Starting Beekeeping

June 2024

By Leilani Pulsifer

Starting to keep bees can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. There are materials to get, healthy bees to source, mentors to find, not to mention the seemingly never-ending amount of information there is to learn about your bees. We’re here to break it down for you so that you have a good foundation to begin your bee journey.  

Before you go out and start gathering the beekeeping necessities, it is important to do your research and have a good understanding of basic bee biology. We highly recommend enrolling in our Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture course, which will guide you in learning honey bee anatomy, basic physiology, behavior, ecological contributions, the economic importance of bees, and their role in agroecosystems and the environment. 

For more information about what this course offers and how to enrol, click here. 

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The following information lists purely the basics. British Columbia is an amalgamation of many different climates; depending on where your bees are situated, this will play a huge role in determining what your setup looks like. With enough patience and guidance from your beekeeping community, you’ll discover your own preferences and, over time, be able to piece together a bee yard that you and your bees love. 

When Should I Start Beekeeping?

In general, spring is the best time to start beekeeping. This is for several reasons, including: 

  • Better weather. 

    • This is beneficial for your bees, as there is more time for them to forage. 

    • This is beneficial for you because it provides good conditions for you to observe and learn bee biology and behaviors. 

  • Bees have the remainder of the season to establish their colonies. 

  • Abundant floral resources. 

The BC Ministry of Agriculture has created a great guideline for beekeeping in British Columbia. For a breakdown of what a full calendar year of beekeeping looks like, click here. 

What Materials Do I Need?

  • Langstroth Hive: 

Illustration of langstroth hive used for beekeeping in British Columbia, Canada.

Langstroth Hives are the most commonly used hive in British Columbia.

  • Coveralls: light or pastel colors are cooler and do not cause defensive behavior in bees like dark colors do.

  • Bee hat + veil: Well-ventilated hats made from plastic or woven materials. Avoid using cloth or felt as these materials can cause bees to become defensive. 

  • Smoker: Used to calm bees when checking on colonies. The smoke interferes with the bees’ ability to smell alarm pheromones, preventing the colony from entering a state of alarm and acting aggressively towards the beekeeper 

  • Hive tool: Used for various tasks including opening the hive, lifting frames, loosening hive parts, and scraping wax or propolis. 

  • Safety kit. Ensure you have these with you whenever you are in the bee yard: first aid kit, EpiPen, fire extinguisher, and bear horn/spray.

Coveralls. Light or pastel colors are cooler and do not cause defensive behavior in bees like dark colors do.
Bee hat & veil. Well-ventilated hats made from plastic or woven materials. Avoid using cloth or felt as these materials can cause bees to become defensive.
Smoker. Used to calm bees when checking on colonies. The smoke interferes with the bees’ ability to smell alarm pheromones, preventing the colony from entering a state of alarm and acting aggressively towards the beekeeper.
Hive tool. Used for various tasks including opening the hive, lifting frames, loosening hive parts, and scraping wax or propolis.

Where Do I Learn More?

  • For more information on honey bee anatomy, basic physiology, behavior, ecological contributions, and the importance of bees and their role in agroecosystems and the environment, enrol in our course: An Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture. 

  • For those studying bees and apiculture and wanting to understand bee basics without needing a background in biology, check out Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping by Dewey M. Caron and Lawrence John Connor. 

  • From seasonal management to honey bee health and honey crops, Beekeeping in Western Canada by John Gruszka and Rob Currie provides information for new and experienced beekeepers on how to manage honey bees. 

  • From how honey was first hunted to how bees began being kept in handmade hives, explore the history of beekeeping on a global scale in The World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting by Eva Crane. 

How Do I get Involved In My Beekeeping Community?

It’s extremely beneficial to get involved in your beekeeping community. Not only is it a wealth of knowledge from beekeepers experiencing similar conditions to you, but it’s a great way to hear about workshops and events happening near you. To find your local club and register to join, click here.

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We hope this brief overview has given you some practical steps to take to get started on your bee journey. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by emailing info@ttp-bchpa.ca or by sending us a direct message on Facebook (@British Columbia Tech Transfer Program) or Instagram (@BC_TTP).