing or combining a colony. How-to, problems and fixes.
Discussing and formulating honeybee management methods that cooperate as much as possible with natural bee biology without resorting to the use of chemicals and drugs.
Nectar and pollen sources. Creating bee friendly spaces in gardens.
Warre, Delon, Russian alpine, any other vertical compact hives.
Observation hive construction and management.
The raising, keeping and other issues of concern for pollinating bees, other than the honey bee.
A place to post and view photos and videos about beekeeping.
A place to post and view videos about beekeeping.
Discussions about over-wintering bees. Tips, techniques, successes and failures
Winter beekeeping in the Upper Midwest
Winter beekeeping in the Northeast
Winter beekeeping in Texas
Winter beekeeping in the Southeast
Winter beekeeping in Australia and New Zealand
Winter beekeeping in Alaska
Winter beekeeping in areas not listed above
