Guidelines For Rural Beekeeping In Queensland

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Water requirements Water is essential for all forms of life, including bees. When the hive temperature reaches 32°C bees become water carriers. As the temperature increases the number of water carriers also increases, as water is used in the hive for cooling, via evaporation, as well as being a vital part of the bee’s diet. The provision of water needs to be considered when placing hives in rural areas, as a natural source may not be suitable (stock watering) or reliable (droughted streams). If this basic requirement is overlooked, or indeed disappears, bees can become a nuisance at alternative water sources, e.g. taps, hose fittings or stock watering points. Bees may die from the lack of available water. Therefore, water should be made available by the beekeeper. Ideally this should be as close as possible to the apiary, e.g. within 500 m. A public nuisance may also occur if bees utilising the provided water cross public spaces such as footpaths. Clean water should be in the capillary form. Wet gravel or a sand bed is excellent but a large drum with foam floats can also be effective. Smokers A bee smoker is one of an apiarist’s basic tools of trade and its use is essential for the correct manipulation of hives. A smoker is fuelled by various combustible materials and is used to calm the bees. The action of smoke through the hive masks any alarm pheromone emitted by the bees. It is advisable to use the smoker prior to disturbing the hive and during its manipulation. To prevent or reduce stinging it is recommended to smoke hives before mowing, slashing or using weed eaters or chainsaws in the vicinity of the hives. Robbing and working hives Avoid working bees when conditions are poor, that is during cool or rainy weather or when little nectar and pollen are available. If conditions are poor and the bees start to rob they become savage and the potential for trouble increases. Beekeepers should consider their neighbours when they need to work bees, and ensure their neighbours are not working or relaxing outdoors at the time. Try to make hive manipulations as short as possible so there is minimal disturbance to the bees. A suggested useful way of removing honey supers is to place clearer boards in the hive overnight. Clearer boards are available from beekeeping suppliers. The use of these boards is detailed in husbandry books such as the DPI&F publication by P. Warhurst and R. Goebel (1995), The Bee Book — beekeeping in the warmer areas of Australia. Prevention of robbing Robber bees are workers, usually from neighbouring hives, that appear when honey is exposed. When foraging conditions are unfavourable, robber activity increases and can be a real nuisance, leading to potential hazards as the frenzy escalates. 22
The beekeeper should not expose cappings, sticky combs or honeycombs for bees to rob. Cease hive manipulation if robbing commences. Hazards include: • increased spread of disease, e.g. American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) spread between hives and even between apiaries • unsafe working conditions for the apiarist • unsafe areas for property owners and stock • possible killing of one or many hives by fighting workers. Bees working coastal flora, Stradbroke Island Managing swarms Swarming is a natural instinct of honeybees and occurs mainly in spring to early summer. Whenever possible, swarms should be collected and domesticated in a spare hive. This will reduce the risk of them becoming a nuisance if they fly to nearby properties and establish in houses, trees or similar sites. Honeybee colonies must be managed to prevent or minimise swarming. Suitable management practices are described in books such as the DPI&F publication by P. Warhurst and R. Goebel, (1995), The Bee Book — beekeeping in the warmer areas of Australia. To reduce the incidence of swarms, beekeepers are advised to divide the colony of honeybees into two or more units as the swarming season approaches. This will reduce the population and the likelihood of swarming. The reuniting of these units can take place later in order to reduce the number of hives. This procedure is known as artificial swarming and the practice is effective in removing the swarming impulse. 23
Page 1: Queensland the Smart State Guidelin
Page 4 and 5: QI04110 ISSN 0727-6273 © State of
Page 6 and 7: Honey Sheds and Quality Assurance 2
Page 9 and 10: Introduction Beekeeping is one of A
Page 11 and 12: Table 2. Some of the major beekeepi
Page 13 and 14: Apiaries are classified into classe
Page 15 and 16: Types of beekeeping activities Migr
Page 17 and 18: Apiary site located on a stock rout
Page 19 and 20: Fee/Permit As of December 2004. Fee
Page 21 and 22: A swarm of honeybees 13
Page 23 and 24: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Servi
Page 25 and 26: Main Roads requirements For efficie
Page 27 and 28: Department of Natural Resources and
Page 29: Good beekeeping practices Hive plac
Page 33 and 34: Transporting hives Methods of shift
Page 35 and 36: Honey, Sheds and Quality Assurance
Page 37 and 38: Department of Equity and Fair Tradi
Page 39 and 40: Southport 10-12 Young Street, South
Page 41 and 42: Testing for other diseases Other sa

Guidelines For Rural Beekeeping In Queensland

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