Bees/o/ Development Journal 83 PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING

PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING

BARK HIVES
Jairus K Musachi, Chilanga, Zambia
I am pleased to write to you about beekeeping activities in this far
comer of our world, after being inspired by you and your continued
support. BID Journal is very helpful and educative as it highlights many
issues on bees and beekeeping practice.
Beekeeping has a long and old record in Zambian culture and there are
few Zambians who do not understand about bees being helpful to
mankind. Most of the beekeeping methods used are local-style, and
most commonly used is the bark hive.
Bark hive preparation
A tree is chosen with the desirable diameter and is then utilised to its
fullest to avoid deforestation. One fully grown tree can produce about
10 hives each measuring up to 1.2 m in length. This measurement is
used to allow the beekeeper easy access to the combs from both ends. The hives are left at the same site for 14-21 days to allow them to lose
The tree is normally cut down to get some wood to use as covers to the some moisture. Thereafter, they become much lighter to be transported
hive ends. to the site where they can be hung in trees. &

A fully grown tree can produce 10 bark hives When the site of choice for the apiary has been reached, the hive is
hung high in the tree to secure it from attack by honey badgers.