Beekeeping Course
March 5th - May 14th 2024
The cost of this course is included in your membership
NKBKA holds a Beekeeping Course in March/April each year, which is open to existing, novice and beginner beekeepers. It provides a fantastic opportunity to learn and develop the skills required to be a beekeeper. Apiary visits are highly recommended prior to acquiring bees and mentoring is available at NKBKA apiaries.
The 2024 course will begin on March 5th at the Old Cinema in Naas and it will also be delivered by Zoom invitation to members. All Tuesday courses or meetings begin at 8pm sharp and normally finish by 9.30pm. *** TOPICS ARE CURRENTLY IN DRAFT AND MAY CHANGE***
- Week 1 — Tuesday 5th March - Welcome & Course Introduction. Occupants of the Hive, their life cycle and functions.
- Week 2 — Tuesday 12th March - Beekeeping Equipment and Clothing. Beekeeping Terms & Glossary.
- Week 3 — Tuesday 19th March - Spring & Summer Management. Weekly Inspections and Notes.
- Week 4 — Tuesday 26th March - Hive Types. Hive & Frame Assembly. Sections.
- Week 5 — Tuesday 2nd April - Forage and Bee Flora. Swarms & Swarming.
- Week 6 — Tuesday 9th April - Bee Health & Hygiene. Health & Safety.
- Week 7 — Tuesday 16th April - Adult Bee Diseases & Pests. Brood Diseases.
- Week 8 — Tuesday 23rd April - Honey Removal, Extraction and Processing. Labelling & Regulations
- Week 9 — Tuesday 30th April - Autumn feeding and preparing for Winter. Storage & care of equipment.
- Week 10 — Saturday 11th May - Outdoor demonstrations.
- Week 11 — Tuesday 14th May - Swarm Control Methods
Association apiary visits after course completion are included.
** The fees for the course cover your NKBKA membership, your annual beekeepers insurance, membership of the IBAclg and access to the association apiaries. The lecturers are experienced members of the association and are all beekeepers.