The BeeEducated Beekeepers Network provides the opportunity for Beekeepers to communicate together and get support from each other while getting access to equipments and treatments at a reduced rate.
BBN Members who do not have their own colonies of bees will have the opportunity to be allocated to at least one BeeEducated owned colony and hive at a community apiary. The colony and hive will remain the property of BeeEducated and must be managed inline with the terms in the apiary constitution. Alternatively BBN Members who do not wish to be solely responsible for the management of a colony can opt to support and manage colonies/hives and the surroundings in the training apiary at the Animal Sanctuary. (We would be very appreciative of the support)
Whether you have your own colonies or are managing colonies in our community apiaries, you will have access to the following:
- Facebook Hive Records – This season there will be a template for completing hive record to ensure consistency. Each record completed by 18:30 on Sunday will be reviewed by the members on the virtual call.
- Virtual Support Sessions – From 1st April to 31st October, there will be weekly virtual calls where we will discuss the progress of all colonies that have been inspected that week. The session will be held at 18:30 each Sunday and will review each hive record completed on the Facebook group since the last session. Any questions on the posts will be answered, and support comments will be provided. All BBN members are encouraged to join for the purpose of learning as not all word-for-word comments will be added to the Facebook posts. If is also an opportunity to explain worries, feelings and hear what others are experiencing.
- Varroa Treatments – Bought in bulk to reduce the cost of treatment per hive. Oxalic Acid treatment in January is free but all other treatments through the season are at cost price. It is recommended that you plan and agree treatments for the whole season to ensure that enough treatments are purchased for your colonies.
- Hive Equipment Sterilization – (Free subject to fair usage.) Arrange to bring your hives, frames and combs to the specified location and scrape, scorch, yet wash and then treat with sulphur and or acetic acid. You will need to arrange the specific times of each activity and bring your own duct tape but the gas, sulphur, acid and lance is free to use.
- Microscopy – (Free subject to fair usage.) Arrange to bring samples of your colonies for dissection and diagnosis of nosema and acarine disease.
- Honey Extraction Equipment – (Free subject to fair usage.) Arrange to bring your combes for extraction along with your honey buckets and bags for storing sticky combs. (You must clean equipment after use)
- Wax Comb Melting – TBC new additional wax melting equipment to be purchased this year. (You must clean equipment after use)
- Feed & Equipment Purchasing – Plan ahead where possible to ensure you get what you require for the seas but a small amount of surplus will be kept for sale when required.
*Equipment Sterilization, Microscopy and Honey Extraction activities preferably on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday evening.
*Each year additional equipment will be purchased for use by group members. If you feel that the group would benefit from specific equipment, please let us know.
BBN Membership is subject to members who have completed BeeEducated Beekeeper Training and:
- Being registered on BeeBase and completing the Honey Bee Pests, Diseases and Viruses eLearing modules – Exotic Pests, Foulbrood, Varroa, Adult Bee Diseases, Other Brood Disorders and Other Pests by production of all 5 quiz certificates completed between 1st January and 31st March that season.
- Being insured for Public and Product Liability which can be obtained through membership of the British Beekeepers Association. A copy of the eR2 insurance statement is required for the season.
- Having paid the subscription fee of £30.
For the health and safety of Beekeepers and Bees, there are no exceptions to the above terms, and for the benefit of the Bees, it is recommended that the quizzes, insurance and subscription fee be completed before the season starts.
Please send your quiz certificates and insurance documents to membership@beeeducated.co.uk and you will receive payment details to complete the subscription.