Art & Science of Beekeeping

The Art and Science of Beekeeping is a unique weekend course combining practical instruction and hands-on beekeeping. Course instructor, Michael, has been keeping bees for more than 20 years. Michael is an expert in Natural Beekeeping with Warre and top bar hives. He is also a commercial honey producer and business owner of Bindaree Bee Supplies.

The Science part of the course will cover what we know about the biology and behaviour of these fascinating creatures. The Art of beekeeping will involve hands-on beekeeping experience. You will learn how to build your own bee hive, construct beeswax frames and assemble and paint hive boxes. We will examine bees first hand, in four different systems including Langstroth, Flow Hive, Top Bar and Warre hives. The apiary is located in Murrumbateman about 1 km from Bindaree and Wins Creek.

Morning tea and lunch both days are included at Win’s Creek Meadery.

Murrumbateman is an ideal tourist destination. It is surrounded by Cool Climate Wine Country and on the doorstep of the Nation’s Capital. Win’s Creek Meadery and Bindaree Bee Supplies are located in the historic Traveller’s Rest Inn, ca. 1879.

Course outline is as follows:

Day 1 (10 am to 4 pm)

Morning: Science

Evolution of honey bees and flowering plants

Life stages and forms of honeybees

Queenbees and Drones

Swarming behaviour – How to reduce the risk of swarming and catch them if they do

The Natural Hive

The Domesticated Hive – What type of hive should I get? We’ll cover Langstroth, Flow, Warre and Top Bar Hives.

Lunch at the Meadery

Afternoon: Art

Hive & Frame Construction

We will construct and paint a timber hive, including the lid, base and boxes.  You will show you how to assemble, wire and attach beeswax foundation to frames. If you have an unassembled Flow Hive and would like to bring that to the course, we can help you with assembling it.

Day 2 (10.00 pm to 4.00 pm)

Morning Science

Pests & Diseases

Honey and other products of the hive

Bee stings and allergies

Honey extraction, feeding, and hive maintenance

Lunch at the Meadery

Afternoon Art

Hands-on Beekeeping Experience

Inspect Langstroth, Warre and Top Bar hives, in situ.