How to get bees on a homestead?
In general, you can get bees on a homestead by purchasing them online, or through a local farmer. In addition, bees can be captured by finding swarms that are without a hive. If purchasing bees for your homestead, be aware of the initial cost upfront. Bees are an investment.
Buying Bees
Bees are sold in packages or nucs (nucleus colony). When purchasing bees, be sure to buy from a trusted source. Start with 2 colonies if you have not had bees before. Two colonies will ensure that both hives are healthy and act similarly. On average, one beehive is 10,00 to 30,000 bees. If a hive is purchased and acts aggressive or sickly in any way, contact the local apiary service for an inspection.
Here are two sellers in Texas if interested in buying bees:
Packages of Bees
A package of bees is approximately 3lbs of bees, including a queen. Bee packages are the most common way to order bees. They are shipped in a plastic or wood mesh container, with the queen in a separate smaller box inside.
To set them up, have a brood box or “bottom deep” ready with enough frames for the package of bees. Eight frames should be sufficient for a new hive for non-commercial use. When opening the box, do your best to remove the queen gently without letting a bunch of bees out. The bees will follow her due to the pheromones she releases. Place the queen inside the brood box, either on top, or between the frames. Be sure to remove the cork stopper on the candy side of the queen box.
Once the queen is inside, you can add the rest of the bees by placing the package upside down on the box, or by shaking the bees into the box. This YouTube video is an excellent demonstration on how to install a package of bees.
After about a week, check on the bees. Inspect the hive to make sure the queen is laying eggs and the colony is growing.
A Bee Nuc
A nuc of bees is an established colony with a queen already laying eggs. This hive will already have drones, worker bees, and established combs. Typically sold in a 5-frame bee box, these bees are much easier to install. Nucleus colonies are the easiest to start with for new beekeepers due to their already established hive.
To set up a nuc, have a brood box ready to go, and take the frames from the nuc box and place them into the new brood box. Extra, undrawn frames will then be added around the established frames, and the bees will be left alone for a week, like the package bees. For a video on how to install a nucleus colony, check out this one by the Beekeeping University.
Different Races of Bees
When purchasing bees, there are different races available based on the survival of races in various climates.
- Italian – light in color, known as the Western Honeybee
- Carniolan – subspecies of the Western Honeybee, more productive at gathering nectar on cooler days
- Caucasian – subspecies of the Western Honeybee, darker in color and known for their gentle nature
- Buckfast – a cross of multiple subspecies, very favorable and called the “Beekeepers Bee” due to their non-aggressive nature and high productivity
- Russian – dark in color, known for their ability to protect their hives
How to Attract and Catch a Bee Swarm
To attract and catch a bee swarm you will need the following:
- Old empty bee comb frames in a nuc box
- One frame full of capped honey in the nuc box
- Lemongrass Oil
Using an old nuc box with empty bee comb frames, and one or two frames of capped honeycomb, place your box in an area on the outskirt of tree lines, or in a tree. Before placing the box where you plan to catch a swarm, use some lemongrass oil and add a few drops to each frame. Lemongrass oil smells highly attractive to swarms.
Once your box is set up, check on it once a week. The likelihood of catching a swarm is small unless the area you live in is known for having swarms of bees. However, bee swarms are free from nature and do not cost money to obtain.
What do I need to get started to have bees on a homestead?
In general, to get started with bees on a homestead you will need bee equipment, a beehive, bee food or the correct environment, and the continued knowledge of beekeeping.
Bee Equipment
- Hive Tool or “J” Hook
- Bee Brush
- Smoker
- Smoker Fuel
- Entrance Feeder
- Bee Veil or Bee Suit
- Long Leather Gloves
- Beehive Grip
- Queen Bee Cage
Beehive
What are the Parts of a Beehive?
From top to Bottom
- Outer Cover (or Roof) – provides ventilation and protection from the elements. A telescoping shape allows for the inner hive to remain dry.
