the national bee keeping training and extension manual · national bee keeping training and...

Funded by:-THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AND GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA

©March 2012

THE NATIONAL BEE KEEPING

TRAINING AND EXTENSION

MANUAL

THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDAMinistry of Education and Sports

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES

FARM INCOME ENHANCEMENT AND FOREST CONSERVATION PROJECT

APICULTURE PROMOTION SUB COMPONENT

The NationalBee Keeping

Training and Extension Manual


iiNational Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012

Edited by:1. Ms.KangaveAlice,

2. Mr.ButeleCosmasAlfred,

3. Mr.OnzomaApollo,and

4. Mr.KatoAgapitus

National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012iii

TABLE OF CONTENTSEditors ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ii

TableofContents ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iii

ListofFigures ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... iv

Listoftables ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... v

Foreword ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... vi

Acknowledgements ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... vii

ListofAcronyms ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... viii

Introduction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ixCHAPTER ONE:

THE HONEYBEE AND ITS IMPORTANCE ... ... ... ... ... ... 1Module 1: BeeBiologyandBehaviour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1

Module 2: TheImportanceofBeekeeping... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5

Module 3: Pollination ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7

CHAPTER TWO:

MANAGEMENT OF THE HONEYBEE ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11Module 4: BeekeepingSystems ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 11

Module 5: BeekeepingEquipment... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 14

Module 6: MakingBeekeepingEquipment ... ... ... ... ... ... 36

Module 7: ApiaryManagement ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 54

Module 8: TheFloralCalendarandBeekeeping ... ... ... ... ... ... 63

Module 9: BeeStingsandManagement ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 66

Module 10: HiveInspection ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 70

Module 11: PopulatingtheHive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 74

Module 12: CatchingaSwarm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 79

Module 13: TransferringBees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 83

Module 14: DividingandUnitingColonies ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 85

Module 15: FeedingofBees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 90

Module 16: BeePests,PredatorsandDiseases ... ... ... ... ... ... 93

Module 17: MakingBio-Pesticides ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 98

CHAPTER THREE:

HIVE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 102Module 18: HiveProducts ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 102

Module 19: QualityHoneyHarvesting ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 106

Module 20: ProcessingHoney ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 110

Module 21: Beeswax ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 114

CHAPTER FOUR:

EXPLANATION OF COMMON BEEKEEPING TERMS ... ... ... ... ... 125APPENDICES ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 127Appendix 1: ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 127

Appendix 2: ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 128

References: ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 129

ivNational Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012

LIST OF FIGURESFig.1: Thehoneybeecastesinacolony ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2Fig.2: Diagramofthelifecycleofthehoneybee ... ... ... ... ... ... 3Fig.3: Peanut-shapedqueencell... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4Fig.4: Queencells ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4Fig.5: Pebblytextureddronecells ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4Fig.6: Theworkerbeevisitingaflower,helpingtopollinatetheplant ... ... ... 9Fig.7: Measurementsforwovenbaskethive ... ... ... ... ... ... 16Fig.8: Wovenbaskethive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16Fig.9: Theloghive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17Fig.10: Clayhives ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18Fig.11: PictureofJohnsonhive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 19Fig.12: KTBhiveshowinghowthecombattachestothebarinsidethehive ... ... 19Fig.13: AtopbarliftedfromaKTBhive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20Fig.14: AKTBhivebeingopened ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20Fig.15: CatcherboxforaKTBhive... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 21Fig.16: Langstrothhiveshowingthedifferentpartsofthehive ... ... ... ... 22Fig.17: Langstrothhive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 22Fig.18: Langstrothhive-broodchamber,emptyframe,honeychamber,combedframe,queen

excluder,cover ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23Fig.19: CatcherboxforaLangstroth ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 23Fig.20: Framebrickhive ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 24Fig.21: Beesmokers ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 25Fig.22: Beesuit ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 26Fig.23: Softlatexgloves ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 26Fig.24: Beebrushes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 27Fig.25: Hiveopeners ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 27Fig.26: Knife ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 27Fig.27: Airtightbucket(foodgrade) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 28Fig.28: Foodgradedrum ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 28Fig.29: HoneyRefractometer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 28Fig.30(a): Strainingcloth ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 29Fig.30(b): Strainingclothtiedaroundabucketreadyforstraininghoney ... ... ... 29Fig.31: Centrifugeextractor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 30Fig.32: Honeysettlingtank ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 30Fig.33: Honeypress ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31Fig.34: Honeyjars... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31Fig.35: Beehouse... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31Fig.36: DimensionsforthebodyofaKenyanTopBarhive... ... ... ... ... 33Fig.37: Topbarmeasurements ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 35Fig.38: Langstrothhivedimensions ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 36Fig.39: Solarwaxextractor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 39Fig.40: Beeveil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 40Fig.41: Dimensionsofbeeveil ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41Fig.42: Beeveilparts ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41Fig.43: Beeveilplan ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 41Fig.44: Overallplan ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 42Fig.45: Measurementsofbeeglove ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 44Fig.46: Measurementsandmakingofabeesmoker ... ... ... ... ... 44

National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012v

Fig.47: Floralcalendar ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 65Fig.48: Comb ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 72Fig.49: Catchingaswarm ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 76Fig.50: Transferringbees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 77Fig.51: Dividingacolony ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 78Fig.52: Openinganoldweakcolonyforunitingwithaswarm ... ... ... ... 89Fig.53: Theappearanceofqueencellsandqueencups ... ... ... ... ... 90Fig.54: Farmerssellinghoney-wineatashow ... ... ... ... ... ... 103Fig.55: HoimaNaturalHoneyondisplay ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 103Fig.56: Apollentrap ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 104Fig.57: Uncappingfork ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 111Fig.58: Differenttypesofhoneypressandlocallymadebottlingcontainers ... ... 111Fig.59: Asketchandpictureofahoneycentrifugeextractor ... ... ... ... 112Fig.60: Meltingwax ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 118Fig.61: Waxextractionusingasackandadrum ... ... ... ... ... ... 119Fig.62: Waxextractionwithclothandsticks ... ... ... ... ... ... 120Fig.63: Sketchofasolarwaxextractor ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 121

LIST OF TABLESTable 1: Lifespanofbees ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4Table 2: Anexampleofahive/colonyrecordsheet... ... ... ... ... ... 62Table 3: Visitors’Book ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 62Table 4: CashBook... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 62Table 5: Floralcalendar ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 64Table 6: Formsofhoneyandhowtheyaremade ... ... ... ... ... ... 113

viNational Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012

FOREWORD

Itiseverybody’sconcerntoseethattheruralcommunitiesgeneratesustainableincomesassoonas

possible.Livestockproductionandmarketingoffersanoption.Outofthevariouslivestockenterprises,

namely, poultry, fisheries, cattle, piggery, etcbeekeepingenterpriseoffersoneof thebestoptions

for the rural communities and commercial farmers because of itsminimal requirements for land,

machineryandequipment,laborandcapitalinvestment.

In Uganda, honey production potential is enormous, estimated at 500,000metric tones per year.

Thispotentialisnotyetfullyexploited.Thebasicknowledgeandskillsneededtoexploitthehoney

productionpotentialarelackingamongthetechnocratsandfarmers.

Over the years, several stakeholders including Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies

havebeencarryingouttrainingoffarmersintheirownwayswithoutstandardguideanduniformity.

Someof the guides/manuals used by the stakeholders are substandard. This practice has for long

underminedeffortstoincreaseproductionandenforcecompliancetostandards.

Thismanualhasthereforebeendevelopedtoprovidethebasicstandardsfortrainingbeekeepersall

overUganda.

Itismysincerehopethattrainers,extensionworkers,farmersandstudentswillfindthismanualvery

valuable.

Okaasai S. OpolotFor: PERMANENT SECRETARY

National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012vii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WeareverymuchgratefultotheAfricanDevelopmentBank(ADB)andGovernmentofUganda(GoU)

forfundingtheFIEFOCProjectwhichhasproducedthisveryimportantNationalBeekeepingTraining

and Extension Manual. For sure this manual will guide teachers, trainers, students, farmers and

beekeepers.

We appreciate and acknowledge the following people who provided literature without which this

manualwouldnothavebeenproduced:-

Mr.KatoAgapitus,Entomologist,Mukono,DLG;Mr.AyoGeorge,DEO,LiraDLG;Mr.RubaihayoJohn,

DEO,KabaroleDLG;Mr.MugumeAmos,DAO,KabaroleDLG;Mr.BagonzaAdolf,KabaroleBeekeepers’

Association, Kabarole District;Mr. Ayatuhaire Asaph ,West Honeys Uganda,Mbarara District;Mr.

KanyikeCharles,DEO,NakasongolaDLG;Mr.PalandaRobertObumai,AssistantEntomologist,Adjumani

DLG;Mr.OchounEmirious,PrivateServiceProvider,NebbiDistrict;Mr.LuleHenry,DEO,LuweroDLG;

Mr.Kefa John,MoyoBeekeepers’Association,MoyoDistrict;Mr.AmafuaMorphat,PrivateService

Provider,YumbeDistrict;Mr.KawawaRashid,DEO,YumbeDLG;Mr.CemaPhilliam,DEO,AruaDLG;

Ms. Kesubi Nice Alex, BNU, Arua District; Babua Fred, AruaMoyoNebbi Beekeepers’ Association,

AruaDistrict;Mr.KhaukaEdmond,Beemaster,MbaleDLG;Mr.OgwoliGeoffrey,DEO,SironkoDLG;

Mr.KisaaliBosco,PrivateServiceProvider,SironkoDistrict;NyangasSimon,PrivateServiceProvider,

KapchorwaDistrict;Mr.OlukaMichael,DEO,BukedeaDLG;Mr.EsimaMike,PrivateServiceProvider,

SorotiDistrict;Mr.KwikirizaJibril,Ag.DEO,MasindiDLG;Mr.MugishaDaudi,AssistantEntomologist,

HoimaDLG;Mr.KasangakiPatrice,DEO,KibaaleDLG;Mr.KaserekaJ.Muranga,RwenzoriMountains

DevelopmentOrganization(REMODA),KaseseDistrict;Mr.BesekyaHilary,TropicalBeeCareCentre,

BushenyiDistrict;Mr.TumuhimbiseGordon,DEO,BushenyiDLG;Mrs.MargaretRoseOgaba,Kitgum

WomenBeekeepers’Association(KWOBA);KadduJohn(2012)Beekeepingequipmentmanufacturer

andtrainerKampala,Uganda.

Thanks to all the people who participated actively in constructive discussions during workshops

organized,butnotmentionedhere.

Lastbutnotleast,greatthankstoMrs.KangaveAlice,PrincipalEntomologistProductiveInsects/Manager

ApiculturePromotionSubComponentof FIEFOCProject,DLH&E,MAAIFHqtrs;Mr.ButeleCosmas

Alfred,SeniorEntomologistApiculture,DLH&E,MAAIFHqtrs;andMr.OnzomaApollo,SeniorTraining

Officer,HRD,MAAIFHqtrsforhavingcompiledtheliteratureandviewsprovided,andediting.

Dr. Nicholas KautaCOMMISSIONER, LIVESTOCK HEALTH AND ENTOMOLOGY

viiiNational Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012

List of Acronyms

ADB - AfricanDevelopmentBank

BNU - BeeNaturalUgandaLtd

BQV - BlackQueenVirusdisease

DAO - DistrictAgriculturalOfficer

DEO - DistrictEntomologyOfficer

DLG - DistrictLocalGovernment

DLH&E - DepartmentofLivestockHealthandEntomology

FIEFOC - FarmIncomeEnhancementandForestConservationProject

FIG - Figure

GoU - GovernmentofUganda

HIV/AIDS - HumanImmuneVirus/AcquiredImmuneDeficiencySyndrome

Hqtrs - Headquarters

HRD - HumanResourceDepartment

Hrs - Hours

KBA - KabaroleBeekeeper’sAssociation

KTB - KenyaTopBarbeehives

KWOBA - KitgumWomenBeekeepers’Association

MAAIF - MinistryofAgriculture,AnimalIndustryandFisheries

MBA - MoyoBeekeeper’sAssociation

NAC - NationalApicultureCentre

NGO - Non-GovernmentalOrganization

PE - PrincipalEntomologist

PSP - PrivateServiceProvider

REMODA - RwenzoriMountainsDevelopmentOrganization

SE - SeniorEntomologist

STO - SeniorTrainingOfficer

TVs - Televisions

National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012ix

INTRODUCTION

Overtheyearsseveralprivateserviceproviders,NGOs,Projects,Governmentagenciesanddepartments

havebeencarryingouttrainingoffarmersinbeekeepingintheirownwayswithoutuniformity.Inother

wordstherehavebeenmanydifferenttrainingmanuals/guidesbeingusedbythedifferentstakeholdersin

theapicultureindustry,someofwhicharesub-standard.Thispracticehasforlongunderminedeffortsto

enforcecompliancetocodeofpractice,standardoperatingproceduresandqualitystandardsinapiculture

industry,hencetheneedforharmonizationanduniformity.

