BEGINNERS COURSE

Introductory Course to Beekeeping 2025

Torbay Beekeepers will be running an Introduction to Beekeeping course in 2025, please contact Liz Westcott for more details.

This course starts in January 2025 and will be held in St George’s Church Hall, Barn Rd, Goodrington, Paignton TQ4 7NG.

Week 1 – Introduction
What is a honey bee.
Importance of beekeeping
Local and national support from BBKA DBKA Equipment basics
The colony
The queen, workers, drones
Division of labour within the hive
Individual life cycles

Week 2 – The Beekeeping Year
Preparation for winter
Spring management
Summer build up
Honey harvest
The bees nest
Hive components
– Bees, Plants and Hive Products
Pollination, nectar and honey
Local forage plants
Wax, Propolis and pollen
Selling honey

Week 3 – Swarms
Reasons for swarming
Primary swarms and casts
Swarm control
Swarm prevention
Swarm collection

Week 4 – Pests and Diseases
Pests
Brood Diseases
Adult Diseases
Varroa

Week 5 – Statutory requirements
Practical aspects to be covered at the apiary
Getting Started
Joining your local Association
Siting and setting up an Apiary

Week 6 – Practical – Held at the Cockington apiary
Necessary clothing and equipment
Buying your first colony of bees
Making frames

* Session content is subject to change