Good Beekeeping Books

fr0sty · February 07, 2007, 02:06:37 AM

I was looking into getting a beekeeping book or two to just read up on. I was looking at the "Beekeeping for Dummies" book and it looked pretty good. Can anyone recommend some good ones?

Michael Bush · February 07, 2007, 07:39:04 AM

Try a search on books. I think you'll find many discussions and suggestions.

Devbee · February 07, 2007, 12:28:21 PM

I am new-bee about to get my first package this April. I have bought Kim Flottum's Backyard Beekeeper book and recommend it for new-bees like me. It is basic and good information.

My only complaint about it is how little he goes into foundation choices.

beewhisper · February 10, 2007, 10:24:47 PM

I would recomend the Backyard Beekeeper to. It is a very good book. I would also sugest the Hive And The Honeybee It is very detailed, maybe the ABC,and XYZ of Beekeeping.They are all very good books.Good reading!

Michael Bush · February 11, 2007, 02:03:27 PM

My two main reference books are "The Hive and the Honey Bee" and "ABC XYZ of Bee Culture". But most of what you need to know to decide what to buy as a beginner are better covered in Kim Flottum's book. The issue of foundation isn't covered well because few have paid any attention to the importance of the size, so they just give simple answers.

Here's my beginner advice:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

Here's a lot of what I decided over the years on how to work a lot less:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm

ndvan · February 11, 2007, 11:04:44 PM

I'm also a beginner and reading to figure this stuff out.

I would look over Mike Bush's site, but it took me a few readings and readling other stuff to really begin to get some of what he has to say. Not his fault, its just that some of it was over my head at first (some probably still is).

I borrowed The Backyard Beekeeper from my bee club, and it was a good beginners book. Better pictures than Ive seen anywhere else, and some common sense ideas I had not heard elsewhere. My three year old liked looking at the pictures, and proved he has a good eye for locating queen bees.

I would recommend looking for used books on Amazon. I got a 1976 Edition of the Hive and the Honeybee for about $8 with shipping. That is an old edition, and it does not cover alot of stuff, such as the new pest issues and foundation size issues. However, there is also a lot of good, detailed info in there. Im sure you could find other bargain used books there.

As to Mr. Flottum and foundation questions, he is going to be at a bee club event in Tulsa next month, and if I get the chance I'll ask him what he thinks about those issues.

Just my thoughts.

Kathyp · February 11, 2007, 11:10:24 PM

see what your library has. check out all the books and buy the ones that you think you'll use the most.

Kirk-o · February 12, 2007, 10:31:48 PM

The Best Book I read was Michael Bush's web page then Beekeeping for dummies then hive and the Honey Bee
kirk-o

Paraplegic Racehorse · February 12, 2007, 11:27:51 PM

I found Dave Cushman's website quite useful, also.

My library is not at all well-stocked. I have requests for several bee-books by inter-library loan. And, when doing library borrowing, NEVER forget about ILL; it's just too great a resource to ignore. My ILL requests are generally filled in 7-10 days.