Becoming a beekeeper is a challenging yet rewarding experience. With an increase in demand for natural household goods, homeowners across the U.S continue to pursue beekeeping for natural alternatives. Whether your beekeeping is a profession or hobby, you can do it in your own backyard.
An ancestor of wasps and ants, the bee is a prehistoric insect that has evolved and divided into approximately 30,000 different species over the years. The first beehives kept by people were called skeps. The problem was that extracting the honey destroyed the skeps. Lorenzo Langstroth developed a new system that is similar to what is used now.
The Pilgrims brought honeybees to North America in order to have beeswax and honey. These bees live in a hive that can produce up to 100,000 bees that not only provide honey and beeswax but also pollinate flowers, vegetables, and fruits.

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While many people associate the word “bee” with getting stung, these insects are essential to human life on this earth. They pollinate the crops and initiate the reproduction of many plants as they move pollen from stamens to pistils. Unfortunately, the pesticides used on crops can either kill bees or render them incapable of doing the job we depend on for our food.
Even though states like California are still able to produce 13,000 pounds of honey each year, there are several issues impacting the decreasing the bee population. Environmental concerns, such as pollution, can be a serious detriment to an entire colony of bees. Another danger to the bee population are parasites that can maim or kill both young and adult bees.
Improving the longevity of the bee population isn’t the only benefit of beekeeping. Here are a few additional advantages:

• Pollination – improves the biodiversity of the environment for more bountiful gardens, prosperous orchards, and allergy remedies
  
• Honey – often referred to as “liquid gold”, honey offers many health and wellness benefits such as rich antioxidants, antibacterial properties, and natural sweetening capabilities
  
• Beeswax – not only is beeswax highly beeswax highly moisturizing, but it can also be used around the house for natural alternatives to deodorant, candles, baby products, and hinge lubrication.
  

Now that you know why you should pursue beekeeping, here are five steps to get started:

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You’ll need to consider your location and whether or not it is conducive to beekeeping. Bees need hives that get plenty of sun and shelter from high winds. During the winter, you’ll need to have easy access so you can clear the snow away from the hive entrances.
If there are other houses nearby, check with other folks in the neighborhood to make sure you don’t cause a problem. You don’t want to become a nuisance to families with small children who play outdoors or seniors who may have a bad reaction to a couple of bee stings. If you live in a neighborhood, you may want to offer some bee education to the people around you.

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Some of the basic items you need include:

• Bee suit with a veil
  
• A smoker that calms bees and enables you to get into the hive
  
• Hive tool to pry off the frames
  
• Uncapping knife for cutting wax off the frame of honey
  
• Honey extractor to collect your “liquid gold”
  
• Bee gloves to protect your hands and the bees
  
• Brush to swipe the bees off the comb
  

You’ll also need to purchase at least one hive, but many bee experts recommend starting with two hives. And of course, you’ll need some bee swarms. Since you don’t want your hives on the ground, you should get a hive stand to keep the bees off the ground and protect them from other insects.
Purchase your beekeeping supplies from a reputable dealer. Some of the places you can look include the Home Depot, Tractor Supply Company, Bailey Bee Supply, and Western Bee Supplies.

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Protecting yourself is essential if you want to be a beekeeper. You may choose a beekeeper’s suit when you first get started and wear it until you become more comfortable as you get to know your bees. Bees can sense fear and tension, and they’re likelier to sting if they feel that they’re in danger. You still might get stung, so you may want to invest in an EpiPen if you’re concerned about a possible allergic reaction.
Even if you choose not to wear full protective gear, make sure you wear a veil. A bee sting to the eye can produce long-term swelling and may possibly cause permanent vision loss. Stings on the lips or other parts of the face can be excruciating. There are different styles of veils and hoods, so choose the one that is most comfortable for you.

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Many people prefer to purchase ready-made beehives when they first get started. However, you may want to save some money and build your own.
Start with any type of solid wood that doesn’t have cracks. You’ll need these items to get started:

• Hammer
  
• Nails
  
• Clamps
  
• Non-toxic wood glue
  
• Exterior paint
  
• Paintbrush
  

You can build one without the glue, but it provides a better seal, so it’s recommended.
The ideal beehive is a box built from finger-jointed wooden pieces. However, you can also use flat-edged wood, as long as you can create a square box that is secure and sealed. If you choose to use wood glue, apply that before nailing the box, making sure the handle is on the outside and easily accessible. You’ll want to paint the hive with exterior paint to prevent the wood from rotting.

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As a beekeeper, you have ready access to honey and beeswax for a variety of uses. Honey is not only a delicious way to sweeten foods it provides some protection from allergies. Many people use honey to suppress coughs, and it’s delicious on peanut butter sandwiches. Substitute honey for sugar in some of your recipes for a deeper, richer flavor.
You can use beeswax in a vast number of ways. Some of the personal uses include lip balm and skin moisturizers. Mix it with chickweed powder, comfrey powder, and olive oil for itch relief.
There are also quite a few things you can do with beeswax around the house. Rub a little of it on the rails of a stuck drawer, and you’ll be able to open and close it with no problem. Wax your wooden furniture and exposed beams with beeswax. You can also lubricate screws, nuts, and bolts with it. Before exposing leather shoes or handbags to the elements, rub a little beeswax on them for protection.

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As a dedicated beekeeper, you may have to move the hive if you are relocating or the natural environment surrounding the hive is no longer ideal. The idea of moving a beehive can be intimidating for newer beekeepers but can be accomplished under the right conditions.
Typically, most experienced beekeepers believe that you should only move your hive “3 feet or 3 miles.” If you stay within the three-foot radius, the colony will be able to reorientate on their own. On the other hand, three miles is enough for the colony to recognize the new location of their home.
Don’t fret though – transferring a beehive can be done in a few simple steps.

