Best Beekeeping Books for Beginners
It’s a question many experienced beekeepers are asked – What advice do you have for someone interested in beekeeping? The answers may vary, but most will say, “Do your research!”
What they mean by that is that you should take time to read about your new hobby. In particular, learn as much as you can about how bees function. Learn about their life cycle and why they do the things they do.
It’s all very fascinating, so even non-beekeepers would enjoy learning these things. Luckily, nowadays there are tons of free information on the internet. Tons of resources about beekeeping are at your fingertips.
However, some people may enjoy having an actual book to look through. You just can’t replace the feeling of flipping through a new book. In that case, I present to you my list of the best beekeeping books for beginners.
Best Beekeeping Books for Beginners
- Available in ebook and paperback format
- The 4th edition of this popular book
- Information for urban beekeepers
- Many colored pictures
- Makes learning beekeeping enjoyable
The Backyard Beekeeper always has a special place in my heart because it’s the first book I got when I was first interested in beekeeping. I was a true beginner and knew very little about the hobby, so when I say this book is for beginners, I mean it!
What I like about The Backyard Beekeeper is that it explains everything in a very simple and understandable way. It guides you through every step of becoming a beekeeper, including setting up and caring for your colony, swarm control, using a smoker, pest management, feeding bees, and more.
Kim Flottum, editor of Bee Culture brings his many years of expertise to this book. The Backyard Beekeeper is a complete resource to keeping your bees healthy and happy.
- 4th edition
- Available in paperback, ebook, and audio book
- Learn everything you need to know to start your own colony
- Manage all phases of honey production
Beekeeping for Dummies may put you off because of the title, but rest assured, you do not need to be a dummy to benefit from this book. This book has been highly recommended by many beekeeping associations. The reason is that it explains everything in a way that is both detailed and easy to understand.
Basically, it’s a great guide for any new beekeepers, or even anyone who is thinking of becoming a beekeeper. Reviewers say that reading this book has helped them to decide which equipment to get and also prevent them from making mistakes.
In this book you will learn everything you need to know to start your own bee colony. Including how to assemble and maintain beehives, how to use beekeeping tools, how to handle bees safely, honey production, and how to preserve your colony if disaster should strike.
- Available in paperback, audio CD, Kindle, and audio book
- a simple, step-by-step guide that helps you learn the fundamentals of modern beekeeping
- Written with brand new beekeepers in mind
- Clearly defined terms and a complete glossary will have you talking like a pro beekeeper in no time
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Like the title says, Beekeeping for Beginners was truly written with beginners in mind. This book comes in multiple formats – paperback, Kindle, audio CD, and audiobook. The author of this book is Amber Bradshaw, author and public speaker.
Beekeeping for Beginners is a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about modern beekeeping. You’ll learn the essentials – like what you need to do to set up your first colony. It also includes a complete glossary that will teach you all the beekeeping terms you should know.
I like that Amber teaches natural, modern methods of beekeeping in this book. It definitely lives up to it’s title, providing lots of useful information for new beekeepers and anyone thinking about raising bees.
- Hardcover book
- The ultimate guide to beekeeping
- Includes recipes, instructions to make candles, beauty products, and more
- Fully illustrated with how-to photography
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The Beekeeper’s Bible is a great book for both new beekeepers and experienced ones. It is written by Richard A Jones, a writer, ecologist, and expert on insects. He contributes as a scientific advisor to both BBC Wildlife Magazine and New Scientist.
While The Beekeeper’s Bible does go over how to get started in beekeeping, it also provides more. You will get a history of beekeeping, as well as recipes, and guides to making beeswax products. You’ll learn how to make candles, furniture polish, beauty products, and more.
The book is thick and sturdy, and covers a lot of important information, using lots of illustrations and photographs. This book really teaches you how to have healthy and happy bees. Any beekeeper, novice or expert would enjoy The Beekeeper’s Bible.
Summary
I hope this guide has helped you find beekeeping books for beginners. Any of these books would be a great choice for new beekeepers. The Backyard Beekeeper is a gorgeous book with lots of full color pictures. Beekeeping for Dummies is full of easy to understand information. Beekeeping for Beginners does a great job of explaining natural, modern beekeeping. And the Beekeeper’s Bible is part beekeeping guide, part cookbook, and part DIY guide.
NEXT: See Beehives for Beginners
