Post-Secondary Accreditation

Take our Level One Beekeeping Certificate: 50-hour self-directed course including one-hour weekly Q and A sessions with the instructor

ABC Bees Post-Secondary Accredited Level One Beekeeping Certificate at NAIT. Now open for registration in the 2025-2026 sessions: 
November 10 – December 15, 2025
January 26 – March 1, 2026
April 13 – May 15, 2026

5 Questions When Inspecting Your Hive

Outcomes Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of hive inspection essentials.    Key Takeaways    Are you queen right? Is the brood pattern consistent? Is the queen being replaced? Is the colony increasing or decreasing in size? Are there signs of brood disease? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHOmBV4js_E Beekeeping is an art that requires a keen eye and a […]

All About Swarms

Outcomes Learners will be able to recognize and interpret the warning signs exhibited by bee colonies that indicate they may be preparing to swarm.    Key Takeaways    Swarm Prediction Essentials: Hilary Kearney shares essential insights on how to predict when bee colonies are gearing up to swarm, helping beekeepers anticipate this natural phenomenon. Recognizing […]

Ongoing Beekeeping Tasks

Outcomes Learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the year-round tasks necessary for successful beekeeping.   Key Takeaways    Beekeeping involves managing hives for honey production and immersing in the intricacies of nature. Successful year-round beekeeping requires adapting tasks to changing seasons. Seasonal preparation includes stocking up on feed, equipment, and medications. Regular hive inspections […]

Seasonal Beekeeping Tasks

Outcomes   Learners will have a clear understanding of the essential seasonal tasks necessary for effective beekeeping. https://youtu.be/Hhi7KiXztBU Beekeeping is a fascinating and rewarding hobby or profession, but it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor. To successfully manage your apiary, you need to follow a set of essential seasonal tasks that cater to the needs of your […]

Seasonal Indicators for Beekeeping

Outcomes Learners will be able to identify key seasonal indicators in beekeeping, including flow, temperature, and climate.   Key Takeaways    Flow signifies the period when nature provides abundant food for bees; it varies by region and year. Recognizing local flora indicators of flow helps plan hive activities. Temperature plays a crucial role, affecting tasks […]

Beekeeping Regulations

Outcomes Learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the essential steps to navigate beekeeping regulations   Key Takeaways    Understanding Beekeeping Regulations: Beekeeping comes with responsibilities and varying regulations, whether you’re in urban or rural areas. Provincial and state apiculture offices oversee key regulations, including bee and equipment registration. Municipal regulations can impose hive placement […]

How to Install a Nucleus Colony

Outcomes Learners will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to confidently install a nucleus colony.   Key Takeaways    Smart Purchasing: When buying a nucleus colony, ensure you ask the apiary for proof of inspection by a provincial inspector. Verify the age of the combs to avoid purchasing colonies with old and unhealthy comb structures. […]

How to Spot a Queen

Outcomes Learners will develop strategies to spot a queen bee within the beehive, no matter how packed with bees your colony is.   Key Takeaways  Queen Bee Appearance: The queen bee is the largest bee in the colony. She has an elongated, pointed abdomen, a shiny and hairless back, and lighter-colored legs. Tip #1 – […]

How to Install a Bee Package

Outcomes Learners will be equipped with essential tips to confidently and effectively guide the process of installing a bee package.   Key Takeaways  Tip 1: Gather all hive equipment, including bottom board, frames, inner cover, lid, and entrance reducer. Tip 2: Elevate the beehive on a hive stand at least six centimeters off the ground […]

Performing a Survival Check

Outcomes Learners will understand how to conduct a survival inspection for beehives and implement effective spring feeding techniques to support the well-being and survival of bee colonies during the critical springtime period.   Key Takeaways  Survival inspections are vital health check-ups for beehives, allowing beekeepers to assess colony well-being and identify potential issues. Spring feeding […]