“There are British beekeeping associations for each district, I am part of the Huddersfield Beekeeping Association. As a member, you get insurance if there is a problem with the hive. Joining the association is around £35 annually.”
Finding bees
So, you have the gear, but where do you actually get the bees from?Well, associations may be able to help you find someone selling a hive, or someone looking to redirect a swarm.
“This year has been a big year for swarming, but you can pre-empt them (a swarm is a queen leaving the hive and taking some of the bees with her). If you witness the bees making queen cells protruding on the foundation, it will indicate they are not happy, so they are making a new one,” Ingham explains.
What should you be worried about?
“Winter is a bad time to get the bees through – it depends so much on the weather.They don’t come out of the hive until it is about 13 degrees, and in the winter, you need to insulate them,” says Ingham.“You also have to do treatments for insects they can be prone to, and making sure you do regular inspections of your hives is really important.”
“When getting started in urban beekeeping, it is essential to understand the safety and basic knowledge of beekeeping,” says John.
“If possible, this means attending beekeeping workshops – which can be booked online – and connecting with local beekeepers to learn more about bee behaviour, hive management and safety protocols. Understanding these basics is the key to success,” she continues.
While it isn’t easy, it is rewarding, for both you and the planet.
Photo:Amanda John
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