The Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden

by Kim Flottum

The Backyard Beekeeper, now in its 4th edition, makes the time-honored and complex tradition of beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime that will appeal to urban and rural beekeepers of all skill levels.
 
More than a guide to beekeeping, this handbook features expert advice for:

Setting up and caring for your own colonies
Selecting the best location to place your new bee colonies for their safety and yours
The most practical and nontoxic ways to care for your bees
Swarm control
Using top bar hives
Harvesting the products of a beehive and collecting and using honey
Bee problems and treatments

What's New? 

Information for urban bees and beekeepers
Using your smoker the right way 
Better pest management
Providing consistent and abundant good food 
Keeping your hives healthy

With this complete resource and the expert advice of Bee Culture editor Kim Flottum, your bees will be healthy, happy, and more productive. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Gardening, How To, Animals, Science, Nature

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the textbook we used in an introductory beekeeping class. As stated in the title, the book was written for absolute beginners like me. I was delighted to see an abundance of rich detailed color photographs illustrating much of the equipment, flora, and fauna affiliated with becoming a beekeeper.

This is not an all-in-one guidebook, and some necessary apiarist vocabulary was missing. It is a concise, non-exhaustive overview of beekeeping, and to get a better understanding in this beginner’s level class there was additional information included to supplement what the book lacked, which amounted to an inch-high stack of printouts about pests, diseases, and other potential apiary problems.

Yes, there is plenty of information available out there on beekeeping, but I prefer to have a reference containing all the basics up to the expert level together in one compendium.

(Btw, honey actually is bee vomit.)

[Bob Redmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for beginning beekeepers, specifically backyarders, like the title says.

Written by one of the most knowledgeable bee-men (or women) around, it has tons of color photos and other detailed information. In his inimitable laconic style, Flottum--also the editor of Bee Culture magazine--covers all the bases, from getting a hive, to getting bees, installing them, managing for pests, extracting honey. It's all there, even some recipies.

My quibbles are most of all, that Flottum, incredibly, says that we are now in "recovery mode" with regard to Colony Collapse Disorder, and that the scourge is "mostly gone" (in a new introduction and afterword to this Second Edition). Nothing he's written in Bee Culture substantiates this (to the contrary), and as I write (March 2011) we are in the midst of the sixth year of devastating losses from CCD around the nation. He must have had reasons for this assessment, but he doesn't elaborate.

Secondly, he also minimizes the problem of varroa, albeit with a variety of IPM (Integrated Pest Management) treatments. Beekeepers continue to struggle with mites--according to my own regional evidence, and more importantly, an opinion echoed by Beth Kahkonen, a scientist at Washington State University, who visited our beekeeping club this month. According to Kahkonen, Varroa is the #1 pest problem for beekeepers worldwide, and we haven't found a way to beat it. (Some new formulations of Formic Acid and a product made from hops might help; it's good news that both of these are approved for natural beekeeping.)

Lastly, in one detail or another Flottum will leave the reader hanging, or contradict himself, or be just plain confusing. He wouldn't be a beekeeper, however, if he didn't have three opinions on any one subject.

Those are quibbles or reactions to the relative brevity of the book. Mostly, this is a solid, learned introduction to beekeeping, with the essential information for the hobbyist to get going and maintain hives for the first year or two. I would recommend it as THE first book for any new-bee doing traditional-style beekeeping.

*

WHY I READ THIS BOOK: ongoing beekeeping research.

[jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't wait to get a few hives in my backyard! It's going to be a while, though. In the meantime, I occasionally read some books on beekeeping to stay informed and excited. This book touches on a lot of subjects, but is not too in-depth about any one subject. It is definitely a good primer, but not a definitive book. A large portion of the book is dedicated to recipes and uses for honey and wax. It's like a totally separate book. But it's true, many beekeepers have a difficult time using and storing their liquid gold at the end of a harvest. Backyard Beekeeper is spot on with this section.

[Caleb Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and interesting. A great guide to starting beekeeping. Will definitely have to refer back to this book when I start myself.

[Felice Gwinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything and everything I could want in a beekeepers book. 10000% keeping this on my kindle shelf (may even get w hard copy) so I can refer to it later. So much good and useful information for almost anything you’ll come across as a new or seasoned beekeeper 🐝

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super helpful with lots of visuals.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative and packed full of great info for beginners.

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really is quite the comprehensive guide to beekeeping – especially for the small-scale/hobbyist beekeeper. Kim Flottum is an experienced guide, too, being the editor of Bee Culture magazine and the 41st edition of The ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture. In fact, this is so informative that it can be overwhelming to try and take it all in/process it in one sitting! I read it from cover to cover, but other bee enthusiasts might be well-served by skipping to chapters of interest. I borrowed this from my local library, but am considering picking up my own personal copy – for reference. There’s a lot of information about IPM (integrated pest management) and “greening” your beekeeping practices – which I appreciated (the harsh chemicals kind of scare me) – and so many photographs of what equipment, brood, pests, diseases, etc. look like (exactly what you need to know/see when you’re just starting out). While no book can really substitute for a good hands-on beekeeping class, or a good mentor, this one comes pretty close. Going to check out the title I mentioned above, as it has been called the “bible” of United States beekeeping.

[Nettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to put a bee hive in my backyard and Kim's book is full of no nonsense information about the keeping of bees. I love the section on bee biology, which I never fully understood before. What a machine a bee hive is -- like an efficient Japanese Toyota plant. She is free with her opinions too which is refreshing. Unfortunately, I recently learned that my next door neighbor REALLY dislikes bees, so I think I'll have to wait until I buy that ranch...If I were going to keep bees, I would buy this book to keep on my reference shelf.

[Sparquette · Rating 2 out of 5]

The information was great but the writing was poor. You should not start using jargon until you have defined it. I didn't really understand what a super was until half way through the book. The organization was poor too and hard to follow. A more logical progression would have made the good information flow better and made it easier to follow. Lastly, the corny phrases and attempts at wit fell short and even some of the grammar was poor. Isn't there an editor for that kind of stuff? I'll look for another book before I get started with bees and keep this one as a reference for later.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bees are in residence! Really good prep book. I'm looking forward to making some of the recipes and beeswax-related products.

[Amy Pfleegor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think there is still much to be learned, but this book is very informative about much that has been learned.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the first beekeeping book the hubby has read as we have entered into this new addition to the farm. He did tell me that it is the best book he has read so far. The book is written for the beginning beekeeper and truth be told even though we have had bees for a year we still have so many questions.

Mr. Flottum lays everything out in a very straightforward manner starting with the basics. He helps the hopeful beekeeper by providing a step by step plan of attack.

The hubby found it very helpful for bucking up his basic knowledge and for answering several questions that arose over the a cold snap that we had. Our winter has been quite odd this year with it never really getting and staying cold but rather being cold for two days then warmer and rainy. He thought it was messing with the bees but he found his answer in the book – they were just hivecleaning.

He is very glad to have this book in his beekeeping library and he says it will be his go/to book when he has questions. It’s written in an easy to understand manner for people who are just starting up with bees or whom are interested in reading on what is required to give bees a home whether you live in a rural or urban environment.

[D. Hulin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The index is very weak so cannot be easily used as a reference. The 3rd edition had a much better index allowing you to quickly search for topics as needed like a good reference book should. Example the word wax or moth cannot be found in the 4th edition index at all but there is a long listing on both of these in the previous 3rd edition. Imagine a bee book where the index does not even mention wax or moths (one of the known pests) as a broad beginner book. I don't understand. The 4th edition is definitely not an improvement over the 3rd edition relative to using it as a reference. Was considering giving the 3rd edition away to a young beekeeper but decided to keep the older edition since it is better. Very disappointed as you expect later versions to be improved over the previous version.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have also read the 4th edition of the backyard beekeeper. So I thought why not read the 3rd edition.
Bees are one of my favorite subjects to read about. I was thinking about when I grew sunflowers years ago I remember seeing bees on the sunflowers but, I had no interest in how the bees lived, what they ate, how long they lived, how many bees were in a hive. Back then I had no idea bout bees. And if I thought about bees I assumed that there were only honey bees or bumble bees.
I am glad I got interested in bees. They are fascinating insects that are so interesting. My world is so much better know that I know a little bit about bees. One day I hope to become a beekeeper. I can't wait to see if I like beekeeping and if I am good at beekeeping.

[Stoyan Minchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for all who want to have a beehive

Easy to read. Full of interesting and important information. It gives a good basis so the beginner has some confidence and guidance in this journey.
I used the book so that I can make a decision for myself, if I have time and resources to start. And the book answered my questions completely.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was very informative, well written and easy to follow. I do wish it had a small section on mad honey but it gave me an idea on where to start and what questions to ask local bee keepers before investing in this hobby.

[Rich Thorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for just starting out. If you watched any videos or read any other books on the subject much of this will be a review.

[Kelsey Breseman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough and approachable

[Joe Beeson · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed reading, good overview of bee keeping

[Aymanelshater · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Troy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for beginner beekeeping

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, textbook quality guide on starting in beekeeping. This book covers types of bees, behaviors, disease, IPM, mating, climate, the whole works.

[Rita Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you plan to keep bees, read the book.

[Jonathan Nyhus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me through my first year of beekeeping.
I'm now ten years in and I still recommend this as an early digestible into for friends who might be interested in getting into the hobby.

[Will G · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good beginners book.

[Phillip Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5: A thorough review of the ins and outs of beekeeping. Lots more to learn down the line.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

S1V1L1

[Kaitlin Lichty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little overwhelming for a beginner and I have thankfully not needed most of this information yet

[Heidi L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional coverage on all matters of beekeeping. As a first year bee keeper, I am planning to give this book a second listen.