TheAfricanDevelopmentBankandtheGovernmentofUgandathroughtheFarmIncomeEnhancement

and Forest Conservation (FIEFOC) Project, underApiculture Promotion sub-component embarkedon a

seriesof interventionswhich includeamongothers, standardizationof thenational trainingdocument.

Theprojectthereforeprovidedfundstodevelopanationalbeekeepingtrainingandextensionmanualasa

strategytopromotecompliancetostandardsinbeekeepingindustryinUganda.

Theprocessofdevelopingthenationalbeekeepingtrainingandextensionmanualhadstagesandstarted

inFebruary2009withfieldtripsorganizedforcollectionofliteraturefromvariousregionsanddistricts(see

appendix1).Thiswasfollowedwitha2dayretreat,organizedforselectedentomologistsandprivateservice

providersatUlrikaGuestHouse,Kisubi,7th-8thMay2009(seeappendix2).Theaimoftheretreatwasto

consolidateandanalysetheliteraturecollectedandcomeupwithstandardmodulartrainingmanualfor

usethroughoutUganda.Thefirstdraftmanualwasproducedandseveralconsultativeworkshopsfollowed

tofinalizeit.

Themanualiscategorizedintofour(4)broadchapters,namely:

(1) TheHoneybeeanditsimportanc

(2) ManagementoftheHoneybee

(3) HiveProductsandprocessing,and

(4) Explanationofcommonbeekeepingterms.

ThisNationalBeekeepingTrainingandExtensionManualhavebeendevelopedtostreamlineandharmonize

thebeekeepingtrainingandextensionforthestakeholdersinvolvedintheIndustry.Itwilllaterbetranslated

intomajorlanguagesofUgandainordertopromoteitsusageandadoption.

National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 20121

CHAPTER ONE

THE HONEY BEE AND ITS IMPORTANCE

MODULE 1: BEE BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR

INTRODUCTIONTherearevarioustypesofbeeswhichincludethestinglessbees,solitarybees,honeybees.Thismanualfocusesonhoneybees.

HoneyBeesbelongtotheanimalkingdom,PhylumArthropoda,OrderHymenoptera,classInsecta,SuperfamilyApoidea,familyApidae,genusApis.ThegenusApisisdividedintoseveralspeciesandsub-species/races but the 5 main species are: Apis dorsata (the giant honeybee),Apis laboriosa (the darker gianthoneybee),Apis florea(thedwarfhoneybee), Apis ceranaandApis mellifera.ResearchneedstobedonetoascertainthemajorspeciesavailableinUganda.

Honeybeesaresocialinsectsthatliveincoloniesof10,000to60,000bees.Acolonyconsistsofaqueen(fertilefemale),afewhundreddrones(males)andthousandsofworkers(sterilefemales).Theypollinatefloweringplantsandcrops.Theyalsoproducehoney,beeswaxandotherbeeproductsofveryhigheconomicvalue.

Learning objectivesBytheendofthesession,participantswillbeableto:-

1) Identifythedifferentcastesofhoneybeecolony.

2) Statetherolesplayedbythedifferentcastesinahoneybeecolony.

3) Explainthelifecycleofthedifferentbeecastes.

Target Participants:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions.

Suggested Number of Participants:Amaximumof30persons

Duration:

2hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,beesand/or

picturesofbees,TVs,Projectors,generators,filmsaboutbeesandhandouts.

Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Fieldexercisetoidentifythedifferentcastesinabeecolony

Steps:

Step 1 Writethetitle“Bee biology and behavior”onthechalkboardorflipchart

2National Bee keeping training and extension manual, 2012

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonthemeaningofbeebiologyandbehavior.

Step 3Explainbeebiologyandbehaviortotheparticipants

Step 4Allocatetheparticipantsin3groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:

Group 1: Discusstherolesplayedbythedifferentcastesinabeecolony

Group 2: Describethelifecycleofdifferenthoneybeecastes

Group 3: Discussthebehaviorofthebeeindifferentseasonsoftheyear

Step 5Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandgivesoutthehandouts.

HAND OUT: Bee Biology and BehaviourTherearevarioustypesofbeeswhichincludethestinglessbees,solitarybees,honeybees.Thismanualfocusesonhoneybees.

HoneyBeesbelongtotheanimalkingdom,PhylumArthropoda,OrderHymenoptera,classInsecta,SuperfamilyApoidea,familyApidae,genusApis.ThegenusApisisdividedintoseveralspeciesandsub-species/races but the 5 main species are: Apis dorsata (the giant honeybee),Apis laboriosa (the darker gianthoneybee),Apis florea(thedwarfhoneybee), Apis ceranaandApis mellifera.ResearchneedstobedonetoascertainthemajorspeciesavailableinUganda.

1. Castes in a bee colony

HoneyBeesaresocialinsectsthatliveincoloniesofabout10,000to60,000bees.Acolonyconsistsofaqueen(fertilefemale),afewhundreddrones(males)andthousandsofworkers(sterilefemales).Theypollinatefloweringplantsandcrops.

Bees:

Fig.1: The honeybee castes in a colony

Queen beeTheQueenbeeisareproductivefemale.Thereisonlyonequeeninthehiveandherjobistolayeggsandproducequeensubstance(pheromones).Whenanewqueenstartslife,shematesonlyoncewithdronesoutsidethehive.Agoodqueenlaysbetween1,500-2,000eggsperdaybutaftertwoyearsshelaysfewer


eggs.Shelivesforthreetofiveyears. It isverydifficulttofindthequeenbutshecanberecognizedbyherlongandslenderbodyandshortwings.Sheisfedbytheyoungworkersandisbiggerthantheotheroccupantsduetomassivefeedingespeciallywithroyaljelly.Shehasastingthatisonlyusedagainstrivalqueens.Herpheromonesorscentsservetocontroltheotherbeesandharmonizethecolony’sbehaviour.

TheQueenbeecanbemarkedonthedorsalsurfaceoftheabdomenforeasyidentificationandtoavoidbeingcrushedaccidentallyduringhivemanipulations.

DronesTheDronesaremalesandarebiggerthantheworkers.Theydevelopfromunfertilizedeggsandtheirmajortaskistomatewiththequeen.Theyarestingless,verylargeeyeswhichareusedtospottheQueenduringmating.Droneslooklargeandsquareandmakealoudbuzzingnoisewhentheyfly.Dronesaredependentontheworkersforfoodbecausetheirproboscisisshortandcannotcollectfoodforthem.Therecanbeabout200to500dronesinahivebutintimeoffoodshortagetheworkerschasethedronesoutofthehivetodie.Theirlifespanisusuallynotmorethan2months.

The WorkersMostofthebeesinthehiveareworkers-theyareallsterilefemales.Theworkerbees’changetasksaccordingtoage.Youngworkerbeescleanthehive,feedbothyoungandtheQueenandmakethebeeswaxcombs.Theycontrolthetemperatureofthehivebyflappingtheirwingsandalsoguardthehive.Olderworkersscoutforfoodandcollectthepollen,nectar,waterandpropolis.Theyhaveastingplusspecialglandsandorganstohelpthemtodefendthecolonyagainstenemies.Theworkersarealsoresponsibleforthehoneyformationprocess.

Thelifespanofaworkerbeeis7-8weeksduringthemainfloweringseasonwhentheyworkhard.Theycanlivelongerduringdormantperiods.

2. Life cycle of a bee

Eachbeeinthecourseofitslifepassesthrough4stagemetamorphosis:Egg→Larva→Pupa→Adult.Duringthedevelopmentstages,theeggs,larvaeandpupaeareknownasbrood.

Fig.2: Diagram of the life cycle of the honeybee

Theegglaidbythequeenlookslikeasmallgrainofriceorhairnit.Whetheraneggwilldevelopintoaqueen,droneorworkerdependsonthetypeofcellitislaidin(it is very important to learn the difference between capped brood and capped honey – capped brood is usually dark brown and capped honey is usually white or creamy in colour).

Theeggdevelopsintolarva,whichlookslikeawhitemaggot.Alllarvaearefedonroyaljellyforthefirst


threedaysafterwhichlarvaeforworkersanddronesarefedonpollen(beebread)andhoneyputintothecellbythenursebees(youngerworkerbees).Thequeenfeedsonroyaljellythroughoutthelife.

Fig.3: Peanut-shaped queen cell Fig.4: Queen cells

Fig.5: Pebbly textured drone cells

Thelarvaearesealedwithawaxcappinginthecombaftersixdayswheretheyturnintopupaeandlateremergeasadultbeesasshowninthetablebelow.

Table 1: Life span of bees

Caste Egg Larvae Pupae Total days

Worker 3 6 11-12 21

Queen 3 6 6-7 16

Drone 3 8-9 12-13 24

3. Communication in bees

Beescommunicatewithoneanotherinanumberofwayssuchasdrummingfeet,flappingwingslikea‘dance’anduseofpheromones.Thedanceperformedbythescoutbeesisonewaythebeesinformeachotherofthelocationoffoodandhowfarawayitis.Thereareseveraltypesofdancesperformedby the bees, but the main ones are the round dance and the waggle dance. The round dance isperformedbybeesthatforagelessthanapproximately100metresfromthehive.Waggledanceisperformedtolocatefoodsourcebeyond100metresfromthehive.Thescoutbeesalsoperformacharacteristicdancetolocatethenewfoundhometowhichbeesintendtoswarm.


Thequeenreleasesasubstancecalleda“pheromone”(sometimescalledqueensubstance)whichservesdifferentfunctions.Thepheromoneenableshertoidentifymembersofthecolony,toinhibitovarydevelopmentinworkerbees,topreventtheworkersfrombuildingqueencells,tohelpaswarmorcolonytomoveasacohesiveunit,andtoattractdronesduringmatingflights.Theabsenceofthequeensubstance(e.g.whenthequeendies)producesoppositeresponses,i.e.workerbeesbegintodevelopovariesandtobuildqueencells,andaswarmsearchingforaccommodationwillnotclusterbutwilldivideintosmallergroupsthatcannotsupportthenormallifeofabeecolony.

Colonydecisionsaretakenbythecollectivebehaviourofbeeswithinonecolonysharingthesameodour,allowingguardbeestodetectintruders.

MODULE 2: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEEKEEPING

IntroductionBeekeepingisthescienceandartofrearingbees.Itisimportanttokeepbeesfortheproductionofhoney,beeswax,propolis,pollen(beebread),royaljellyandbeevenom;forfood,medicineandincome.Beekeepingisalsoimportantforpollinationandrecreationalactivities.

Learning ObjectivesBytheendofthesession,participantswillbeableto:-

1. Understandandappreciatetheimportanceofbeekeepinginthesociety.

2. Describetheimportanceofthevariousbeeproductsandservices.

Target Participants:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:2hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,beeproducts

andflowersandfruits/theirpictures,posters,TVs,Projectors,generators,filmsaboutbeeproductsandservices,andhandouts.

Methodst Lectures

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussions

t Casestudies

Steps:

Step 1Writethetitle“THE IMPORTANCE OF BEEKEEPING”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonwhyitisimportanttokeepbees.


Step 3Allocatetheparticipantsin2groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:-Group 1: DiscusstheimportanceofbeekeepingGroup 2: Explaintheimportanceofeachbeeproductorservice

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandgivesoutthehandouts.

HAND OUT: The importance of BeekeepingBeekeepingisthescienceandartofkeepingbeesusingbestpractices.Beekeepingisveryimportant,fortheproductionofhoney,beeswax,propolis,pollen(beebread),royaljellyandbeevenom;forfood,medicineandincome.Beekeepingisalsoimportantforpollinationandrecreationalactivities.

Therearevariousreasonsforkeepingbees,namely:-

1. For cultural purposes

Honeyisusedforbeveragebrewingandoccasionallyservedatimportantculturalceremoniessuchasweddings.Itisalsoservedtoveryimportantguestsassignofhighregard.TheMajiMajirebellionusedbeesasaweapontodefendthemselvesagainstthecolonialists.HoneywasusedinEgyptascosmeticsandalsoforembalmingtheEgyptiansdeadpharaohs.HoneywasamongthetithesandoffertorygivenbytheJewstotheLevitesintheirculture.InsomeAfricancultureshoneyisalsousedtopaydowry.

2. As source of food

Honeyisdeliciousandnutritious.ItisanimportantfoodformanypeopleinUganda.Itisconsumedwholeormixedwithotherfoodsassupplement.AmongtheLangiandAcholi,honeyismixedwithsimsimandgroundnutpaste.Beebrood(larvaeandpupae)havehighnutritionalvalueandarefedtomalnourishedchildren.Royaljellyandpollenareconsumedfortheirhighproteinvalue.

3. As source of medicine

Beeproductssuchasbeevenom,honeyandpropolisareusedfor treatmentofmanyconditionsfollowingtheantibioticnatureoftheproducts.Theconditions/diseasestreatedusingbeeproductsincludestomachupsets,diarrhea,vomiting,wounds,burns,cough,measles,falseteeth,toothachesandfungalinfections.ItalsohelpstoboosttheimmunityofpeoplelivingwithHIV/AIDS.

4. For income generation

The honeybee products can be marketed locally or abroad to get money, with or without valueaddition. Beekeeping industry also provides incomes to various stakeholders in the value chain.Theseincludebeefarmers,artisans,pharmaceuticalindustry,food,beverageindustry,honeydealersamongothers.

