Beekeeping for Dummies

"Beekeeping For Dummies" by Howland BlackistonBook Review by Jay GilbertsonThough I would hardly suggest that if you are indeed a beekeeper, that you're a dummy, for me this wonderful book was just the right place to begin a new (and really sticky) hobby. Since author Howland Blackiston has been an actual beekeeper for over 20 years, I felt that alone was enough proof that the guy knows his bees. Boy does he! The layout of this particular beekeeping guide was the real deal-clincher when trying to find the one-and-only. There's an enormous collection to choose from and since this is truly my first stab at beekeeping, this book laid out a practical foundation. Blackiston takes you through the process from picking up your bees, to setting up a bee apiary (or bee yard), observing your hive from spring through summer, to fall honey harvesting and wintertime's slumber. Of course, Blackiston reminds you, that though the bees rarely leave the hive in the winter, the worker bees are working like crazy to keep the queen warm and make sure her every need is met. One of the many great surprises about Blackiston's approach was that throughout the book he tosses in a great deal of history as well as oodles of useful hints and advice from just where to put your hive, to different methods of harvesting honey, to properly tucking in your hive(s) for winter. Some of the more interesting facts are that beekeeping has been around for at least 5 thousand years, yet not until October 30, 1851 did the actual practice of beekeeping become a more standardized, and thus teachable, trade/hobby due to a fellow named Langstroth. Reverend Landstroth was the one responsible for devising the interchangeable hives that are still in use today. As with any all-inclusive guide such as this, there are a few things that disappointed. The main issue I have is that Blackiston doesn't suggest many alternatives to drugs for disease management. I have always been leery of jumping on the medication train especially since I have learned (from local Beekeeping expert; Bee-Bob-Wright) that there are some really successful techniques available. Such as using powdered sugar to rid your bees of the pesky Varroa Mites instead of the more aggressive approach using chemicals such as fluvalinate or coumaphos. With names like that, wouldn't you be a bit apprehensive seeing as everything that goes into your hive, ends up in the honey? One aspect of beekeeping that Blackiston does really hammer home is the need for more of us (hint, hint) to consider becoming beekeepers. The reason we need more hives is the mysterious onset of the yet-to-be solved issue of CCD or Colony Collapse Disorder. In short, CCD is the strange phenomenon of an entire hive of bees simply--one day for no apparent reason--disappearing. A literal army of apiculture extension specialists, researchers, and government officials has come together to work on CCD.Here are some numbers to consider as to how dang important bees are to us as gardeners and farmers:* Apple tree without bees--25 apples/tree--with honey bees--1,200 apples* Alfalfa without bees--62 lbs. seed/acre--with honey bees--220 lbs. seed/acreBeekeeping isn't just for dummies, and I don't know about you, but I can't imagine a summer without them.For more information on CCD research: [...] or [...]Wisconsin Bee-formation: [...]

"Beekeeping for Dummies" by Howland Blackiston is an excellent resource for the beginner. I am an aspiring beekeeper in Florida and recently ordered my first hive and package of bees -- they'll arrive later this spring. I knew absolutely nothing about bees or beekeeping, and have no mentor to provide tutorials or support. I watched hours of beekeeping videos on the internet which gave me a decent feel for the hobby, but I needed a comprehensive text to learn many of the fine points. After reading Amazon reviews for many beekeeping how-to guides, I settled on two: this one and "The Complete Step-by-Step Book of Beekeeping" by David Cramp (I reviewed that book separately).In my opinion, Blackiston's "Dummies" is wonderfully easy to read and contains the correct amount of detail without bogging down in esoterica. For example, I learned that a poultry watering device with pebbles in the water (to keep bees from falling in and drowning) will provide a necessary source of water. Alternatively, his watering pail with styrofoam "pebbles" is ingenious. The book is packed with similar sparkling tidbits, e.g.: 1) honey supers are put on the hive about eight weeks after you first install your bees and, in the second year, honey supers are placed on the hive when the first spring flowers start to bloom; 2) use special spacers along the frame rails to space out 9 honey frames equally instead of 10 (the little extra space between frames allows the bees to draw the comb much deeper resulting in more honey in nine frames than there would have been in ten); and 3) dust hands with baby powder before inspections because bees seem to like the smell and it helps keep hands clean. There are wonderfully detailed instructions on how to install your first package of bees in the hive. The "7/10 Rule" is quite helpful, i.e. when 7 of the 10 first deep frames are drawn into comb, add a second deep; when 7 out of 10 of those are drawn into comb, add a honey super; and when 7 of those 10 are drawn into comb, add a second honey super.The book is packed with such practical advice. There are step-by-step recipes for making various supplemental syrups, photos of normal and diseased hives, how to open a hive, and how to rotate a frame in hand during inspection. There's an informative summary table entitled "Beekeeping Calendar" that lists monthly activities according to climate zone (check food reserves, feed colony if capped honey is low, reverse hive bodies, feed a pollen substitute, medicate for AFB, EFB, and nosema, etc.). I live in the warmest Zone D, and was surprised by how different -- and often unexpected -- Zone D recommended activities are compared to the other three zones in the United States.This book is written in a crisp, engaging, very informative style and is illustrated with excellent photos and drawings. Highly recommended for the neophyte.

