Courses for established beekeepers wanting to develop
and extend their knowledge and skills we run the following courses:-
Further Practical Beekeeping
A ten week practical course
for thoses who have done the beginners course or had some experience but would like further hands on beekeeping. Looking at
colony build up, swarm management, and varroa management in particular working with a number of different
hives under the guidance of experienced beekeepers. It will give you more confidence to handle your own bees and give you
the opportunity to try out methods of swarm control, colony increase and disease management as well as looking at honey production.
Mondays for ten weeks from 22nd April 2013
Intermediate
Practical Beekeeping
A practical beekeeping course for those with some experience this course builds on the Basic exam
course to develop further beekeeping skills. It will include different swarm control techniques, colony increase, transferring
to new comb, moving hives to forage, using nucs and disease recognition and treatments. Held at the Whyteleafe apiary, this is designed for beekeepers that have kept bees for a while and
want to
develop their knowledge further with like-minded beekeepers. Start
date May 2013
Course cost £97.00
Basic Practical Beekeeping Exam
course
Once you have kept bees for a season the BBKA Basic exam is open to you.
This course is for beekeepers who have had bees for at least a year and is designed to follow
the syllabus for the exam with lots of practical and a mock test as well as all the theory you will need. The exam is arranged
to take place at the apiary at the end of the course, but it is not compulsory! It will ensure you have an up to date
and comprehensive understanding of the basics of beekeeping.
Tuesday evenings from 6.30 starting 28th May at the apiary in Whyteleafe Course Cost £97.00
Queen Rearing - Saturday 18 th May
2013
A
whole day during which we will look at the preparation needed to for a hive to provide larvae of the right age to graft and
how to prepare hives to receive grafts to raise queen cells. We will also spend time on the technique of grafting, practicing
on prepared cups. A frame will then be used in a starter hive to show the development of the cells. During the day we will
also look in detail at using a ‘Cupkit’ Plug Transfer System and the preparation of mini nucs.
10.00am - 4pm Ploughmans type lunch provided. Course cost
£55.00
Integrated Pest Management Course
A one
day course which covers the bio technical management techniques for dealing with varroa.Date to be confirmed.
Using Organic Acids
A one day course is aimed at giving you current and up to
date information regarding the safe use of organic acids to control varroa in beehives. Some of the topics covered will include the following:-Compliance with Veterinary Medicines Directive.Record keeping.Storing
chemicalsSelection of the appropriate acid
to be used.Mixing/dilution of the various acids.How to safely apply the chosen acid.Timing of the appropriate application Next course November 2013
