Beekeeping 411

Beekeeping is on the rise in the U.S. and the benefits to the beekeeper and the community are numerous. Not only are bees the most important insect pollinator for plants, flowers and crops but the honey they produce is a natural sweetener that contains antioxidants which boost the body's immunity to illness.

Most beekeepers advise beginners to start their hives in the fall. Getting started early will insure that your hives will be ready to reap the benefits of the spring season when the honeybees become active and the pollination process begins. 

Bees get busy on a hive design that will serve as the structure for growing the bee population and producing honey.

Honeybees create hive chambers which house the larvae, the next generation of bees. These cells are known as capped brood. As the eggs hatch, they are fed royal jelly by the worker bees which accelerates their growth to the pupa stage.