Getting ready for bees

Before you get a colony of bees, you should familiarize yourself with beekeeping by reading, watching videos, taking a beginners course or learning from another beekeeper. This should be done well ahead of actually getting your bees. Below is some information that will help you prepare for your new colony.

Equipment

Equipment should be purchased in advance. Below is a list of things you will need.

• Hive components (bottom board, boxes, frames, inner cover, and lid). Woodware needs to be painted with exterior grade paint, allowing at least two weeks for it to air out. It should only be painted on the outside!
• Hive stand
• Bee suit (full suit, jacket or veil)
• Gloves
• Smoker
• Smoker fuel (pine straw or leaves will work)
• Hive tool
• Feeder
• Bee brush

Choosing a location

• The hive should be placed where there is not much traffic and won't be a nuisance to you or your neighbors, and away from children's play areas.
• Do not put the hive in a damp area. It is better to face the front of the hive to the South or Southeast, exposed to morning sun. It will need 6 to 8 hours of sun. Afternoon shade of deciduous trees (trees that shed their leaves) is good. A wind barrier to the north and northwest will block the winter wind.
• Bees need a clear path of 10 to 15 feet in front of the hive. There needs to be enough room to work the hive from the back and sides.
• They poop a lot, so do not place the hive where the bees' flight path is directly over cars. An automatic car wash does not remove it.
• Bees require water, so having a good natural source is best. Water is used to cool the hive and mix with honey to feed larva. They prefer muddy or sandy banks from a pond or stream. Bees can't swim, so be sure to place rocks, straw, pine cones or sticks for the bees to rest on when providing an alternate water source. Bees are attracted to chlorinated water and sweat, so they may be a nuisance if you or neighbors have a pool.

Setting up the hive

The hive should be elevated about 12 inches above the ground. If it is too high, it will be hard to lift honey supers. It needs to be slightly lower in the front so water will not run from the landing board into the hive. Side to side should be level.

There are many options for hive stands. Cinder blocks are a good economical choice.

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