| Our hunter-gatherer ancestors collected honey from | | | | cottage would have. This keeps rainfall out of the hive. |
| wild beehives they chanced upon. The hive was | | | | Determining the size of hive to construct for your |
| routinely completely destroyed and rendered useless. | | | | colony is a subject of conditions. Bees will continue to |
| The bee colony would've no other choice but to build | | | | reside in their hive year round but will require security |
| again in a different spot. | | | | from extremes. In frigid weather climates, what are |
| Bee Colonies Contain Thousands of Individual Bees. | | | | known as double-deep boxes are used. In other areas, |
| This rough treatment of the hive and comb also | | | | a single box unit works all right. The key is to assure |
| resulted in the honey being full of contaminates. But, | | | | your bees are comfy in their home. |
| there was no grounds to worry since they didn't need | | | | Apiaries House Groupings of Hives Comprising Several |
| to keep the honey for long periods. They consumed | | | | Colonies. |
| what they gleaned and they simply raided another hive | | | | In some cases, several groups of bees and their hives |
| and got some more. | | | | are live in what's called a bee house. This is an open |
| Early attempts at collecting the honey from local | | | | construction that assists as protection and shade from |
| beehives were not much better. Fixed frame beehives | | | | the elements. Several hundred of colonies are kept at |
| were generally used, this meaning that the complete | | | | commercial apiaries, while a home apiary may have |
| hive was sunk to get the honey. | | | | only a just a few. |
| After the comb was pulled from the hive, it was | | | | With a good apiary plan, a beekeeper can comfortably |
| completely crushed and the honey extracted. This | | | | set up his own apiary to the size he calls for. |
| demolished the larva and eggs of the bees and left | | | | Groups of hives are also maintained in natural settings |
| the beekeeper with contaminated honey. Purification of | | | | such as alongside a flower-laden meadow or |
| the honey was only fairly effective and didn't keep | | | | agriculture field. Groves of standing timber or the edge |
| well for long periods. | | | | of woodland around wild flower fields make the best |
| The biggest trouble with this type of beekeeping idea | | | | natural apiaries. They afford shade and security as |
| is that the entire colony is destroyed come harvest | | | | well as a nearby food source. Bees need to rehydrate |
| time. Obviously, the entire operation had to be started | | | | and having a pool or other body of water close is a |
| all over again. Hives would need to be built again, and a | | | | must. |
| new colony of bees had to be found and inserted. | | | | One consideration for where the hive is located, is the |
| Honey simply could not be delivered on a fixed basis, it | | | | honey you wish to produce. Bees that feed off of |
| was too ineffectual. | | | | flowers such as clover produce pale colored, mild |
| The discovery of the top bar beehive by Langstroth in | | | | flavored honey. In contrast, bees feeding from plants |
| the middle of the 1800's was just what apiculturists | | | | such as buckwheat give rise to a very dark honey. |
| needed. This gentleman truly changed everything in the | | | | This dark honey is exceedingly potent in flavor and is |
| apiculture world. His advanced plans granted for a top | | | | said to contain a lot more antioxidants. |
| access and removable frames. Not only did this allow | | | | Once set up in the hive, the bees can go to work for |
| for easier removal of the honey, but the colony and | | | | you. Sure, they will be producing golden honey and |
| hive would not be wiped out. | | | | bees wax nearly constantly, however they can |
| Entire Colonies Are Maintained In Man-Made Hives. | | | | accomplish even more. Many beekeepers pack up |
| In addition, Langstroth's hive afford the beekeeper to | | | | their hives and lease them out to farmers for |
| inspect the colony. At last, beekeepers could reduce | | | | pollination. |
| parasites and diseases in the hive. Honey production | | | | Bees are a necessity to pollinate about 50% of the |
| and hardiness of the colony both increased | | | | food that we consume. These dynamic tiny creatures |
| dramatically. | | | | ensure the farmers crop produces food that he can |
| Apiarists could now maintain a steady supply of honey | | | | harvest. Meanwhile, the bees get a free meal that they |
| in lieu of the sporadic production of the past. The | | | | turn into combs full of rich, golden honey. It's a near |
| caliber and purity of the honey that was harvested | | | | ideal partnership between mankind and nature. |
| accelerated as well. | | | | Honey collection has come a long way since our early |
| That basic beehive innovation is still being used in | | | | ancestors first raided a beehive. Today, beekeepers |
| approximately 75% of beekeeping operations around | | | | are well stocked and have more understanding of |
| the world. Regionally, the hives may appear different, | | | | bees and their natural habitat. That really means that |
| but the idea is the same. One such variant is called a | | | | nearly anyone can raise bees now and produce |
| bar and frame beehive. It has a slanted roof like a | | | | honey, beeswax or cater bees to other beekeepers. |