Good practices in bee keeping for the beekeeper

The beekeeper is the guardian of the bees and their health

Beekeeping, or the breeding of bees for the production of honey, dates back to ancient times. The history of beekeeping can be traced back to around 15,000 years ago when humans started collecting honey from wild bees.

The first apiaries consisted of woven wicker baskets, except for the nomads who used animal burrows or natural caves as a refuge for bees. Over the centuries, beekeeping techniques have become increasingly advanced, thanks to technological improvements and the evolution of scientific knowledge.

One of the first beekeeping techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians was to use smoke to quell the bees, so they could collect honey safely. The ancient Romans, on the other hand, focused on the selection and creation of dark-furred bees to improve honey production.

In the Middle Ages, Catholic monasteries played an important role in the development of beekeeping, producing honey for liturgical and medical use. During this time, beekeepers developed more efficient hive management and honey harvesting techniques.

During the 19th century, beekeepers began using the first honey harvesting equipment, such as mobile frames, which allowed the honeycombs to be separated from the bees without damaging the hive. This has led to an explosion in honey production and an increase in the availability of honey globally.

Today, beekeeping has become an important activity in many countries around the world, thanks to the growing demand for honey and other bee products, such as beeswax, pollen and propolis. Modern beekeeping is based on advanced technologies, such as bee genetic selection, bee health management, and the production of increasingly advanced honey harvesting equipment.

There are many best practices that the beekeeper should follow to ensure the welfare of the bees and the production of high quality honey. Here are some of these practices:

1. Knowledge of bees: The beekeeper should have a good understanding of beekeeping and bee behavior. This will allow him to better understand the needs of his bees and to adopt the right techniques to keep them healthy.

2. Site selection: Site selection for your apiary is critical. It must be in a location where the bees can find a good food source and where there is a minimum of disturbance. Furthermore, the beekeeper must have a good knowledge of the local flora and the flowering season to ensure that his bees always have food available.

3. Using protective equipment: The beekeeper should use protective equipment, such as overalls, gloves, and veils, to protect himself from bee stings.

4. Control of bee diseases: The beekeeper should carry out regular checks to detect any bee diseases and take timely action to prevent the spread.

5. Using natural treatments: The beekeeper should prefer natural treatments for bee diseases, avoiding the use of chemicals harmful to the bees and the environment.

6. Honey Harvesting: The beekeeper should only harvest the honey when it is ripe and ensure that the bees still have enough food to survive the winter.

7. Bee nutrition: The beekeeper should provide his bees with supplemental food when needed, such as during periods of low flowering.

8. Cleaning of equipment: The beekeeper should keep the equipment of the apiary clean to avoid the spread of disease.

What should the beekeeper avoid?

1. Overloading the Bees: The beekeeper should not overload the bees with too many hives. This could cause stress to the bees and spread disease.

2. Feeding bees with unnatural substances: The beekeeper should not feed the bees with artificial or unnatural substances, such as high fructose corn syrup or other synthetic sugars. These can damage the health of bees and affect the quality of the honey.

3. Using pesticides and chemicals: The beekeeper should avoid using pesticides and chemicals near the hives, as they can be toxic to bees and cause serious health problems.

4. Ignoring the regulation: The beekeeper should not ignore the local laws and regulations regarding beekeeping, as this can cause problemsof public health and damage to the environment.

5. Neglecting the maintenance of hives: The beekeeper should not neglect the maintenance of his hives. This can cause the spread of disease and harm the health of bees.

6. Ignore the needs of the bees: The beekeeper shouldn't ignore the needs of his bees and only care about the production of honey. This could cause stress and damage to the health of the bees.

By following these guidelines and other good practices, the beekeeper can ensure the health of his bees and the production of high quality honey.