2019
August 3rd General Introduction
PDBKA – who we are, what we do The importance of beekeeping Origins of beekeeping;
Honey hunting; skeps L.L.Langstroth Bee species What is a honeybee
Basic equipment What’s in a bee hive What is “normal” The BBKA Sources of equipment
August 10th Hive Products
Local forage crops Pollination, nectar, honey Wax, propolis and pollen
Honey extraction Feeding bees Showing and display Types of honey
Selling honey Mead
August 17th The Beehive
The bees nest Hives and hive assembly Hive maintenance Assembling frames
Different hive types Brood sizes The National Hive Supers – when and why
The Nucleus
August 24th The Honeybee and Its Colony
Life cycle of the honeybee Castes The Queen : her importance in the hive Queen mating
Division of labour in the hive Bee morphology The Annual Round
Swarming – reasons, control, collection and management Bee communication
August 31st B. Problems / Getting started
Handling bees Siting hives / setting up an apiary Pests and parasites
Brood diseases Adult bee diseases Neighbours Animals
Questions and queries