Supplemental Feeding
Outcomes Learners will gain insight into the timing and scenarios for effective feeding, and recognize different supplementation options. Key Takeaways Responsible feeding practices are essential for maintaining bee colony health and vitality, emphasizing proper nutrition over past practices. Timing is critical when deciding when to feed honey bees, with specific considerations for colony establishment, […]
All About Grafting Queens
Outcomes Learners will understand the basics of the Doolittle Method for queen bee rearing, including understanding essential equipment and key tricks for success. Key Takeaways Priming Queen Cups: Introduce grafting bars with queen cups to your queenless starter or shook swarm a day before grafting to have the cups cleaned and coated with […]
Social Immunity and Propolis
Outcomes Learners will develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles underlying social and individual immunity in honey bees. Key Takeaways Honey bees, like many social insects, have collective behavioural defences called “social immunity” to help defend and protect the colony against pathogens and parasites. Propolis is known to have many antimicrobial proprieties against bacteria, fungi, […]
Combining Mating Nucs
Outcomes Learners will be able to effectively prepare and combine mating nucs to ensure thriving colonies during the winter season. Key Takeaways Optimal Winter Preparation: Focus on achieving the right winter weights and cluster size by reviewing weight requirements and assessing brood frame numbers for strong winter clusters, regardless of your hive setup. […]
Sampling for Varroa
Outcomes Learners will gain an understanding of the significance of regular sampling for Varroa mites in beekeeping. They will be able to recognize and differentiate between effective treatment methods. Key Takeaways Early Detection and Prevention: Regular sampling for Varroa mites is crucial for detecting infestations early, preventing colony failure, and mitigating the spread […]
Controlling Varroa with IPM
Outcomes Students will have gain an awareness of various strategies for managing varroa mites and the differing levels of efficacy associated with these strategies. Key Takeaways There are 5 strategies for applying IPM: Prevention, Cultural, Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical. Prevention is all about decreasing the risk of contact with diseases which are rated […]
Chalkbrood
Outcomes Learners will be able to recognize the signs of chalkbrood in honeybee colonies, understand effective prevention strategies, and comprehend appropriate treatments to mitigate its impact. Key Takeaways Chalkbrood is a fungal disease affecting honeybee larvae, caused by Ascosphaera apis, and can be transmitted through ingestion of spores. Infected larvae undergo mummification, resulting in chalky-white […]
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 […]
Sampling for Nosema
Outcomes Learners will recognize the procedure for conducting a Nosema field test in a bee colony. Key Takeaways Nosema, a subtle fungal parasite, can affect bee colonies’ health without obvious signs. Sampling helps uncover its presence, enabling informed actions to protect bee vitality. Sampling for Nosema is an accessible process involving collecting bees, […]
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 […]
