Guidelines For Rural Beekeeping In Queensland

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Other factors, such as the provision of additional supers for brood rearing and honey storage, and the replacement of old or failing queens, may also reduce the swarming impulse. It should not be immediately assumed that swarms found in the vicinity of managed hives have, in fact, issued from these particular hives. Swarms issuing from other hives, and in particular feral colonies, may fly into nearby managed apiaries. Capturing swarms Beekeepers must take responsibility for a swarm that has issued from one of their colonies and whenever possible capture it as soon as it has formed into a cluster. Swarm enquiries are handled through the DPI&F Call Centre by referring to a recent list of beekeepers prepared to collect swarms in the caller’s area. Some individuals nominate a charge for this service. Docile strains of bees Honeybee colonies managed in rural areas should be maintained with young queens of a docile strain. Docile queens are specially bred and sold by queen breeders. Docility is one of the main selection criteria along with high honey production. Site responsibilities Beekeepers have a responsibility to property owners in the correct usage of apiary sites on private lands. Correct usage not only encompasses the tangible issues such as responsible apiary maintenance and effective bee husbandry, but it also means maintaining and presenting a credible image on behalf of the industry as a whole. Important issues that should be highlighted are: • appropriate arrangements for any locked gates • open communication on the nature of occupancy • notification to owner of entry to property, especially out of hours • providing owners with a gift of honey over and above any negotiated monetary agreement. Failure to observe these fundamental principles may result in irreparable damage to the relationship between owner and beekeeper. This not only affects the beekeeper at fault but also impacts on other beekeepers as well. It is also worth noting that property owners often have further links to other land holdings through relations or alternative networks. 24
Transporting hives Methods of shifting Ideally hives should be shifted by one of the following methods. Open entrance transport • This is the most common way of shifting hives. • Hives are loaded at dusk or at night and the bees allowed to settle. • Travel is undertaken at night and destination is reached before daylight. • Bees are unloaded after arrival, preferably at daybreak. Closed entrance transport • This method allows an owner to shift bees a short distance and unload without being stung. • Hives must be fitted with adequate ventilation so bees do not suffocate. • Beehives can be shifted in a utility or a conventional station wagon vehicle. • Beehives can be closed at night. After the bees cluster at the entrance they are smoked and driven inside the hive. • Hives should be shifted at night when all bees are at home and when temperatures are coolest. Netted bee transport • The use of nets allows beekeepers to move hives during the day and at night. • Bees need to be loaded at night or dusk. • Nets must be secure enough to contain bees in transit and not flap in the breeze. A strong commercially available fine mesh is suitable. • Bees can be shifted during daylight hours provided temperatures are not too high. • Trucks should not be parked near bright lights, e.g. at service stations. This will lessen the likelihood of bees becoming excited or escaping and causing a public nuisance. Accidents An accident involving a load of live bees is the worst nightmare for beekeepers, motorists and emergency services personnel. The incident becomes more critical as daylight appears after a night accident. The beekeeper, if unhurt, needs to provide advice and assistance. The beekeeper should also provide contact details of other beekeepers who may be able to help. If possible the DPI&F Apiary Section should also be alerted, as information in the registration database may be useful in contacting other beekeepers. DPI&F officers may also be able to assist. If beehives are damaged in the accident the preferred method of killing hives is to spray the bees with detergent water. This will kill most bees that threaten to sting the people at the scene of the accident. Water is also essential to clean up spilt honey. Fire and Police Services would generally be called to help at such an event. 25
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 and 30: Good beekeeping practices Hive plac
Page 31: The beekeeper should not expose cap
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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