The Bountiful Bee

Back Yard BeekeepingWith Howland Blackiston & Ed Weisswww.bee-commerce.com

History of Beekeeping

Honey Robbers Honey Robbers (20,000 B.C.)(20,000 B.C.)

History of Beekeeping

Beekeeping in Egypt Beekeeping in Egypt (2400 B.C.)(2400 B.C.)

History of Beekeeping

European Beekeeping (1300 A.D.) Methods Change (1852 Langstroth) Bees Come to Virginia (1621) New Growth in Back Yard

Beekeeping

Benefits of Bees Honey (100 lbs per hive; Complete Food) Beeswax (Candles, Polish, Crafts, Etc.) Pollen (60 pounds per hive; High Protein) Propolis (Antibacterial; Varnish) Venom (Medical Use) Pollination (The Big Attraction)

Bees and Pollination

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No Bees With Bees

Pears (lb)

Alfalfa (lb)

Apples(number)

The Anatomy of a Beehive

60,000-80,000 bees (summer) 10,000-15,000 bees (winter) Three Casts of Bee

The Queen Drones Worker Bees (Many

Responsibilities)

The Modern Beehive

Outer CoverInner CoverHoney Supers (Shallow) Queen ExcluderFood Chamber (Deep)Brood Chamber (Deep)Bottom BoardHive Stand

Tools of the Trade

Hivetool Smoker Gloves (if you must) Veil

Where to Put Your Hive

Don’t Create a Nuisance Easy, Level Access Nearby Water Source Dappled Sunlight Shielded from Winds Facing South-East

Getting Started Read-up on Beekeeping Join a Regional Club Latch onto a Mentor Order Start-Up Kit Order Package Bees Begin your love affair