Beekeeping part 8: How to obtain bees

by Tisha Steyn

Swarming is a natural way for bees to form a new colony.

A new beekeeper can buy or catch a swarm of bees. Buying is the easy option, but with a bit of practice, you can capture a swarm that is on the move for free.

But be careful, do not attempt any of these capture actions without having at least some prior experience or preferably training with an experienced person. Also, make sure to wear protective gear, or at least a hat, veil and gloves. “More people die from bee stings annually than snake bites,” says John Moodie of Honeywood Farm, who has been a beekeeper for more than half a century. He strongly advises that you must ensure that the bees pose no threat to anybody in the vicinity, nor yourself.

Remember, if you are living in South Africa, you must register as a beekeeper with the Department of Agriculture.

Buying a swarm

The easiest way to get a swarm of bees is to buy it from an existing beekeeper. Before you buy, peek inside the hive to ensure the bees are in good condition and acting like healthy, active bees. Also, make sure that the frames are wired correctly to prevent the bees from criss-cross building the comb. Keeping a clean, clear, stable structure will make your bees happy so they will build correctly on each frame allowing you to inspect frames for honey, the queen’s laying patterns, and disease.

Smoking

Before handling bees, it is necessary to produce smoke to calm them down. A bee smoker is used to puff smoke