An Introduction to Beekeeping Course
A short outline of what will be covered on each evening
February 9th Natural History of the Honeybee
A short history of beekeeping.
Bees and wasps.
How and what bees eat.
How the seasonal changes affect bees.
A look at the different plants and their availability throughout the year,
February 16th The Honeybee Colony
A look at who lives in the colony and the work they do.
The life cycles of the queen, workers, and drones.
Healthy and unhealthy brood patterns.
How a queen becomes a queen.
The colony and the Beekeeper
February 23rd Products of the Hive
Honey
Humans and Honey
Pollen
How and why bees make wax
Why and how bees collect propolis
March 9th Beekeeping Equipment
Basic personal protection beekeeping equipment.
The hive tool and smoker
A Hive
The different types of hives available
Bee Space
March 16th Honeybee Health
Heathy Honeybees
Good Colony Management
A short introduction to Varroa
Pests and diseases of the beehive
An integrated approach to happy healthy honeybees
March 23rd Bees and the Environment
Honeybees and other bees in Ireland
Bees as pollinators
The state of pollinator populations in Ireland
What the public can do to help bees and pollinators