1. Wait until dusk to ensure the colony is back from their daily worker bee routines. It’s important to get started before it’s too dark to have proper visibility.
   
2. Tape the front of the beehive with breathable material such as screen wire or tulle.
   
3. Carefully lift the beehive, trying to remain as level as possible, and walk to the new location or the vehicle for transport.
   
4. Place the hive in the new location.
   
5. Wait fifteen minutes before opening the block to give the colony time to reorientate.
   

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If you want your bees to continue producing honey and beeswax, you need to take care of them. Here are a few final tips to keep your hive buzzing:

• The hives and beekeeping supplies need to be clean and well maintained.
  
• Only purchase the bees from reputable people who check for diseases and pests.
  
• Clean your equipment on a regular schedule to prevent fungus.
  
• Change out the queen every couple of years with a young, healthy queen bee.
  

Have you had success with backyard beekeeping? Let us know in the comments below!

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Apparently it is rumored that our constitution is not on our website. That is incorrect. It is on the secretaries page for secretaries to access, download and distribute as required. It is there together with our insurance documents, accounts, and other information a secretary might find useful. It was also uploaded to our Facebook page for our members to see.. For those non members who would like to see it, all you have to do is ask.  

I though this was a beautiful image for our beekeeping fraternity.  Harry Clarke was the most amazing artist that Ireland ever produced.

This design was executed in 1914.  Before Isle of Wight disease hit the country and before Buckfast bees arrived.  If you zoom in on the image you may be surprised by the colour of the bees he rendered into the design...... must be artistic license..right??
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Fellow Beekeepers,
Jacqui, a Buckfast beekeeper, and Colette, a keeper of Apis m. mellifera, Native Irish Honey Bees, started down a parallel path some months ago, seeking information, openness and transparency within the Irish beekeeping world on behalf of the members of our respective beekeeping associations. Our paths intersected at different points, and in spite of our support for very different bees, our aims and objectives were the same, A keen sense of justice and concern for the serious issues currently facing beekeepers, honeybees and pollinators spurned us on.
Several months on, we have become firm friends and we continue to work consistently in pursuit of the aims and objectives of IBA CLG, which is established as an open and transparent and equalitarian alternative organisation that will facilitate ALL beekeepers throughout the island of Ireland whilst addressing the very serious threats facing honey bees and pollinators.
The Irish Beekeepers’ Association, C.L.G. was formed with a committee of nine elected on the 21st October last. All elected have agreed with the aims and objectives as outlined, and in particular, we have committed to an organisation with mutual respect for ALL.
The IBA CLG, endorses The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, in support of honey bees and all pollinators. 
http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/irish-pollinator-initiative/all-ireland-pollinator-plan/
As a new association in it’s infancy, we have a lot to do. We have an energetic committee of nine strong- minded directors working in unison as a team and we have achieved so much in such a short period of time it is breathtaking. (I am still catching my breath and the speed at which the committee is working, with each person continuing to play their part!) However, there remains a lot more for us to do to ensure the very best national beekeeping association for you and all beekeepers joining us. 
To ensure that we focus on the task ahead, I suggest our focus now be on moving forward, keeping to the front the needs and concerns we have in common, and not on our differences as individual beekeepers.
Together we can move mountains; look at what has been achieved since the 21st October! 
Onwards and forward we continue in unison.
Lean ar aghaidh leis an obair mhaith!to edit.

Ever wondered how humans first came in to contact with the marvels of honey. I'll stake a bet that these fantastic birds and their guiding songs were the first way humans interacted with beehives (interacted meaning stealing the honey. These traditions are still alive in East Africa at least! Here are the links with the hive bounty: 

www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/07/how-to-summon-the-bird-that-guides-you-to-honey/491924/

www.audubon.org/news/meet-greater-honeyguide-bird-understands-humans

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07z43f8

www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/07/21/486471339/how-wild-birds-team-up-with-humans-to-guide-them-to-honey

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There are many choices and modifications in beekeeping, which might remind one of the Irish proverb - Ní lia duine ná barúil (There are as many opinions as there are people). One of pertinent interest for the cold winter months (and an interesting one that might overheat in the summer) is the usage of polystyrene hives in contrast to the previous timber supremacy. I currently have both; but intend to use polystyrene for brood boxes. What are the pros and cons other people find - The polys obviously are more insulated, whereas the timber can 'breathe' and change with the seasons. I've found water collecting in the corners of the frame runners of the polys. Also does anyone assemble correx (old election posters) nuc boxes, which is my current winter project. I hope to use these for swarm catches next summer. Interestingly these could overheat in hot weather! I'm including some links to videos of these correx creations being assembled. Does anyone have the plans for the boxes shown in the videos? Let's start the debate! ​

The UK has changed its mind on the pesticides.   Will the Irish Minister follow this now since they were so willing to follow the UK in supporting the pesticides a couple of years ago?

You can look silly when your erstwhile "mentor" does a "volte face" and leaves your nether regions exposed to the climate.

​This might be of interest folks

Asian Hornet Special with Kevin Baughen from France
Wednesday 15 November at 8.00 pm UK time.

He will be talking about the current situation there and action plans for next year. Join through this link.

Have your bees gone into cluster or are they still flying?   

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How could you tell the difference.

Michael Hughes

A chairde, 

I am myself a prospective customer/member of the Irish Beekeeping Association. I'm proposing here that I would volunteer to take genuine questions from other prospective members; edit and moderate the questions given, and pose them to board meetings in a time-limited slot. If this is a step too soon then let me know too!

​Le dea-mhéin,
Gearóid Ó Fathaigh