Bee Keeping training |APICULTURE
- BeyondForest
- Jun 3, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
An Image of Morgan freeman beekeeping by call to activism on twitter
Equipment & Setup (What to Buy and Why)
Management, Health & Project Notes
Economics: Profitability, Markets & Grants
Products & Value Addition
Training, Courses & Networks around Bees
FAQ About Bee Training -Apiculture
Challenges of Beekeeping in Kenya
In terms of who Lives in a colony there is the Queen Bee, there is the worker Bee and there is the Drone .
Image of a Langstroth beehive by kirimiri bee keepers in Embu
A Langstroth hive is a vertically modular beehive that has the key features of vertically hung frames, a bottom board with entrance for the bees, boxes containing frames for brood and honey and top cap to provide weather protection -kirimiri bee keepers
Bees have two stomachs—one for eating and the other for storing nectar, which they transform into honey, also known as "piq."
Beekeeping is the management of honeybee colonies for pollination and hive products—honey, beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly. In Kenya, most beginners succeed with movable-comb hives Langstroth or Kenyan Top-Bar (KTBH) because they allow inspections, gentle harvesting, and disease control. A colony has one queen (egg-layer), thousands of workers (forage, nurse, build comb), and seasonal drones (mate). Your job is to give bees a safe site, adequate space during nectar flows, and support during dearths.
NO Farmers, No Food
NO BEES, No Farmers
Image of an Illustration of bee life cycle in honeycomb by Debbie Hindes Beatty
acacia, eucalyptus, croton, citrus, sunflower, and diverse shrubs/trees within ~2 km boost yields.
Place hives in light shade, sheltered from wind, with clean water nearby; face entrances east/southeast; elevate on stands with ant barriers; strap lids against storms and honey badgers; keep 30–50 m from paths and livestock.
The Queen Bee is one queen in the hive. The Job of the Queen Bee is to Lay eggs and preside over the hive
The Worker Bee are all Female. Their role is to collect food and water and care for the Larvae and Guard the hive
Image of a worker Bee By Discovery
The Drone are all males in the hive .The Drone Bees do not have stingers
Both broodbox and super box has 10 frames with good frame wires and comb starters which act as attractant for ease of colonization. -Kirimiri bee keepers
Cotton Bee Suit , With Gloves | 4000Ksh |
PVC Bee Suit, with Gloves | 3500Ksh |
Local Bee Smoker | 2200Ksh |
Stainless Steel Bee Smoker | 2500Ksh |
Uncapping Fork | 800Ksh |
Hive Tool | 1000Ksh |
Bee Brush | 800Ksh |
Wax sheet | 180Ksh |
Queen Excluder | 1500Ksh |
Lemon Grass Oil | 1000Ksh |
Settling Bucket , Plastic | 2000Ksh |
Honey Strainer | 3500Ksh |
Refractometer | 3500Ksh |
Bee Hive | 6500Ksh |
50 Litres Stainless Steel Settling Tank | 20,000Ksh |
100 Litres Stainless Steel Settling Tank | 30,000Ksh |
Open Barrel Honey Press | 30,000Ksh |
3 Frame Honey Extractor | 40,000Ksh |
6 Frame Honey Extractor | 76,000Ksh |
Uncapping Tray and Tub | 18,000Ksh |
The only honeybee most people ever see is the worker bee—as opposed to drones or the infamous queen
How to Start a Bee Farm in Kenya
Did you know that one spoonful of honey can sustain a person for 24 hours?
Do you know that old bees don't return to the hive in the evening? They spend the night on flowers, and if they have the chance to see another sunrise, they resume their activity by bringing pollen or nectar to the colony. They do this sensing that the end is near. No bee waits to die in the hive so as not to burden the others.
1). Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
Add a variety of native, pesticide-free flowers to your garden or balcony.
Popular choices: lavender, sunflowers, daisies, and wildflowers.
Bees love diversity, so aim for plants that bloom throughout the year.
(2). Avoid Pesticides
Use organic alternatives or natural pest control methods in your garden.
Pesticides and herbicides harm bees by contaminating their food sources.