I recently killed hundreds of bees under my workshed because they had build a hive under it through an airway. Couldn't have that now, could I....Still some survived and clustered around an aparant queenless colony wondering what next, on my rooftop. I called a beekeeper and he came and scooped them up into his portable hive and chastised me for such ignorant behavior...And he is a priest to boot.Right then and then, I became a bee advocate. I'm sure I don't need to launch into the rapidly decreasing numbers of honeybees today, since if you're reading this, you already probably know. But being a newly baptized advocate and a physicist as well, I therefore suffer from both ignorance and arrogance. So what better book than "Beekeeping for Dummies".A. very informative ---- all new to me and dusted with a touch of humor...the author has been aroundB. Often repeats himself from Chapter to Chapter and not sure why unless he knows I'm ignorant or he just plain forgets..Thus a 4 .C. I crosschecked a lot of his info with real live beekeepers, and tadaa...he's right onD. So should you buy the book? Yes...And if you can wait three months for a less than novice OPINION,,, I would recommend it.. I now have new bees, new queen, and a whole new set of problems with the dog, and the sun, and fiercely protective girls..By the way, learn how to use your smoker ...it's a great tool but not a whole bunch of info as to temp, and amount and what to burn and how to burn it....also not a g reat deal in this book on it..If you are a pure academic and don't plan to raise bees, just talk about them as if you knew everything, this probably isn't the book for you

This is an excellent book for both new beekeepers and others already keeping bees. The information is easy to follow. Book is laid out in a format that leads you from basic information to more detailed situations such that you get immersed in the contents any enjoy it. Hard to set the book down. Great material for a reference as technical information is easy to find and understand.

Great Book on Beekeeping

I bought this book prior to me starting bee keeping. It's a wealth of information and has enabled me to collect over 90 kg of honey in my first season. It's a great source of information for anyone starting out into beekeeping and one I keep with me always. It is designed for the USA market but with other publications available for your own country it doesn't really make any problems. The information is great for anyone starting out. A good book to have in your library for day to day running of a hive and the equipment needed. The recipes are yummy too! Thanks.

Une bonne livre qui touchent à toutes les sujets principales autour des abeilles. Dommage qu'il n'y a pas de référence aux fournisseurs Européans, (uniquement des fournisseurs des Etats Unis).

Ich habe in diesem Jahr mit der Bienenhaltung begonnen. Auf der Suche nach einem umfassenden und einfach verständlichem Buch bin ich auf diese - leider nur in englisch erhaltbare Version - "Bienenhaltung für Dummies" gestossen.Es enthält alles, was man für den Anfang wissen muss und ist leicht verständlich. Zudem versteht es der Autor, zu begeistern. Ich empfinde es als umfangreicher als die Bücher, die ich im deutschsprachigen Raum erhalten kann.Also, wer es sich zutraut ein wenig in englisch zu schmökern - unbedingt kaufen!