new to bees.first step.

Inchilad

Hi.been wanting to get a hive going for a long time and want to finally take the step.whats the best way to go about it.just get a hive and learn as you go?or try do a course and get some experience.theres aguy in my local village that has a good few hives that may be willing to advise me.

Satriale

Inchilad wrote: »

Hi.been wanting to get a hive going for a long time and want to finally take the step.whats the best way to go about it.just get a hive and learn as you go?or try do a course and get some experience.theres aguy in my local village that has a good few hives that may be willing to advise me.

Definitely take a course first.
Contact your local beekeeping club and find out if they run one. Join it either way they will give you loads of advice and will know people selling bees and equipment to get you started. The guy in your village, ask him if you could help out sometime for experience, nothing like a bit of hands-on for you and an extra pair is appreciated by most beekeepers.
Begin with two hives if you can.

Good luck, i know you'll enoy it!

Inchilad

Satriale wrote:

Definitely take a course first. Contact your local beekeeping club and find out if they run one. Join it either way they will give you loads of advice and will know people selling bees and equipment to get you started. The guy in your village, ask him if you could help out sometime for experience, nothing like a bit of hands-on for you and an extra pair is appreciated by most beekeepers. Begin with two hives if you can.

Satriale wrote:

Good luck, i know you'll enoy it!

Thanks.ill keep an eye out for a course.

Loveinapril

The courses are all starting around now. I started mine two weeks ago. I actually don't know how anyone would succeed without doing one. There is SO much information. I have wanted to get hives for years but really decided last summer. I was really annoyed that the courses didn't start until now so I spent my time reading books, signing up to all the Facebook pages and watching Youtube videos. It is facinating and there is so much to know.

bpmurray

Find an association close to you - they're listed here, and do their beginners course. Attend their meetings, talk to the beekeepers there, basically learn, learn, learn. The problem with just jumping in is that you won't have a clue about controlling swarming and all the other details, especially about varroa - how to count and how to treat and when.

Knowall Macduff

meath beginners course starts tomorrow night, check out royal county beekeepers on the FIBKA website

Inchilad

Knowall Macduff wrote:

meath beginners course starts tomorrow night, check out royal county beekeepers on the FIBKA website

Thanks.down in west cork so bit far away!

Hillybilly4

http://www.westcorkbeekeepersassociation.com/