Is beekeeping the hobby you’re considering as an empty nester? You’re in for an adventure filled with delicious, nutritious honey and valuable skills. However, there’s a lot of complexity to this craft. If you don’t do your research, it’s easy to make certain beekeeping mistakes. Read on to learn what these errors are and what to do instead.
Starting Out Too Strong
Many beginners make the mistake of taking on too much too quickly. The fact is there’s a lot beginner beekeepers need to learn, and handling multiple hives adds too much complexity. Instead, begin with one or two hives. This allows you to gradually acquire the skills you’ll need to grow your colony in the future. Slow and steady wins the race in beekeeping.
Bothering Your Hives Frequently
It’s natural to want to check on your bees every day, especially at the start. However, overinspecting can stress your colony, disrupt the ecosystem within the hive, and slow the bees’ productivity. Instead, limit inspections to every 7–10 days, or whenever absolutely necessary. Trust your bees to do their job, and observe their activity from a safe distance.
Working With Bad Equipment
Cheap or poorly designed equipment often leads to endless frustration and wasted time. Missing pieces or faulty hive components can also endanger your bees. Invest in quality gear from the start—particularly a durable hive, a reliable smoker, and protective clothing. While it might cost a little more upfront, good equipment lasts longer and makes every task easier.
Ignoring the Queen
The queen is the heart of your hive. Unfortunately, beginners sometimes miss the signs of a struggling or missing queen. A hive without a strong queen will quickly become unproductive or fail altogether. During inspections, always check for evidence of the queen, such as larvae or eggs, and replace her promptly if she is sick or missing. A healthy queen ensures a thriving hive.
Overharvesting
Harvesting honey is one of the most satisfying parts of beekeeping, but taking too much can harm your bees. They rely on that honey to survive through the winter. Leave enough for their needs—at least 40–60 pounds per hive, depending on your region. Your patience will be rewarded with a stronger hive next season.
Beekeeping is a learning experience, and it’s easy to make mistakes. By avoiding the pitfalls we reviewed above and knowing what to do instead, you can start this hobby off on the right foot. We wish you the best of luck!
