| By :
Val Wilson
You may not know this, but if you are looking for a new activity to exercise the mind and body without spending a fortune, beekeeping might be right up your alley. Provided you don't get to queezy over the thought of a few insects, in no time you could be enjoying your own personal stash of honey, amongst other things. With just a few hundred dollars you can purchase a starter hive and colony and be well on your way. Here is a basic guide on some other things you'll want to know about keeping bees. Before you buy anything, do check with your local government offices and get the scoop on the legalities of beekeeping in your area. While it is widely practiced worldwide, there are a handful of communities which have outlawed the practice for either safety or ecological reasons. If this is the case with you, unfortunately you'll need to wait for a window to open that will allow local backyard keeping. Once you know beekeeping is safe in your neighborhood, you'll first want to scout out the best place to put your hive. There are several factors to take into consideration. To provide the bees with an ample amount of nectar, an area with flowering plants and plenty of vegetation will be optimum - although remember that bees will fly up to 3 miles to forage - a large area! When it comes to the consideration of your neighbors, try to keep the hive out of their view but do inform them that you are going to start keeping bees. A natural water source close by is preferred, but a bird bath or even a fresh pale of water may suffice. After you've surveyed your geography and spotted the best place for your hive then it's time to pick out some bees. Bees can be purchased with the help of a beekeeping association near you. Usually they will have some sample colonies equipped with enough bees to get your feet wet and have you on your way. Don't see any of these associations near you? Believe it or not you can order a batch of these critters right online. They will come from experts in the field and can even be delivered to your home. If your money is just too difficult to part with but you'd still like to give beekeeping a go, it is possible to get a swarm of bees locally - usually for free. Again, your local beekeeping ssociation is the place to start, and you will need help to capture a swarm - it is a job for an experienced beekeeper. Finally, should you truly be serious about keeping bees, grab yourself the most complete beekeeping guidebook you can find to ensure you have some assistance during every step. A good guide to dip in and out of is invaluable for any new beekeeper.
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