Small Farms

If you find that you have a bee swarm on your property that you would like to move into a man-made hive, you’ll most likely need the assistance of an experienced bee keeper.  Swarms may be unpredictable and exhibit defensive behavior.  Bees often swarm when they outgrow their existing home.  This happens often in the spring or fall, though it can occur at any time during the warmer months.

Bees can swarm around areas that you don’t want them, especially around your home, entrance to barns or even in a tree in your front yard.  Occasionally they’ll even begin building honeycombs from tree limbs or your front porch if they don’t find a suitable home quickly enough.

A resourceful farmer will assist the bees and provide them with housing.  In return, you’ll be able to collect honey for your own use, or even to sell.

Remember to have the housing ready for the bees before you attempt to collect the swarm.

• Collect the swarm in the evening when most of the bees will be in and nearby the swarm.
• Remove them by gently brushing them into a container.  Do this with the assistance of an experienced beekeeper, as the swarm may exhibit defensive behavior.
• During the summer, some bees may stay away from the hive at night, so you may need to collect the remaining bees the following day.

You may find beekeepers locally to help you with this endeavor by using your local phone book or by doing a Google search for beekeepers in your area.  Alternatively, contact your local Cooperative Extension who will also have this information.

Find out more about beekeeping in these informative blogs:

Run a Profitable Beekeeping Business

Will All of the Honeybees Eventually Die?

~~Charlotte

SmallFarms4You.com

Whether you are a teacher, home schooler or are a parent who wants to teach their children a little more about bees, finding the right tools to do this can be frustrating.  Since I really enjoy teaching science and spreading the knowledge to other children, either through 4-H or simply to my own children, I wanted to share my resources.  If you’re tired of trying to find teaching materials, here’s my short list of places to find great teaching tools for bees and beekeeping:

Gone Gardening - Beekeeping Basics  - has information you can use for building a unit and a glossary of terms

National Honey Board  - has lots of goodies for teachers and kids interested in beekeeping, including recipes, videos and teacher guides

Bee Crossword Puzzle - a nice puzzle for older kids from the NC State Beekeeper’s Association

Plight of the Honeybee -  a slide show from Weekly Reader

Beginning Beekeeping for Kentuckians - from the Cooperative Extension/4-H

Maine Beekeeping Kids -  handouts, word games and teacher plans for grades 4 through 6

About Bees - for grades K-3 from University of Arizona, includes songs, stories and information

All About Bees - for grades 4-8, an interdisciplinary approach

Bee and Bumble Bee coloring pages

Bee and Bee Hive coloring pages

Anatomy of a Hive - from PBS/NOVA

If you have other resources to share, please do so in the comments section of this article!

Beekeeping is a hobby for some and a business for others.  Bees are fascinating to watch and they can provide a supply of honey to those willing to work hard for it.  If you are keeping bees for their honey, the best way to keep the bees happy is to provide them with the plants that they love best.  After all, if you can’t deliver what they want, they can easily pack up and move to greener pastures!

If you are considering becoming a beekeeper, or you’re just looking for more plants to lure and keep bees on your property, the right plants are key.  I’ve researched some of the plants that have proven to keep bees around, though I’m sure there are a few you could add (feel free- add them in the comments section of this blog!). So here goes…

• Yarrow
• Barberry
• Borage
• Marigold
• Lilac
• Sunflower
• Lavender
• California Poppy
• Toadflax
• Horehound
• Blazing Star
• Catnip
• Catmint
• Scented Geranium
• Salvia
• Verbena
• Tansy
• Mint
• Cosmos
• Buckwheat
• Sea Holly
• Squash (blossoms)
• Trefoil
• Clover
• Sage
• Goldenrod
• Oregano
• Roses (scented)
• Flowering trees - such as apple, cherry and pear
• Honeysuckle
• Jasmine
• Magnolias

The following are a few online references you can use to discover more plants that will grow in your particular corner of the world:

Plants for West Coast (U.S.) Beekeeping and attracting various bees

Plants for Eastern and Midwest United States Beekeeping

Plants that Bees Like (general)

Beekeeping Information and Favorite Plants of Bees

A major concern of beekeepers is the VDV-1 or Varroa Destructor Virus-1. This virus is carried by honeybees and varroa mites.  These mites feed on the blood of adult bees and those who are still developing.  Infected bees may have malformed bodies and deformed wings.  They will also have a shorter lifespan than those bees who haven’t been infected.

There is good news on the horizon!  ARS entomologist, Eric H. Erickson and colleagues have been studying the effects of the VDV-1 virus on hives and have made a discovery which may lead to the re-population of bees in devastated areas hit hardest by the mites.  As with most populations infected by viruses, there will always be some  in the population that are disease resistant.  The same is true of the bee population.

To learn more about this research, and the study of VDV-1 resistant Russian bees, please visit the following site:

USDA -  Varroa Tolerant Bees

~~Charlotte

SmallFarms4You.com

Beekeeping can be a profitable business for individuals who aren’t afraid of these insects and have the time to take care of the bees.  Some people go into this business thinking it pretty much runs itself, however, there are many aspects of this business and an underlying threat of a virus that can wipe out entire hives- and your business.  The following are some basic tips for starting and running a beekeeping business for profit.

Running a beekeeping business doesn’t require large amounts of land.  Bees can be kept in small places, such as at the back of a garden or even the roof of an out building or barn. However, the bee hives need to be near plants that produce nectar such as orchards or fields of clover.  Therefore, beekeeping in the city is usually a losing proposition unless you live in the outer suburbs near some farm land.

The equipment is fairly basic - hives, beekeeping clothing and a smoker.  Many people will take care of their bees with only a helmet with an insect net, but unless you’re oblivious to stings from bees, a long-sleeved overall with long pants in addition to the hat with neeting is preferred.  Equipment can be purchased online or from a local business or beekeeping club.

It is important if you are starting this business to connect with a local club, beekeeper or a Cooperative Extension agent.  It is easy to learn proper techniques if you have a good mentor.  While reading books on the subjects is helpful, there is nothing like hands-on experience gained while working side-by-side with experts.

The main products that can be sold for profit from beehives includes:

• Honey
• Royal Jelly
• Wax
• Propolis

Think beekeeping might be for you?  Check out these resources:

Beekeeping Business in Great Britain

Small Beekeeping Operation in the United States

Managing a Beekeeping Business

Beekeeping Business Links

Have a great week!

~~Charlotte

SmallFarms4You.com