BBKA Forum

British Beekeepers Association Official Forum 

  • Can you recommend beekeping books/further reading for a novice

  • Beginners forum, ask beekeeping related questions and get help from other experienced beekeepers. Please use the Search Feature please to avoid duplicated threads
Beginners forum, ask beekeeping related questions and get help from other experienced beekeepers. Please use the Search Feature please to avoid duplicated threads
 #14421  by AdamD
 29 May 2024, 12:32
I found the BBKA manual a bit dull. A new beekeeper said to me this year that it's too complicated.
When I was about 8 (so a million years ago) I gave a talk to my class at school and used the Ladybird "Life of the Honeybee" book which is still relevant today and available online second hand - a great introduction if you have kids who want to help you.
Hoopers is good - it's a yes from me.
 #14430  by MickBBKA
 30 May 2024, 22:41
Hoopers for me, but do take into account things have changed massively since most of these books were written, climate patterns, flowering times, parasites and viral strains, bee types and god help us very soon endemic Asian Hornet. Read loads and apply what works for you.
 #14435  by NigelP
 04 Jun 2024, 15:12
MickBBKA wrote:
30 May 2024, 22:41
Hoopers for me, but do take into account things have changed massively since most of these books were written,
Particularly relevant in Hoopers case as his book was written before the arrival of varroa. Hence hooper never mentions it, although it still one of the biggest killers of bees.
An old mate of mine injured his legs last year and was unable to get to his hives to treat for varroa or feed before winter and has only just recovered enough to get his first visit to them . All 6 hives were dead, all had lots of stores left in them. Reckons varroa overload done for the lot.
Ignore it at your peril.
 #14438  by AdamD
 05 Jun 2024, 09:48
My Hooper is a 70's vintage from ebay. I believe that recent ones have a section about varroa inside.

The Kiwi's have a book that is in wide use called Practical Beekeeping by Andrew Matheson and Murray Reid. I have a copy which I will work through at some time.