(3). Provide Fresh Water
Place shallow dishes of water with small stones or floating corks for bees to safely land on while drinking.
Starting a bee farm in Kenya is low-capital and scalable. Begin with a short training or mentorship from local associations or county extension officers, then write a simple plan: target products (honey, wax, propolis), start with 5–10 hives, expected harvest windows, and buyers (shops, hotels, pharmacies, neighbors).
bees enhance crop yields and biodiversity while providing rural income through honey, wax, and value-added products like propolis tinctures
Choose a good site: nectar and water nearby, morning sun/afternoon shade, windbreaks, and distance from footpaths, schools, and livestock. Clear ants, mow grass, and fence for safety. Select hive type—Langstroth for higher yields and easier extraction, or Kenya Top Bar for lower cost and simple harvesting. Buy basic gear: bee suit, gloves, boots, smoker, hive tool, feeder, buckets, and a sharp knife.
Bee Keepers use smoke strategically during hive inspections to mask the alarm pheromones bees release, thereby maintaining a peaceful hive environment.
Attract colonies by baiting hives with beeswax/lemongrass and hanging them before rains. Inspect every 2–3 weeks; keep records of brood pattern, food stores, and queen status. Manage pests (ants, wax moth, varroa), provide clean water, and avoid using farm chemicals near the apiary.
not all bees have the ability to sting. Male bees, or drones, lack stingers and therefore pose no threat of stinging.
Harvest only capped combs to reduce moisture; use clean, food-grade equipment, strain and settle honey 24–48 hours, then package and label. Diversify income by selling wax candles, propolis tinctures, and pollen.
Honey has no expiration date.
Choosing a hive in Kenya depends on budget, harvest goals, and how mobile you’ll be. Langstroth hives are the commercial favorite movable frames enable thorough inspections, disease control, and extractor-based harvesting that preserves comb so bees rebuild quickly. They scale with supers and queen excluders and are the best choice for migratory beekeeping. The disadvantage is higher upfront cost and you must buy or access an extractor and spare frames/foundation.
Propolis, produced by bees, is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics.
Kenya Top Bar (KTBH) hives are cheaper to build locally from offcuts and use simple bars instead of frames. They suit crush-and-strain honey and maximize beeswax sales. Inspections are comfortable at waist height. Trade-offs: fragile combs in hot weather, uneven comb spacing if bars aren’t straight, and lower seasonal yields than well-managed Langstroths.
Want To Learn More About Traditional Beehives and Modern Beehives Click Here>>>
Image of Traditional bee hives by Kirimiri Bee Keepers
Traditional bee hives offer a variety of benefits, from low-cost construction to fostering natural bee behaviors. They represent a deep cultural heritage and sustainable practices in beekeeping, making them valuable for both bees and beekeepers equipped with a queen excluder,made from the muringa Tree
3500Ksh
Queen Bee 🐝👑The only reproductive female in the hive.
Can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day.
Releases pheromones to control the behavior and unity of the colony.
Worker Bees 🐝💼The most numerous members, all female but sterile.
Perform multiple tasks: collecting nectar, guarding the hive, feeding larvae, and cleaning.
Live for about six weeks in summer but can survive longer in winter.
Drone Bees (Male Bees) 🐝🔵Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen.
After mating, they die immediately.
Equipment & Setup (What to Buy and Why)
Start with hives (Langstroth or Kenya Top Bar) built from dry timber and a metal roof. Buy a full bee suit, veil, long gloves, and gumboots—safety first. A smoker, hive tool, and bee brush enable calm, gentle inspections. For Langstroth, get frames, wax foundation, a queen excluder, and a manual extractor to preserve comb. For KTBH, prepare straight top bars and crush-and-strain buckets with food-grade sieves. Elevate hives on sturdy stands with ant barriers; add shade, windbreaks, and a nearby clean water source. Keep feeders for drought periods, a refractometer to check honey moisture, lidded buckets, and food-grade storage. Carry lemongrass oil or beeswax for baiting, plus a notebook for records.