- Inner Cover – another layer for ventilation, allows for moisture to escape
- Honey Super – a storage place for the honey and pollen, multiple can be stacked on top of hives to hold more honey being produced.
- Queen Excluder (optional) – a metal or plastic flat section with a thin gauged grid to prevent the queen from laying eggs in the honey super. Optional to include. Some experts believe a queen excluder shortens the lives of the hive.
- Hive Body (Brood Box, or Bottom Deep) – the living quarters for the colony, can be one or two boxes depending on the size of the hive
- Bottom Board – the floor of the beehive that contains an entrance and exit
- Hive Stand – elevates the hive off the ground and keeps the bottom board dry. Hives should be 6 to 8 inches of the ground to prevent ants and other small creatures from going after the honey.
For a great educational video on how to set up hive boxes, check out this youtube video here.
Bee Food and Extras
- Pollen Patty
- Sugar Solution (easily homemade)
- Comb uncapping tool or hot knife (for honey extraction)
- Honey Extractor (manual or electric)
Environment
Bees thrive in an environment that has a diverse plant life. In addition, bees do best in a warm and dry climate. Full sun is not recommended as the hive may get too hot. Temperature is meant to be regulated in a hive to prevent moisture build up.
Experts recommend facing the opening of hives to the southeast to encourage waking with the morning sun. In addition, the hive should be positioned so it is easy to access for honey harvesting. A flat level ground free of standing water is best to prevent water from entering the hive.
Finally, place your hive or hives in a location that will be easy to retrieve honey from. No sense in lugging 60lbs of honey a mile from your house.
Knowledge
One of the key aspects of getting bees on a homestead is keeping up with the knowledge needed to care for them. Each bee colony behaves uniquely and may require various needs. Continue to research and speak with fellow beekeepers to learn new tips and tricks.
How do I protect my bees on a homestead?
Bees are at risk due to the chemicals and pesticides sprayed on agricultural crops. To protect bees on your homestead, avoid pesticides and chemicals that are not proven bee safe. In addition, plant a bee garden full of flowers and various herbs to allow for a variety of pollen and food.
What are the common issues that cause beehive decline?
- Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD): causes are unknown
- Varroa Mites: attack adult and larval bees. Known as the #1 killer of bees. Unpreventable, but treatable. Use approved chemicals such as ApiVar, Apiguard, or Oxalic Acid.
- American Foulbrood Disease (AFD): caused by a bacteria called Paenibacillus larvae, which seals the broods of honeybees. Very contagious and must be reported to your local Apiary Inspection Service for management.
- Pesticides: known for their ability to kill insects. Avoid use to protect beneficial insects.
- Hive Beetles: small black beetles that feed on the honey stores. Attracted by the smells of honey. Bees will try to push them out of the hive. Adding in beetle traps with oil will help diminish their numbers.
Who Should NOT Have Bees?
Bees are not for everyone. Those who have extreme allergic reactions should not raise bees. In addition, raising bees in areas that are known to have high pesticide use, may cause colonies to decline.
What are the Laws in Texas for Beekeeping?
In Texas, permits are required to ship bees in or out of Texas. However, to keep bees on your homestead, or in a backyard, contact your local agricultural office. This link will take you to the Texas A&M Extension office to look at the apiary regulations for Texas.
https://txbeeinspection.tamu.edu/regulations/
Tips:
- Do NOT lift hive boxes to open or close them. Twist the boxes when you are trying to access the hive to prevent complete removal of honeycomb or squishing of bees.
- Bees are attracted to light, so be careful with storing bees close to your home where there are outdoor lights
- Where a hat with a brim to keep the screen from touching your face
- Have a buddy to make sure you don’t have any bees in your suit before you zip it up!
- Get a suit that is 1 to 2 sizes bigger to allow for plenty of room between you and the suit
- Keep your hive off the ground, on a table works best, you can place the legs of the table in dish tubs with oil to prevent ants
- Don’t harvest honey in the 1st season to allow the colony to thrive.
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