How to start beekeeping with just one hive
Beekeeping is one of the most rewarding agribusiness ventures a beginner can start with very little capital. With just a single hive, anyone can begin producing honey, beeswax, propolis and even pollination services that benefit nearby crops. Many successful beekeepers in Kenya and across Africa started exactly this way,one hive at a time gradually expanding into a profitable enterprise. Whether you have a backyard, a small farm, or even unused land, a single hive is enough to launch a thriving beekeeping journey.
Choosing the right hive
The first step is selecting the right type of beehive. The most common options are the Langstroth hive, the Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH) and the traditional log hive. For beginners, the Langstroth and KTBH are ideal because they allow easy inspection, better honey harvesting, and improved management. Langstroth hives are highly productive and boost honey yields, while KTBH hives are affordable and easy to build locally. Whichever hive you choose, ensure it is placed on a strong stand to protect it from pests and moisture.
Selecting the best location
Bees thrive when placed in a quiet, safe, and well-shaded environment. The hive should be located away from direct human traffic, livestock and noise. Trees or natural barriers provide good shade and help maintain a cool environment inside the hive. Bees also need access to clean water, flowering plants, natural vegetation, and fruit trees. A location with a variety of nectar and pollen sources ensures strong colonies and high honey yields. If your area lacks enough flowers, planting bee-friendly crops such as sunflower, calliandra, or avocado can significantly improve honey production.
Attracting or installing a colony
With just one hive, you have two main options to start your colony. You can bait the hive and wait for a wild swarm to move in, or you can purchase a ready colony from a certified beekeeper. Baiting is cheaper and involves applying beeswax or attractants such as lemon grass oil inside the hive. Placing the hive in an area with active bee movement increases your chances of catching a swarm. Purchasing a colony ensures you start immediately, and it gives you stronger bees that are ready for management and honey production.
Learning basic beekeeping skills
Even with one hive, you need basic skills to manage the colony properly. Understanding how to light a smoker, inspect frames, identify pests and handle bees calmly is essential. Bees are naturally peaceful but can become defensive when threatened. A full beekeeper’s suit, gloves, and a smoker help protect you and keep the bees calm during inspections. Observing hive behaviour such as brood patterns, honey storage and queen health helps you maintain a strong and productive colony.
Managing pests and diseases
A single hive still needs protection from pests such as ants, wax moths, honey badgers, and mites. Raising the hive stand and placing the legs in tins filled with used oil helps deter ants. Regular inspections allow you to catch pests early before they weaken the colony. Maintaining hygiene, using clean equipment, and avoiding disturbance helps reduce stress on the bees and promotes natural resistance to diseases.
Harvesting honey carefully
When your hive becomes strong and starts filling frames with capped honey, it’s time to harvest. The first harvest usually comes after 6 to 9 months, depending on nectar flow and colony strength. Harvesting should be done early in the evening when bees are calm. Use a smoker lightly and avoid taking too much honey so the bees have enough food to sustain the colony. Honey should be strained and stored in clean, airtight containers. With just one hive, you can easily produce several kilograms of honey each season, earning steady income or supplying your household with pure, organic honey.
Growing Your Beekeeping Venture
Starting with one hive is not the end,it is the beginning of a scalable and profitable agribusiness. Many beekeepers expand by dividing strong colonies, catching more swarms, or purchasing additional hives as profits grow. With time, you can diversify into beeswax making, propolis extraction, pollen harvesting, or selling fully established colonies to new beekeepers. Beekeeping also improves crop yields around your home or farm because bees are excellent pollinators.
Starting beekeeping with just one hive is simple, affordable and surprisingly rewarding. It requires minimal land, low maintenance and little capital, yet the returns are impressive. Whether you want extra income or a long-term farming venture, beekeeping offers a beautiful blend of profit, sustainability, and environmental impact, one hive at a time.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
