Beekeeping Facts & Info

Bee Lifecycle Wheel - Download PDF

Bee Life-Cycle Ready Reckoner

Print off and cut out the two wheels. Pin the smaller wheel over this larger one. Rotate to line up the start of a cycle with a date. Read off the dates for future lifecycle events. Dashed line represents approximate lifespan. Dates lie on the dashes, not the spaces.

Choosing An Apiary Site - Download PDF

Information on finding the site, consideration for the public, forage, environment, access, space.

Bees, Neighbours and Siting Hives - Download PDF

Information on Consideration for others, What are the problems likely to be? Is my garden suitable? Forage and bee density, Access, Space.

Hive Record Card - Download PDF

The record book is used to give an overview of the beekeeper's beekeeping activities and to help plan the work in the season.

Reading the insert

In January/February we may be curious as to the size of the cluster and even if it is still alive.  In the spring and summer with a bit of experience you can tell which flowers they are visiting from the colour of the pollen loads dropped through the mesh floor.