How to Keep a Backyard Beehive

Bee keeping has a number of benefits beyond being an interesting outdoor hobby. The production of your own honey and the benefits to the garden flowers from having local bees to pollinate them alone make it worthwhile. It is not by any means a simple hobby, as it takes some planning and careful execution to be successful, but it can be done on a small backyard scale.

Things You'll Need

  • Cement blocks
  • Wooden planks 2-by-4s
  • Bee box
  • Bee suit
  • Smoker
  • Bees
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build a stand for the bee box to keep it raised up off of the ground at least 18 inches. Stack two concrete blocks facing another two concrete blocks where you want to set up your bee box. Lay 2-by-4-inch wooden planks between the stacked blocks to create a stable platform onto which the box can be securely set. This keeps the hive off the ground and away from animals that may try to break into them. It also helps alleviate the need to bend over when working the hive.

    • 2

      Set up the bee box in preparation for the bees; a commercial box will come with instructions on how it should be laid out. Bees will generally establish their hives with the honey at the highest point of the nest, with pollen and the brood chamber beneath.

    • 3

      Purchase a full body bee suit. This is vital for working with the bees as it is designed to cover all areas of bare skin and minimize the potential for getting stung. A beekeeper's hood on its own is also acceptable when it is very hot and the hive is not being heavily worked. The bees are less likely to attack as long as the hive is not being moved around too much.

    • 4

      Release the bees into the bee box once everything is set up. The bees come in a hive starter pack, which will also have detailed instructions on how to establish the hive in the box.

    • 5

      Blow smoke onto the bees using a hand-held bee smoker when you have to remove sections of the hive for harvesting. The smoke keeps the bees at bay while you work and makes them a little more docile.