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Getting Started with
Honeybees
Chris Aamodt
Journeyman Beekeeper
2017
You need bees in order to become
a beekeeper, so where can you
obtain honeybees?
Local Bee Suppliers
● Carl Chesick (828) 779-7047
Honeybees4sale.com
● Stuart Van Meter (828) 693-1966
[email protected]
● Phil Holbert (828) 794-2337 Holberts Bee
Supply, Saluda Bee supplies and
overwintered nucs. Call for pricing.
● Sarah McKinney (828) 484-9466
Wildmountainbees.com Package bees & bee
Supplies. Call for pricing
South Carolina
BeeWell Honey & Bee Supply
Pickens, S.C. (864)898-5122
Nucs and Package Bees
Bee Supplies
★ Most bee suppliers are taking orders now for
Spring packages and Nucleus Colonies. Call
ASAP for availability and pricing!!!!!
Nucs ( nucleus colonies)
● Description
● Pro’s/ Cons/ Marked Queens
● Locally adapted (over wintered )
● Cost and Availability
Nuc Yard
Nuc Installation Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB7Vab9
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Package Bees
● History
● Description
● Pros/Cons/ Marked Queens
● Cost and Availability
Benton Queen Cage
Unmarked Queen
Marked Queen
Package Bee
Suppliers
Normal Appearance of Pkg
Bees
Abnormal Appearance of Pkg
Bees
Package Bee Installation video
https://youtu.be/Bk0iFG7xorI
Protective Equipment
Well Prepared Beekeeper
Unprepared and Risky!!
When you don’t wear your veil, this could be the outcome.
Hive Inspections
Have a plan Before you open the hive!
● Routine inspection?
● Checking Feeders?
● Adding brood box or honey supers?
★ Excessive disruption to the colony = low
production
Hive Inspections
Frequency- every 7-10 days between 10:00am-6pm
For new Beekeepers.
Duration- keep inspections brief. Observe, record and
Close up the hive with minimal disturbance.
HIVE INSPECTIONS
What am I looking for?
Do I always need to spot the
Queen?
No, just look for eggs
Quality Brood Frame
Poor Queen Laying pattern
Capped and uncapped Honey
Queen cups, Queen cells and Swarm cells
PESTS
Hive Beetles
Wax Moths
Varroa destructor
Record Keeping
● Saves Time/ Efficient
● Record what you observe
● Plan for future inspections
● If you didnt write it down, it (?) never happened!
https://www.mannlakeltd.com/newsletter/Hive-Inspection-Sheet.pdf
HiveTracks
Hivetracks.com/BFD3
Mobile App for inspections and
recordkeeping
(free and paid versions)
Getting Started in Beekeeping
Summary
● Order your bees EARLY!!!
● Purchase Equipment and assemble and paint
● Read Chapter 6-8 in Beekeeping for Dummies and
become familiar with installation (nucs & Pkgs)
● Find a mentor & formulate a game plan
● Decide on hive location and prepare
● Have fun and enjoy your bees!