Mellifera Beekeeping Course Outline
An overwiew about the course objective, course structure and its scope.
Course Objectives
The first objective of the entire course is to provide information and guidance so that new Beekeepers can confirm and expand their Beekeeping knowledge.
The second objective is carried out by Session 1 as a Beekeeping Reality Check for potential Beekeepers enabling them to make an informed decision whether to pursue Beekeeping or not.
Course Structure
The course is partitioned in six sessions, each under its own theme. The Navigation page serves as the center from where you can navigate to each session. The Course Outline page gives you an overview before diving into the sessions.
Course Scope
The scope of information for this course is to provide new beekeepers with a comprehensive knowledge to start beekeeping.
Session 1 - Reality check to confirm beekeeping is what you really want
- Potential issues with beekeeping in suburbia
- Rules and regulations
- Legal obligations for the beekeeper
- Beekeeper Registration
- Irresponsible Beekeeping
- Cost estimates
- Other Courses and Beekeeper Clubs
Session 2 - Fundamental Knowledge about European Honeybees
- Apis Mellifera sub-species
- Bee Anatomy
- Development Cycle
- Composition of a colony
- Queen, worker, drone
- Bee brood in all stages
- Bees' nest
- Popular Nesting sites
- Worker bee tasks
- Bee instincts and behaviour
Session 3 - Fundamental Beekeeping Knowledge
- Bee Stings, Reaction, Allergy
- Beekeeping Safety Measures
- Protective Clothing - Veil, Gloves, Jacket, Suit
- Tools for Hive Inspection
- Smoker, Hive Tool, Bee Brush
- Hive Constructions
- Hive Sizing Requirements
- The Langstroth Hive
- The Bee Space
- Comb Frames, Foundation
- The Hive Mat
- The Queen Excluder
- Setting up your Hives
- Food Safety
- Honey Extraction
- What to do with Stickies
Session 4 - Fundamental Beehive Management
- Opening the Beehive
- Why inspecting the Beehive
- When and when not to open the hive
- Usage of tools and equipment
- Smoker, hive tool, holding box
- Frame Handling
- Hive Inspection
- Routine checks 1 - 5
- Frame Inspection 1 - 9
- Healthy brood - uncapped, capped
- Unhealthy brood
- Chalkbrood Disease
- Nosema Disease
- Apiary Housekeeping
Session 5 - Fundamental Beekeeping Activities
- Swarming of Honeybees
- Swarm Control and Prevention
- How to create an Artificial Swarm
- Capturing a Swarm - method, step by step
- Relocating Bees - scenario 1, 2, 3
- Queen replacement
- How to replace the Queen of savage bees
- Feeding Bees
- When is it too cold to feed?
- Feeding method
- How to prevent robbing
Session 6 - Collection of shortcuts to Beekeeping Subjects
- Selected subjects and scenarios
- Beekeeping Calendar
- Beekeeping Terminology
- Honeybee Facts
- Feeding Bees
- Winter Preparation
- Relocating Bees
- Queen Bee replacement
- Raising a Queen by splitting a hive
- Requeening Savages
- Apiary Housekeeping
- Disease Prevention
- Bee Pests and Parasites
- Adult Bee Diseases
- Bee Brood Diseases
- Wax Moths
- Small Hive Beetle SHB
- Varroa Mite
- Chalkbrood Disease
- Sacbrood Disease
- European Foulbrood EFB
- American Foulbrood AFB
- Nosema Apis
- Nosema Ceranae
- Colony Collapse Disorder CCD
Registered Users
Unregistered Users