CONSIDERATIONS
Honey bees are fascinating, and beekeeping is an intellectually rewarding hobby. MCBA and other area clubs provide a warm, helpful community that meets online, in-person, and in our email Forum. While there are many reasons to begin keeping bees, several misconceptions often lead to new beekeepers quitting in their first 3 years:
| MISCONCEPTIONS | REALITY |
| I want to help save honey bees through beekeeping. | Keeping honey bees does not 'save' bees, just like keeping chickens does not 'save' birds. The most helpful things you can do to help honey bees and native bees is to grow more plants known to provide food (nectar and pollen) to bees, and to not use pesticides, including not hiring Mosquito Joe type companies. |
| Beekeeping is a low effort hobby. | Beekeeping involves heavy lifting and weekly time commitments in spring, summer, and fall. |
| I'll take a beginning beekeeping course and will be good to go. | A beginning beekeeping course provides an overview of topics, which you will be studying for years to come. Successful beekeepers with decades of learning and experience still seek continuing education opportunities to keep their bees alive. |
| Beekeeping is cheap and I want free honey. | An investment of around $800 can get you started, but there are ongoing costs of equipment, food, pest treatments (every colony in the US is fighting ectoparasites and requires action to survive), and more. |
RECORDED PRESENTATION: IS BEEKEEPING RIGHT FOR YOU?
STEPS TO LEARN BEEKEEPING
- JOIN MCBA's beekeeping community before taking the class
Attend MCBA''s monthly lectures and other opportunities where experts present vital info and experienced beekeepers answer newer beekeeper's questions.- JOIN MCBA's email Forum. Listening in on beekeeper conversations will expose you to beekeeping concerns and solutions.
- ENROLL in beekeeping classes. MCBA and other clubs in our area offer beginning beekeeping classes annually in February, and more advanced classes throughout the year. Announcements are posted on the MCBA website and Forum. While you wait to enroll in an MCBA class, Penn State University Extension Service offers at-your-own-pace online beekeeping classes.
- MCBA periodically offers a hands-on experience in the club apiary. Information is posted on the MCBA website and on the MCBA Forum.