Beginners' Beekeeping

Presenters are from NSBKA Club.

Club Membership is not required.

Please register your interest through Registration-of-Interest, an email will be sent to the Course organizer.

Beginner Bee Keeping courses are highly recommended before your start with Bees. Not only will you gain confidence after having hands on experience before you take possession of your own bee hives but you will know the legal responsibility required as a Beekeeper.

The North Shore Beekeepers Beginners’ course is designed to provide new or potential beekeepers (including those with a (Flow®Hive) with the necessary knowledge, confidence and practical skills to successfully manage their beehive. The course is aimed at newcomers and sets out to teach the knowledge and practical skills required for successful beekeeping.

The cost of the course is $250 which includes all handouts and resources. Included in the two day course is your personal complimentary copy of the NSW DPI’s publication “Bee Agskills”. All Lunches, morning and afternoon teas and soft drinks are included in the cost of the course.

The Beginners’ course focuses on you gaining the practical hands on experience and skills as well as the theory behind keeping bees. You will become confident in lighting smokers, opening beehives, handling bees and picking up frames of bees. In addition you will be able after your first day be confident in how to identify eggs, larvae, pollen and honey inside your hive.

We have 5 Langstroth hives in the main apiary, as well as a Warre and a Flow®Hive in our teaching apiary. Depending on the weather we will open one or several of these hives and you will see them operating. The course has been designed is run over two weekends, so that you have the chance to try out your new learnt skills on your own (or a friends) beehive.

The course is held with a minimum number of participants. If this number is not reached within one week of the start of the course you will be invited to attend the next course.

In poor weather we may not be able to open and inspect a hive. If this occurs you will be given the opportunity to postpone this activity.

If you have your own bee suit or jacket, please remember to bring it along to the course. You will be dealing with live bees. The club does have a limited quantity of hoods and veils. Make sure you wear long pants, gloves and long sleeve cotton shirt. A pair of thick long socks should also be included and closed footwear should be worn.

Due to a high demand, courses sell out quickly so please follow the links on the Club’s Events link for the next course. 

The Beginners’ course covers the following topics:

• Introduction to beekeeping
• Safety around the Bee Hive and Bee stings
• Protective gear
• Bio security and good bee keeping practices
• Legislation – locating the hive
• How and where to get the bees
• Buying second hand gear
• Buying your first bee hive - 8 or 10 frames
• Bee hive – hive management
• Honey bees – castes, lifecycles, re-queening
• Swarming
• Catching a swarm
• Re-locating your hive
• Harvesting the honey 
• Flow®Hive
• Honey bee products – honeycomb, mead, etc.
• Pest controls
• Registering as a bee keeper
• Lighting your smoker
• How to use a hive tool
• Opening a hive
• Handling bee with confidence
• Storing your equipment
• Record keeping
• Review and questions

This training is designed for beginners to provide participants with the information they need to start beekeeping with confidence. It is specifically aiming at small scale hobby beekeeping and covers topics specific to urban bee keepers. No prior beekeeping knowledge or experience is required. We also run additional courses in Spring & Swarm Management and Flow®Hive Essentials.

Tickets are available at Beginners April Course, Beginners August Course or Beginners November Course