Hive Society: A Recipe for Bees in Your Own Backyard
Whether you live in the city or the country, getting to know these fascinating creatures will bring more benefits than you may expect
Janet Dunn
18 August 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid interior design enthusiast. Ex-restaurateur and caterer, with a Professional Certificate in Gastronomy, University of Adelaide.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Former NZ House&Garden writer and stylist, and avid... More
There’s a crisis in the bee world. With bee numbers dwindling fast, we may soon live in a world without bees. The disappearance of these tiny creatures would have disastrous global effects. Exquisitely efficient and complex, bees are nature’s pollinators, a vital link in the food chain without which our natural ecosystems would fail.
Worldwide, they pollinate a third of all crops. The usual human-related factors – pesticides, habitat decline, diseases, parasites and climate change – are to blame. Thousands of concerned city and country dwellers have become amateur beekeepers, setting up hives on small urban and rural plots, and in cities worldwide, rooftop beekeepers are quietly tending their hives. See how to befriend the small but mighty bee in your area – the rewards are sweet.
Worldwide, they pollinate a third of all crops. The usual human-related factors – pesticides, habitat decline, diseases, parasites and climate change – are to blame. Thousands of concerned city and country dwellers have become amateur beekeepers, setting up hives on small urban and rural plots, and in cities worldwide, rooftop beekeepers are quietly tending their hives. See how to befriend the small but mighty bee in your area – the rewards are sweet.
To bee or not to bee …
Recently, I picked up a well-thumbed book by Gail Anderson-Dargatz called A Recipe for Bees. It’s the story of how beekeeping resurrected a failing marriage and restored a woman’s passion for life. Welcoming these productive and sociable little creatures into your life by establishing a hive or two is full of sweet possibilities, so here is my own recipe for bees.
Recently, I picked up a well-thumbed book by Gail Anderson-Dargatz called A Recipe for Bees. It’s the story of how beekeeping resurrected a failing marriage and restored a woman’s passion for life. Welcoming these productive and sociable little creatures into your life by establishing a hive or two is full of sweet possibilities, so here is my own recipe for bees.
First, You’ll Need …
Registration
Contact your state agricultural authority for up-to-date registration requirements, as regulations vary from state to state. Registration fees are moderate and go towards monitoring hive health, controlling bee diseases and keeping you in the information loop. Hive numbers are regulated according to available space and other factors, like closeness of neighbours, roads and public amenities.
In your state, contact:
NSW: Department of Primary Industries
Queensland: Biosecurity Queensland
Victoria: Department of Agriculture
SA: Biosecurity SA
WA: Department of Agriculture and Food
Tasmania: Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment
ACT: Access Canberra
NT: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
Registration
Contact your state agricultural authority for up-to-date registration requirements, as regulations vary from state to state. Registration fees are moderate and go towards monitoring hive health, controlling bee diseases and keeping you in the information loop. Hive numbers are regulated according to available space and other factors, like closeness of neighbours, roads and public amenities.
In your state, contact:
NSW: Department of Primary Industries
Queensland: Biosecurity Queensland
Victoria: Department of Agriculture
SA: Biosecurity SA
WA: Department of Agriculture and Food
Tasmania: Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment
ACT: Access Canberra
NT: Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries
With urban rooftop beekeeping the new hobby on the block – or rather above it – setting up an approved hive has some extra requirements concerning body corporates and near neighbours. There may be local restrictions, so contact your council before you start. Melbourne City Rooftop Honey and The Urban Beehive in Sydney are useful sources of information.
See more rooftop gardens
See more rooftop gardens
Expert advice
There are now thousands of amateur beekeepers in Australia and many local clubs for sharing information and experience; join one in your area. As a novice, it will be a comfort to have local practical knowledge and assistance, as well as info on sources for equipment and bee supplies.
TIP: Take a one-day beekeeping course. TAFE runs them, as do amateur beekeeping associations, who sometimes also host field days. Online courses are also available; try planthealthaustralia.com.au.
There are now thousands of amateur beekeepers in Australia and many local clubs for sharing information and experience; join one in your area. As a novice, it will be a comfort to have local practical knowledge and assistance, as well as info on sources for equipment and bee supplies.
TIP: Take a one-day beekeeping course. TAFE runs them, as do amateur beekeeping associations, who sometimes also host field days. Online courses are also available; try planthealthaustralia.com.au.
Time
Initially setting up one, two or three hives doesn’t take long. Assembling the hives and equipment takes just a few days. Ongoing care time includes a once-a-fortnight hive inspection in spring and summer. The busiest times are during the initial establishment and spring.
