From our 2018 class archive. For current dates, prices, and registration, view our beekeeping classes.
Beekeeping Classes for both the beginner and more seasoned Beekeeper.
The Carolina Honey Bee Company offers both beginning and more advanced seasonal beekeeping classes throughout the year. In fact The Carolina Honey Bee Company have been conducting these classes longer than any other commercial company in the Upstate area of South Carolina. Beekeeping is our passion and we want to share our love of beekeeping knowledge with others.
This year 2018 more than 200 new beekeepers learned the basics at our spring beekeeping classes for beginners.
The Classroom was crowded on class day. Everyone arrived early and some had driven for several hours. The first day consisted of a several presentations that took the students deep into the world of the honeybee.
What type of equipment do I need?
Parts of the hive and proper hive configuration.
Hive placement
What kinds of bees are in the hive and how do I identify them?
Package and NUC installation
How is a queen made?
How do I know if I have a queen?
What should I expect the first year?
Seasonal management (spring – summer-fall-winter)
Harvesting your first crop (year 2)
Pest, diseases and proper management
The Honey flow and how to maximize your harvest
Proper equipment storage
On day two, everyone was at the farm. We spoke first about bee yard etiquette, and the proper use of smoke followed by a live demonstration on how to light the smoker properly. A Smoker is used to calm the hive and distract the bees from our intrusion.
Now it was time to apply some of the techniques we had discussed during the first day. Everyone enjoyed looking for capped honey, open brood, capped brood, pollen and of course the queen. We worked to identify workers, drones and we found those queens. This was a very exciting session with many of the new beekeepers experiencing the inside of an active hive for the first time.
For beekeeping supplies and information on our classes and beginner kits https://carolinabeeco.com