Beekeeping for Dummies

Believe it or not, bees are one of the oldest species of domesticated animals. Archeologists have found evidence of beekeeping, or apiculture, in the Middle East dating back more than five thousand years. If you’ve ever tasted good clover honey, it’s not hard to understand why. But it’s not just for the honey that more than 125,000 people (and growing) in the United States, alone, keep hives. Anyone interested in nature can’t help but be fascinated by those buzzing yellow bundles of energy and the exotic world they inhabit, with all its weird rituals and incredible efficiency. Also, dedicated gardeners appreciate the extra bounty that pollinating bees bring to their fruits, flowers, and vegetable gardens.

In this easy-to-follow guide, Howland Blackiston, one of the nation’s most respected authorities on the subject, takes the mystery (and the sting) out of beekeeping. Taking a step-by-step approach to successful backyard beekeeping, he gets you up and running with all the information you need to:

• Build a hive
• Establish your first colony
• Inspect your hives with confidence
• Maintain healthy colonies
• Deal with pests and fix common problems
• Harvest and enjoy fresh homemade honey
• Bottle and market your honey

Howland Blackiston covers all the bases, from bee anatomy, society, and behavior, to identifying and healing common illnesses afflicting bees. He also offers inventive solutions to most common and many uncommon problems you’re likely to run into. Among other things, you’ll discover:

• Where to put your hive, basic equipment you’ll need, and how to assemble a hive
• The best and safest way to inspect and enjoy your bees
• Year-round tasks a beekeeper must perform to maintain a healthy colony
• How to recognize and deal with common problems with brood production and the precious queen
• How to harvest honey and decide what kind of honey you’d like to make
• Making products from beeswax and propolis

For both fun and profit, beekeeping has become a booming enterprise. A real honey of a book, Beekeeping For Dummies gets you on the road to enjoying this ancient, highly-rewarding, and oh-so-tasty hobby.

Beekeeping For Dummies, 2^ndEdition reviews the tools of the trade, including complete instructions for building and maintaining beehives; offers detailed and easy-to-follow guidelines for all phases of honey production--including harvesting, bottling, packaging and marketing your honey; explores theories into the recent unexplained collapse of colonies and its environmental and economic impact on society; and provides new information on mites and diseases and recommend changes in bee medication and treatments.

"The information a beginner needs to keep bees with confidence." Kim Flottum, Bee Culture Magazine "A reader-friendly guide to beekeeping for novices or beginners." Dewey M. Caron, Professor of Entomology, University of Delaware

A honey of a book on an increasingly popular hobby

For both enjoyment and profit, beekeeping has become a booming enterprise. In this easy-to-follow guide, author Howland Blackiston removes the mystery from this pastime, offering inventive solutions to many common — and uncommon dilemmas. Realize the benefits of keeping bees, from aiding the environment to enjoying homemade honey and wax products. For more plain-English advice, see:

The Dummies Way^® Explanations in plain English "Get in , get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

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Howland Blackiston is the president and co-owner of www.beecommerce.com, and a beekeeper with over 20 years experience. He is a well known media advocate for keeping bees.

Foreword.

Introduction.

PART I: Falling in Love with a Bug.

Chapter 1: To Bee or Not to Bee?

Chapter 2: Life Inside the Honey Bee Hive.

PART II: Starting Your Adventure.

Chapter 3: Alleviating Apprehensions and Making Decisions.

Chapter 4: Basic Equipment for Beekeepers.

Chapter 5: Obtaining and Installing Your Bees.

PART III: Time for a Peek.

Chapter 6: Opening Your Hive.

Chapter 7: Knowing What to Look For.

Chapter 8: Different Seasons, Different Activities.

PART IV: Common Problems & Simple Solutions.

Chapter 9: Anticipating and Preventing Potential Problems.

Chapter 10: Diseases and Remedies.

Chapter 11: Honey Bee Pests.

PART V: Sweet Rewards.

Chapter 12: Getting Ready for the Golden Harvest.

Chapter 13: Honey Harvest Day.

PART VI: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 14: Ten Fun Things to Do with Bees.

Chapter 15: Ten Frequently Asked Questions about Bee Behavior.

Chapter 16: My Ten Favorite Honey Recipes.

Appendix A: Helpful Resources.

Appendix B: Beekeeper's Checklist.

Glossary.

Index.