It’s really about keeping an eye on your charges and maintaining their happiness, as no-one wants unhappy bees. There will be quiet times and others when the pace really picks up. The bees do most of the work – you’ll just be monitoring their progress and adjusting their environment when necessary and – hopefully – collecting honey.
Initially setting up one, two or three hives doesn’t take long. Assembling the hives and equipment takes just a few days. Ongoing care time includes a once-a-fortnight hive inspection in spring and summer. The busiest times are during the initial establishment and spring.
It’s really about keeping an eye on your charges and maintaining their happiness, as no-one wants unhappy bees. There will be quiet times and others when the pace really picks up. The bees do most of the work – you’ll just be monitoring their progress and adjusting their environment when necessary and – hopefully – collecting honey.
Money
Costs for basic equipment don’t run into thousands – probably closer to AU$500-700, according to Indira Naidoo, author of The Edible City. This covers essential tools, hives and protective clothing. Like most hobbies, costs can go haywire if you buy every beekeeping device available. Start with a basic kit until you find the need for extra equipment. You may also need to pay a small cost for annual honey sample testing.
TIP: Buy new hives, assembled or in kit form, not used hives that may contain dirt, mould and organisms.
Costs for basic equipment don’t run into thousands – probably closer to AU$500-700, according to Indira Naidoo, author of The Edible City. This covers essential tools, hives and protective clothing. Like most hobbies, costs can go haywire if you buy every beekeeping device available. Start with a basic kit until you find the need for extra equipment. You may also need to pay a small cost for annual honey sample testing.
TIP: Buy new hives, assembled or in kit form, not used hives that may contain dirt, mould and organisms.
Books about bees
Beg, borrow or steal as many books about the gentle and absorbing art of beekeeping as you can, and make them your bedtime reading. Read up on bee lore as well as how-to manuals – you’ll be amazed at the sophistication of bee society and the entertaining legends that pepper its history. A practical and comprehensive book is The Australian Beekeeping Manual by Robert Owen. For a delightful read on bee history, hives and recipes, try Honey: From Hive to Honeypot by Sue Style.
Beg, borrow or steal as many books about the gentle and absorbing art of beekeeping as you can, and make them your bedtime reading. Read up on bee lore as well as how-to manuals – you’ll be amazed at the sophistication of bee society and the entertaining legends that pepper its history. A practical and comprehensive book is The Australian Beekeeping Manual by Robert Owen. For a delightful read on bee history, hives and recipes, try Honey: From Hive to Honeypot by Sue Style.
Neighbourliness
A clean well-managed hive of gentle honeybees is low-risk. But bees are potentially harmful, even deadly, to humans and other animals. Consider your neighbours. If they have children or pets, they may not want busy buzzing neighbours. Whether telling neighbours is mandatory or not, foster goodwill by informing them and dealing promptly with complaints. They may even suggest sharing costs and care – and honey.
A clean well-managed hive of gentle honeybees is low-risk. But bees are potentially harmful, even deadly, to humans and other animals. Consider your neighbours. If they have children or pets, they may not want busy buzzing neighbours. Whether telling neighbours is mandatory or not, foster goodwill by informing them and dealing promptly with complaints. They may even suggest sharing costs and care – and honey.
Bee-attracting plants
Bees exist in a beautifully synergistic ‘chicken or egg’ domain. Bees need flowers need bees. Check out your environs for bee-attracting vegetation within 100 metres and further afield – bees forage in about a 3 to 10 kilometre radius. Plant at least four varieties in the vicinity of the hive.
While bees are attracted to blue, purple and yellow plants, like lavender, borage and yellow grevilleas, they also love herbs (thyme, lemon balm, oregano), a range of fruit trees, and shrubs like native hibiscus, acacia and banksia.
A beginner’s guide to companion planting
Bees exist in a beautifully synergistic ‘chicken or egg’ domain. Bees need flowers need bees. Check out your environs for bee-attracting vegetation within 100 metres and further afield – bees forage in about a 3 to 10 kilometre radius. Plant at least four varieties in the vicinity of the hive.
While bees are attracted to blue, purple and yellow plants, like lavender, borage and yellow grevilleas, they also love herbs (thyme, lemon balm, oregano), a range of fruit trees, and shrubs like native hibiscus, acacia and banksia.
A beginner’s guide to companion planting
Patience
Although bees are busy, they are quite deliberate workers. You’ll need to be the same, able to move quietly and purposefully around the hive. The pace and seasonal rhythm of beekeeping is therapeutic for those who habitually race mindlessly through jobs just to get them done.
