mcmullan-beekeeping basics.pdf

7/27/2019 McMullan-Beekeeping Basics.pdf

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Houston Urban Food Production Conference

BEEKEEPINGBASICS

Presented by

Jeff McMullanFort Bend Beekeepers Association

Beekeeping Rule No.1

BE SAFEAROUND BEES!

BEWARE OF STING ALLERGIES!

seek medical attention i f …..

- stung many times- difficulty breathing- reaction away from the sting

BEESAFE • honey bees as pollinators impact U. S.

agricultural crops valued at $15 billion peryear

Honey bee facts….



• pests, disease and pesticides have decimatedferal honey bee colonies in many areas

• Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the termgiven to the loss of many managed colonies

Honey bee facts….

THE HONEYBEE COLONY

The Honey Bee Queen

• colony has a single queen

• may live five years or even more

• largest bee in the colony

• may lay 1,500 or more eggs per day

• emits chemical scents (pheromones) that

regulate the colony unity

• attendants are vital



• females with undeveloped ovaries

• most of colony’s population• smaller abdomen than the queen

• barbed stinger

• life span of only six weeks during active season

The Honey Bee Worker

Foraging

• nectar for honey

• pollen (protein)

• water

• resins for propolis



The Honeybee Drone

• only role is as mating partner

• large barrel shape• huge eyes

• develops from unfertilized egg

• haploid (one set of chromosomes)

• no stinger

• accepted and cared for by (any) colony’sworkers

• ejected from hive at the end of the season

The Honey Bee Hive

• the Queen

• 60,000 or so female workers

• a few hundred male drones

• comb constructed of beeswax

• immature brood

• stores of nectar, honey and pollen



pupae

larvae

eggs

adult

HONEY BEE BROOD: COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

stores of nectar and honey

stores of pollen (“bee bread”)

Propolis

The Keepingof Bees



hive stand

bottom board

deep brood

medium brood

telescoping cover (and inner cover)

medium supers

Foundation and Frames

• foundation

– deep (8 1/2” x 16 3/4” )

– medium (5 5/8” x 16 3/4” )

– shallow (4 3/4” x 16 3/4” )

Colony Placement

• easy maintenance

• easy access

• hive stand• safe, discrete

• full sun

• cleansing flights

• water source

• barriers…up and away

Where can I get bees?

• buy packaged bees




• buy packaged bees• buy active hives (or nucs)• “ split” an existing hive• captured swarms


• buy packaged bees

• buy active hives (or nucs)• “split” an existing hive

• captured swarms

• colony removal (“cutouts”)



Beekeeper Gear

• protective clothing

• smoker • tools and gadgets

Honeybee Pests and Disease

• honeybees are susceptible to a number of

diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus

and even protozoans

• parasites and hive pests cause serious

problems

Integrated Pest Management

that are causing o r likely to cause

SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

to control

IDENTIFIED PESTS

Use

LEAST TOXIC MEANS

Managing Pests and Disease

– chemical pesticides, antibiotics, etc.

– beekeeping equipment and practi ces

– biological control

– genetic selection



Rewards of Beekeeping

Beekeeping Rule No.1

BE SAFEAROUND BEES!

Houston Urban Food Production Conference

BEEKEEPINGBASICS

Presented by

Jeff McMullanFort Bend Beekeepers Association

mcmullan-beekeeping basics.pdf

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