5. Pollination

Thehoneybeesprovidepollinationservices,therebyplayingavitalroleinfoodproductionandoverallagriculturalproductivity.Over75%ofall thecrops insubSaharanAfricabenefitfrompollination.Beesareconsideredthemostefficientpollinatorsbecausetheyhavehairybodieswhicheasilypickuppollengrainsastheymoveaboutinflowers.Duringasingledayonebeemayvisitseveralhundredflowers.Sobeesareimportanttofarmers.Morebeesmeansbetterpollinationandhighyields.Inothercountriespollinationbybeesishiredandfetchesadditionalmoneytothebeekeeper.

6. Conservation of natural resources

Beekeepingisanondestructiveactivitythatcouldbeemployedintheconservationofbiodiversityinprotectedareas.Householdslivingadjacenttheseareascansupporttheconservationeffortsoftheseresourcesbyestablishingapiarieswithinorattheboundaryoftheseprotectedareas.


Farmersrealizingthatvegetationisasourceofforageforbeeswillguardagainstthedestructionandbeencouragedtoplantmoreplantsforsupplyingpollenandnectar.Intheprocessmanyplantsareconservedandprotectedfromdestruction.

7. Hobby

Otherpeoplekeepbeesasahobby.

8. Api-Tourism and research

Establishmentofbeereservesforpurposesoftouristattractionandresearchholdsabigpotentialforthefuture.

9. Apitherapy

Beeproductsareused in thetreatmentofmanyhumanailments.Forexample,beevenom isanimportantremedyformanyailmentssuchasArthritis,Parkinsondiseaseandotherdiseasesrelatedtothenervoussystem.Thevenomcanbeobtainedthroughbeestings.

10. Beekeeping is a cheap undertaking

(i) Beekeepingdoesnotinvolvemassfeedingofbeesbecauseinmostcasesthebeesprovidetheirownfoodallyearround.

(ii) Allthenecessaryinputsandtechnologiesrequiredforbeekeepingareavailablelocally.Somemaybewastedifbeesarenotkept,e.g.pollenandnectarfromfloweringplants.

(iii) Honeyandbeeswaxcanbeproducedinsemi-aridareasthatareunsuitableforanyotheragriculturaluse.Thebeekeeperrequireslimitedlandtokeepbees.

MODULE 3: POLLINATION

IntroductionPollinationisthetransferofpollengrainsfromtheanthertothestigmaofthesamefloweroranotherflowerofthesameplantoranotherplantbutofthesamespecies.Inotherwords,pollinationisthemixingofthemaleandfemalepartsofaflower.Pollinationisavitalstepinthereproductionoffloweringplantsandisnecessaryforallseedandfruitproduction.

Plantsrequirepollentobetransferredfromoneplanttoanotherandmanydependuponinsectstodothisastheyforage.Beesplayavitalroleinfoodproductionandoverallagriculturalproductivity,aspollinators.


1. Definepollination

2. Understandtheimportanceofpollination

3. Identifyandlistdownbeeforageplantsintheirareas

4. Constructafloweringcalendarfortheirlocalareas

5. Explainpossibledangerstobeesarisingfromsprayingcropswithpesticides,duringfloweringstage.

Target Participants:Beekeepers,cropfarmers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:2hours.


Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,workerbee,

flowers,pictures,posters,videoandhandouts.

Methodt Lectures

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussions

t Fieldexercise-observingbeeforageplantsandpollination

t Activity-floweringcalendar

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Pollination”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonwhypollinationisimportant.


Group 1: Identifyandlistbeeforageplantsintheirareas.

Group 2: Explainthedangersofagriculturalpesticideuseonbees.

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifiesandsummarizes,givesoutthehandouts.

Step 5

Field exercise:

walkwiththetraineesaroundthelocalareatoseehowpollinationtakesplaceandtoidentifybeeforageplantsinthearea

Step 6Constructafloweringcalendarforthelocalarea

HAND OUT: Pollination

Plants requirepollen tobe transferred fromoneplant to another to aid reproduction. This transferofpollengrainsiscalledpollination.Itcanbetransferfromtheanthertothestigmaofthesamefloweroranotherflowerofthesameplantoranotherplantbutofthesamespecies.Inotherwords,pollinationisthemixingofthemaleandfemalepartsofaflower.Pollinationisthereforeavitalstepinthereproductionoffloweringplantsand isnecessary forall seedand fruitproduction.Over75%ofall thecrops in subSaharanAfricabenefitfrominsectpollination.Otheragentsofpollinationarewind,animals,birds,water,manandreptiles

Insectsincludingbeesforageplantsforfood,theyvisitmanyflowersadayinsearchofpollenandnectar.Many flowering plants depend upon these insects for the pollen transfer (pollination) as they forage.Adequateinsectpollinationimprovesthequalityofthecrop;uneven,misshapedandsmallfruitsareoftenindicationthatpollinationhasbeeninsufficient.

Amongtheinsects,beesareconsideredthemostefficientpollinatorsbecausetheyhavehairybodieswhicheasilypickuppollengrainsastheymoveaboutinflowers.Duringasingledayonebeemayvisitseveralhundredflowers.Furthermore,beesareconsistentforagersandtendtoworkonekindoffloweratatime.


Scoutbeeswilllocatethebestflowersandthenencouragetheirhivematestousethesamesource.Pollenfromtheanthersistrappedinhairscoveringthebeeandcarriedtothestigmaofthesameplantoranotherfromthesamespecies.Thisisthefirststeptowardsfertilizationandtheproductionofseedsandfruits.

Bees,therefore,playavitalroleinfoodproductionandoverallagriculturalproductivity,aspollinators.Sobeekeepingprovidespollinationservices.

Fig 6: The worker bee visiting a flower, helping to pollinate the plant

Insomecountriestheeconomicvalueofpollinationishigherthanthevalueofhoney.Beekeepersmovetheirhivestodifferentbeeforagesinordertomaximizehoneyflowandtoimprovecroppollination.

InAmerica,IndiaandChinapollinationbybeesishiredandfetchesadditionalmoneytothebeekeeper.Growersarewillingtorenthivesfrombeekeepers.Hivesareplacedneartothebloomingcrops(especiallyfruitandoilseedcrops)andremovedafterflowering.Manybeekeepersmakemoneyinthiswayandstillhavethehoneyfromthehive.Theyendupwithadoubleprofit!

InUganda,examplesoforganizationsthathavepracticedpollinationservicesare:-

t KawereCoffeePlantationinMubendeDistrict.

t J.P.CuttingsinLugaluga,WakisoDistrict.

Beesareknowntoincreaseandimprovetheyieldsofavocado,coffee,cotton,sunflower,mandarin,onion,papaya,beans,mango,bananas,andmanyothercashcrops.

Sobeesareimportanttofarmers.Morebeesmeanbetterpollinationandhigheryields.Ifbeesarekilled,the value of crops is reduced. Therefore it is in everyone’s interest to maintain strong population ofhoneybees.Insecticideskillbeesandcontaminatehiveproducts.Farmerscanhelpbyselectingandusingtherecommendedpesticideswithgreatcareandneverusingpesticideswhenflowersareopen.Foraginginsectsworkonopenblossomsandwillbekilledifsprayedatthistime.Ifpesticidesmustbeused,itisbestsprayedearlyorlateinthedaywhencropflowersareclosedandthereisnowindtodriftthesprayontootherflowersorhives.Farmersshouldalwaystrytochooseapesticidethatattacksthepestbutwillnotharmbees.Beekeepersshouldteachothersthevalueofpollinationbyinsects.Theyshouldalsoeducateneighboringfarmersaboutinsecticidesandtheirnegativeimpactonthebeecolony.

Foresttreesarealsoimportantbeeforageandforestsareessentialforthesurvivalofbees.No trees, no bees:no honey, no money.Conservingforestbiodiversityisthereforeimportantforbeekeepers.ForesttreesnativetoAfricathatareimportantforbeesincludeamongothers:-

t Acaciaspecies

t Coffeaspecies


t Combretumspecies

t Diospyrusspecies

t Dombeyaspecies

t Julbernardia globiflora

t Pentaclethra macrophylla

t Vernonia amygdlina

t Calliandra callothyrsus

t Eucalyptussp.

t Musasp.

Therearecommerciallyavailableandmajorsourcesofforageforbeestoproduceexcellenthoneys,andcanflowerallyearround.Thefollowingareexamplesofsuchplants:blackberry(Rubus argutus),calliandra(Callindra callothyrsus),Citrus(Citrusspp.)e.g.tangerineandorange,coffee(Coffeaspp.),clover(Trifolium incarnatum), sunflower (Helianthus spp.), cotton (Gossypium spp.), mango (Mangifera indica), cashew(Anacadinaceae),neem(Azadirachita indica),eucalyptus(Eucalyptussp.),banana(Musasp.),bottlebrushandpassionfruit.

Beesforageondifferentflowersindifferentareasdependingonwhatisavailable.Mostplantsfloweronlyatcertaintimesoftheyearbutbeesneedfoodovermanymonths,soavarietyofplantsmustbeavailable.Itisagoodideatoidentifywhichplantsbeesfeedoninyourarea.Itisthenpossibletoplantfloweringplantsaroundapiariestoensurethebeeshaveadequateforagewhentheyneedit.Wildplantsshouldbeallowedtogrowwhereverthereisspace,includingbythesideofroads,nearhousesandinbetweenfields.Produceafloweringcalendarlistingtheflowersthatareavailableeachmonthoftheyear.


CHAPTER TWO

MANAGEMENT OF THE HONEY BEE

MODULE 4: BEEKEEPING SYSTEMS

IntroductionThelongrelationshipbetweenhumansandhoneybeesstartedwithhoneyhunting.Toreducethehardshipandunpredictabilityofharvestingfromwildcolonies,peoplefoundwaystoincreasetheircontroloverbeesthroughtheownershipandmanagementofcolonieskeptinhives.Currently,therearevariousbeekeepingsystemsused,rangingfromthelocal/traditionalmethodstothemodernsystems.


1. Appreciatetheimportanceofkeepingbeesinhives.

2. Describethedifferentbeekeepingsystems.

3. Understandtheeconomicimportanceofthedifferentbeekeepingsystems.

4. Selectthemostappropriatebeekeepingsystem(thebesthivetype)fortheirareasbasedoncostbenefitanalysis.

Target Participants:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:2hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,differentbee

hives/theirpictures,postersandhandouts.

Methodt Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“BEEKEEPING SYSTEMS”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonthedifferentbeekeepingsystemsintheirareas.


Group 1: Explainwhypeoplekeepbeesinhives

Group 2: Explainthedifferentbeekeepingsystemsintheirareas


Group 3: Discusstheeconomicimportanceofthedifferentbeekeepingsystems

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandengagesthemoncostbenefitanalysisofdifferentbeekeepingsystemsandgivesoutthehandouts.

HAND OUT: Beekeeping SystemsTherearedifferentbeekeepingsystemsusedandtheseinclude:-

(a) Honey hunting and bee-killing

Thelongrelationshipbetweenhumansandhoneybeesstartedwithhoneyhuntinginthewild.Honeyhuntingcontinuesinsomecommunitiestodate.Itinvolveskillingthebeesinthewildcolonysoastoobtaincombscontaininghoneyandbrood(larvaeandpupae).Thisprimitivemethodinvolvesuseofopenfiretokillthebees,eventuallydestroyingnotonlythecolonybutalsotheenvironmentasbushesaresetonfireintheprocessofharvestinghoney.

Advantagest Minimalworkandknowledgeisrequired

t Thereisnoinvestmentorexpenditureinvolved

Disadvantages t Nestsandbeesaredestroyed

t Beesmaybecomeaggressive

t Remainingbeesmayabscond

t Accesstothenestscanbefaranddangerous

t Combsgetmixedupduringharvestinghenceproducingpoorqualityhoney

t Environmentisdestroyediftreesarecutdownorsetonfire.

Toreducethehardshipandunpredictabilityofharvestingfromwildcolonies,peoplefoundwaystoincreasetheircontroloverbeesthroughtheownershipandmanagementofcolonieskeptinhives.Thesebeekeepingsystemsrangefromthelocal/traditionalmethodstothemodernsystems.

(b) Bee-having

Thisisanintermediatestepbetweenhoneyhunting/bee-killingandbeekeeping.Inbee-having,beesarehousedinhollowedsectionsoftreetrunks,claypots,gourds,barkhives,orwoventwigsandmudbaskets.Combscontaininghoneyarefixedandremovedperiodically.Thefarmerprovidesprotectiontothebeecolonyinreturnforperiodicharvestsofhoney,waxandotherbeeproducts.Theideaistomaintainthecolonyforfutureharvestsinsteadofdestroyingitforaone-timeharvest.

Bothbee-killingandbee-havingarecarriedonwithverylittleunderstandingofthebiologyofthebee.Itisnotuncommontofindbee-havingamongfarmerswhohaverelativelysophisticatedequipmentwhichallowsformanagementoftheircolonies.Theyremainbee-haversbecausetheylackthetrainingtomakeoptimumuseoftheirequipment.

Thismethodissometimesreferredtoaslocal/traditional.

