Cleansing Flights
Outcomes Learners will understand the importance of cleansing flights for bees during winter. Key Takeaways Bees engage in cleansing flights during winter to defecate and maintain hive cleanliness, with some bees waiting up to 80 days before taking these flights. Hive placement and understanding the difference between cleansing flights and normal hive cleaning […]
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 […]
Creating a Biosecurity Plan
Outcomes Learners will gain an understanding of the significance of biosecurity and recognize a wide range of biosecurity practices. Key Takeaways Beekeeping biosecurity is vital for safeguarding bee colonies against diseases, pests, and contaminants that threaten their health and the environment. Key practices include sourcing bees and equipment from reputable suppliers, regular inspections, proper disposal […]
How Bees Thermoregulate
Outcomes Learners will recognize effective winter beekeeping practices in northern climates, including hive management, insulation, food stores, and hive health maintenance. https://youtu.be/zymJXJV_da8 Winter beekeeping in northern climates presents unique challenges that require careful planning and attention to detail. The harsh conditions of colder regions demand special considerations to ensure the survival and well-being of your […]
Insurance Needs for Beekeepers
Outcomes Learners will identify and understand the essential considerations required for securing appropriate insurance coverage tailored to their apiary operations. Key Takeaways Beekeeping and Risk Mitigation: Beekeeping combines natural wonders with product creation, but it involves risks. From bee-related dangers to property damage, insurance is essential. Fires, a significant threat, highlight the need […]
Managing Winter Moisture: Essential Tips for Beekeepers
Outcomes Learners will gain insights into why bees produce moisture and learn practical techniques to effectively manage moisture in beekeeping through hive design, ventilation, and insulation. Key Takeaways Understand why bees produce moisture during winter as they consume honey, and how excess moisture can pose a threat to bee clusters and hive health. Implement proper […]
Nature’s Insulator: How Honey Keeps Beehives Warm in Winter
Outcomes Gain an understanding of how honey acts as a natural insulator in beehives during winter, and the importance of strategically organizing honey and avoiding over harvesting to ensure the warmth and survival of honey bees Key Takeaways Honey acts as a natural insulator for beehives, creating a thermal blanket around the bee […]
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, […]
Branding Basics
Outcomes Learners will be able to recognize the key elements of brand identity and apply them effectively to a beekeeping business context. Key Takeaways Identify who your audience is, and market to them. Establish a strong visual and emotional brand identity. Consider how you will establish your voice to build trust with customers […]
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. […]
