Tew James E. - The Beekeepers Problem Solver: 100 Common Problems Explored and Explained

Quid Publishing 2015

First published in the United States of America in 2015 by

Quarry Books, a member of

Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

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Digital edition: 978-1-62788-318-4
Softcover edition: 978-1-63159-035-1

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Designed by Clare Barber

Written by James E. Tew

THE

PROBLEM SOLVER

James E. Tew

I f practiced properly, beekeeping is an enjoyable and beneficial endeavorboth for the beekeeper and the bees. A healthy hive during warm summer months is a powerhouse of efficiency and productivity that is always a pleasure to watch. The air in the apiary is filled with the sound of thousands of airborne foragers and the floral odor of newly gathered nectar. New beehive equipment, with its own pleasing smells, is purchased and assembled with the anticipation of it being filled with large honey crops and gentle bees that pollinate blossoms all around the community.

This short list is only a small sample of the many positive aspects of beekeeping. However, as with any meaningful craft, problems can arise. Indeed, they should even be expected. Managing the challenges presented by an ailing colony cannot be considered pleasurable, but resolving them successfully is certainly fulfilling. No matter the bee colonys problem, there is always a way that the determined beekeeper can help to improve matters. Bees are resilient and, as a beekeeper, so must you be.

The beekeeping craft can be practiced from a small domestic level up to a large commercial operation. For those who keep bees, the craft is challenging and diverse enough to provide growth and enjoyment for a lifetime. This book discusses 100 of the most commonly encountered problems in beekeeping and provides practical solutions. There are issues that apply to all levels of experience, from the beekeeping basics in chapter one to more advanced practices, such as the queen-grafting techniques covered in chapter five. The essentials of beekeepingbeekeeping equipment, hive management and bee biologyare all covered here, and a chapter is devoted to the pests and diseases known to thwart honey bees. Consideration is also given to the collection and processing of honey and there is also mention of other by-products such as beeswax.

For the keen beekeeper who wants to expand their knowledge even further, or if you dont find your specific concern addressed within these pages, the further resources section will direct you on the right path. But let it be acknowledged that, although humans have been keeping bees for hundreds of years, there are still aspects of bee biology and the life of the colony that remain a mystery to beekeepers and scientists alike.

You can either dip in and out of this book, referring to specific problems as and when they become relevant to you, or you can read the entire collection in one go. Whichever approach you choose, I hope that the knowledge you gain will enhance your experience, and that you enjoy many years of fruitful beekeeping.

P eople have been keeping bees for hundreds of years in nearly all parts of the world. The crops of honey and wax to be harvested from managed hives have always been the primary motivation for the practice, but today there are many other reasons why people choose to keep bees. Though beekeeping goals and colony size may vary, at the fundamental level, all beekeepers have similar objectives and must employ the same basic practices.

Novice beekeepers will have to address common startup issues such as finding a proper site for their new apiary, acquiring hive equipment and assembling it, sourcing bees to put in the new hive and doing everything possible to give them the best start in their new home.

With beekeeping comes great responsibilities, not only to the bees in your care, but also to your neighbors. Every beekeeper must do everything in their power to keep any disturbance from bees to a minimum, and to reassure and where possible educate their neighbors about bees.

By adopting an informed approach, what initially seems confusing and uncertain will become clear. Becoming a proficient beekeeper will take a few years, but they will be enjoyable years; as time passes, you can explore new aspects of beekeeping.

Basic beekeeping requirements are not technologically difficult, but to the uninitiated the biological vocabulary and hive equipment nomenclature can be intimidating.