Visiting the Apiary

Today I made my first visit to my local beekeeping association's apiary. They were a really friendly and welcoming group who were keen to teach me all about bees and give me hands on experience. 

I would definitely recommend to anyone who is thinking of keeping bees to get in touch with their local association. It seemed that even experienced beekeepers were still encountering new problems and helping each other work out theories on what could be causing them.

The Beehaus seemed to interest a lot of the members, although they do already have one other member who uses one.

It was reassuring to hear that they thought a new beekeeper could manage starting a first hive with a swarm. I will be registering my interest in one and keep my fingers crossed that one will come up near me.

We looked in three of their hives, one was a recent swarm, and the other two were daughter and parent colonies that had been artificially swarmed. We didn't spot any of the queens but did see sealed queen cells in one of the hives.

I'm even more eager to get started with my own bees now, although I am wondering whether to relocate my hive, better to do it now rather than when it's occupied!