Continuing my quest to learn more about bees, I recently attended a beginners day on beekeeping at my former workplace – The Glasshouses, Killult http://www.natithegloine.com
Hive Health
The day began with watching several videos from The University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre http://www.uoguelph.ca/honeybee/videos.shtml on best techniques for opening hives and colony inspection.
In summer, it is good practice to check each hive on a weekly basis.
Mating Hives
Our practical experience included checking on mating hives, where virgin queens are left alone with 300 bees, thus ensuring future generations.
Please note that although I had donned a protective suit, my ankles remained bare. Thankfully, the bees stayed away from my feet.
It is wise to completely cover up.
Mating Hive Inspection
Each hive was carefully inspected, and the bees all looked healthy and happy.
The white substance on the right is fondant, which the bees like to eat.
Hive Inspection
We continued our practical studies at the main beehives, located near an abundance of wildflowers.
Our tutor opened the hive, and we got a close look at the inside.
As each frame was held high, we identified pollen in cells, Drone cells, Worker cells, the Queen…
Drone cells have a raised appearance, and Worker cells have a flatter seal.
The Queen
The Queen is usually marked with dye to allow for quicker identification. Each year, the dye colour is changed, which allows beekeepers to monitor the age of each Queen.
In a healthy hive, a Queen Bee will live for at least two years but can live for up to five. She can lay up to 2500 eggs in a day.
Drones and Worker Bees
Sadly, Drones have a lifespan of up to four months, while Worker bees can live for four months in winter, or just six to seven weeks in summer.
Life Long Learning
The day was incredibly interesting, but I realise now that beekeeping entails life long learning.
I shall endeavour to continue my studies.
If you enjoyed this post you may also like:
Supporting Natural Honeybees at Cluain na dTor Gardens
An Inspiring Introduction to Beekeeping – Part 2
Watching the Daisies 
I would love to do something like this, Brigid, butam am deathly allergic to bees.
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What a pity. It is such a lovely past time.
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We’ve been gifted a day’s intro to bee keeping by our daughter for later this year. V much looking forward to it.
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Wonderful. I loved it. Bees would love your garden Geoff.
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That’s what we think
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You much braver than me Bridget!
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I felt really calm Elaine. It was very relaxing.
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Truly inspiring! What a wonderful post on beekeeping. Such a nice hive that you were able to inspect.Thank you for the links, too. I absolutely love the bees 😍💕
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Glad you enjoyed it Lisa. The videos are terrific. Going to a followup day on Saturday. x
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Wow this is excellent and so nice to learn something new and never knew so much about bees. It would be good to learn, Brigid. Good you enjoyed. Nice pics.
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Thank you Kamal. I am continuing my learning on Saturday. Bees are so interesting.
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Welcome Brigid and yes they sure are. Happy learning dear.
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Really really cool. Even though I’m allergic to bee stings, I have always wanted to explore the art of bee keeping. And I will one day don a suit and learn about hive society I just know it!
BTW: Love your fashion statement –
😉
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Thank you Laura. It is a very relaxing past time. You would love it. Glad you like the suit. Very fetching isn’t it.
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Oh yes, very…hope you’ll keep us up on your new bee-adventures.
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There is something very cool about bees. My sister has three hives and shares a lot of what she does with me (virtually). They all wear that outfit, don’t they? This was quite interesting, Brigid. Didn’t know you were into this.
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Thank you Jacqui. I am a complete beginner but very keen. Attending another day on Saturday. Some beekeepers are very brave and wear no protective clothing!
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Thanks for sharing this with us, Brigid. Bees are so important. ♥️
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They sure are Jennifer. I hope to learn much more and will share in future posts.
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You are a born teacher! Thank you so much Brigid. I learned so much from this post. 🐝💛
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Thank you Andrea. It takes one to know one. I really loved being among the bees. To be continued…
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Wow so interesting and scary. I did notice your bare ankles and soles of your feet, glad you remained safe. You are in inspiration in general and a great ambassador for life long learning. Great post. Thank you for making me wiser in the world of beekeeping – something until now didn’t know too much about.
