David Wiscombe - Beekeeping for Dummies

Beekeeping For Dummies

by David Wiscombe and Howland Blackiston

Beekeeping For Dummies

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About the Authors

David Wiscombe began a career in education in 1954, and as a rural science teacher soon became involved in beekeeping. He has kept his own bees continuously since 1960.

He joined the East Devon Branch of Devon Beekeepers Association in the early 1960s and has been their Apiary Manager for periods totalling 13 years, Chairman for 13 years and is currently President. During this time he has given many lectures and demonstrations and helped run beginners courses.

His expertise eventually came to the attention of River Cottage and he became their beekeeper and set up their apiary. He now runs courses for River Cottage and Monkton Wyld Court.

He has appeared on television in both River Cottage and Autumn Watch programmes.

David has lived with his wife Mandy at Monkton Wyld in rural West Dorset for over 30 years.

Howland Blackiston has been a backyard beekeeper since 1984. Hes written many articles on beekeeping and appeared on dozens of television and radio programmes. He has been a keynote speaker at conferences in more than
40 countries.

Howland is cofounder and president of bee-commerce.com, an internet-based store offering beekeeping supplies and equipment for the back yard beekeeper. Howland is the past president of Connecticuts Back Yard Beekeepers Association, one of Americas largest regional clubs for the hobbyist beekeeper. Howland and his wife Joy live in Weston, Connecticut.

Dedication

This book is lovingly dedicated to my wife Joy, who is the queen bee of my universe. She has always been supportive of my unconventional whims and hobbies (and there are a lot of them) and never once did she make me feel like a dummy for asking her to share our lives with honey bees. I also thank our wonderful daughter Brooke (now grown and married), who, like her mother, cheerfully put up with sticky kitchen floors and millions of buzzing siblings while growing up in our bee-friendly household.

HB

Authors Acknowledgments

My thanks to all the beekeepers Ive learned from over the years; my family for their forbearance during the adaptation; Rachael Chilvers and Claire Ruston for shepherding me through the process; and Ian for his very thorough technical review.

DW

I was very fortunate, when I started beekeeping, that I met a masterful beekeeper who took me under his wing and taught me all that is wonderful about honey bees. Ed Weiss became a valued mentor, a great friend, and ultimately a partner in business. I am deeply appreciative of his friendship and beewisdom. Ed served as the first technical review editor for this book, and I am most appreciative of the many hours he spent checking my facts to ensure that I had been an attentive student. Thank you, Ed.

My good friends Anne Mount and David Mayer played a key role in the creation of this book. Both of them are authors, and both encouraged me to contact the Dummies team at Wiley. Thank you, Anne and David. I owe you a whacking big jar of honey!

A good how-to book needs great how-to images. Special thanks to John Clayton for some of the close-ups used in the book. Thanks also to Steve McDonald and Dr Edward Ross who provided most of the stunning macrophotography used in this book. I extend my gratitude for images (and technical suggestions) provided by Kim Flottum at Bee Culture magazine. Image credits also go to The National Honey Board, the US Department of Agriculture, Marco Lazzari, Peter Duncan, Eric Erickson, Reg Wilbanks, Mario Espinola, David Eyre, Swienty Beekeeping Equipment, E. H. Thorne Ltd., Wellmark International, Barry Birkey and Kate Solomon.