Beekeeping can be a fascinating hobby, a profitable sideline, or a full-time occupation. You may want to keep bees for the delicious fresh honey they pro- duce, for the benefits of their valuable services as pollinators, or perhaps simply for the enjoyment of learning more about one of nature's most interesting insects.
Almost anyone can keep bees. Honey bees normally only sting to defend themselves or their colony; when colonies are handled properly and precautions are taken, stinging is not a major problem. Most beekeepers develop a tolerance for bee venom over time and have reduced sensitivity to pain and swelling. However, the few people who react strongly to bee stings and pollen or who are unable to get over fears of stings should avoid contact with bees.
Most beekeepers in the Mid-Atlantic region are hobbyists. Beekeeping is generally considered a minor industry. However, because of its interrelationship with agriculture and dependency of growers of several commodities on honey bee pollination, beekeeping is much more important than merely the value of the beeswax and honey produced annually.
This manual is all about beekeeping-under- standing honey bee biology, getting started, man- aging bee colonies for fun and/or profit-and is designed to help you become a successful beekeeper. Welcome to the world of beekeeping.
Reviews
"A must have resource for any beekeeper! I've been looking for beekeeping book (that would walk me through from beginning to Pro) for a quiet long time. When I found this book, I thought it was one of the crappy books out there, but no! I was wrong in fact it is the best book on beekeeping, Yes it is, you can check for yourself, if you think I'm lying."----Harry Lane, Backyard Gardening
"Wow! I've never seen a book that simplify beekeeping to this extent"--- Jane H. Robert, Bee farming Instructor
"I wish I had read this book before starting my bee farm, Richard not only make it fun for beginner, he also dealt a lot with the money aspect--- Marketing"--- James Hamilton, Beekeeper
"The best Title for this book is a A-Z of beekeeping"--- Helena Colt, Beekeeper
Abot the Author
RICHARD E BRADSHAW lives to teach people the economic importance of Agriculture. Besides being an expert beekeeper, Richard is a college lecturer, Public speaker and owner of a large farm in Pennsylvania.