Although bees are busy, they are quite deliberate workers. You’ll need to be the same, able to move quietly and purposefully around the hive. The pace and seasonal rhythm of beekeeping is therapeutic for those who habitually race mindlessly through jobs just to get them done.
Immunity to bee stings
As an amateur apiarist, you will inevitably get stung. In a very small minority, bee stings are fatal if serious allergy exists. Skin and blood tests can ascertain the degree of reaction. Most people suffer minor local discomfort, which is eased by removing the sting, applying ice and taking an anti-histamine. Many beekeepers swear that being stung becomes less uncomfortable over time. Protective clothing and sensible behaviour around the hive will minimise stings.
TIP: Myth or fact? Avoid looking like a large brown bear! Beekeeping suits are always white, as bee memory equates big dark shapes with natural predators, like Winnie the Pooh and his hive-robbing ilk.
As an amateur apiarist, you will inevitably get stung. In a very small minority, bee stings are fatal if serious allergy exists. Skin and blood tests can ascertain the degree of reaction. Most people suffer minor local discomfort, which is eased by removing the sting, applying ice and taking an anti-histamine. Many beekeepers swear that being stung becomes less uncomfortable over time. Protective clothing and sensible behaviour around the hive will minimise stings.
TIP: Myth or fact? Avoid looking like a large brown bear! Beekeeping suits are always white, as bee memory equates big dark shapes with natural predators, like Winnie the Pooh and his hive-robbing ilk.
An inquiring mind
“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams,” wrote Henry Thoreau. Curiosity and respect are essential for amateur apiarists. You’ll be getting to know an ancient creature who, throughout history, has been worshipped as sacred, lauded in poetry, depicted on cave walls and used as a symbol of power and prestige. And all this while beavering away producing nutritious, delicious food and living a purposeful life as a member of an incredibly structured community.
“The keeping of bees is like the direction of sunbeams,” wrote Henry Thoreau. Curiosity and respect are essential for amateur apiarists. You’ll be getting to know an ancient creature who, throughout history, has been worshipped as sacred, lauded in poetry, depicted on cave walls and used as a symbol of power and prestige. And all this while beavering away producing nutritious, delicious food and living a purposeful life as a member of an incredibly structured community.
Next Steps …
Buy your bees
September is an ideal time to start a beekeeping hobby, as pollen and nectar supplies are abundant. There are seven species of honeybees and the European honeybee is the most common domestically husbanded bee in Australia. Stingless bees – Austroplebeia and Trigona – may be of interest, as they don’t need to be licensed, but their honey yield is low.
Buy your bees from a supplier as close to you as possible, as there are restrictions on freighting bee colonies over distances. Beekeepers in most states sell nucleus colonies of honeybees with a docile strain of queen, already housed in a hive. This may be an easy option if you are just starting out. Search ‘bees for sale’ online.
Buy your bees
September is an ideal time to start a beekeeping hobby, as pollen and nectar supplies are abundant. There are seven species of honeybees and the European honeybee is the most common domestically husbanded bee in Australia. Stingless bees – Austroplebeia and Trigona – may be of interest, as they don’t need to be licensed, but their honey yield is low.
Buy your bees from a supplier as close to you as possible, as there are restrictions on freighting bee colonies over distances. Beekeepers in most states sell nucleus colonies of honeybees with a docile strain of queen, already housed in a hive. This may be an easy option if you are just starting out. Search ‘bees for sale’ online.
Site the hive
Elementary rules apply to hive siting, but some local conditions may affect optimum placement. Talk to your local beekeeping club. Basically, choose a dry, sunny, north-east facing spot that’s out of the wind, away from human traffic and neighbours’ boundaries, as well as not facing an outside night light. Concrete is a good insect-deterring surface for supporting a hive.
TIP: Pollen-gathering is thirsty work. Provide a water source that supplies moisture but which won’t drown your little ones, like well-soaked sand and gravel around the plants.
Elementary rules apply to hive siting, but some local conditions may affect optimum placement. Talk to your local beekeeping club. Basically, choose a dry, sunny, north-east facing spot that’s out of the wind, away from human traffic and neighbours’ boundaries, as well as not facing an outside night light. Concrete is a good insect-deterring surface for supporting a hive.
TIP: Pollen-gathering is thirsty work. Provide a water source that supplies moisture but which won’t drown your little ones, like well-soaked sand and gravel around the plants.
turnbud
Take it slowly
Consider this advice from The Bee-Master of Warrilow by Tickner Edwardes: “Nothing you can do will ever turn [bees] from their plan for life … the best bee-master is the one who most exactly obeys the orders from the hive.” The seasonal ins and outs, to-ing and fro-ing of beekeeping are complex and you won’t become a beekeeper overnight. Ongoing research and your local amateur club are your best resources – use them every step of the way until your confidence builds.
