Apiculture is simply known as Bee Keeping. Technically, apiculture or beekeeping is the maintenance of honey bees in hives or colonies to produce wax and most importantly honey. Bees are also known as Honey Bees.

Bees can be kept domestically by anyone or by industries cultivating them for their raw materials. Many refer to bees as very risky but it is very profitable and easy to start as well. With the protective covering and safety measures, it is easy to become a beekeeper.

A beekeeper is someone that keeps bees to collect honey, wax and other bees products from the bee yard or apiary.

Importance of Bee keeping or Apiculture

1. Production Of Honey: Honey is a product that is gotten from bees. They are used for different purposes including medicinal and non-medicinal purposes.

2. Income Generation: One of the most important parts of bees is income generation. Products from bees can be sold at wholesale or retail prices. Even many companies can leverage bees to make a favorable income.

3. Provision of Food: Honey is a highly nutritious product from beekeeping. Honey has high level of protein and it supports both body growth and even tissues.

4. Industrial Purposes: Some companies are well known for beekeeping. This beekeeping provides honey which is the basis of their raw materials. They process raw honey from bees into a productive final product for consumers at home.

5. Production of Crops: Bee plays a very important role in multiplying flowers. It takes the charge of the reproduction and pollination of flowers, fruits and seeds.

Also, it helps to reduce the competition that can come up when weeds stay together In a certain place. This means it builds the dispersal of crops. This purpose is very important to farmers and apiculturists.

6. Medicinal Purposes: Honey is a very medicinal product. It strengthens the immune system of the body if it is used appropriately. Fortunately, it has a sweet taste that will be accepted by everyone, even small kids.

You will love this: How To Start Honey Bee Farming Business

Methods Of Bee Keeping or Apiculture

Bees can be kept in two major methods depending on the factors and the tools surrounding them. These methods can be divided mainly into two:

1. Traditional Method: The rearing of Bees have begun a long time ago and there are a lot of issues related to it. Although all these have been upgraded into beekeeping, there are still things that need to be noted in the traditional method of rearing bees.

a. Honey bees are left in their natural colony (home)

b. These colonies can be situated in rocks, trees, logs or caves which are dry because they don’t like wet places

c. These traditional or natural colonies for bees are less protective because wind, rainfall and any other harsh factors can destroy them

d. Later on when the honey is to be harvested from the bees’ colony, it is done with smoke.

e. Although the honey is harvested, the smoke might contaminate the honey. Even this can destroy the bees colonies.

2. Modern Method: The modern method of beekeeping is technically different and it is commonly considered today. The bees fat are reared now are even different in such a way that they have higher yield and can reproduce easily.

These bees are kept in hives or bee spaces that are about 0.4 cm wide so that the bees can have adequate spaces to move about. With wax, bees build their colonies themselves and this makes it extra easy. Later on, when the honey is to be harvested, bees comb is the first place to look forward to.

The combs of bees are full of honey and by extraction with the centrifugal machine, you get high quality and adequate amount of honey. You won’t have to destroy their nest, comb or bee space afterwards. Everything is still the same.

Precautionary Measures For Bee Keeping

Precautions are very important to take note of to avoid the painful stings of bees. These bees can be very difficult to control or rear without these precautionary measures taken care of.

1. Locations Of Hives Far From Human: Hives should be located and built very far from humans. This protects the honey of the bees and also protects the people around them.

2. Wearing Of Protective Clothing: To rear bees you need protection. A beekeeper must go into the hive of the bee with a protective cloth to avoid the sting of the bee.

3. Use Smokers: This helps to calm bees in the hive from the incomplete combustion of fuel.

4. Show warning Signs: Make sure people are aware of a beehive by putting some informative banners close to the nest.