The humble honeybee is crucial to our global ecosystems; it’s a pint-sized environmental warrior responsible for pollinating around 30-35% of the world’s food crops. With tens of thousands of bee species, we rely on them not only for pollination but also to produce honey for our morning toast and the wax used in our cosmetics, candles, pharmaceuticals, and so much more. And over the last few years, as we feel the pull to get back to basics, to get closer to nature, and to support their dwindling populations, the appeal of backyard beekeeping and urban hives has exploded – move over backyard chickens! Beekeeping, however, is not for the faint of heart. It requires plenty of time, learning, dedication, and commitment, which can be rewarded with your very own organic, pure golden honey on tap and potentially become a profitable hobby down the line.
Doing your homework is crucial to get the most out of this sweet pursuit. In this guide, we walk you through the steps bee novices need to take to ensure your backyard hive is safe, secure, productive and well-maintained.
1. Before your enthusiasm pollinates, check in with the local rules
Your first step should always be checking with your local authorities about any rules and regulations needed to become a beekeeper and any restrictions and legalities around keeping bees on your property. Bees are classified as livestock in Australia, which means there are guidelines around how they should be cared for and managed. This is important for managing and controlling pests and diseases. A great way to ensure you are following all the relevant rules is to join a local beekeeping association. They’ll provide mentorship, advice and guidance throughout your beekeeping journey. Even if you’re checking all the right boxes with the local authorities, it’s a good idea to be considerate of your neighbours – keep them informed about your plans, and perhaps sweeten the deal by promising a future regular honey supply.
2. Get to the bottom of the buzz
Beekeeping is a long-term affair – you should begin your research months before even contemplating investing in a hive, and you’re unlikely to harvest any honey for around four to six months after your hive is established. Soak up as much information as possible about the intricacies of the species, managing a colony, keeping your bees healthy and how and when to extract honey. There are many great resources to comb through, books like Beekeeping for Dummies and The Beekeepers Bible, plenty of podcasts, and how-to YouTube videos. You can even take an online course with bee experts!
3. Hive-five yourself when it comes to hive placement
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll need around 2-3 metres of clear space around your hive, and you’ll want the hive entrance facing away from high-traffic areas. Ideally, your hive should be in a sheltered, secluded, sunny spot with good airflow, a water source, and plenty of flowers nearby. Depending on your local council’s requirements, your hive may need to be regularly inspected, so make sure it’s easily accessible and out of the way of others.
4. Bee prepared with equipment galore!
First of all, you’ll need to select your hive of choice. Langstroth hives are the most popular type used by novice and commercial Australian beekeepers – they’re readily available and easy to assemble, and bees are generally happy in their hive home. It pays to check in with what locals are using, as this makes it easier to connect with mentors and source good advice. Next up, you’ll need to get suited and booted. You need at least a basic veil, a full suit, and gloves to protect against stings. Finally, there’s the equipment you’ll use to extract the liquid gold. A smoker to calm the bees while you go about your business, a hive tool to pry open the components, and a bee brush to gently brush bees from the combs.
5. Roll out the red carpet; it’s time to welcome the queen
The time has finally come to introduce a colony of bees to their new home. But a word of caution: only fools rush in. Once again, research and comb your local beekeeping groups for recommendations on breed, the number of bees you’ll need and any concerns like ongoing varroa mite Buying from a nearby supplier is often the best approach, as the bees will already be adapted to survive in your local climate. This can really help set your hive up for success from the get-go. If you’re feeling wildly adventurous, you could try catching a swarm – just don’t forget your protective gear!
6. Buzzy times with hive management
From here, managing your hive takes a few consistent and regular practices like feeding your bees sugar syrup as they get established, checking your hive every 7-10 days during their active season, and preparing your hive for winter. Ahead of the cooler months, much like us, your bees prefer to snuggle up, stay indoors and eat. You’ll need to ensure your bees have enough honey stores to get through winter, ideally reduce the size of your hive entrance to keep out pests and the elements, and possibly even add insulation, windbreaks or rain covers depending on the weather in your region. Year-round, a big part of beekeeping is being observant – checking for signs of parasites, keeping an eye on the queen, assessing eggs, larvae and pupae and inspecting the honey frames.
7. Honey, it’s time to harvest
Once your hive is thriving, the timing is right, and the comb is capped, the most exciting part begins – harvesting your first batch of liquid gold. Extraction takes a lot of practice and patience, and to limit disturbance to your colony, ensure you’re well-versed in the process before you begin. There are plenty of resources online that step you through the best techniques, and once again, if you’re connected with local beekeepers, you’ll benefit from watching them in action, and they might even help you with your first few harvests.
8. Become a hive of knowledge
As an amateur apiarist, your learning will be continuous. Your knowledge will develop over time as you face different challenges, begin to understand your bees and their patterns, build on your harvesting skills and ultimately, become a better bee parent. Aside from caring for your bees, there’s much to learn about the many uses of honey (aside from slathering it on warm toast) and other amazing things your bees produce, like royal jelly, beeswax and propolis. Eventually, you can share your knowledge with others starting their beekeeping journey!
A sweet as hobby for years to come
Beekeeping takes hard work, dedication, time, love, and a lot of commitment – it’s not for the faint-hearted. It is, however, incredibly satisfying. As a backyard beekeeper, you’ll be contributing to the health of the environment, get to experience the deep satisfaction of watching your colony grow, gain a strong connection with nature and the seasons, connect with others in the beekeeping community, and, of course, be rewarded with a bounty of the freshest honey you’ve ever tasted. Remember, having the right space to host your buzzing friends is vital to their survival and how successful your hive will be. If your current home isn’t hive-friendly, reach out to your local property experts at First National Real Estate. We’ll guide you to your key to happiness – a dream home fit for furry friends, kids, or a thriving hive!
DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.