When Nick Hoefly became a fresh homeowner , he set his sights on starting “ something like a garden in my bantam urban center K or on my ceiling . ” After batting around some ideas with a ally , the possibility of bees come up .
“ It was kind of an abstract matter that I did n’t really call up was potential , ” says Hoefly , who ’s base in Queens , New York City .
After Hoefly chanced across the crowdfundedFlow Hive — which introduced a new hive blueprint — he began proceed bees as a hobby . The interest quickly blossom intoAstor Apiaries , an urban beekeeping speculation center on produce raw love and beeswax sourced from bees all around New York City .
We spoke to Hoefly about the dynamics of urban beekeeping and how to turn your passion into your business . He also revealed how he uses a special bee vacuum during hive rescue mission .
Becoming a Good Beekeeping Neighbor
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Hoefly say that the skill need for urban apiculture are similar to those used in more rural setting . But there are a few consideration that come with tending to a hive on a rooftop or cramped back yard — not least being a good neighbor in high - density surroundings .
“ Urban hives are in comparatively close proximity with neighbors and the cosmopolitan public , ” he excuse . “ This intend we demand to be more vigilant in managing hive to avoid swarms and other behaviors that may do affright for neighbor . ”
take “ 6 Fascinating Ways Honeybees Communicate . ”
The Pros and Cons of Rooftop Beekeeping
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Hive location is key when it comes to urban apiculture . rooftop are a popular pick , but Hoefly admonish that one of the drawbacks is the “ risk of exposure of falling ” when you ’re up on a roof or perched on a ladder .
“ There ’s also the fact that beehive boxes coming off a cap are more often than not much heavier than when they went up , ” he adds . “ Honey is heavy and can dumbfound a serious danger if you have n’t think about how you ’re go to get it back down to the solid ground . ”
On the positive side , a rooftop hive location avoids dealing with “ many of the pests that can waste hives in the state ” and ascertain there are “ no worries about turgid vulture likebearsand skunk . ”
Hoefly adds , “ We also have little to nosmall hive beetle , which take to leave the hive as larva and pupate in the ground . They then climb back into the beehive and make a mess . They are not able to do that on the caoutchouc of the roof . ”
Inside a Bee Rescue Mission
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Along with run Astor Apiaries on a day - to - day basis , Hoefly often ship on bee rescue missions . These can take several forms , with swarm catching being the most common .
“ collect a swarm involves containing a dependency of bees who are actively looking for a novel household , ” say Hoefly . “ If we provide them a suitable home — like a hive box with comb — it ’s a passably easy procedure .
“ The winder is to get the queen into the boxwood and then await . Her pheromone will drag the rest of the swarm to her location . It ’s still an unbelievable sight for me to watch grand of bees march into a beehive box to join their faggot . ”
Learn how you , too , can capture a Apis mellifera swarm .
Bring out the Bee Vac!
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For more difficult bee rescue missions — such as where the hive might be nestled in a location that makes it unmanageable to situate the queen regnant — Hoefly likes to ruin out “ a low - powered vacuity called a bee vac and literally blow up all the bee into a pail or box seat . ”
He admits the manoeuvre might “ vocalize approximative , ” but he adds that using a bee vac “ allows us to quickly and gently remove the bees and get them into a safer location . ” After that , the colonies are established at one of Astor Apiaries ’s beeyards around the city .
Getting Involved with Beekeeping
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“ Beekeeping is an fantastically rewarding hobby , ” says Hoefly . “ It ’s not for everyone and require a serious commitment , both financially in the beginning and in learning over the full life-time of your hobby . So I always advocate that people test out the body of water before they jump in .
“ Take a class or even a full course , [ and ] see if you may find any opportunities to natter a hive or shadow a beekeeper . Even if you do n’t have bees , link up your local beekeeping order and attend coming together . ”
If you decide to enroll in the beekeeping rank , Hoefly advises getting to know a beekeeper or two who can provide mentorship .
“ It ’s gentle to make costly mistakes in the beginning , and a wise man can steer you around those tripping points , ” he says . “ Beekeeping is not a by-line to start lightly . But if you retrieve it to be a passion , you will not be disappointed . ”
