Beekeeping 101      Lesson Ten    

Final thoughts

Misunderstanding often causes trouble!

Traditional practices within the business of beekeeping lead us to give you some insight into dealing with bee equipment suppliers and breeders.

Usually when you purchase bees such as packages, there is no assurance that your bees will live.  If you pick them up, it is better than ordering them through the mail.  At least you can see if they are alive and healthy.  Often one receives package bees by mail in which over 1/2 of the bees are dead.  The package producer delivered them to the postal service alive and in good shape.  During the trip the bees under go stress.  It may be several days before they are delivered.  During the time of shipment, a postal clerk might have put the package in a postal bag fearing that the bees might get out of the cage.  Or, the bees might have been set outside on the loading dock in the full sun by postal officials who did not want them inside the post office.  Or worse, put into a delivery truck with no ventilation.  Who do you blame?  Usually the bee package producer!  Shippers of queens and packages are facing an industry crisis.  The postal service does not want to handle packages and queens.  UPS (United Parcel Service) will handle bees but the cost is almost as much as the cost of the bees  and they will not insure live arrival.

Bee equipment is in demand during the spring.  Often one who orders equipment such as frames and boxes will find the producer is back ordered.  Delays in getting equipment in the spring of the year is common.  You can over come this problem by ordering early. 

About the only protection you have when ordering package bees, queens or equipment is to use a credit card.  At least you can challenge the charges to your card if something goes wrong.  Small operations usually do not handle credit cards due to the cost involved and you should understand that.   But some understanding between you and the person you are buying from should be in writing regarding what happens if the bees or queen arrive dead.

Other beekeepers

You may find other beekeepers trying to tell you about the one and only way to keep bees.  Well I must tell you that it just isn't absolutely true that there is only one way to keep bees.  Every beginning beekeeper must learn -- and some times we learn by making mistakes.   I like to think of myself as a sponge.  I try to absorb all I can.  However, I never adapt a new system without first trying it on several hives before using it with all of my hives. Beekeeping is an art not a science.  A lot of science is involved with beekeeping -- science has answered questions about bee behavior etc.  Science is important, but when it comes down to taking care of your hive of bees, it will be your decisions that affect the bees in your hive.  How you apply what you learn and experience will make up the art of keeping bees for you.

Bee Clubs

One way to find other beekeepers who can help you with problems you encounter is to join a local bee club or state organization.  Bee Culture Magazine publishes a Who's who in beekeeping each spring.  You could check the listing for the state in which you live and contact the individuals listed.  Ask them for information about bee clubs and who you need to contact.  The person listed under the Department of Agriculture responsible for inspection should have a good idea.  They are often called upon to speak at local meetings.  The State Extension service should also be a good source.  If you purchase either major bee magazine -- each carries a calendar of events.  You can get an idea of where the nearest bee meeting is to you.  These are generally state or regional meetings.

We would wish you success as you embark on beekeeping.  We will be here to help with your questions.  We would also like to encourage you to take the other classes as well.

Email questions to:  stahlmanapiaries@aol.com