Advantages t Beesandnestsareconserved

t Minimumcost(cheaplocallyavailablematerialsandlabor)

t Suitablefordefensivebees

t Lessriskythanhoneyhunting

t Hivescanbeplacednearhomes


Disadvantages t Combsarefixedandmustbebrokenduringharvesting

t Honeyyieldsaremodest

t Hiveinspectionisdifficult.

(c) Beekeeping

Beekeeping implies themanipulationofabeecolonybasedonsomeunderstandingof thebees.Thisgivesgreateaseofmanagementandharvestingforhigheryieldsandbetterqualityofhoney.Beekeepingthereforecanbelucrativeatanyleveloftechnology,butthelevelusedshouldfittogetherwiththelocalculturalandeconomicreality.

Thereare3categoriesofbeekeepingnamely:-

(i) Local/traditionalbeekeepinginfixedcombhives.

(ii) Transitional(betweenlocal/traditionalbeekeepingandmodernbeekeeping):intopbarhives.

(iii) Modernbeekeeping:inframehives

Advantagest Hivescanbemanagedefficiently

t Beesarelessdisturbedandthereforelessdefensive

t Hivesareeasytovisit,harvest,treat,feed,uniteanddivide

t Hivescanbemadetotherightvolumeandcombsaremovable

t Honeyandbeeswaxcanbeofgoodquality

Disadvantages t Equipmentcanbecostly

t Externalfinancialsupportanddonatedequipmentmayberequired

t Hivemustbemadeverypreciselyinordertoworkeffectively

t Diseasesandpestscanbespreadeasilyduetomovementofequipments.

t Moreknowledgeandskillsarerequired

Choosing the most appropriate hive typeThebesthiveisonethatisappropriategiventhematerialsthatareavailable,andtheskillsandfinancialresourcesofthebeekeeper.Thesimplerandcheaperahiveistomake,themorepeoplewillbeabletotakepartinbeekeeping.Anexpensivesystemdoesnotnecessarilyresultinhigheroutput.Toavoidunnecessarydebtanddependenceonexternalsupport,beekeepersshouldbeabletomakeorbuycheaphivesmadefromlocalmaterials.Thisindependencegivesthemthefreedomtogetstartedinbeekeepingandexpandtheirbusiness.Honeyharvestsareaffectedbytheavailabilityofforageforbees,thestrengthofthecolony,andthesizeofthecontainerusedasahive.Itisnotsimplythetypeofhivethatdetermineshowmuchhoneythebeeswillstorebutalsothesize.

Features of an appropriate hivet Attractive for bees-dry,correctsize,nicescent,easytoprotectfrompestsandpredators.

t Suitable for the beekeeper-affordable,manageable,locallyavailable,sustainable.

Fixed comb (local/traditional) hivesFixedcombhivesarecontainersmadefromwhatevermaterialsarelocallyavailable,suchasgrasses,logs,bark,raffiapalm,clay,etc.Beesbuildtheirnestinsidethecontainer,justastheywouldbuildinanaturallyoccurringcavity.Thebeesattachthecombstotheinsideuppersurfaceofthehive.Thehoneycombsneedtobecutofffromthissurfacetobeharvestedandcannotthenbereplaced.


Fixedcombhivessuchasthehollowedoutlogs,barkhives,claypotsandwovengrasses,etcarecheapto construct, relativelyeasy tomanageand suitable fordefensivebees like in tropicalAfrica, includingUganda.Themaininputsarelocalknowledgeandlocalmaterials,ratherthanexternalfinancialsupportand donated equipment. Fixed comb hives, usually cylindrical in shape, have been used in Africa forgenerations.Avarietyofdifferentstylescanbefoundacrossthecontinent,fromhollowed-outlogsandbarkformedintocylinders,toclaypotsandwovengrasses.Localmethodshaveevolvedoveralongperiodtosuitlocalresourcesandindigenousbees.Honeybeebrooddiseasesarenotobservedtocauseproblemsinfixedcombhives,probablybecauseofthefrequentmovementoftropicalhoneybeecoloniesandtheirrebuildingofcombs,therebythebroodisrearedinfreshcombs,leavingnochanceforthebrooddiseasestopersistandaccumulate.

Fixedcombhivesareaproventechnologythathavestoodthetestoftimeandcanbehighlyprofitable.Thereplacementoffixedcombhiveswithotherhivetypesshouldnotbeconsiderednecessarilyinevitableordesirable.Cost-benefitanalysesprovethatfixedcombhivesaremoreprofitablethanotherhivetypesintropicalAfrica.MosthoneyharvestedintropicalAfricatodaycomesfromfixedcombhivese.g.intheNorthWestProvinceofZambia,beekeepersharvesthighqualityhoneyandbeeswaxfromfixedcombandexporttheseproductstotheEuropeanUnion.

Top bar (transitional) hivesTop-barhivesareboxeswithaseriesofbarsarrangedsidebysidealongthetop.Beesareencouragedto construct their combs from theundersides of these top-bars. Top-bars enable thebeekeeper to liftindividualcombsoutofthehiveforinspection.Combscontainingunripehoneyorbroodcanbereplacedandthosecontainingripehoneycanberemovedforharvest.

Harvestinghoneyandbeeswaxfromtop-barhivesissimpleandcanbeachievedwithoutdamagetothecolony.Top-barhivesareparticularlysuitableforbeginnerbeekeepersbecauseitisofteneasiertolearnhowtomanageandharvestfromatop-barhivethanfromafixedcombhive.Installedatwaistheightandkeptclosetohome,top-barhivesareoftenpopularwithwomen.Alltheequipmentneededfortop-barhivebeekeepingcanbeboughtormadelocally.Top-barhivesareoftenintroducedbyprojectskeentopromotenewandseeminglymodernideas,yettheyfunctionwellonlyifthebeekeeperunderstandsthebees,thebenefitsandlimitations.Pooruseoftop-barhivescanleadtodisappointmentandabandonment.

Frame hivesFramehiveisaboxwithmovableframes.ThistypeofhiveisappropriateintropicalAfricabutisexpensivetobuyandmaintain,machineryisrequiredtoextractthehoney.Beeswaxyieldsfromframehivesarelowcomparedtofixedcombhives.

MODULE 5: BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT

IntroductionManydifferenttypesofequipmentareusedinbeekeepingindustryrightfromtheapiarythroughharvestingandprocessingtotransportingandstorageofhiveproducts.


1. Identifythedifferentbeekeepingequipmentandtheiruses

2. Demonstratetheoperationanduseofthevariousbeekeepingequipment

Target ParticipantBeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,artisans,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Suggested Number of Participants:Maximum30

Duration:4hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,beekeeping

equipmentand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Methodt Lectures

t Brainstorming

t Demonstrations

t GroupDiscussions

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonthedifferentbeekeepingequipmentintheirareas.


Group 1: Identifythedifferentbeekeepingequipmentandtheiruses

Group 2: Demonstratetheoperationanduseofthevarioustypesofbeekeepingequipment

Group 3: Discusstheeconomicimportanceofthevarioustypesofbeekeepingequipment

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,demonstrates,summarizesandgivesoutthenotes.

HAND OUTS: Bee Keeping Equipment

IntroductionBeekeeping equipments include beehives, harvesting gear, processing gear, storage and transportationfacilities.

1. Bee hivesTypes of beehives

1. Traditional hives (fixed comb hives)

a. Woven basket hive

l Theyvaryinshape,sizeandtypeofmaterialsusedforexampletheycanbeconicalorcylindricalinshape,thecylindricalonemeasuresapproximately90cminlengthand30cmindiameter

l Materials:papyrus,bamboo,fibre,twigsorsticks,cowdungorsoilforsmearing,grassorbananafibreordrybananaleavesascover.Durabilityofthehivedependsonthematerialsusedandmanagement.

l Oneendcompletelyclosed,Oneendbearing5-6holesofdiameter8-10mminarow


Basket hive

± 30 cm

90 cm

Standardized dimensions:

Frontcover

5-6 Holes Ø 8-10 mm

Ø 30 cm Ø 30 cm

Backcover

Hivebody

Fig 7: Measurements for Woven basket hive

Fig 8: Woven basket hive

Advantagest Cheap

t Materialsarelocallyavailable

t Doesnotrequirealotofskillsandtechnology

t Highpropolisproductivity.

t Highwaxproductivity

Disadvantagest Difficulttoinspect

t Combsbreakwhentransportedoverlongdistances

t Productionislimitedsincehivecannotbeextended

t Difficulttoharvestandalotofsmokeisneeded

t Difficulttodetermineharvestingcapacityorvolumebecauseofdifferencesinlengthanddiameter.

t Swarmingandabscondingarecommon


b. Log hive

l Cylindricalinshape.

l Oneendclosedbutoneendbearstheentranceholeforthebees

Fig 9: The log hive

Advantagest Cheap




t Durablewithgoodpractices

t Highcolonizationrate.





t Difficulttodetermineharvestingcapacityorvolumebecauseofdifferencesinlengthanddiameter.


c. Clay hive:

l Madefrombakedclaysoil

l Cantakethecylindricalorovalshapes

l Thecylindricalhasentrancesatoneend

l Theovalshapehasentrancesatthebottomwiththetopcoveredaplankofwood.


Fig 10: Clay hives

Advantagest Cheap




t Highcolonizationrate


t Delicatetotransportasitmayfallandbreak



t Difficulttodetermineharvestingcapacityorvolumebecauseofdifferencesinshape.


d. Johnson hive

l MadefromwellseasonedtimberofMusizi,Nkago,NkuzanyanaandMuvulemeasuring12x1inches.

l Doorsmeasure30X30cm

l Sidesmeasure91cmX30cm

l Topboardmeasures97cmX30cmwithironsheetcover

l Bottommeasures91cmX26cm

l Withaqueenexcluderinthemiddle

l Withentrancesoneithersideoftheexcluder

l Wireloopsforhanging


Fig: 11: Picture of Johnson hive

Advantages:t Separateshoneyfrombrood

t Highwaxproduction

Disadvantagest Theremaybetwocoloniesinthehivecreatingconfusion

t Acolonymaysealoffthequeenexcluderwithpropolisandremainononesideofthehive.




2. Improved hives (movable top bar hives)

a) Kenyan Top Bar Hive

Fig 12: KTB hive showing how the comb attaches to the bar inside the hive


Fig 13: A top bar lifted from a KTB hive

Fig 14: A KTB hive being opened

NB:

1. Alltopbarhivesshouldhavetopbarswithdimensionofwidthof3.2cmandalengthofapproximately48cm.

2. Kenya top bar hive can bemade out of bricks, timber, bamboo,papyrus,basketandclay.

3. Thecovercanbefabricatedprovideditiswaterproofmateriale.g.Plasticsheets,grass,bananafibers,andmats


Advantagest Colonysplittingandmultiplicationeasy.

t Controlofswarmingispossible.

t Easytoinspecttoknowtheconditionofthecolony

t Harvestingiseasyandpossibletoselectsealedcombed(ripe)honey

t Materialsforconstructionareavailable

t Durable

t Highcolonizationratewhenbaited.

Disadvantagest Itrequireshighskillsandtechnologytomanufacture

t Expensiveforanordinarypersontoafford

t Productionislimitedasitcannotbeexpanded

t Combscaneasilybreakwhileintransit

b) KTB Catcher box:

TheKTBcatcherboxisusuallyaquarteroftheactualKTBhive.Itisusedfortrappingpassingbeeswarmsinthewild.

Fig 15: Catcher box for a KTB hive

3. Modern hives (Movable frame hives):

Examples:LangstrothandDadant

Framesarrangedverticallyrightontopofthebroodchamber(super)


a) Langstroth hive:

Langstroth hive

A modern hive consists of:

A brood chamber

An inner cover

An outer cover12 framesper super

A honey superA queenexcluder

12 framesper chamber

A bottom board

Fig 16: Langstroth hive showing the different parts of the hive

Fig 17: Langstroth hive


Fig 18: Langstroth hive- brood chamber, empty frame, honey chamber, combed frame, queen excluder, cover

Fig 19: Catcher box for a Langstroth hive

Advantages of Langstroth / Dadant hivest Transportable

t Highhoneyyield

t Easytoinspectandharvest

t Easytocontrolswarming

t Beebreedingandqueenrearingpossible

t Longlasting


Disadvantages of Langstroth / Dadant hivest Veryexpensive

t Someofthematerialsforconstructionneedtobeimported

t Requireshighskillsandtechnology

t Productionofotherhiveproductsisveryminimal(waxandpropolis)

t Requireshighmanagementskills.

t Itispronetopestanddiseaseattack.

b) Brick frame hive

l Themainbodyofaframebrickhiveismadeofbrickswith2sides,afrontwithholesforbeestoenterandaback.

l 28frames

l Acoverforprotectionagainstrain

Frame brick hiveStandardized dimensions:

62cm

53cm

115cm

Fig 20:Frame brick hive

Advantagest Highhoneyproductivity

t Easytomanage,inspectandharvest

t Longlasting

t Breedingofbeespossible

t Notexpensive

t Materialslocallyavailable

t Havingnaturalinsulationproperties

Disadvantagest Theframesrequirehighlevelofskillstoconstruct

t Nottransportablet Morepronetopests,diseasesandfloods


2. Bee harvesting gear

a) Smokers

Thebodyconsistsofagalvanizedmetallicsheetofgauge28canonandpumpingbellow.

