The Keeper
Some beekeepers overwinter their bees in specially designed warehouses.
© Agriculture and Agrifood Canada, Beaverlodge Research Station
Types of Beekeepers
Some beekeepers maintain just a few hives as a hobby, while others keep hundreds or thousands of hives in order to make a living from raising bees. And of course many people keep bees as a sideline business. In 2007, Canada had 5 530 beekeepers caring for 555 471 bee colonies.
Many commercial beekeepers make a profit by selling not only honey but also propolis, royal jelly, wax, pollen and venom, and by renting out their bee colonies for crop pollination. Some specialize in the breeding and sale of queens and replacement stock.
