Hello, fellow nature enthusiasts. This is Summer Summer Farm, here to talk about a passion of ours: beekeeping. Today, we want to share with you the intricate world of beekeeping, specifically in the wonderful region of Selangor, Malaysia.
Beekeeping in Selangor is an interesting, albeit challenging, venture. Take, for instance, a backyard beekeeper from PJ, Selangor who kept the hives for six days in Petaling Jaya, a satellite city of Kuala Lumpur, before moving them to their current location in Subang, Selangor, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur1.
Like our journey in nurturing fireflies, beekeeping requires understanding, patience, and dedication. We were inspired by a part-time beekeeper in Malaysia, who together with a close friend, raises bees to pollinate a starfruit farm, and of course, to enjoy a taste of their own fresh honey2.
Beekeeping, in essence, is all about creating a conducive environment for the bees. It starts with selecting the right spot for your beehive. This spot should be easy to clean and shady, crucial for the prevention of ant invasion. The hive itself needs to be well-maintained, with the area around it kept clean. The presence of leaves or ants can disrupt the bees and impact honey production2.
Once the hive is installed, it’s not maintenance-free. Ants are a common problem and if they occupy a hive, it requires thorough cleaning. In extreme cases, the entire hive might need refurbishing. A critical part of maintenance is also ensuring that the hive is kept dry, hence the necessity of a roof. A dry hive increases the chances of attracting bees, also known as catching the swarm2.
Creating more hives, especially in Selangor, increases the chances of catching more swarms. Building a hive is not difficult and you can make one using scrapped and used woods. However, you may face some difficulties initially. But once you’ve built your first hive, the rest will be much easier. It’s all about creating a suitable home for these wonderful creatures2
Whether it’s fireflies or bees, nurturing nature’s tiny creatures is a rewarding experience that ISummer Summer Farm is proud to be a part of. Beekeeping in Selangor, as in any other place, is an activity that fosters a connection with nature, helps in pollination, and produces delicious honey. It’s a buzz-worthy activity that I hope more people will explore and enjoy.
In our next posts, we’ll be delving more into the specifics of beekeeping, from the types of bees in Malaysia to the science behind honey production. But for now, let us celebrate the buzz about beehives and the amazing world of beekeeping in Selangor.
Stay tuned, and as always, keep exploring and nurturing nature. Until next time, this is Summer Summer Farm, signing off (going to harvest some honey).