2023 Bee School

Illiana Beekeepers Alliance Introduction to Beekeeping Class 

There are 2 parts to this course- Spring & Fall

Spring class Date: March 11th, 2023 8am-2pm

Fall Class Date June 24th, 2023 8am-2pm

Spring covers time relevant topics described below and Fall covers the remaining topic relevant to fall preparations.

Some topics tht may be discussed:

Through years of reflection, we have focused this course strictly on what is necessary, honey bee husbandry.

This was our old itinerary:

1. The History of Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera) The Western Honey Bee

a. Every creature has its purpose

b. Feral bees and their origins-map

c. Enjoy the many species of honey bees

d. Ancient history of Beekeeping

e. Bees working for humans- how we try to utilize them in our lives

f. How we have adapted to the benefits of commercial beekeeping

a. Diet- abundance of honey & pollen

b. Medicine- medicinal properties, apitherapy, & propolis

c. Crop pollination 

d. Wax

2. Bee Anatomy & interesting facts

a. Eyes & vision

b. Nectar gathering tongue (proboscis) & different lengths

c. Honey stomach

d. Pollen sacs

e. Stinger- venom & reactions

f. The Cast system & Identification

1.  Queen

2.  Worker

3.  Drone

3. Modern methods of beekeeping an introduction to the Langstroth Hive

a. Bee Space- How bees perceive and respond to their surroundings.

b. Hive Body, Supers, Inner Cover, Top Cover, Entrance reducer, Bottom boards, Shims

c. Hive Stands-getting your bees off the ground

d. Feeders & when to use them- Frame feeders, multiple variations of top feeders, Boardman, bucket, patties, pollen

e. Frame types & Wax/plastic foundations

f. Queen excluders, propolis traps, pollen traps

4 Protective Clothing & tools

A. Veil & Suit

B. Gloves

C. Smokers

D. Hive tools, grippers, hammer, & other hand tools

5. Where to put your hive & thrive

 a. Breed preference

 b. Natural surroundings- 

c.   Food sources

d. Sun, shade, water, & wind

e. Irritants- vibration, other wildlife,  & the unknown

6. Introducing Nucleus colonies (Nuc’s) & package bees

A. Nucleus Colonies vs Package Bees

 B. Hive configuration & Queen Excluder

1. Only as big as they need

2. Only what they can defend

C. Installing a Nuc: Demonstration

D. Installing a Package of Bees: Demonstration

7. Feeding you bees & identifying nectar flow

A.  Feed mixtures & supplements.

B.  Lemongrass oil effects in supplements.

C. Identifying dearth periods.

D. Identify Robbing & how to stop it

8. Honey Bee Social structure and habits

 A. Identify Queen, Drone, Worker, Capped Brood, Capped Honey, Pollen. 

 B. An introduction to bee bee-havior and interpreting your observations.

9. Extracting & packaging Honey

 A. Identify Honey Bound

 B. How much honey will I get?

C. How to get bees out of the supers

 D. Methods of extraction & bottling

10. Overview of Pest Management

 A. Varroa mite counts & control

 B. SHB Small Hive Beetle Damage & Control

C.  Bee virus & disease  identification

11. Preparing your bees for winter

A. Emergency Food

B. Quilt box(hot box)

12. Open Session of Question & Answers