How to keep bees

Don't be fooled.  Have you ever wondered how to get started in beekeeping? There is a push to make beekeeping appear practically hands free. New beekeepers are failing to implement best management practices. I want to be your mentor. I am currently accepting positions to mentor a limited number of beekeepers. You'll have access to my personal cell phone and private email. And you can send me videos or pictures of your hive when it just doesn't seem right or you don't know what's going on. You'll also receive 4 new instructional videos from me and a weekly tip of what you should be doing. Click here to see if spots are still available. Learn how to keep bees the right way.

The decline of the honey bee population is alarming. CCD hysteria aside, the decline of honey bees in the US is disturbing. Not only because of the recent concern of Colony Collapse Disorder and pesticides, but because new beekeepers are not properly armed with the knowledge they need to properly manage their hives.

Even before I started keeping bees I was already alarmed at the reduction in bee colonies simply due to urbanization and the decline in beekeepers. An absence of honey bees has sent farmers running to the phones begging beekeepers to bring some honey bees to pollinate their crops. Without honey bees we face a severe food crises. One third of every bite of food we enjoy is the result of a honey bee. You see, honey bees pollinate. And without adequate pollination, our food supply is in serious trouble unless you want to live on a diet of beans, corn and rice.

In fact, bee pollination accounts for about $15 billion in added crop value each year.  And in reality, no can replace the honey bee. We receive many calls from orchards and melon farmers begging us to bring bees to help them produce a crop. The need for honey bees is tremendous. 

In my opinion, the only way we can protect the honey bee from becoming extinct or declining even further is to encourage more people to start keeping bees.
One October 28th, 2007, PBS aired a NATURE broadcast entitled, Silence Of The Bee. Several things are worth noting about that broadcast. May Berenbaum, PhD, Entomologist, Univ. of Illinois said, "Estimates are that about 600,000 of America's 2.6 million honey bee colonies may have just disappeared". Another interesting observation was that during the broadcast a line came across the screen that encouraged people to go to the PBS website to find out what they could do to help save the honey bee. After the broadcast I followed that link and it basically said that to help save the honey bee more people should become beekeepers. We totally agree! This is our passion.

I am often asked what it takes to get started in beekeeping. I would encourage you to buy everything at once, all the things you'll need throughout the full year of beekeeping. 

To help more people keep bees, our family owned business has developed into 4 areas:
1) Manufacturing of the woodenware, the actual hives.
2) Educating the general public on how to keep bees. We have many levels of Online Courses.
3) Selling package bees, nucs and queens.
4) And selling honey and other products our hives produce.

People often call and ask what equipment they need to get started. So, we have put together the several kits, containing just what you need to start your efforts in helping to save the honey bee. Click here to see our complete line of hive kits.

1. Order Your bee Hive Kits starting Jan 1.  Bees usually come in a 3 lb package with a mated queen in her separate cage.

2. Order Your beekeeping supplies and equipment at any time but allow enough time to receive your beekeeping supplies before your bees arrive, we suggest 5 - 6 weeks before you expect your bees to arrive.

3. Take a beekeeping class in your area. We offer classes year round and online lessons as well. Take our Online Basic Beekeeping Course. Click Here For More Info.

4. Learn to keep bees the right way and enjoy!

We are located in central Illinois. Come by and visit us or give us a call.

Click here for directions or call us at 217-427-2678