Beekeeping Basics
Beekeeping is called apiculture, derived from the Latin word “apis”, meaning bee. It refers to raising honey bees in man-made hives.
Bee Types in a Hive
There are three kinds of bees in a hive – Queen, Worker, and Drone. The Queen bee lays eggs and communicates with scent called pheromones.
Female Bees and Apiaries
Female bees are called workers, and a bee farm is known as an apiary. It is where bee colonies, hives, and equipment are located.
Beekeeper’s Equipment
A starter kit for a beekeeper includes a bee suit, gloves, veil, smoker, hive tool, and brushes for safety and hive handling.
Beekeeping Terminology
An apiary is a place where bees are kept, managed, and honey is produced. A beekeeper is a person who keeps honey bees.
Colony and Bee Worker
A colony of bees is called a beehive or bee yard. A drone is a male honey bee without a stinger.
Bee Jobs
Bees have different roles to care for the colony, such as worker bees progressing through various hive jobs.
Official Terms and Certifications
Melittology encompasses bee biology and behavior. Cornell offers a Master Beekeeping Certificate. Urban beekeeping supports ecosystems.
Apiculture Overview
Apiculture involves bee cultivation and the collection of honey and hive products. An apiary or "bee yard" has hives for beekeeping.
Importance of Beekeeping
Beekeeping supports the environment by providing safe places for bees to live and breed. Beekeepers play a crucial role in managing colonies properly for health and productivity.