Course to teach beekeeping basics

BALLARAT Regional Beekeepers are hosting a course at Haddon next month and it’s all about becoming a beekeeper.

The 2 Bee or not 2 Bee program runs for two hours and will be held on both Sunday 1 October and Sunday 29 October.

The course, which is free for members or $40 for non-members, will explore beekeeping equipment, the components of beehives and associated costs.

Jude Porteous, chair of the education subcommittee at Ballarat Regional Beekeepers, said the course will cover most of the basics.

“The topics will include the reasons why people get into beekeeping, the sort of gear that they’ll need to become a beekeeper and we demonstrate all the equipment, we talk about the costs of setting up to be a beekeeper and the sorts of things that you do annually,” she said.

There are certain laws and regulations beekeepers must follow and these will be discussed throughout the session.

“There’s a code of practice and biosecurity regulations for all beekeepers who should be registered by law.”

Participants will also get the chance to hold a frame of live bees.

“We go out, open a hive up and have a look and most people are really comfortable having a look at the bees and awed,” said Ms Porteous. “That’s one of the highlights of the day.”

Ms Porteous said there has been an increase in interest in beekeeping in recent years with a variety of reasons as to why people get involved.

“The last four or five years have seen a huge increase in beekeepers all over Victoria,” she said.

“We’re a fairly big club with around 209 members at the moment and we educate people about beekeeping and help people who are new beekeepers.

“Some people want to be beekeepers because they love honey others want to pollinate their gardens or are worried about bees disappearing.”

To book a spot in this course visit brb.org.au/index.php/training.