The Most Common Mistakes Beginner Beekeepers Make

Very often we see the situation where beginner beekeepers make common mistakes. This may be the result of many factors. For example, the first and most obvious one is their inexperience, also there is the advice they take from many different experienced beekeepers and they each have their own techniques. Fortunately, this is something that can be crossed successfully. All we need to do is to learn from each other’s mistakes and derive lectures for the future.

Here are some of the most common beginner beekeepers mistakes:

Start with only one colony

The best thing to do is to have at least 2 colonies. This is very good because you will have time to compare the situations and follow the progress of the colonies. If one beehive faces difficulties, you will be able to use the other’s advantages in order to make better the first one. For example, if you lose the queen in one beehive, you can create a new one with the eggs taken from the other beehive. Best of all, this will not take much off your time and you will learn even more. Moreover, when you have two beehives, you can more easily keep them alive. It is very often the case of new beekeepers having only one beehive and losing it in the first year.

Not being properly dressed

Do not look at other more experienced beekeepers who are inspecting their hives without a beekeeper‘s suit on. Even more, it is not that these experienced beekeepers do not get stung by bees. But, the thing is that they know how to manage and keep their bees calm. Also, you cannot expect your bees to behave the same way every time. It does not mean that if they were calm the first time you check them, they will be calm the next time too.

Not only should you wear your suit, but you should also wear it completely and not leave some parts out. Too many stings may take you to the hospital even though you do not have an allergy. However, you should not be afraid and beekeeping should not become some unpleasant thing for you. We are just saying that you should be careful and let yourself get acquainted with your bees.

Placing empty supers/leaving out frames

You should know that your bees will build their combs in whatever space you give them and hereby direct them to build. So, be aware to put all the frames that the beehive is supposed to have. If you leave some empty space the bees will build their comb there and it will all get really messy for you to handle. Also, another mistake that can be made is to put a super to your beehive, without putting in the needed frames. This will be even more difficult to handle, as the bees will start building in all of that empty area, and you will get one not organized space to take care of.

It is a different situation if you plan on putting a feeder inside the empty super, and if you are installing it only for that cause. In this case, do not forget to put a cover on the beehive that will separate the existing beehive from the new super. Additionally, it is not the worst case to put fewer frames inside your beehive as long as you insert them properly and place them evenly distanced from each other. This will provide you with extra manoeuvre space and opportunity to work more freely. But do not exaggerate and do not exclude many frames. For example, if your beehive’s capacity is 10 frames, you can extract one.

Not learning enough

If you are not learning enough about beekeeping, you are missing the best part from it. Many beginner beekeepers make mistakes by being satisfied with the fact that they are going every now and then to see the bees and provide them with some additional food. It is such a shame since nowadays everything is publicly available. You can watch as many videos, read as many articles and learn as much as you like. Bees are incredible creatures and there are so many facts about them that will surprise you!

Not using the tools beekeepers are supposed to use

The most common thing that happens is that beginner beekeepers make the mistakes of underestimating the need of the smoker, for example. We understand that this is mostly because beekeepers think that they are protecting their bees when they are not using their smoker. However, not using it, will cause the opposite effect.

The bees will become defensive, they will attack in order to protect themselves, and when they sting your suit they will die. The things that beginner beekeepers most probably do not know is what does the smoker actually do. So, when you use the smoker, bees think that there is a fire because of the smoke. Because of that, they urge to fly to the honey they have made, take as much as they can. Thus, you can do your job while they are distracted. As you can see, it is only something that will help you and them, so you should always use your smoker.

Choosing a location

Another problem that may appear is the location of the beehives. Please, if possible,  always make sure to put your beehives in a place where there is a lot of sun. Also, consider the surroundings around the beehives. Try to put them somewhere where you will make your work easier. A place where there will not be much traffic and where your bees will have a lot of free and plant-full space.

Taking honey very early

This is also among the common beginner beekeepers mistakes. New beekeepers are often excited about their beekeeping and they want to take honey from the bees as soon as possible. But, if you take the honey very early, you will put your bee colonies in a tough position. They will have to work extra hard to compensate and go through the winter. So, there is a common rule, not to take honey from the bees in the first year you are keeping them. You should let them get stronger. However, this highly depends on the climate in your location. So, do not hesitate to seek advice from more experienced beekeepers around you.