Thecanonhasachamberwith2holes-oneforincomingairandtheotheronetoletoutsmoke.Insidethechamberisplacedasievetoprotecttheinletfrombeingblockedwithash.

Thepumpingbellowconsistsof2piecesofwoodofsize12cmX20cm,returnablespring,leatherorcanvasmaterial.

Fig 21: Bee smokers

Recommended materials for smokingt Semidrygrass

t Woodshaving

t Coffeehusks

t Maizecomb

t Beanhusks

t Millethusks

t Drycactus

t DrypawpawstemEtc.

Recommended procedures in lighting a smokert Putglowingcharcoalonthesieveinthecanonchamber,followedbyanyofthesmokingmaterials

mentionedabove,fillingthechamber3quarterway.

t Beforeclosingthesmokerfillthecanopyi.e.thelastquarterwithfreshgreengrassorleaves.

t Gently,startpumpingthebellowandsmoking

b) Bee suit

Consistsofanoverallandaheadveil;theoverallismadeofwhiteoryellowkhakimaterialwithaheadveilattachedtoit.Thenetoftheheadveilismadeoutofstrongblacknylonmaterialinorder tohavegoodvisionandventilation.Thehatof theveil consistsof thesamekhakimaterialoftheoverallwitharoundstretchingstiffringofapproximatediameterof42cm.Theveilisattachedtotheoverallwithadoublezipandcanbedetached.Theoverallshouldcoverwholebodyrightfromthelegs,armsuptotheneckwithalongjacketzipperfromthefryuptotheneck.Theoverallshouldbefittingloosely(nottight)withprovisionofpockets;atleast


4pockets-2atthechestand2aroundthethighs.Thereshouldbeelasticofcode16atthewristandankles.

Fig 22: Bee suit

c) Bee gloves

Canbemadeofsoftleathermaterialorsoftlatexgloves,joinedwithapieceofclothofthesamekhakimaterialandcolourofwhiteoryellowasthatoftheoverall,reachinguptotheelbowfixedwithanelasticofcode16.

Fig 23: Soft latex gloves

d) Gumboots

Gumbootstobeusedbyabeekeepershouldbewhiteincolourandofhis/herownsize.Onecaninnovateagumbootoutofpolythenesacksusedforcarryingmaize,beans,sugarandusedasovershoesandtieovertheoverallneartheknee.


e) Hive tool set

Consistsofabeebrush,hiveopenerandstainlesssteelknife:

l Thebeebrushshouldbemadeofsoftnaturalfibree.g.sisalfibre.Onecanalsousebirdquillfeatherorverysoftleavesorgrassprovidedtheyareclean.

l Thehiveopenerismadeoutofflatironbarof6mmthickness,widthof25mmandlengthof24cm.Thehiveopenerissharpenedatbothendsbutcurvedatoneendandshouldbepaintedwithrustproofpainttoavoidcontaminationofhoneywithcorrosionandrustingwithhoney.

Fig 24: Bee brushes

Fig 25: Hive openers

Fig 26: Knife


3. Bee processing Equipment

a) Air-tightbuckets

Theyshouldbewhiteoryellowincolourandoffoodgradematerialofcapacitynotmorethan25kgsforeaseoftransportation.

Fig 27: Airtight Bucket (food grade)

b) Food grade drums

Thedrummustbemadeofstainlesssteel,air-tightandrestedonwoodenpallets.

Fig 28: Food grade drum

c) Refractometer

Itisamachineusedtodeterminethepercentageofmoistureinhoney.Itisimportedreadymade.

Fig 29: Honey refractometer


How to use a refractometerOpentheslidecoverandputadropofhoneysampleandcover.Holdagainst light,viewfromtheeyepieceandadjustaccordinglyuntilyougetadarkborderline;whereitmarksisthepercentageofthewatercontentofthatsample.Then,cleantheslidethereafter.

d) Weighing scale

It is a device used to weigh honey, beeswax and other bee products. There are 3 types ofweighingscalescommonlyusedinUganda,namely:-

(i) Platform Weighing Scale.

l Itcomprisesofaplatformandascaledarm.

How to use a platform weighing scalePut the containerwith thebeeproduct inquestionon theplatformandadjust the scaledarmuntil itbalances.Thereadingwhereitbalancesgivesyoutheweightoftheproductinthecontainer.

ii) Clock Face Weighing Scale

Ithasascaledclockfacewithapointer,2hooksandre-settingnut.Theseweighingscalesvarywithmaximumweighingcapacityrangingfrom25kgsto200kgs.

How to use a Clock Face Weighing Scale1. Re-setthepointerto0’markusingare-settingnut.

2. Useupperhookforsuspendingthescaleinaropetiedtoahorizontalbar.

3. Hangthecontainerwiththeproductontothelowerhook.

4. Takethereadingfromthescalewherethepointerendsandrecord.

iii) Clock face-with- weighing bowl-and-base weighing scale

Ithasascaledclockfacewithapointer,abowl,abaseandre-settingnut.Theyvarywithmaximumweighingcapacityrangingfrom1gramto2kgs.

How to use a Clock face-with- weighing bowl-and-base weighing scale1. Re-setthepointerto0’markusingare-settingnut.

2. Putthecontainerwiththeproductonthebowl.

3. Takethereadingfromthescalewherethepointerendsandrecord.

4. Usedtoweighsmallquantities

e) Straining cloth:

Fig 30 (a): Straining cloth Fig. 30 (b) Straining cloth tied around a bucket ready for straining honey


f) Centrifuge extractor

Itisamachineusedtoextracthoneyfromcombsandframedcombs.Itcomesreadymade.Somearemadeof foodgradeplasticwhileothersmadeof foodgradestainlesssteel.Theyhaveextractingcapacityrangingfrom2framesto18.Thecombsorframesarearrangedeitherradially,triangularlyorrectangularlyinordertoextracthoney.Therearemanualextractorsaswellastheelectricalones.

Alltypeshaveaspoutfordrainingthehoneyoutofthetank.Thebottomisconvexinsidetoallowallthehoneytodrain.Theyarefittedon3stands.Themainbodyiscylindrical.Theyhave2transparentplasticcovers.

Fig 31: Centrifuge extractor

g) HoneysettlingTank

Thereare2types;foodgradeplastictanksandstainlesssteeltanks.Theyvaryincapacityfrom25,50,100,200andthen400kgs.Ithasacoverandaspoutwithaconvexbottominside.Somecomewithinbuilthoneystrainerwhileotherscomewithseparatedoublestrainers.

Fig 32: Honey settling tank


h) Honey Press:

Fig 33: Honey Press

i) Honey jars:

Fig. 34: Honey jars

j) Bee house:

Fig 35: Bee house


k) Honeycollectionandprocessingpremises:

1. Thehoneyprocessingenvironmentshouldbefreeofpests,contaminantsandpollutantsi.e.itshouldbefreefromfilth,fumes,stagnantwater/breedingplacesformosquitoes,swampyareas,agrochemicals,humanoranimalwasteorgarbage.

2. Thepremisesshouldbesuitableinsizeforthepurposeofhandling/processingfood

3. Itshouldbespacioustoallowsmoothflowofprocesses

4. Adequatelightingshouldbeprovided

5. Itshouldbeverminandbeeproof

6. Havegooddrainage

7. Havehighroof-theceilingsshallbesmooth,imperviousandeasytoclean

MODULE 6: MAKING BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT

IntroductionMostbeekeepingequipmentcanbemadelocallyorsimplyusingthelocalmaterials.Itisthereforeimportanttoknowtherecommendeddimensionsandhowtomakesomeofthekeyequipmentrequiredforprimaryproductionattheapiary.


1. Explainthedimensionsofbeekeepingequipment

2. Makedifferentbeekeepingequipmentsandtools.

Target Participant:Artisans,beekeepers,serviceproviders,individualsororganizations


Duration:2hours(classroom),3daysforpracticalsessiononmakingbeekeepingequipment.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,equipment

plans, materials and tools for making equipments and finished pieces of the equipment fordemonstrationandhandouts.

Methodt Lectures

t Practicals

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“MAKING BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT (Specify Equipment)”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Askoneortwoparticipantstohelpyouindemonstratingandmodelingthedifferentbeekeepingequipmentspecifiedinstep1above.


Step 3Give out the equipment plans. Go through the plans carefully. Explain using the finished piece of theequipment.

Step 4Thetraineraskstheparticipantssomequestionstochecktheirunderstandingandclarifyongaps.

Step 5Practicalsessionsformakingtheequipments

HAND OUTS

(i) Kenya Top Bar Hive Plans

Theonlyexactmeasurementsrequiredintheconstructionarethoseofthetopbaritself.Othersarenottoocritical,sothesizeofthehivecanvarytosuitlocalconditions.Givetheseplanstoalocalcarpenterandexplainthefollowingdimensions:

Dimensions for body

Lid:94cmx52cm

Side:26cmx87cm

Bottom:24cmx87cmorto90cmmaximum

Ends(2):25cminheight,42cmwideattopand20cmwideatbottom

52cm

94cm

TOP LID

87cm

26cm

87cm

26cm

25cm

Fron

t si

de

24cm

87cm - 90cm

BOTTOM

Side A

Side B

20cm

42cm

Back side

25cmEntr

ance

hol

es8m

m -

10m

m

Fig 36: Dimensions for the body of a Kenya Top Bar hive

Dimensions for top bars:-

Length:45.5cm

Width:3.2cm


Types of top bars:T-shaped,V-shaped,Grooved-topbarandhalfroundtopbar

(i) V - shaped top bar

2cm

3.2cm

1.6cm

(ii) T - shaped top bar

2cm

3.2cm

1.35cm

0.5cm

1.5cm

(iii) Grooved top bar

2cm

3.2cm

1.4cm0.4cm

1.5cm

(iv) Round top bar

2cm

3.2cm

Note: AllshapesMUSTberebatedatbothendstostopslideofffromthehive.

2cm

1cm

1cm

48cm

3.5cm


MaterialsAnytimberforthebodyandthetopbarsmustbesuitable,wellseasonedwood.

Instructions

t Cutthesides,endsandbottomtotherequiredsize.

t Thesidesofthehiveshouldbeatanangletoapproximatethecurveofthecombsthatthebeeswillnaturallymake(thislimitstheinclinationofthebeestoattachthecombtothesidewalls).

t Allsurfacesneedtobesmoothandalljointsfreefromcracksandgaps.

t Make6-8smallroundortriangularshapedholesatoneendofthehivenearthebottomastheentrance:8-10mmindiameter.

t Thetopbarsrequirecriticalmeasurementsanduniformityandmustbe32mmor1.24incheswide.

t Putastriporgroovealongthecentreofthetopbars,ontowhichbeeswaxisplacedtoencouragecombformationandbait.

t Thishiveshouldholdbetween20to33topbarspackedtightlyinthehivewithnogaps.

Note:Tryandmakethetopbarstheexactsamemeasurement(32mm)inallyourtopbarhives(thestandardtopbar is19inchesor48cmlong)toallowbeestobetransferredfromonetypeofhivetotheother.

(ii) Mud and Stick Hive

Thebodyofatopbarhivecanbemadeupoflocallyavailablematerialsprovidedthatthestandardmeasurementsofbarsarefollowed.

Sothefollowingdimensionsaregivenonlyasaguideandcanvaryaccordingtolocalneeds.

Howeverthemeasurementsforthetopbararecriticalandmustbe32mmwide.

Internal Dimensions for body

Length:900mm Width:440mm Height: 300mm

Dimensions for top bars

Length:480mm Width:32mm

(ThelengthisjustaguidebutitMUSTbe32mmor1.25incheswidefortopbar).

3.2cm

0.5cm

COMB SPACE GUIDE

0.5cm

1.5cm

Fig 37: Top bar measurements

Materialst Longandshortsticks


t Wire,stringoracaciabarkfibre

t Mudordung(mudfromatermitemoundworksthebest)

t Material(wood,tinorpolythenetocoverthehive

t Timberforthetopbars

Instructionst Forthebodyyouwillneedapproximately50longand30shortstraightsticks.

t Makeaframeofsticksfirsttoformthebottomorbaseofthehive.

t Tieonotherstickstotheframetoformthesides.Makeslightlyslopedsidesifpossible.

t Usewire,twineorfibretotieallthestickstogether.Ifyoubindthemtightlythenyoucanhaveaverystrongframethatdoesnotwobble.

t Plasteroutsidetheframewithmudandcowdungandleavetodry.Make6-8smallholesof8-10mmindiameteratoneendofthehiveastheentrance.Theseshouldbeclosetothebottomofthehivetomakeiteasyforthebeestokeepthehiveclean.

t Experimentwith any available low costmaterial to cover the hive.Usetin or timber if available(approx57cmsx97cms).Butdon’tputatinroofdirectlyonthetopbarsasitmightgettoohotinthesun–leaveagapbetweenthetopbarsandthetincover.Youmayalsouseaplasticsheetoverthelidtostopthehivegettingwet.

t Constructthetopbarsfromtimberandputastripofwoodalongthecentre,ontowhichbeeswaxisplacedtoencouragecombformationandbait.Thisiscalledacombguide.

