For those just beginning their journey into beekeeping, stepping into the beeyard can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. Bees are incredibly perceptive creatures, and successful hive management starts as much with your mindset and behavior as it does with your tools and techniques.
For a beekeeping beginner, learning how to move, observe, and respond calmly in their environment will not only keep you safer, but will also help your colonies thrive. The following tips are simple, practical guidelines to help you build confidence, minimize stress—for both you and your bees—and turn your time in the beeyard into a peaceful, rewarding experience.
- The beeyard should be a sanctuary, a place of calm without anxiety or anger. Bees pick up on negative vibes, so find a way to suppress bad feelings. You are invading their space, so be respectful. Apply cool smoke, sparingly, to the hive entrance to greet the bees and let them know you are there before opening the hive. Move slowly, with Tai Chi-like motions so you don’t startle the bees. Be careful not to be noisy or abrupt. Lift the frames slowly, break the boxes apart gently, don’t slam things or knock on the hives. After learning how to be in the beeyard, you will want to go there every spare moment because it is such a happy place.
- Visit your hives during the day, when the cranky foragers are at work. Especially avoid working them late afternoon when the work force comes home, if a storm is pending, and if it is cold or rainy. If it is cold bees will stay on you to warm up.
- Bees are suspicious of dark things and shadows, so wear light clothing and stand so you don’t cast shade on the hive. Don’t lean over the hive or hold your arms over the frames.
- If a colony seems extra feisty, or is particularly defensive, respect its mood and retreat. When you return, it will probably be fine, having had something upset it earlier. If it stays defensive, it may be fine but in a poor location, particularly if it is too shaded. It may not be fine, if it has recently been made queenless, or it may be an especially defensive hive, in which case it will need to be requeened or split apart and its queen destroyed.
- For stings, unless you are allergic to bee venom, Benadryl if you wish, and time. If possible, after flicking out the stinger, suck on the sting to get out as much venom as you can. The swelling and itching diminish the more often you get stung. Really.
As always if you need any help managing your colonies, you can reach out directly to us via email [email protected], or visit our Helpful Resources page. We take you from a beekeeping beginner to a beekeeping expert!