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Beekeeping is an ancient art that combines passion for nature and entrepreneurial spirit. For millennia, man has bred bees not only for honey, but also for wax, pollen, propolis and other products with extraordinary properties. In addition to their economic value, bees play a fundamental role in the ecosystem, ensuring the pollination of many crops and contributing to biodiversity.
The beekeeper is the guardian of this small but essential world: through specific knowledge and careful practices, he takes care of the health of the hives and the production of their precious products. But how do you become a beekeeper? What are the first steps to start a business in this sector? In the next paragraphs we will understand in a general way how to undertake this fascinating profession, from the basics of managing an apiary to the practical and regulatory aspects necessary to transform the passion for bees into a real job.
Who is the beekeeper?
Who is the beekeeper?
Anyone who owns and manages hives is a beekeeper (paragraph 1 - art. 3 - L. n° 313/2004).
Anyone who owns and manages hives pursuant to article 2135 of the civil code is a beekeeping entrepreneur.
Anyone who carries out the activity as their main occupation is a professional beekeeper.
Essential tools for starting an apiary:
Complete hive
Mask or jacket with mask
Gloves
Honeycomb remover
Smoker
Brush
Honeycomb pliers
Frame support shelf
Complete hive
Smoker
Jacket with mask
Gloves
Choice of apiary location
The hives must be positioned in an adequate area, away from sources of pollution and with a good availability of honey flora. Furthermore, it is important to respect the minimum distances from homes and roads, according to local regulations. In particular:
Exposure:
The best exposures for an apiary are South-East or South-West: in this way, the hives will be illuminated by the sun from the early hours of the morning, encouraging the start of flights towards the blooms and stimulating activity inside the hive.
Position:
To avoid moisture stagnation, the hives must be tilted slightly forward. In order to guarantee swarming, it is advisable that there are trees nearby. A free space in front of the apiary must also be guaranteed.
Bees need water to meet the needs of the colony: for this reason, when choosing the point in which to position the apiary, it is necessary to consider the presence of water sources nearby and possibly set up supply points to be constantly replenished. A family can consume up to 5 liters of water per day.
The apiary must be located in a place that is accessible to motorized vehicles, in order to guarantee ease of maneuver.
There must be a sign nearby (at least in A4 format) with the bee registry registration code written on it. The characters must be legible and with a minimum height of 4cm. It must also be made of material resistant to atmospheric agents.
Distances
Distances
FRAMEWORK LAW ON BEEKEEPING L. n° 313/2004:
“Apiaries must be located no less than five meters from the boundaries of public or private property” (art. 8).
“Respect for distances is not mandatory if walls, hedges or other suitable shelters are interposed without interruptions to prevent the passage of bees. These shelters must have a height of at least two meters"
Distances between apiaries
Distances between apiaries
Apiaries with more than 50 hives under the jurisdiction of the Prefects (R.D.L. 23/10/1925 n.2079): normally, as the crow flies, distance of 3 km;
For nomadic beekeeping, a minimum distance of 2 km is established, compared to a fixed location with more than 50 hives.
He has the prevailing right compared to another beekeeper:
the first who set up the apiary;
the owner of the land where the apiary is located.
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