Tryandmakethetopbarstheexactsamelengthinallyourtopbarhivestoallowbeestobetransferredfromonetypeofhivetotheother.

iii) Langstroth bee hive plan:

¾”externalplywoodcoverwithtin

¼”externalplywood

Inner cover Hole

Cleatforhandhold

Hive frames(insideshallowsuper)

Framed Queen excluder

Brooder Hive frames(liftedtorevealinsideconstructionofsuper)

Boards to support frames inside super

Cleatforhandhold

Movable bottom board

¾”externalplywood

Hive stand

Deep super

(deephivebody)

55cm

40cm

40cm

47.5cm

15cm

47.5cm

47.5cm

40cm

40cm

45cm 52.5cm5cm

7.5cm

Stailesswireof0.47mmdiameter

Outer cover

Fig. 38: Langstroth hive dimensions

LANGSTROTH HIVEAllwoodusedshouldbeof2cmthickness.


(1) Cover

l Frame57cmx50cmofwidth4cmandthickness2cm

l Fittedwithplywoodtopofsize57cmx50cm

l Thencoveredwithplainironsheetgauge32.

(2) Inner cover

l Plywoodcuttosize48cmx48.5cm

(3) Supper / Honey box

l Size42.5cmx50.5cmandheightof14cm

l Ithasatoprebateinsideonthesidesof42.5cm.Therebatesizeis2cmindepthand1cminlength.

2cm

1cm

l Fittedwithframespacerstoaccommodate11frames

(4) Queen excluder

l Coffeetraywirecuttosize42cmx50cm

l Framedwithbindingsattheedges.Thesizeofthebindingsis2.5cmwidthand2mmthickness

Binding

Coffee tray wire

(5) Brood box

l Size42.4cmx50.5cmx28cm

l Fittedwithbottomboardwhichleave1cmgapfrombottomline

l Ithasatoprebateinsideonthesidesof42.5cm.Therebatesizeis2cmindepthand1cminlength.


2cm

1cm

l Fittedwithframespacerstoaccommodateframes

(6) Supper frame

12cm

39.5cm 1cm

1cm

1cm

48cm

Sides

Bottom 1cm

4cm

Stainless wire

(7) Brooder frame

20cm

Stainless wire

Allotherdimensionsarethesameasofsupperandbrooderframeexceptthesides

l Toppiecesaremadeofsizes2cmx2.5cm

l Toppieceisfittedwithagroove

l Sideandbottompiecesaremadeofsizes1cmx2.5cm

(8) Stainless wire

l Superframeisfittedwith2stainlesswiresofgauge0.47mml Brooderframeisfittedwith3stainlesswiresofgauge0.47mm


(9) Waxfoundationsheet

l Superframeisfittedwithcombfoundationsheet

l Broodframeisfittedatleast½ofthecombfoundationsheet

(iv) Solar wax melter plans

Asolarwaxmelterprovidesasimpleandsafemethodtoextractwax.Itisaglassorplasticcoveredboxthatusestheheatofthesuntomeltbeeswax.

Sun raysDouble skin of glass or plastic

sheet

Collecting container for melted wax

Wire mesh to hold back

debris

Metal tray shaped to

direct wax into container

Insulating material

Fig 39: Solar wax extractor

The dimensions of the body depend on the materials and space available.

Materialst Woodandblackpaintforthebody(insideandoutside)

t 2Glasssheetof2mmgaugewithaspaceof4mminbetween

t Stainlessmetalsheetsfortray(unpainted)

t Container(plasticwithslopingsidesworksbest)

t Wiremeshoverthecontainertostrainwax

Instructions1. Makeabox

2. Makethecollectingcontainer

3. Makethemeltingtray

4. Puttheseparatingmesh

5. Constructadoubleclearglassorclearplasticlid.The2sheetsshouldbeaboutoneinchandaquarter(1¼”)or4cmaparttohelpincreaseandretainabsorbedheat.Theentireboxshouldbepaintedblackfromoutsideformaximumheatabsorption.


Using the solar wax extractor1. Themelterisplacedinasunnyspot.Theboxistiltedatanangletocatchthesun.

2. Combsareplacedonthemetalsheet.Thesheetshouldnotbepainted,aspaintcontainslead,whichcancontaminate thewax.Themeltercanbeused to renderoldcombs,cappingsandotherhivescrapings.

3. Thewaxmeltsandrunsintoacollectingcontainerthroughawiremesh,toformwaxblocksaccordingtotheshapeofthecollectingcontainer.

(v) Bee veil

Themostimportantpieceofthebeesuitistheveilforcoveringthehead.

Veil 1 - Dimensions for body:-

l Thelengthwillvarydependingonthesizeofthehat.

l Thetotalfinisheddepthoftheveilshouldbe70cm(20cmofcloth,30cmofscreen,and20cmofcloth).

Materialst Clothx2pieces

t Elasticx1piece

t Blackscreenx1piece

t Ahatwithabrim

Instructionst Theclothusedfortheveilneedstobeacoolmaterialsotheheaddoesnotgettoohot.

t Cutandsewtheclothandscreenaccordingtothesizeofthehat.

t Placedrawstringsaroundthebottomandtopoftheveil.

t Placetheveiloverahatwithawidebrim.Ensuretheveiliskeptclearoftheskin.

Alternativelyinsertstiffwireorflexiblesticksthroughtheveilandmakearingtokeepitstiff.

Theloweredgeoftheveilmustbefixedtightsothatbeescannotgetin.

Fig 40: Bee veil

Veil2–Analternativeveilcanbemadeasfollows:-

Materialst Clothx2piecest Blackscreenx1piece


Fig 41: Dimensions of Bee veil

Instructions1. CuttheclothandmarkthepointsA–Gonthematerial(seeabove).2. SewthescreenandfirstclothfromAtoB1(seebelow).3. SewthescreenandclothfromBtoC(seebelow).4. AttachthesecondclothandsewfromAtoB,andtoCandtoD(seebelow).5. SewthebackoftheveilfromAtoGandfinishthehem(seebelow).

Fig 42: Bee veil parts

Bee veil and Overall plan:

BEE VEIL

(1)(i). Cut2roundpiecesofmaterialsofdiameter18cmforthetopofhat(ii). Cut4piecesofmaterialfortheofthehat

(2)

35cm

27cm

12cm

Fig 43: Bee veil plan:

(iii) Cut2roundpiecesofmaterialforthehatbase(circularandholeof17cminthemiddle)


(3)

45cm

17cm

Sewtogether1roundtopNo.1,2piecessidesNo.2and1basetomakeahat.

Fit2hatstogetherandfoldthebaseoveraringwireof125cmcircumferenceandsew.

(4)

(i). Cutablacknetofsize63cmx31cm

(ii). Cutamaterialofsize67cmx31cm

(iii). Sewthematerialandthenetateithersideof31cmtomakeitround.

67cm

31cm

Material

31cm

Net

(iv). Cutmaterialofsize160cmx11cm.Folditinto2tomake160cmx5.5cmandsewallroundtheabovenetandcloth.

(v). Thenfix2selflockingjacketzipsof56cmstartinginthemiddlebackoneithersides

(vi). Thensewthewholepieceonthehat.

(vii). Putanotherringwire15cmfromthehatandsewoveritamaterialof160cmx5cm.

OVERALL

1. Getapieceofmaterial160cmx90cmthenfolditinto2toget45cmx160cm.160cm

45cm

23cm 47cm

25cm 40

cm

29cm

Fig 44: Overall plan:


Youhavetoget2piecesonefortheleftandanotherfortheright.

2. Getapieceofmaterialofsize80cmx76cmandfolditinto2toget80cmx38cm.

80cm

76cm

27cm

19cm51cm

Youget2piecesforbothhands.

3. Cut2piecesofsize26cmx29cmforthedownpockets

4. Thencut1pieceofsize13cmx18cmfortheupperpocketandcutacoveringflapof18cmx19cmandfoldinto2toget9cmx19cmandfixastick-on(kamatta).

5. StartsewingtheleftandrightpiecesinNo.1atthebackandthighsandthenfixazipof76cmatthefront.

6. Fixacollaraccordingtothesizeoftheoverall

7. Thenfixthe2downpocketsandoneupperpocket.

8. Putlasticattheendofthearmslegsandback.

9. Fixthecoveringflapontheupperpocket

10. Sewthesecondpartofthezipfromtheveil.

11. Putflapwithstick-on(kamatta)atthefrontandbackwhenthezipstartsandends.

vii) Bee glove plan:

Gloves

28.5cm

38cm

BC

A

D

(i) Buylatexgloveswithcottonlininginside(toabsorbsweatandeasytoputonandoff)


(ii) Cut2khakimaterialsaspersizeabove(thatis38cmx28.5cm)

(iii) JoinsideBtoCandmakeitround.

(iv) PutaprovisionforaelasticatsideA

(v) ThensewsideDtotheglovesofleftandrightsothatitbecomeslongeruptotheelbow.

A

B

C

D

Fig. 45: Measurements of Bee glove

viii) Measurements of Bee Smoker:

Fig 46: Measurements and making of a bee smoker:

Steps:(1)

(i) Cutthepylonwireaspersizeabove

(ii) Makeholesaandbwithdiameteroftherivettobeused

(iii) Cutoffcorners

(2)

(i) Cutaspersizeaboveplainsheetgauge28.

(ii) Joinsidesaandbtomakeaconewithahole.

(iii) Foldoutthebase2mmatright-angletothebaseofthecone


(3)

34cm

W

X

b aFold

2.5cm

(i) Cutplainsheetgauge28aspersizeabove

(ii) FoldtoremovethesharpedgeatsideW.

(iii) Joinsideaandbandmakeitround

X

W

ab

JointFold

(iv) Fold3mmatrightangleallroundatX.

(4) Fix No. 2 to No. 3 and join firmly the base of the cone to the ring at X.

X

W

2

3


(5)

33cm

W19

cm2cm

2cm 2cm

6cm

5cm

a

X

6cm

4cm

c

2cm

5cm

b

4cm

2cmd

TS

(i) Cutplainsheetgauge28aspersizeabove.

(ii) Makeaholeof2cmdiameter.

(iii) Makeholesa,b,canddasthesizeoftherivettobeused.

(iv) JoinsideStoTandformacylinderof10cmdiameter.

(v) Fold1mmtoremovethesharpedgeatsideX.

(vi) Fold1mmatrightangleatsideWnearabighole.

1cm

Ridge

19cm

X

W

(vii) Put a ridge 1 cm from side X.


(6)

11.5cm

2mm

(i) Cutacircularplainsheetofgauge28withadiameter11.5cm.

(ii) Fold2mmatrightanglefacingupwardallround.

11.1cm

2mm

(7) Place side W No.5 on No.6 and fix firmly the bottom

W

5

6

X


(8)

(i) Cutplainsheetsgauge24aspersize

1cm

1cm

1cm

3cm

7.5cm

3cm

A

a

a

1cm

1cm

1cm

14cm

8.5cm

1cm

B

a a

1cm

2.5cm

(ii) Foldthe2tonguesaroundarivet.

A

Rivet

(iii) Putholesasthesizeofrivets.

(iv) FoldthetongueofBaroundtherivetwhichwasfixedinpartAandformahingeasbelow.


BA

Rivet

(9) Fix the part of No. 4 to part of No. 7 with a hinge above.

A

B

Hinge

4

7

(10)

1cm

1cm

1cm

4.5cm

8cm

2cm

6.5cm

(i) Cutplainsheetgauge28aspersize


(ii) Foldthebiggestpartonaroundbarof16mmdiameter.

(iii) Bendthe2tonguesat3cmatarightangle.

16mm

3cm

(11)

17cm

2.5cma b

c

2cm

10mm

(i) Cutplainsheetgauge24aspersize(2pieces).

(ii) Make2holes(aandb)toaccommodaterivetsandholeCtofit10mmbolt

(iii) Bendtheaboveinsmall‘n’letterlike.

6.5cm

4cm

(iv) Fixthe2pieceonpartNo. 9usingholea,b,canddwhichweremadeinNo.5


A

B

Hinge

(12)

a

21.5cm

10.52cm

(i) Cut2piecesofplyanwireandmakearivetholeinthemiddle

(13)

9.5cm

Holes

9.5cm

(i) Cutplainsheetofgauge28ofdiameter9.5cm

(ii) Putabout40airholesatrandomintheabovepieceofabout8mmdiameter.


(14)

(i) Crossthe2piecesofNo.12andfixthemonNo.13witharivetasbelow.

Ravet

1213

6cm

(ii)ThenfoldthefourpointsofNo.12at6cmtoformstandinglegs.

(15) Put No. 14 inside No.7 with legs standing down.

14

(16) Put No. 10 into a big hole of 2cm diameter when its tongues touch the lower of No.11

(17)


b

20cm

12cm

a

8mm

8mm

11mm

(i) Cut2piecesofwoodaspersizeabovewithathicknessof1cm.

(ii) Drill3holesinthemiddleline.

(a) holesshouldcorrespondwithholesofNo.11tofix10mmbolt.

(b) holes‘b’shouldbedirectedtotheairpipeNo.10asfixedinNo.16.

