Those with years of experience in beekeeping can reflect on their journey and contemplate the valuable insights they wish they had known earlier in their careers. As beekeepers, we learn from our experiences, but there is definitely some key pieces of information any new beekeeper should understand prior to starting their beekeeping journey. In this week’s blog we will explore what aspiring beekeepers ought to know before they purchase any bees.
Do You Want to be a Beekeeper?
To begin, an aspiring beekeeper needs to experience handling honey bees. While one might believe they love honey bees, and that they have a passion for beekeeping, the truth is that cannot be known until they gain first-hand experience. An aspiring beekeeper should get strung several times to determine if they are allergic, and if they can handle the discomfort of being stung. Additionally, they should thoroughly evaluate their capacity to engage in extended periods of physical labor, particularly in hot weather. Aspiring beekeepers must understand that beekeeping is demanding work, and having a genuine passion for it is crucial1.
Potential beekeepers need to have some understanding of the
beekeeping industry in Canada. More specially they should learn about the
industry within their own province, and municipality in which they plan to keep
bees. Atlantic Canada has an established beekeeping industry, where colonies
are used for both pollination services and honey production1.
In Atlantic Canada, honey bees significantly support
pollination of wild blueberries and cranberries. In fact, the need for
pollination services exceeds the supply of pollination units1.
Each Atlantic province is known for producing high quality
honey that can be sold directly to consumers or in bulk. Beyond honey
production, beekeepers can explore additional avenues for profit, such as
selling or utilizing wax, and engaging in the sale of bees, including nucleus
colonies or queens1. There is a growing need for commercial
beekeepers in Atlantic Canada, and the industry provides multiple opportunities
for profitability1.
That being said, new beekeepers must be prepared to embrace
the economic struggles of starting a new business. In terms of building new
customers and markets, as well as sourcing bee yards and equipment, new
beekeepers are starting from scratch1. Whether starting a new business
or purchasing an existing one, new beekeepers often succeed when they have an
entrepreneurial spirit. Key characteristics associated with entrepreneurs are
resiliency, motivation, flexibility, vision, and self-belief2,3.
Aspiring beekeepers need an understanding of provincial
beekeeping rules and regulations. In Atlantic Canada, there are four
legislative acts that govern our daily beekeeping activities. To learn about
the provincial rules and regulations read ATTTA’s past blog “The Rules for
Successful Beekeeping”. Beekeepers must also follow municipal bylaws, which outline
where bees are allowed to be kept if they are permitted within the
municipality.
Potential beekeepers should familiarize themselves with where
to buy bees and equipment, along with their associated costs. This involves
understanding the various options available for acquiring bees, and learning
about the essential equipment for beekeeping, including protective clothing,
tools, and hive equipment.
ATTTA©2021Finally, aspiring beekeepers should learn about the beekeeping season. This does not mean they need knowledge of every task corresponding to each of the four seasons but rather a solid understanding of when beekeepers experience peak activity and are busiest throughout the year. To learn more about what beekeepers do each season of the year read ATTTA’s blog series “A Beekeepers Calendar”.
There are a variety of challenges and opportunities when
entering the beekeeping industry. Some challenges facing the industry include
an aging beekeeper demographic, which is why it is important to promote
beekeeping to the younger generation; a consistent need for diversity in the
beekeeping community; fluctuating markets; changes in regulations; bee health
and biosecurity concerns; sourcing queen bees; and climate change1. There
are also opportunities facing the industry including increased consumer demand
for local honey in many regions; a growing demand for pollination services; and
a demand for local queens1. New beekeepers should consider these
limitations and demands in their region and determine how they may fill a gap.
Having a good understanding of what types of activities
beekeeping involves, knowledge of the industry, awareness of the rules and
regulations, an understanding of the associated costs of starting beekeeping,
and a general overview of a beekeeper's annual responsibilities, allows
aspiring beekeepers to make informed decisions about taking the next step in
their beekeeping journey.
It is important to understand that the next step may not
necessarily be purchasing bees. There are multiple other tasks that new beekeepers
need to complete, such as joining their provincial beekeeping association,
finding a beekeeping mentor, and signing up for a credible beekeeping course. Getting
the necessary training is crucial for new beekeepers. A past study found that
when new beekeepers receive training and education they significantly improve
honey bee colony survival4.
References
Finally, aspiring beekeepers should learn about the beekeeping season. This does not mean they need knowledge of every task corresponding to each of the four seasons but rather a solid understanding of when beekeepers experience peak activity and are busiest throughout the year. To learn more about what beekeepers do each season of the year read ATTTA’s blog series “A Beekeepers Calendar”.
There are a variety of challenges and opportunities when
entering the beekeeping industry. Some challenges facing the industry include
an aging beekeeper demographic, which is why it is important to promote
beekeeping to the younger generation; a consistent need for diversity in the
beekeeping community; fluctuating markets; changes in regulations; bee health
and biosecurity concerns; sourcing queen bees; and climate change1. There
are also opportunities facing the industry including increased consumer demand
for local honey in many regions; a growing demand for pollination services; and
a demand for local queens1. New beekeepers should consider these
limitations and demands in their region and determine how they may fill a gap.
Having a good understanding of what types of activities beekeeping involves, knowledge of the industry, awareness of the rules and regulations, an understanding of the associated costs of starting beekeeping, and a general overview of a beekeeper's annual responsibilities, allows aspiring beekeepers to make informed decisions about taking the next step in their beekeeping journey.
It is important to understand that the next step may not necessarily be purchasing bees. There are multiple other tasks that new beekeepers need to complete, such as joining their provincial beekeeping association, finding a beekeeping mentor, and signing up for a credible beekeeping course. Getting the necessary training is crucial for new beekeepers. A past study found that when new beekeepers receive training and education they significantly improve honey bee colony survival4.
- McCallum, R., 2020. Chasing the Buzz: Attracting New Beekeepers to the Hive. American Entomologist, 66(2), pp.20-23.
- Rampton, J., 2014. 5 personality traits of an entrepreneur. Forbes, 14.
Revzin, S. and V. Revzin., 2028. How entrepreneurship can be learned by anyone. Forbes, 18.
Jacques, A., Laurent, M., Epilobee Consortium, Ribière-Chabert, M., Saussac, M., Bougeard, S., Budge, G.E., Hendrikx, P. and Chauzat, M.P., 2017. A pan-European epidemiological study reveals honey bee colony survival depends on beekeeper education and disease control. PLoS one, 12(3), p.e0172591.
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email abyers@perennia.ca
Revzin, S. and V. Revzin., 2028. How entrepreneurship can be learned by anyone. Forbes, 18.
Jacques, A., Laurent, M., Epilobee Consortium, Ribière-Chabert, M., Saussac, M., Bougeard, S., Budge, G.E., Hendrikx, P. and Chauzat, M.P., 2017. A pan-European epidemiological study reveals honey bee colony survival depends on beekeeper education and disease control. PLoS one, 12(3), p.e0172591.