TIP: Start with one hive until you decide you want to take beekeeping further. Disposal of unwanted hives is quite a nuisance, as it’s illegal to just abandon them.
Consider this advice from The Bee-Master of Warrilow by Tickner Edwardes: “Nothing you can do will ever turn [bees] from their plan for life … the best bee-master is the one who most exactly obeys the orders from the hive.” The seasonal ins and outs, to-ing and fro-ing of beekeeping are complex and you won’t become a beekeeper overnight. Ongoing research and your local amateur club are your best resources – use them every step of the way until your confidence builds.
TIP: Start with one hive until you decide you want to take beekeeping further. Disposal of unwanted hives is quite a nuisance, as it’s illegal to just abandon them.
Keep a diary
Either electronically or on paper, record your observations of your new hive. Note seasonal activities, honey yields, and useful supply and emergency contacts. It will become a blueprint for subsequent years as you settle into your new hobby.
Either electronically or on paper, record your observations of your new hive. Note seasonal activities, honey yields, and useful supply and emergency contacts. It will become a blueprint for subsequent years as you settle into your new hobby.
Go with the flow
And now – hopefully – for the sweet reward. Honey is harvested in the summer months, sometimes up to three times from each hive. Various collection methods are used – you’ll learn about the ‘shake and brush’ method, escape boards, blowers, and extracting honey by spinning.
TIP: Being a hobby beekeeper isn’t about producing commercial quantities. You’ll have plenty for family and friends, but if you want to put it on public sale, it must meet federal safety and labelling laws, and you’ll need legal jars and a specific honey house for extraction and bottling.
And now – hopefully – for the sweet reward. Honey is harvested in the summer months, sometimes up to three times from each hive. Various collection methods are used – you’ll learn about the ‘shake and brush’ method, escape boards, blowers, and extracting honey by spinning.
TIP: Being a hobby beekeeper isn’t about producing commercial quantities. You’ll have plenty for family and friends, but if you want to put it on public sale, it must meet federal safety and labelling laws, and you’ll need legal jars and a specific honey house for extraction and bottling.
Be realistic
If beekeeping isn’t an option in your present circumstances, or you are allergic to stings, you can still do your bit for the bee world. Plant your garden or balcony space with vegetation that provides pollen and nectar for local bees. Alternatively, if you don’t have a suitable hive spot, join a local club and offer your time to observe and care for other people’s hives until the time is right for you to have your own.
The 6 zones of permaculture
If beekeeping isn’t an option in your present circumstances, or you are allergic to stings, you can still do your bit for the bee world. Plant your garden or balcony space with vegetation that provides pollen and nectar for local bees. Alternatively, if you don’t have a suitable hive spot, join a local club and offer your time to observe and care for other people’s hives until the time is right for you to have your own.
The 6 zones of permaculture
And Last …
Cook up a storm
With the jars you’ve been squirrelling away full of your golden harvest, there’s a world of culinary experimentation ahead.
TIP: Whet your appetite with ambrosial Frozen Honey Cream. Beat 3 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, a few drops of vanilla and 1/2 cup of honey (your own of course) until creamy. Lightly fold in 300 millilitres of cream, beaten to soft peaks. Freeze until firm. Scoop or slice and top with a drizzle of honey.
TELL US
Do you have any beekeeping experience? Share it with us in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more outdoor DIY projects
Cook up a storm
With the jars you’ve been squirrelling away full of your golden harvest, there’s a world of culinary experimentation ahead.
TIP: Whet your appetite with ambrosial Frozen Honey Cream. Beat 3 egg yolks, 1 whole egg, a few drops of vanilla and 1/2 cup of honey (your own of course) until creamy. Lightly fold in 300 millilitres of cream, beaten to soft peaks. Freeze until firm. Scoop or slice and top with a drizzle of honey.
TELL US
Do you have any beekeeping experience? Share it with us in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more outdoor DIY projects
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We have a three species of native bee species that visit our garden that I'm aware of - the blue-banded bee, the tiny stingless bee, and occasionally we get a visit from the delightful teddy bear bee. As far as honey bee stings go, I remember a scientist on a bee documentary said that bee toxin is cumulative and everyone has their own immunity threshold. In other words, you may not presently be allergic to bees, but you may become allergic in five or ten stings from now. Would be interested to know if there are any beekeepers or doctors who could confirm this to be true or not.
Having purchased The Australian Native Bee Book - Tim Heard - I am feeling excited and more confident about setting up suitable nesting hives and bee hotels for our native bees.
Great article raising awareness of our bees future! Thank you.