Management, Health & Project Notes
Run management on a calendar. In nectar flow (typically after rains), inspect every 7–14 days; in dearth, monthly. Use a logbook with: date, weather, queen status, brood pattern, stores, space, temperament, mite counts, actions, and harvest/feeding amounts.
monitor varroa (sugar-roll or alcohol wash on ~300 bees); if infestation is high, treat per label with oxalic (dribble/vapor) or thymol, rotating products and avoiding treatments during main honey flow. Keep colonies strong to deter wax moth; freeze or scorch suspect comb.
Control ants with oiled cup legs/grease and tidy vegetation; raise hives and strap lids to deter honey badgers.
Langstroth 15–30 kg/hive/year, KTBH 8–15 kg
Provide constant clean water (shallow trays with stones or wicks). Swarm prevention: add space early, equalize brood, split strong colonies, and requeen aging/defensive queens. Feeding: 1:1 syrup to stimulate build-up, 2:1 to build reserves; protein patties only when natural pollen is scarce. Biosecurity: quarantine new swarms 4 weeks, disinfect tools, and avoid sharing frames across yards.
Bee Propolis is the Hive’s Defense Propolis, also known as "bee glue," is a resinous substance collected by bees from tree buds.
They use it to seal gaps in the hive and protect against intruders. Propolis has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, making it essential for maintaining a healthy hive environment. Humans also use propolis for its medicinal properties
bees swarming by kirimiri bee honey
For ease of colonization consider at least 2M from the ground ,strategic point- swarm path ways, good frames with comb starters and frame wires, Attractant, swarm lure wax and propolis
Attracting bees to uncolonized hives is essential for successful beekeeping. Here are some effective strategies and attractants to consider:
Scent-Based Attractants for Bees
Use of Comb or Wax by placing frames with drawn comb or foundation that has been previously used can entice bees. The scent of beeswax is particularly appealing.
Lemon Grass Oil
This essential oil mimics the scent of the queen pheromone. Mixing a few drops of lemon grass oil with a carrier oil and applying it inside the hive can help attract bees.
Essential Oils
Other oils like peppermint or vanilla can also be used. Just a few drops on a cotton ball placed inside the hive can entice bees.
Bee Pheromones
Commercially available bee pheromone lures can attract swarms looking for new homes.
Sugar Water
Mixing sugar and water in a 1:1 ratio can create a syrup that can be placed inside the hive. This mimics the food sources bees seek and encourages them to investigate.
Natural Forage Plants
Planting Bee-Friendly Flowers: Surrounding the hive with flowering plants such as lavender, sunflowers, and wildflowers can attract bees. These plants provide natural food sources and make the area more inviting.
Using Nectar Sources
Some beekeepers have success with placing additional nectar sources nearby to draw in bees.
Hive Location
Optimal Placement: Position the hive in a sunny location with some wind protection. Bees prefer sites that are warm and sheltered.
Water Source: Ensure there’s a nearby water source, as bees need water for hydration and hive maintenance.
Swarm Traps
- Setting up swarm traps baited with attractants can capture swarming bees that may be searching for new homes. Use bait that includes old comb or beeswax.
Visual Cues
Bright Colors: Paint the hive in bright colors to make it more visible. Bees are attracted to brightly colored objects.
Economics: Profitability, Markets & Grants
Profitability hinges on yield, price, and cost control. Typical annual yields are ~15–30 kg per Langstroth hive and ~8–15 kg per KTBH (management and rainfall matter). In Kenya, bulk raw honey often moves to processors at ~KSh 600–900/kg, while branded retail fetches ~KSh 900–1,500+/kg. Example: 10 Langstroths × 20 kg = 200 kg/year → KSh 160,000 at KSh 800/kg (bulk).
Products & Value Addition
Training, Courses & Networks around Bees
Swarm Lure For Empty Hives for attracting bees to uncolonized hives is essential for successful beekeeping attractant for your uncolonized hives weighs 30mls and enough for 50-100 hives
Challenges of Beekeeping in Kenya
Varroa mites are one of the biggest threats to honeybees. These parasites attach to bees and weaken them by feeding on their bodily fluids. They also transmit viruses that can devastate a colony. Beekeepers must regularly monitor and treat hives for Varroa infestations to keep their bees healthy.
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