one-day course beekeeping: introduction

venue: Pen y Bonc, Gwynedd

The course is aimed at people who are interested in taking up beekeeping or want to learn more about bees. It aims to provide a background into practical beekeeping and an afternoon session with the bees. It is designed as a taster session to see if people wish to pursue beekeeping further.

We will look at the basics of bee-keeping, hive construction and siting, managing bees, where to get bees and equipment and the importance of bees in the environment.

The morning session will be indoors and cover the following topics:

• differences between honey bees and other bees
• the importance of bees in the environment
• history and evolution of honey bees and beekeeping
• equipment needed (& not needed)
• hives - types and parts available
• what a colony consists of
• siting of apiaries (hives)
• how and where to acquire bees and equipment
• basic management of bees and control of the parasitic varroa mite
• the beekeeping year: what to do and when
• local & national support for bees and beekeeping
• how to take beekeeping further
  

The afternoon session will be out in the apiary looking at beehives. Beekeepers' special protective clothing will be provided. The session will show ‘working’ beehives, how to inspect them and what to look out for. The group size will be kept small to allow participants maximum attention to detail and where possible to participate in inspecting colonies.

Please wear suitable clothing. Boots (wellies are best), long sleeved top, long trousers and some washing-up type gloves. Other protective clothing will be provided

more on beekeeping