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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How Do I Get Started in Beekeeping?
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Events and Activities on Beekeeping, Wild Pollinators and Biodiversity Bee Together organises events and activities on beekeeping, wild pollinators and biodiversity. You can find our current events listed here. If you wish, you can join our mailing list to be informed of our events and activities. Bee Together is on facebook where you can post interesting articles on honeybees, wild bees, pollinators and biodiversity.
How much time does it take to keep bees? Beekeeping is a seasonal hobby, so the time you spend with your bees varies depending on the season. In winter there is very little to do other than check your hives for weather-related damage and ensure there is no snow blocking the entrances. In the winter, you should also check for disturbance by animals. Beekeepers clean and prepare their equipment in the winter for the upcoming spring. The busiest time is in the early summer when the nectar is flowing. Most beekeepers will check their hives weekly to see if their bees are preparing to swarm and to provide them with more room (for brood or for honey). With practice, this doesn’t take long.
Is beekeeping hard work? Beehives full of bees and honey are heavy, so, beekeeping does require some strength. But people of all ages and abilities keep bees.
Why start beekeeping? Before you start keeping bees, you should reflect on why you want to have bees. Is your primary interest to respect the bees? Is it to have honey? This document on bee-friendly or beekeeper-friendly and this document on organic beekeeping may give you some food for thought.
What equipment do I need to start keeping bees? Now that you have given some thought on your objectives and reasons for keeping bees, you can now consider which type of hive system you want. Some hive systems are described here. Suppliers of bees and equipment in Luxembourg are listed here. As a beginner, you may think you only want one hive. But it is best to have two (to reduce your risk of loss). And to keep two hives with bees, you should have three hives so you have extra parts when you need them. The day you realize your bees want to swarm is NOT the day to order an extra hive. In addition, while frames sizes will be consistent within a beehive system, you will find that different suppliers produce slightly different size boxes: the best advice is to buy your hives from the same source so everything is easily interchangeable. You will want a hive tool, a bee brush, and maybe a smoker. As a member of the Luxembourg Canton Beekeepers' Club (LCBC), you will have access to an equipped honey extraction room (there is a cost, but it may be more economical if you have a few hives).
Do I need a beekeeper suit? As a beginner, you may feel more comfortable with some sort of sting protection. Even mellow bees can be cranky sometimes depending on the weather or what you are doing to them. It is a good idea to invest in a veil to protect your head and face. Some people like to use gloves. Others just use a light colored jacket with pockets.
How much honey will I get? That depends on the strength of the colony, the weather and the nectar flow. Every year is different.
Will I get stung? Yes.
What do I do if I get stung? If you are holding a frame of bees, DON’T DROP IT! Stay calm and remove the stinger as quickly as possible by scraping it off with your fingernail or the edge of your hive tool. Don’t grab the bulb of the stinger and pull because this squeezes all of the venom into your body (ouch!).
If I swell when stung, does this mean I am allergic? No. Swelling is your body’s immune system at work. Some people experience swelling, others don’t. If you have trouble breathing, call 112 immediately. Consider asking your doctor for a prescription for an EpiPen. Note that if you use an EpiPen, you still must receive medical attention immediately. EpiPens have a relatively short shelf life, and must be kept at room temperature (and not in your hot car). As a beginner, it is probably a good idea to always tell someone when you visit your bees or, better yet, take someone with you.
What races of bees are there? There are some 44 sub-species of the honeybee of which about 10 are native to Europe. The number of sub-species available in Luxembourg is quite limited. If you intend to buy a bee colony in Luxembourg, you might want to work this way - find out who can supply bees on the frames that you have chosen (e.g. Dadant-Blatt); - find out what races of bees they sell; and - choose the race of bee based by researching the bees that are available.
Where can I buy bees in Luxembourg? Here is a link to a list of local suppliers. You might also acquire bees from other beekeepers or, if you are lucky, you might catch a swarm.
Can I keep bees in my garden or on my land? Yes, but with certain considerations. Your hive must be at least 10m from your neighbours' property line or you must have a 2m fence or hedge (this encourages bees to fly up and away as they exit the hive). Don’t aim the hive entrance towards areas where people and pets tend to be. Develop good relations with your neighbours (honey always helps sweeten the mood) because if your neighbours are unhappy, you might have to move your bees. If you have a large garden, it is possible that no one will even know your bees are there. More information can be found here.
If I can’t keep my bees in my own garden, where can I put a hive? There are many places in Luxembourg that welcome beehives. Your commune might be able to help. Consider joining LCBC: members often hear about places to keep bees through the beekeeper grapevine. The nature and environment association, natur&ëmwelt, may be able to help (please contact us). Alternatively ask your friends through social media; you might be surprised how many people are happy to host your bees.
How do I join a beekeeping club in Luxembourg? The Beieveräin Kanton Luxemburg (Luxembourg Canton Beekeepers' Club, LCBC) likely has the majority of English-speaking beekeepers in the country. For information on the benefits and to become a member of the beekeepers' club, please consult this document. One of the benefits of being a member is receiving their monthly beekeeping magazine in German. For example, here is June 2016’s edition.
How do I meet other beekeepers? Join Bee Together’s Facebook page and the LCBC.
Beekeeping Theory Courses in English The slides and other supporting documents related to the beekeeping theory courses that were held in English in Luxembourg between November 2015 and April 2016 can be found here. A library of our favourite references on the beekeeping subject can be found here. If you are interested in the attending the next beekeeping theory courses in English, please contact the Fédération des Unions d'Apiculteurs du Luxembourg’s (FUAL’s) beekeeping consultant, Andreas Reichart, +352 671 88 21 17, [email protected]. Note that he prefers to be called.
Practical Sessions (working with bees with a beekeeper) The following practical sessions will be offered in spring and summer 2016: With Bee Together at dates and times depending on the weather in Hollerich and Syren areas on Deutsch Normal, Dadant-Blatt and Warré top bar hives. Les séances en français pourraient être organisées sur demande. With SIAS from 2:00pm to 4:30pm on every second Saturday in the Oberanven area on Dadant-US hives. The dates in 2016 are: 11 June; 25 June; 09 July; and 23 July. Please contact Marc THIEL [email protected] With the Fédération des Unions d'Apiculteurs du Luxembourg (FUAL) and Beieveräin Kanton Luxemburg (Luxembourg Canton Beekeepers' Club, LCBC) at lunch time in the Neudorf / Kirchberg area on Langstroth hives. Please contact Hubert von Dewitz [email protected] to obtain the dates and times. You may need to become a member of the Club (see the relevant section on membership in this document).
Suggested Resources You can find a list of some resources, references, books and videos here.
Any other questions? If you have any additional questions, please contact us.
