1. Acquiring Your First Bee Colony.

Once your hive setup is ready, the next step is to introduce a healthy bee colony to begin your beekeeping journey. For beginners, the most reliable way to source a colony is through reputable local channels. Start by contacting your local council, agriculture department, or apiculture extension services, many of which offer dedicated support to hobby and professional beekeepers. These organizations often maintain a list of certified bee breeders

and can advise you on current local regulations, good suppliers, and fair pricing.

When you're ready to purchase, you may find suppliers who offer either a full hive setup—including a working colony with frames, brood, food stores, and a laying queen—or a smaller unit called a nucleus colony (or “nuc”), which contains just a few frames with bees, brood, and a young queen. Prices vary significantly depending on the region, the time of year, and the strength of the colony. In some areas, prices are influenced by seasonal swarming or demand from pollination services. A quick chat with your local bee club or extension agent can help you understand market rates and avoid overpriced or unhealthy colonies.

Swarm season, usually early to mid-spring in most temperate climates, is when bee colonies naturally split and reproduce. We will discuss this swarming behaviour later. Many professional beekeepers manage these swarms to create new colonies for sale. These are known as artificial splits, where part of a hive—including a new or mated queen—is separated into a new box to form a separate colony. If you're purchasing such a split, ensure the bees are sourced from at least 3–5 kilometers away. Bees have a strong homing instinct, and if they recognize the location as being close to their original hive, they may fly back, leaving your new hive empty.

If you live in a region where it's legal and safe to do so, colonies can also be shipped via courier, securely packaged in a specially designed ventilated box. Once received, you'll need to gently introduce the queen and worker bees into your hive and feed them sugar syrup or honey water. With proper handling, bees settle in and begin their work almost immediately.

Another fascinating and rewarding method of obtaining a colony is baiting or trapping a swarm. This involves setting up a lure hive in a suitable location—usually 5 to 10 meters above ground level—filled with a few used frames coated with beeswax and sometimes baited with attractants like lemongrass oil or old brood comb. During swarming season, scout bees from nearby colonies may find your bait hive attractive and lead an incoming swarm to take up residence. This approach is slower and less predictable, but it's a natural, cost-effective method many hobbyists enjoy experimenting with. Whichever method you choose, always start with healthy bees from a trusted source.