Starting a bee colony from scratch involves careful planning and execution to ensure the bees thrive in their new environment. The process begins with selecting an appropriate apiary location and deciding on the number of colonies needed. Essential equipment must be ordered well in advance, and the hive should be set up before the bees arrive. Introducing the bees to their new home requires a gentle approach, followed by consistent feeding to support their initial growth. Regular observations during the first week are crucial to monitor their adaptation and address any immediate issues. By following these steps, beekeepers can establish a healthy and productive bee colony.

Key Points Explained:

1. Determine the Location of Your Apiary:

   • Sunlight: Bees need morning sunlight to warm up and become active.
   • Shelter: The location should be sheltered from strong winds, which can make it difficult for bees to fly and regulate hive temperature.
   • Water Source: A nearby water source is essential for bees to stay hydrated and regulate the hive's humidity. If a natural source isn't available, provide a shallow dish with water and pebbles for the bees to land on.
   • Accessibility: Ensure the apiary is accessible for you to manage and inspect the hives regularly.
   • Regulations: Check local regulations and ordinances regarding beekeeping to ensure compliance.
   • Vegetation: Consider the surrounding vegetation, bees need access to flowers, trees, and other plants that provide nectar and pollen.

2. Determine How Many Colonies You Need:

   • Experience Level: If you're a beginner, start with one or two colonies. Managing multiple hives can be overwhelming at first.
   • Goals: Consider your goals for beekeeping. If you're interested in honey production, you might want to expand to more colonies over time.
   • Space: Ensure you have enough space for the number of hives you plan to keep, with adequate spacing between them for management.
   • Time Commitment: Each hive requires time for inspections, maintenance, and honey harvesting. Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to beekeeping.

3. Order Equipment Ahead of Time:

   • Hive Components: Order hive boxes (brood boxes and honey supers), frames, bottom board, inner cover, and outer cover.
   • Protective Gear: Essential for your safety.
   • Smoker: Calms the bees during inspections.
   • Hive Tool: Used for separating hive components.
   • Feeder: Needed for feeding the bees, especially when they are newly hived.
   • Queen Excluder: Prevents the queen from laying eggs in the honey supers.
   • Honey Extraction Equipment: If you plan to harvest honey, you'll need equipment like an extractor, uncapping knife, and containers.
   • Source of Bees: Determine how you will acquire your bees, either through package bees, nucleus colonies (nucs), or by capturing a swarm.
   • Medication: Consult your local beekeeping community, to see if there are any local diseases you should medicate for.

4. Set Up the Hive Before Bees Arrive:

   • Assembly: Assemble all hive components, including the frames, boxes, and covers.
   • Placement: Place the hive in the chosen location, ensuring it is level and stable.
   • Frames: Insert the frames into the hive boxes.
   • Entrance Reducer: Install an entrance reducer to help the bees defend the hive against intruders, especially when the colony is small.

5. Introducing Bees to the Hive:

   • Package Bees: If you're using package bees, gently spray them with sugar syrup to calm them down. Open the package and carefully shake the bees into the hive, placing the queen cage inside.
   • Nucleus Colony (Nuc): If you're using a nuc, transfer the frames from the nuc box into the hive, maintaining the same order.
   • Gentle Approach: Avoid sudden movements and loud noises that can stress the bees.
   • Timing: The best time to introduce bees to the hive is in the late afternoon or early evening when they are less active.

6. Feeding Your Bees:

   • Sugar Syrup: Provide a 1:1 sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water) to give the bees energy to build comb and raise brood.
   • Pollen Substitute: If natural pollen sources are scarce, provide a pollen substitute to ensure the bees have enough protein.
   • Monitoring: Regularly check the feeder and refill it as needed.
   • Duration: Continue feeding until the colony is well-established and there are ample natural food sources available.

7. First Week Observations:

   • Queen Release: Check to ensure the queen has been released from her cage (if applicable).
   • Activity: Observe the bees' activity at the entrance. They should be actively foraging and bringing pollen into the hive.
   • Comb Building: Inspect the frames to see if the bees are building comb.
   • Pest and Disease: Watch for signs of pests or diseases, such as mites or unusual bee behavior.
   • Adjustments: Make any necessary adjustments, such as adding more syrup or pollen substitute, based on your observations.
   • Record Keeping: Maintain a record of your observations and any actions taken to track the colony's progress.

Summary Table:

Ready to start your bee colony? Get expert advice – contact us today!