Regular hive inspections are crucial to ensuring a healthy and productive colony, and this hands-on workshop will teach you the key techniques for thoroughly examining your hive. With expert guidance from Cail Calder of Westerbee honey, aka “The Beeman“, you’ll learn how to diagnose potential issues and make informed decisions to keep your bees thriving.
In this workshop, you’ll:
- Get an in-depth look at how to properly open and inspect a beehive, including safety tips for working with bees;
- Learn how to identify the queen, brood patterns, and honey stores, and how to assess colony health based on these indicators;
- Understand how to spot signs of disease, pests, or other potential problems within the hive;
- Practice recognizing the symptoms of common issues like mite infestations, queen failure, and hive overcrowding;
- Gain skills in handling frames and using equipment such as smokers, hive tools, and protective gear;
- Learn how to record your findings and track the progress of your colony over time;
- Understand when and how to intervene with appropriate actions like mite treatments, adding new frames, or expanding the hive.
Who Should Attend:
This workshop is perfect for beginner to intermediate beekeepers who want hands-on experience in inspecting and maintaining healthy bee colonies. It is geared toward adults and high school students.
Materials:
Hives, tools, and frames will be provided, as well as a detailed guide for conducting your own future hive inspections.Participants are required to bring a suit and/or bee veil as we will be opening hives for inspection and discussion.
Parking is available in the main parking lot at Barlow Nature Preserve, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road).
Workshop is $15 per WLT member and $25.00 per non-member, which Cail generously pledged to donate to WLT. Registration is required; spots are limited.
This is the second in a three part workshop series. While each workshop can be attended independently, we invite you to consider registering for all three for the maximum impact.
Session 1: Setting Up Your Hive on March 27
Session 3: From Hive to Jar on August 21
