Bee Keeping: A Novices Guide

Started Bee keeping course with Terry and Lorraine Gibson ( WNKLBA ) in Jan 2009. West Norfolk and King’s Lynn Bee Keeping Association Started with 3 hives in June 2009 Now have 6 hives and have extracted over 300 jars of honey this year. As pro photographer I photographed all aspects of my bee keeping and bee keeping in general. Having seen numerous bee keeping books, I realised that most books were written by experts who assumed the reader knew something on the subject and therefore made it complicated and daunting for the new bee keeper. I wrote the book in a layman’s language using my images to show each stage of bee keeping which a beginner would need to know. The book covers, the first 2 years of bee keeping. Covering everything that a novice bee keeper would need to know, in learning to keep their own bees. The main chapters cover the following Chapters Introduction Getting Started – “don’t be afraid to ask” The Hive – “where it all happens” The National Hive – “part by part” Equipment – “buy it as you need it” Bees – “it’s a hard life being a honey bee” Where to place your hive – “don’t upset the neighbours” Getting and transferring you bees – “where do I get them “ Opening the hive – “your first inspections” Feeding bees – “if you take their honey you have to return something” Subsequent inspections – “adding supers” Wintering your bees – “give them a little help” Collecting swarms – “a free colony” Your second year – “the spring clean” Swarm prevention in your second season – “splitting a hive” Extracting honey – “the sticky but sumptuous bit” Honey – “jars, chunk or comb” A beekeeper’s year – “things to remember to do” The end – “if you have got to this stage, congratulations you are a beekeeper” Glossary Website links