Feeding, hefting hives, and storage of equipment. Robbing, Wasps, Mice, and Woodpeckers. Practical – hefting, and netting a hive.
Recognising healthy and diseased brood. Getting help. The National Bee Unit (NBU), NBU Inspectors, BeeBase. Disease Quiz.
Pollination. The waggle dance. The collection and use of nectar, pollen, water, and propolis by bees.
Checking whether honey is ‘ripe’. Clearing bees, extracting honey, licking out. Storing, bottling, and labeling honey. Reclaiming wax. Honey tasting.
Why bees swarm. Swarm prevention and control including a demonstration of an artificial swarm. When it goes wrong! – catching and hiving a swarm. The nucleus hive and it’s uses. Uniting colonies – how, when, and why.
Five things to look for when opening a hive. Reading the combs. Looking at scenarios – group exercise.
An overview of adult bee diseases including Varroa, Nosema, and Viruses. Managing Varroa including a practical session on Varroa mite counting.
The Hive, different hive types, hive parts, bee space, frame spacing, and hive stands. Apiary sites, where to site and orientate your hive, avoiding drifting, moving bees. Practical session in making a frame and ading foundation.
Protective clothing including demonstration. Stings and First Aid, Tools including Smoker, Hive Tool, and kit box. Record Keeping. Opening and Closing hives.
per.
The development of honey bees through all stages from egg through to hatched bee. The division of labour and the roles of bees within the colony.
An overview of beekeeping activities throughout the year. Reference materials for the beekeeper.
Talk by Norman Carreck – Science Director, Science Director, International Bee Research Association, Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex.
Spring forwards, fall backwards: are our seasons changing? a talk by Tim Sparks – Professor in Environmental Change at Coventry University