How to start a backyard hive
With spring just around the corner, it's the perfect time for new beekeepers to start a hive. Spring is the season of growth for honey bee colonies, as nectar and pollen become plentiful. The queen starts laying thousands of eggs each day, and the colony's population expands rapidly. If you’ve been thinking about starting a hive, this is the time to jump in!
How to Get Your Bees
There are three main ways to get bees for your hive: buy a package of bees, buy a nucleus colony (nuc), or catch a swarm. Let’s break down each option:
Buying a Package of Bees: A package of bees typically contains 3 pounds of bees (around 10,000 bees) that have been collected from various colonies and placed in a box with a mesh screen. The package includes a mated queen in a separate cage. However, this queen usually isn’t related to the other bees in the box—she’s introduced after the bees are shaken into the package. Most packages also come with a canister of sugar syrup to keep the bees nourished during transport.
A package of honey bees
Buying a Nucleus Colony (Nuc): A nucleus colony, or "nuc," is essentially a mini-colony with 4-5 frames of brood, honey, nectar, pollen, and bees, along with a queen who is already familiar with the colony. A nuc is often in a better position to build up quickly, as it already has some resources, drawn wax, and developing brood. This gives the colony a head start compared to a package of bees, which has to build everything from scratch. You can purchase nucs or packages from beekeepers, farm stores, or even have them shipped directly to your home.
A 5-frame nuc
Catching a Swarm: The third and most thrilling way to start a hive is by catching a swarm. Swarming season is just starting in the greater Bay Area, and I’ve already caught my first swarm this season in Aptos! To catch a swarm, you need to be in the right place at the right time and be prepared. Depending on where the swarm lands, you may need a ladder, branch cutters, and definitely a box or container to capture the bees.
Once you successfully catch a swarm and bring it back to your hive, you’re essentially starting out with a package of bees. Be sure to feed the swarm sugar syrup to help them get established and start drawing wax.
Cole catching a honey bee swarm.
Luring a Swarm to Your Hive
Another option for obtaining bees is to bait a swarm into your existing hive equipment. You can purchase a special vial of queen pheromone from a beekeeping supply company or try a DIY method using lemongrass essential oil. Apply a few drops of lemongrass oil on a paper towel or cotton ball and place it in your hive. Lemongrass mimics the queen pheromone, and many beekeepers have had success using it to lure swarms.
No matter how you choose to start your hive—whether by buying bees or catching a swarm—spring is the perfect time to dive into beekeeping. Each method has its unique challenges and rewards, so choose the one that excites you most and get ready for an amazing season with your bees!