I'm a new beekeeper letting the Bees guide me any tips?

I'm sorry I can't give any tips but I am interested in beekeeping and just wanted to reply to ask an absolutely genuine question which someone might answer while replying to your question. It's really not meant to be rude. If bees are in decline, and research is ongoing to halt it, is it an obvious strategy not to take their honey? The bees obviously work all summer to sustain themselves during cold months - if we then take their harvest for a plethora of things we don't need such as sandwich wrap, beeswax candles, furniture spray, hand cream etc etc, that surely puts enormous pressure on bees. I'm interested that you say "I had a successful harvest". Surely the bees did but then you took most of it? I don't use bee products if I can help it as I genuinely feel that is making bees work for us as we do with animals. Maybe you've seen programmes showing how bee hives are ferried around in the US to pollinate almond trees for example? I am genuinely interested to hear if anyone feels the same and I would be very happy if anyone can demonstrate I'm actually talking rubbish!

Good for you, how interesting to keep bees! I also have no knowledge, but will follow along it you post updates.

Are yours native British bees?

Hope you don’t get stung too often, because you will get stung.
Bee keeping club, yes, also find a experienced bee keeper as a mentor, my neighbour has 8 hives so my garden is a constant buzz.

Justwokeup very valid question, the first year I took no honey, the second year I took a minimal amount, which has still given enough honey for myself for the year. I left two thirds of the honey for the Bees enough for the winter. I’ve used no pesticides at all, I’ve planted various herbs around the hive as natural repellents. Pleased to say as yet I’ve not been stung I wear full protective garments, my bees are very calm I talk to them their Happy Bees But I’m not always checking and disturbing them. They know exactly what to do without need of my interference.

I’m researching how to build natural hives from logs.

Yes Canadian Gran Britishbees. If anyone is thinking of keeping Bees do go ahead they are sooo fascinating to research and learn from. And Royal jelly honey and propolis All have amazing natural healing properties - Natures Elixir for Life

Justwokeup I think you raised very necessary and important points for thought and consideration. The commodification of Bees is causing the collapse of colonies. We desperately need to support the Bees. Thankyou

Stormystar, it's lovely that you obviously care a lot about your bees. In answer to your first question I have read that you should always tell the bees about important events in the family out of consideration. I often have bees underground in the garden or under the eaves, not honey bees of course, but I do tell them about important things so I don't risk offending them!

Hahaha such a lovely thought. Will do justwokeup thanks

My parents were beekeepers, but I never learned much about bee care because I was frightened of being stung! I enjoyed trying the honey cake recipes, though.

You can get more bees if you register with the local council as someone who will come and collect swarms which appear in people's gardens - then you just need to buy the hive.

One thing I learned was if there aren't that many in a swarm, or a hive is a bit short of bees, you can mix them together and shove a load of flour over them - by the time they've cleaned it off, they all smell the same so won't fight off the interlopers!

Also, if you get permission to place a hive on someone else's land, like a farmer's field, be aware that it could be stolen by another beekeeper - sadly, they're not all honest, as my parents found. Maybe paint/scratch identification on each piece of the hive to deter bee-snatchers?

Useful tips thanks Dragonella.