Establish a honey bee hive
Overview
This standard covers the establishment of a honey bee hive. The aim will be to establish a strong healthy colony of bees for the production of honey. This standard is suitable for those involved in establishing honey bee hives.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
assess the risks associated with the activity to be carried out
wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
identify an appropriate location for the honey bee hive
select, prepare, use and maintain beekeeping equipment safely
and correctly
select the appropriate type of hive
confirm that the hive is correctly assembled, in accordance with
requirements
position the hive on a suitable platform
acquire honey bees and a queen for the hive at the correct time
place the bees in the hive at the correct time, maintaining the
safety of yourself and others and the health and welfare of the
bees
- place the queen in the hive maintaining separation until the colony
has settled
- maintain an ample supply of food until the worker bees establish a
honeycomb
- monitor the hive for signs of pests, diseases and disorders and
take appropriate action if they are detected
- maintain communication with colleagues and others involved in,
or affected by, the activity
maintain good hygiene practices and bio-security
carry out all work in accordance with relevant environmental and
health and safety legislation, beekeeping legislation, risk
assessment requirements and codes of practice
- maintain records of beekeeping activities
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
how to identify hazards and assess risks
- the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
suitable for beekeeping activities
- the beekeeping equipment required and how to use it safely and
correctly for beekeeping activities
- how and where a honey bee hive should be sited and the factors
that should be taken into account e.g. food source, risk to the
public
- the different types of hives and components and how they
are assembled and used
- the principles that govern the design of hives and frames e.g.
the concept of bee space, and the main features of their
construction
the different strains of honey bees and their characteristics
the different adult bees within the colony and their specific job
how to introduce the bees and queen to the hive in a way that
minimises stress
the stages in the life cycle of a honey bee
the elementary anatomy and biology of a honey bee
how the bees' behaviour can help to regulate the environment
within the colony
the communication methods used by bees
the make up of a nucleus and how it can be used
how plants and bees are mutually beneficial to each other
elementary botany and foraging for bee farming
the principles involved in feeding honey bees and why it is
important that no honey boxes are in place when bees are being
fed sugar syrup
the nutritional value of honey to the honey bee colony
the management needed to cope with changes in seasons,
geographic locations, weather conditions, the timing of the
flowering of forage plants and sources of undesirable nectar
- where to find information on pests, diseases and disorders
affecting honey bee colonies, including which are notifiable, and
the action to take if they are detected
- the potential impact of pests, diseases and disorders on bee
health, the management of the colony and their economic effects
the correct procedures to take in the event of an emergency
the importance of maintaining communication with those involved
in, or affected by, the activity
the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices and biosecurity and the methods for achieving these
your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and
safety legislation, beekeeping legislation and codes of practice
the need for relevant insurance
the role of professional organisations and associations
the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing
them
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Adult bees:
• worker
• drone
• queen
Beekeeping activities:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
use of a smoker
assembly of a hive
removal of hive parts (roof, crown board, suppers, brood combs)
collection of honey
packaging
food labelling
cleaning hive components
Beekeeping equipment:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
hive
smoker
fuel
personal protective equipment
hive tool
queen excluder
feeder
Communication methods used by bees:
•
•
•
•
food sharing
dancing
scenting
vibration
Emergency:
• unhealthy brood
• sting
• swarm
Hygiene practices:
• protective clothing
• hand washing
• personal illness
• cuts and wounds
Pests, diseases and disorders:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
small hive beetle
tropilaelaps
varroa mite
wax moth
tracheal mites
Asian hornet
nosema
varroosis
American foul brood
European foul brood
sac brood
bald brood
drone brood
chalk brood
amoeba
starved colony
chilled or overheated colony
plant poisoning
pesticide poisoning