In a way, local beekeeping can be an extension of the mantra: think globally, act locally. Even before filming Call of the Honeybee about an entomologist who works with bees, and is attempting to breed more disease resistant queens, I found myself drawn to bees, their wonderful honey, and their precarious plight in recent years. So, learning more about urban agriculture that includes beekeeping basics feels like a good thing to learn how to do.
I attended a Tour de Hive – a local tour of backyard beekeepers – and learned about different types of hives. Langstroth, top-bar, and Warré are what are being widely used. But there’s much more to beekeeping than just the hive. First, there are certain considerations to take into account, such as can I raise bees where I live? Different municipalities have different codes and permits for this. It’s best to check with your local City Hall or county office.
Once you discover whether or not you can raise bees, there are some other considerations to take into account such as where would be the best place to put the hive, sun and wind considerations, and making sure there is a water source nearby.
Glen Andresen has been a beekeeper for 20 years and teaches beekeeping in the Portland Metro area. He has a number of hives in his urban backyard, and also several off-site as well. In this video he discusses the basics of beekeeping, and discusses a number of items that ought to be considered before purchasing hives, bees, and other equipment.