As with so many people on the planet I am interested in doing my bit and trying to help the dwindelling bee population and of course to get some lovely honey. I have just started a beginner beekeeping course in London. Actually I have already attended 5 sessions, 4 of which were theory.
So just had my first practical session, what can I say, the experience was great. Seeing a whole colony of bees in front of me with the hive open was amazing.
Obviously I was a bit nerveous, there are a lot of bees in there and was a bit unsure how they or I would react to each other. Luckily I did not run away screaming and flapping my hands :)
The bees were surprisingly gentle even though it was very cold and the colony in question was without queen, poor girls must have been missing their mummy. Anyway got to see how a smoker is used (not as easy as it looks), open a hive, check (read) the combs, see the brood (babies), pollen and honey.
Seeing the different colour of pollen stored next to each other and seeing new bees eating their way out of their comb was quite a site.
Second session next week, cant wait should be another amazing experience.
So just had my first practical session, what can I say, the experience was great. Seeing a whole colony of bees in front of me with the hive open was amazing.
Obviously I was a bit nerveous, there are a lot of bees in there and was a bit unsure how they or I would react to each other. Luckily I did not run away screaming and flapping my hands :)
The bees were surprisingly gentle even though it was very cold and the colony in question was without queen, poor girls must have been missing their mummy. Anyway got to see how a smoker is used (not as easy as it looks), open a hive, check (read) the combs, see the brood (babies), pollen and honey.
Seeing the different colour of pollen stored next to each other and seeing new bees eating their way out of their comb was quite a site.
Second session next week, cant wait should be another amazing experience.
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