Courses
Bath Beekeepers run an Introduction to Beekeeping Course each year in the Spring. Next course is Spring 2024.
Our 3-day Introduction to Beekeeping course provides the skills and husbandry required for basic beekeeping via the syllabus below..
| Week 1 | The Colony Super-organism. The bees in a colony. Larval & bee development and comparison. Lifecycle & division of labour within the hive. Winter adaptation. Origin & History What is a honeybee? Anatomy. Communication. Origins of Bees. Bees through the ages. Hive development. Importance of beekeeping, The Hive The bees’ nest. Bees’ requirements. Hive components. Bee space. Supers. Frames. Tools & equipment. Apiary sites. |
| Week 2 | Beekeeping Year Colony population through the year. Inspections & record-keeping. Seasonal management. Summer build up & harvesting. Queens Gender & castes. Queen & drone development. Mating process. Honeybee races. Colony characteristics & Breeding. Marking and Clipping Swarms Reasons for swarming. Impact of swarming. Swarm prevention & control. Swarm examples. Collection & hiving a swarm. |
| Week 3 | Pests & Diseases Pests. How to ensure healthy bees. Brood diseases. Adult diseases. Current problems. Varroa. Treatment options. Statutory requirements. Plants & Hive products / Getting Started Pollination. Collecting nectar & honey. UK & local forage. Wax, pollen, propolis, venom, royal jelly. Selling honey. Membership. Sources of bees, equipment and clothing. Setting up an apiary. Practical Session– spend time with the bees learning how to do an inspection |
The course is delivered in just three sessions over 3 consecutive weekends. It concludes with a Practical Session with the on-site bees at our Teaching Apiary.
*** To go on a WAITING LIST to be notified of Spring 2024 Course dates, please email your details to the Apiary Secretary ***
Course Fee: TBC
Place:
Bath Beekeepers’ Teaching Apiary,
Park Farm,
Newton-St-Loe,
Bath. BA2 9JA