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[Nautilus21]

Hi there...

Going to start beekeeping after thinking about it for a couple of years...looking to start from now and to be ready to go next year (or sooner if a secondhand hive/bees comes up!!)

Looking for occasional advice and guidance

Cheers

 

[parkranger]

Welcome Nautilus

between now and starting, join your local society and do a beekeeping course. Both will stand you in good stead for what will be an exciting first year.

 

[alanf]

Welcome Nautilus

between now and starting, join your local society and do a beekeeping course. Both will stand you in good stead for what will be an exciting first year.

and get a general book or two, some suggestions here: http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8587

 

[jackbee]

safer to start with successfully overwintered bees in spring rather thsn risk it yourself over winter

 

[enrico]

One hive isn't enough, one lot of bees to start but two of everything else! To manage bees well you will need the extra hive! Also get the bet suit you cn afford, early stings will put you off bees, a good bomb proof suit will last you years.
Good luck and welcome.

 

[busybee53]

Welcome to the forum. Please be careful if buying a second hand hive (or two) as they can harbour disease. It is a good idea to check why the hive is being sold and to get a blow torch to scorch the inside of wooden equipment especially where there is propolis. Used plastic equipment, such as runners, will need to be scrubbed in washing soda. Good luck. Get reading.

 

[aberreef]

Welcome to the forum

Hold off buying your bees until next spring. There's a risk of losing your new colony over winter which won't start your new hobby too well. You can always use the next few months to find a supplier and reserve an overwintered nuc or two and to build your frames, boxes etc. The big beekeeping suppliers have an online sale of second quality equipment wich is a cheaper place to start off.

As someone has already said you'll need spares of everything. You may get away with just the one brood box for the first season but if they do decide to swarm you'll need a spare brood or nuc box. Also, in a good season, you'll need more than two supers per hive.

 

[REDWOOD]

Welcome to the forum. Please be careful if buying a second hand hive (or two) as they can harbour disease. It is a good idea to check why the hive is being sold and to get a blow torch to scorch the inside of wooden equipment especially where there is propolis. Used plastic equipment, such as runners, will need to be scrubbed in washing soda. Good luck. Get reading.

and throw the old frames away or use them as fire wood

 

[Luminos]

Welcome to the forum.
Ask Santa for some beekeeping books

 

[village girl]

hello and welcome , i think you have just got your first advice and probably the only thing the members of this forum can all agree on . do a corse , join your local bka, and read all and any books you can get your hands on local libry is a good place to start,,