So, you have decided that you want to raise honeybees. That's a wonderful choice and one that will be fun and give you a lot of satisfaction.
Have you decided that you want a hive in your backyard to enjoy on sunny days or are you a little more ambitious and may be thinking about raising honeybees as a business?
A wise decision might be to start with one hive and see how you really like working with the girls. In all likelihood, you will love it, and it is best to make sure.
Honeybees are fascinating and fun. The life in the hive can sometimes leave you speechless with the intricacy and the beauty you will find. And it is life; life in abundance when you consider that there will be 10,000+ and, possibly, upwards of 50,000 bees in just one hive.
Few creatures on earth have the energy of the honeybees. They are not called worker bees for nothing when one honeybee can make 3,000 trips for just a small part of a teaspoon of honey. And, yet, some hives can produce 100 pounds or more of surplus honey, in one season, depending on where they are located.
Two small swarms placed near about a mile square stand of Mesquite trees in Texas produced over 200 pounds of surplus honey one summer. Mesquite produces a wonderful honey similar to white clover honey, however, it is unpredictable. This particular summer, the moisture was perfect, the trees bloomed 4 different times, some even 6 times, and the honeybees went crazy. Just like real estate, the importance is 'Location, Location, Location’.
Not many creatures can produce at least 5 products for the enjoyment and health of mankind, but honeybees can and do: honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly and propolis. They not only give us something tasty, they produce things that bring us good health as well. They are a blessing to mankind.
Let's get started then. Go get something to sip on, prop your feet up and take a look at the marvelous and beautiful family life honeybees have in one of the most fascinating homes on earth.