(iii) Fixthedrilledpiecewith10mmboltsusingholesofNo.11.

(iv) Fixareturnspringattheupperpartofwoodenpiece.

Return spring


(v) Cutacanvusaspersize.

9cm 4cm

25cm 25cm13cm

9cm

(vi) Fixthecanvusaroundthewoodstartingfrombottomwithtaxinails.

(vii) Fixthesecondwoodenpieceagainstthespringandnailthecanvusaroundit.

(viii) Fixthelacearoundthetwopiecesofwoodoverthecanvuswithchairpinsatleast1cmaparttosealanyairleakage.

MODULE 7: APIARY MANAGEMENT

IntroductionAnapiary is the locationofbeehivesorbeecolonies inhives.Apiarymanagement is thesetofroutineactivities inanapiarydependingonweatherorseasonalchangesandthe initialobjectivesofsetup. Itis important for a beekeeper to knowanduseGoodAgricultural Practices (GAPs) in his/her apiary formaximumyieldsandqualityproducts.


1. Identifyagoodapiarysite

2. Demonstratehivehangingandplacing

3. Demonstratehowtoattractbeesintoanewemptyhive,catchawildswarm,transferbeesintoahive,divisionofanexistingcolonyandunitesmallercolonies.

4. Keepcleanandhygienicapiary

5. Carryouthiveinspection

6. Keepgoodrecords

Target ParticipantBeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,artisans,individualsandorganizations/Institutions.


Duration:3hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,protective

wear,hivetoolset,films,video,generator,projector,apiaryand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Methodt Lectures

t Brainstorming


t Demonstrations

t Groupdiscussions

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Apiarymanagement”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonthecharacteristicsofgoodapiarysite.

Step 3Dividetheparticipantsinto3groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:-

Group 1: Describehivehanging,hiveplacingandhowtoattractbeesintoanewemptyhive

Group 2: Describecatchingawildswarm,transferringbeesintoahive,multiplyinganexisting colonyandunitingsmallercolonies

Group 3: Describehiveinspectionandrecordkeeping

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandgivesoutthenotes.

HAND OUT: Apiary ManagementThelocationofhoneybeecolonies(beehives)iscalledanapiary.Beehivesarehollowcontainersthatcanbeclosedandarepurposelymadetohousebees,andtheseinclude:

a. Traditionalhiveswithfixedcombse.g.loghivesandwovenhives.

b. Topbarhiveswithmovablecombse.g.KenyaTopBar(KTB)hives.

c. Modernframehiveswithmovablecombse.g.Langstroth.

Apiary siting Agoodapiarymanagementstartswithchoosingagoodsitetohangorplacehives.Ifyouchooseapoorsitepeopleandanimalsmaybestung.Ifthesiteisinsecurehoneyandhivescanbestolen.Thefollowingarerecommendedpracticesforagoodapiarysite:-

t Thesitemustbeeasytogettoandfrominorderforyoutocheckthehivesregularly.

t Anapiarycanhouseupto20hivesdependingontheavailabilityoffloweringtreesintheareaasbeesforageupto3kmfromtheapiary.

t Ahighhedgeorfenceshouldbeputaroundtheapiarytoseparatethebeesfrompeopleandanimals,asbeescanbeaggressive.Theapiaryshouldbeawayfromhumanandlivestockdwellingareas,roadsandpublicareas.

t Itshouldbesafefromstrongdirectsunshine,beshadedduringthehotpartofthedaybuthavesuninthemorning.Shademustbeconstructedifnoneisavailableatthesite.

t Itshouldbesafefromstrongdirectwindandallowgoodaircirculation.

t Itmustbenearafreshwatersupply;thiscanbeariver,pondorevenadrippingtap.

t Itmustbenearfoodsourcessuchastrees/nectarbearingcrops,andcashcropsthatneedpollination.Puttinghivesinabeehouse/shed,whichcanbelockedtopreventthievesstealingthehoney,isoneoption.Buttheremustbeholesinthewalltoallowthebeestogetenoughfreshairinandoutoftheirhives.

t Itisbetteriftheapiaryisawayfromareaswherechildrenplayoranysourceofcontinualnoise.Noisecandisturbthebeesandmakethemdefensive.


t Theapiaryshouldbeonhigherground,awayfrommarshorlandliabletopossibleflooding.Humidconditionsencouragefungalgrowthandpreventhoneymaturingandbeesfromforaging.

t The apiarymust not be close to areaswhere pesticides are used as theymay kill the bees andcontaminatethehoney.

t Thebeeswillalsoappreciatebeingawayfromsmoke,fireandunfriendlyneighbours.

t Thereshouldbegoodwaternotcontaminatedone.

t Shouldnotbeneartheroad.

t Shouldbeneargoodplantationlikecoffeeplantations.

Rememberthatoncethebeesenterthehivesitwillbemoredifficulttochangethingssochoosingagoodsitetobeginwithismostimportant!

Hive Hanging t Hanghivesusingstronggreasedgalvanizedwirestoprotectthebeesfrompests.

t Hanghivesinorunderwell-shadedtrees.

t Suspendhivesfromwiressothatpredatorssuchasthehoneybadgercannotpushthemover.

t Rememberalwayswhenhanginghivesthatitisimportanttoallowforeaseofharvesting.Honeyqualityisimprovedbycarefulharvestingwhichiseasierwhenthehiveiswithineasyandcomfortablereach.

t Usetreesorsolidpolestohangthehive.

t Thehivesshouldbehungatwaistheightabovetheground.Thisisimportantinmodernbeekeepingas thebeekeeperwearsabeesuitmakingclimbingdifficult.Traditionalhivesareusuallyhung intrees.

Alternativelyahivecanbesuspendedonaropewithapulleythatcanbeloweredforharvesting.

Hive Placingt Placehivesonsturdystandsespeciallyhives,whicharenotstrongenoughtohang.

t Placehivestoallowyoutoapproachthehivesfrombehind.

t Placinghivesonstandsmakesthemaccessibleandeasytoharvestandmanage.

t Rememberthestandshouldbesturdyandhighenoughforthehivetobeatwaistheight.

t Thelegsofthestandmustbeplacedincansofusedengineoiltopreventpestssuchasantsgettingintothehive.Alternativelyputbandsofgreasearoundthelegsandspreadashesaroundthestandtodiscouragegrassgrowth.

t Thelegsofthestandmustbefittedwithratguards.

Alternativelyhivescanbeputunderashelterorinabeehouse.Thiscanbeasimplehutwithholesinthewallsforbeestogetinandout.Abeehouseisusefulbecauseitcanbelockedtopreventthievesstealingthehoneyorthehives.

Whichevermethodischosen,itisalwaysimportanttoremember

t Toavoidlongstraightrowsofhivestoreducedriftinganddiseasetransmission.

t Tocutthegrassshortaroundthehives.

t Toremovesmallstonesordebrisintheapiaryasthebeekeepermaystumbleoverthem.

t Positioningtheapiaryshouldcomplywithallconditionsofbeekeeping.

Itoftenhappensthatbeesdonotenterthehiveforquiteawhile.Itisdisturbingtoseethatthenewhivethatyouhaveworkedsohardtobuildstaysemptyandtheemptyhivedoesnotproduceanyhoney!Thereisthereforeneedtoattractbeestothenewemptyhive.


Howtoattractbeestothenewemptyhive

t Keepthehivescleanandpestfree–nodirt,spiders,cobwebsorinsects.

t Placehivesalongtheswarmingroutesofbees.

t Use bee attractants or baits such as beeswax, propolis and lemon grass (wax the top bars forexample).

t Usebaithivesandcatcherboxestocatchaswarm.

t Transferbeesfromafixedcombhiveorfromawildnest.

t Divideanexistingcolony.

t Buybees

Catching a wild swarm of beesSwarminghappenswhenthecolonygetstoobigandthebeeswanttoreproducethecolonybymakinganewqueen.Theold,experiencedqueenandmostoftheadultworkersleavethehivewiththeswarmandflyoutoftheoldhivelookingforanewhome.Newqueenlaterhatchesoutandtakesovertheoldcolonyandtheremainingbees.Thebeekeepercancapturetheswarmandplaceitintoatemporaryorpermanenthive.Theswarmhasabetterchanceofstayingintothenewhiveifitiscapturedduringanectarflowseason.

Transferring bees into the hiveIt is possible to transfer bees fromawild nest or froma traditional hivewithfixed combs in order tocolonisethehive.

How to divide an existing colonyChoosethestrong,productiveandlessdefensivecolonytomakedivisionstoincreaseyourcolonies.Youcanmakeadivisionofanexistinghealthycolonyinordertocoloniseanewhive.Makedivisionafterthehoneyflowtoincreasecolonynumbers.Thebesttimetodivideacolonyiswhenthebeesaregettingreadytoswarm.

Avoidmakingdivisionsduringthehoneyseasonbecauseitwillreducetheamountofhoneytobeproduced.Between the beginning and the peak of the flowering seasons, strong colonies can suddenly becomeovercrowdedwithclustersofbeesneartheentrance,andlargenumbersofdrones.Tocheckifacolonyisgettingreadytoswarmlookforsignsthatthecolonyisovercrowdedandthequeenhasrunoutofcellstolayeggsin.Acolonycanfillbetween9and15broodcombswithbroodofallstages,includingalotofdronebroodandsometimesthereisevenlittlesurplushoney.Alsothebeeswillbeproducingqueencells.

Dividing controls swarming and saves the beekeeper from losing the bees or the trouble of catching aswarm.Butalwayschoosethemostproductiveandlessdefensivecolony.Bydividingityouarespreadingitsgoodgeneticcharacteristics.Todivideacolonyyoumust:-

I. Prepareyournewhivefirst–cleanandrubitwithsomebeeswaxorpropolissothatitsmellsfamiliarforthebees.Putitnexttotheovercrowdedhive.

II. Useyoursmokerandsuitandkeepyoursmokeralightnearbyincaseyouneedit.

III. Chooseabighealthycolonytodivideandcheckithasbrood,eggs,pollenandhoney.

IV. Selectacombwithqueencells,remove it fromthehiveandbreakall thequeencellsexceptthebiggestcappedtwo.Youneedtwojustincaseonegetsdamaged.

V. Nowtransferthecombwiththe2queencellsintothenewhive.

VI. Alsotransferoneortwoothercombswithalotofsealedbroodandalittleunsealedbrood.Morebroodmeansadultbeeswillemergeveryquicklyinthenewhive.

VII. Alsotransferoneortwocombsoffoodcombwithlotsofsealedhoneyandpollen.


VIII. Youcanmakeadivisionwithcombsaslongasthenewcolonyhasfemaleworkereggsoflessthatthreedaysoldandlarvaeinthecombstransferred.Fromtheveryyounglarvaetheywillbeabletomakenewqueencellswithinafewdaysandraiseanewqueen.

IX. Includebeesonallthecombsyoutransferandbrushorshakeinbeesfrom2or3othercombsaswell.

X. CheckverythoroughlythatyouDONOThavetheoldqueenonthecombsyoumoveorbrushoff.Shemustremainundisturbedintheoldhiveormothercolony.Ifyouareindoubtthenmakesureyouleaveeggsandatleastleaveonebigcappedqueencellintheoldhiveincaseyouhavetakenherbyaccident.Thebeeswilldestroythequeencellifthequeenispresent.

Remembertoputthebroodcombsinthemiddleandthehoneycombsoneithersidetoinsulatethebroodnest.Theframingcombsfeedandhelpthebeestokeepthebroodwarm.Wherethereisnohoneysupplementaryfeedingcanbedone.

XI. Thesebeeswillbecomeanewcolony.Mostoftheadultbeeswillremainintheoldhiveandcontinuetomakehoney.

XII. Thebeeswilllookafterthequeencellsinthenewcolonyandanewqueenwillhatchout.Thefirstqueentohatchoutwilldestroytheotherqueencell.

XIII. Waituntildarkthenmovethenewhivetoasiteatleast2kmsfromtheoldsiteifpossible.

XIV. Ifyoudon’thaveaplacetoputthenewdividedcolony2kmsawaythenyoumustmovebothhives1meithersideoftheoldlocation.Thiswillensurethatsomereturningbeesgointotheoldhiveandsomeintothenew.

XV. Youwillneedtofeedthebeesinthenewhive,astheywillnotknowwheretogoandgetfoodintheirnewplace.Asmallcolonycanbecomeweakveryquickly.

XVI. Ifyouseethequeenorbroodafter4weeksthenthishasnowbecomeanestablishedcolony.

XVII. Ifyouobservebeescollectingpollenafter twoweeks, this isan indicationthatanewqueenhasemergedinthathive.

Uniting coloniesBeekeepersunitecoloniesinordertoenlargeacolony,improvetheiryieldofhoneyorcontrolaworker-layingproblem.Acolonycanproducesurplushoneyonlyifitisstrongenoughandcontains6-8combswithplentyofbroodandsealedhoneyandcoveredwellbybees.Thisverymuchdependsonthecolonyhavingaproductivequeen.Ifacolonyfailstoproducesurplushoneyfor2seasons,orifitisweakenedbyrepeatedswarming,thenitcanbestrengthened.Twoweakcoloniescanbecombinedtomakeonestrongcolony.Onelargecolonycollectsmorehoneythan2smallercolonies.Acolonycanbeunitedwithanothercolonyorwithaswarm.Touniteacolonywithanother:-

I. Removeandkillthequeenfromtheweaker,mostdefensiveorleastproductivecolony.

II. Catchandcagethequeenfromtheothercolonyinamatchboxandplacethehiveneartotheoldcolony.

III. Smokebothhivesthoroughlysothattheirfamiliarsmellsarecovered.

IV. Topreventbeesfightingalsodust themwithflouror spraywith sugar syrup– theywill bebusycleaningthemselvesandwillnotfight!