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Thank you Bella. I came unprepared without socks, but this weekend I will be wearing them! I hope to write more posts on beekeeping. I am glad you enjoyed this one.
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Cool look forward to learning more.
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We had professional bee hives on the farm by agistment but the Beekeeper did all the work. Our part was eating the honey we received from him 😀
Great post Brigid, you look as though you really enjoyed the time.
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. You were blessed. I am hoping to learn more this weekend, and eventually help my sister’s partner when he gets hives.
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You are a brave and inspiring woman! I have several acquaintances who have taken up beekeeping. They are quiet people who have farms or large acres of land, and feel a spiritual connection to the bees. I wonder if you do also? This post is fascinating, and the photos real enough that I thought I heard bees buzzing…
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Thank you Pamela. It was actually very relaxing – not what I expected. I would love to keep bees myself but I am too close to neighbours. However, my sister and her partner are planning to get a hive.
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Win/win – you can VISIT the bees and feel the buzz. “All in the family.” 😉
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What a fun thing to do, Brigid. Bees are fascinating and such wonderful pollinators. Someday I’d love to take a beginners class.
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I hope you can Diana. It was so nice to work with the bees. Going again tomorrow.
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Have fun!
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It sounds nice reading about it, but i think I’ll limit the experience to reading and being amazed – too much of a coward to get near all the buzzing. I was surprised they mark the bee queen with dye.
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I was surprised too Jina. It seems a bit unkind. I did not expect to feel so relaxed near them. It was a surprise.
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Wonderful! Like you I would love to keep bees but neighbours are too nearby (and have myriad small children).
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Thank you Darren. It is a shame but maybe we can both adopt someone else’s beehives. I am hoping my sister’s partner gets some soon!
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They have hives at the plant nursery where my wife works. She got stung right on the tip of her nose last month! First sting ever in 6 years there. Her boss was annoying the bees by working on the hives.
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We met a beekeeper who after many years of keeping bees developed a severe allergy. That must have been a sore sting.
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That is really tragic. One of my old students had a grandfather whose life was his chrysanthemum nursery until he became allergic to those.
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That would be heartbreaking too.
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All the best for your bee hiving pursuits Brigid. It goes so well with your love of gardening and nature. I can imagine the bees in the garden pollinating all the flowers. A lovely image.
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Thank you Julie. I am going to learn more on beekeeping in an hour or so. Happy days.
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What a fantastic thing to get to do! Not something I’d have the stomach for I’m not good with anything creepy crawly or with wings. I hadn’t realised quite how short the life span is for both drones & worker bees. That’s really sad. xx
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Thank you Caz. It is really sad, and the poor Queen gets euthanized if she is less able. I could not do it! xx
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THIS POST IS…SUPER!!!!
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Many thanks Jonathan. I really appreciate your support.
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YAY! 😀
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Absolutely fascinating, Brigid! 😀 I’m in awe of your courage to venture so close! Glad your ankles were okay! The photos and information about the hives and bees are interesting and I had no idea their lives were so short. Do you have your own hive at home? Will you be getting one?
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Thank you Annika. I went back for more on Saturday! I hope to get a hive next year, if my garden is considered suitable. I really enjoyed watching the bees.
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Oh this looks so great. I didn’t know the life span of bees, thanks for the info. I think you would like this book, Song of Increase by Jacqueline Freeman, it’s on Amazon. Thank you
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Thank you Masha. I will check it out. I have another beekeeping post scheduled.
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lovely and informative Brigid, thank you, I am interested to know more, just for knowledge, not to start my own bee keeping, but so very fascinated about this branch of agriculture. the fondant was quaint, how amazing is that! happy learning!
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Thank you Gina. I have been to another workshop and I have a post ready for September. Going to another two days this weekend. I so enjoy seeing the bees.
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delightful and so much we can learn from their industry and structure of living. have a good time at the workshop!
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How wonderful, Brigid I would love to learn and do that…I follow a man’s blog who has bees and it fascinates me…I see you are thinking of getting a hive your garden would be ideal for them 🙂 x
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Thank you Carol. I have so enjoyed these classes. Hoping to get my own hive next spring. x
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