V. Placethequeeninhercageintheoldhivenexttothebroodnest.Thebeeswillchewthematchboxtoreleasethequeen.

VI. Transferallthetopbarswithcombsandbeesintotheoldhive.Alternatecombsfromthedifferentcoloniesasyoudosountilallthebroodcombsareunitedandthenaddthehoneycombs.

VII. Closethehiveandleavetheunitedcolonyundisturbedforthenextfewdays.


Touniteacolonywithaswarmyoumust:-

I. Catchaswarmandifyoucanfindthequeenthencageher.

II. Openthehiveandremovetheoldqueen(undesiredqueen)inacageandkillherlater.

III. Smokethebeesandplacethenewcagedqueennearthebroodnest.

IV. Shaketheswarmintoanemptypartofthehive.

V. Ifyoudidnotfindeitherqueenthendonotworry.Leavebothqueensinthehiveandthestrongeronewillkilltheweakerone.

Note:Intheprocessofunitingthecolony,youmayexperienceswarmingorabsconding.

Asthenewcolonyhaseggsandlarvaeinthecombstheyneedtobeprotected.Whileunitingthecolonythequeenshouldnotbekeptawayformorethan1hour.

Buy bees Buypestanddiseasefreebeesonlyfromlicenseddealersincolonymultiplicationandqueenrearing.

Hive InspectionOncethehiveisoccupiedandthebeesarebusy,itissaidtobecolonizedanditisimportanttoinspectthecolonytomonitoritsperformance.Observethefollowingsimpleguidelineswhilecarryingoutinspection:

I. Donotstandintheflightpathofthebees.

II. Workgentlywithoutexcessivetalkingorbangingnoises.

III. Puffsmokegentlyaroundtheentranceofthehiveandremovethelidcarefully.

IV. Removeafewemptybarstocreateagapatoneendofthehive.Thisshouldnotdisturbthebees.Thereafter,removeonebaratatime.Smokethegapgentlyandholdthebarverticallysoasnottobreakoffthecomb.

V. Useahivetoolorknifetoseparatebarsthataregluedtogetherbypropolis.

VI. Keepthebarsinthesameorderandtrynottosquashanybeeswhenreplacingtheminthehive.Squashedbeesreleaseasmell(alarmpheromone)thatsetsotherbeesontheattack.

VII. Donotvisitthehiveinthewarmpartoftheday-aboutsixo’clockintheeveningisagoodtime.

VIII. Donottryandworkwithtoomanyhivesatatime,atleastnotmorethan45minutesinanapiaryasbeesfromthefirsthiveworkedonwillbecomeagitatedandattack,leadingtofurthercommotionamongstallthebees.

IX. Alwayswearlightcolouredclothes.Ideally,protectiveclothingshouldbeworn,especiallyaveiltoprotecttheeyesandface.

X. Makesurethetopbarsarepushedtogetherastheyarereplaced,sothatnogapexists.Finally,gentlyreplacethelidonthehive.

XI. Alwayskeepthegrasscutandtheareaaroundthehivestidy.

XII. Alwaysextinguishthesmokerifnotinuse.

Note the following during inspection:

1. Checkonthestrengthofthecolonybyobservingthebrood:eggs,larvaeandpupae.

2. Isthequeenpresent?Ifsheishiding,thenewlylaideggscanprovethatsheispresent.


3. Isthequeenprolific-layingenougheggs?

4. Isthecolonyhealthy?Checkonanyindicationofbeediseases.

5. Checkonfoodstores(honeyandpollen).

6. Is honey ready for harvesting? Indication is the capping of thehoney cells. The comb should becapped/sealedonbothsides.

7. Istheroomenoughforthebees?Ifnot,removesomeofthebroodcombsandunitewithaweakercolonyandreplacewithemptybars.

8. Are there indicationsof swarming?This iswhen they constructmanyqueen cellsordrone cells.Destroysomeandprovidemoreroom(aslongasthequeenispresent).

Itisrecommendedtokeepsimplebutaccuraterecordofeachhive.Tomonitorthedevelopmentinthecolony,itisveryusefultotakenotesinanotebook.Afterinspection,youshouldmakenoteofwhatyouhavefoundinthecolonyandanyadjustmentyouhavemade.Forexample,notethesizeorstrengthofthebeecolony,thenumberofharvestedcombsetc.

Insummary,keepnotesonthefollowing:-

t Dateofinspection

t Colonystrength,i.e.numberofbroodcombs,istherenectar,pollen,honeyetc.

t Characteristicsofthecolony,calm,defensive,verydefensive(sometimessomecoloniescanbesodefensivethatnoinspectionmaybecarriedoutonthatday).

Record keeping Goodrecordskeptbythebeekeeperwillhelphim/hertofollowthegeneralprogressofhis/heroperations.Tworecordsareparticularlyimportant:colonyandoperationalrecords.

Why should we keep records?t Itisagoodideatokeeprecordsduringeachhiveinspectionsothatyoucanfollowtheprogressof

eachcolonyandmonitortheircondition.Butbearinmindthateachinspectionshouldhavesomepurposeandroutineexaminationsshouldbeplanned.

t Recordscanbekeptsothatyouknowwhatwasdonelasttimeandwhattodonexttimeandwhatequipmentyoumightneed.

t Keepingrecordsallowsustoidentifywherewehavemademistakesincolonyhandling.

t Managementrecordsareforthebeekeeper’sindividualbenefit.Somepeopleliketokeeprecordsofalltheirfinancialoutgoings.Fromthesetheycanworkoutwhentheymightrecuperatetheircostsfromthesaleofthehoneyorworkouthowmuchprofittheywillget.

t Mostofuscanrememberwhatisgoingonifwehaveonecolonybutwhatabout5or10?

t Allthedatacollectedisusefulwhenthenumberofcolonieshasgrownconsiderablyandyouwanttostartselectingthebestones.

t Youneed records tohaveany chanceof success in selectinggoodqueens tobreedor in rearingqueens.

Types of records

a) Colony Records

l Date/timeoflastinspection,forageandweatherconditions.

l Dateofoccupation/colonization

l Ageofqueen

l Dateoflastharvest


l Honeyyieldperhive.

l Colonystrengthandgrowthrate(numberofcombscontainingbrood)

l Timelymanipulation(swarmprevention,feeding)

l Amountofhoney/storesinhive

l Characteristicsofhive(defensive,calm,productive,poor)

l Swarmingrecord–howoften,whenandwhy.

l Pestsanddiseases.

l Hivesnameandnumber

l Typeofhive

l Remarks

b) Operational Records

l Visitstotheapiarysite

l Cashflow–howmuchmoneyspentorearned.

l Purchases

l Labour

l Transportcosts

l Servicingofequipment

l Otherexpenses

l Income

How to keep recordsl Asimpletablecanbedrawninahard-coveredbookandstoredathome.Alternatively,youcanwrite

theinformationoncardandattachittotheundersideofthecoverofthehive(notinsidethehiveorthebeeswillchewitup).

l Thecolumnheadingswillvaryaccordingtowhatyouthinkisessential.Mostthingscanberecordedinthecommentscolumn.

l Foradministrativepurposesitisusefultonumberthehives.

l Therecordshouldbereadbeforeopeningthecolony.

l Theyshouldbefilledoutwithessentialinformationimmediatelyaftereveryhiveinspection.

l Recordsshouldbebrief.

l Youwilldevelopyourownmethodofrecordinginformation.Withpracticethewritingofrecordswillsoonbecomeanintegratedpartofeveryinspection.

l Acashflowrecordandotheroperationalrecordsshouldbeseparaterecordfromthehive/colonyrecord.

Goodrecordkeepingdenotesaseriousbeekeeper.

Remember the wise saying:-“The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory”


Table 2: An example of a hive/colony record sheet

Hive number

Date of colonization

Date of last inspection

Date of last harvesting

No of kgs (yield)

Date of current

inspectionComments Action

0001 24/10/2001 24/4/2002 --- --- 02/09/2002 Layingqueenpresent.

4broodcombs.

24honeycombs.

Colonyveryaggressive.Honeyreadyforharvesting.

20honeycombstobeharvested

0002 05/04/2004 01/10/05 01/10/05 8Kgsofcombedhoney

02/06/2006 Manybees,strongcolony.Queenpresent.2broodcombs.1honeycomb

Examples of Operational Records:-Table 3: Visitors’ Book

Date NamesContact address/

TelephonePurpose of

visitComments Signature

Table 4: Cash Book

Date Particulars Debit Credit


MODULE 8: THE FLORAL CALENDAR AND BEE KEEPING

IntroductionBeekeeping follows seasonal cycles. The seasonal weather impacts upon the bee population and hiveproducts.Reducedfoodmeansthatthequeenlayslesseggsandthepopulationofthehivefalls.Increasedfoodmeansincreasedlayingandthepopulationincreases.Thisknowledgeisveryimportantinmodernbeekeeping.


1. Constructafloweringcalendarfortheirlocalities

2. Identifyandexplainthe4keyseasonsofacolonycycleinayear.

3. Managecoloniesduringthedifferentseasonsinayear

4. Tellsignsofharvestingperiod

Target Participant:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:2hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,dummyboard,

queenexcluderand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Methodt Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“FLORAL CALENDAR AND BEEKEEPING”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheseasonsinayearintheirareas.

Step 3Dividetheparticipantsin3groupsandassigneachgroupthefollowingtasks:

i. Identifytheplantsbeesvisitduringfloweringandtheirmonthsoffloweringinaparticulararea.

ii. Constructafloweringcalendarandshowhoneyflowmonthsofthearea

iii. Describeindicatorsofhoneyharvestingseasons

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandgivesoutthenotes.


HAND OUT: Floral Calendar and Bee Keeping Seasonalweatherimpactsuponnectarandpollenresources,whichinturnimpactonthecolonypopulation(performance).Reducedfoodmeansthat thequeen lays lesseggsandthepopulationof thehive falls.Increasedfoodmeansincreasedlayingandthepopulationincreases.Sincemorebeesmeansmorefoodcan be collected the colonies with small populations will emphasize brood rearing. It is important tounderstandhowthebeecolonychangesthroughouttheyearbecausethebeecolonycanbemanipulatedtoproducemorehoney.

Conditionsforbeescanvarywidelythroughoutthecountryandthemanagementofthebeesdependsonwheretheyarefound.Nevertheless,whenmanagingbeesforhoneyproduction,theaimistohavethemaximumcolonypopulationduring thenectarflow.Provided thenectarflow isgoodand theweatherconditionsarerightagoodhoneycropcanberealized.

Answeringthefollowingquestionswillgiveyouagoodoverviewofthehoneyyearandhelpyouprepareforthehoneyflow:-

t Whataretheplantsandtreesthatbeesuse?

t Whendotheyflowerandforhowlong?

t Whenistheswarmingseasons?

t Whichtreesorplantsgivethebesthoney?

t Whentheright istimesoftheyeartoexpecthoneyandwhicharethesignsofhoneyharvestingseasons?

t Whatfactorsaffectplantflowering?

Iftheaboveinformationisrecordedcarefullyasintablebelow,itiseasytolookaheadandpredictwhichplantswillflowerwhen.

Table 5: Floral Calendar

Plants/trees Month Pollen/nectar

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Thebees’behaviourisverysensitivetotheirenvironment.Whenthereisplentyoffood,beesmakehoneytoeatlateronwhenthereislittlefood.Thebeekeepersharesinthisstockoffood.

Manipulatingthecolonytobeatthepeakstrengthattherighttimeisfundamentaltogoodbeekeeping.Goodflyingconditions(dryweather)forthebeesarealsoimportantduringthenectarflowtogetmaximumyields.Thereforeallmanagementpracticesarerelatedtothebeecolonycycleandunderstandingwhichstagethecolonyisin.

Therearefourseasonsduringacycleandthesemayoccurmorethanonceinayear:

1. Dearth–notmuchnectarisbeingcollectedduetobadweatherandpoorforage.

2. Build-up–therearemanybeeforageplantsandtheweatherisfavourablethecolonyexpands.

3. Honey flow–manyplantsprovidenectarandfloweratthesametime

4. Harvesting seasons -mostplantshavestoppedfloweringandhoneyisreadyforharvesting.


Fig 47: Floral Calendar

Honeyflowandharvestingseasonfollowoneanother.

Managing the bees during deartht Weakcoloniescanbeunited.

t Ifcombsaredryormovementfromthehiveentranceisveryslowthenbeesshouldbefedwithsugarsyrup.

t Alternatively,donotharvestallthehoneyfromthecombs.Leaveenoughforthebeesinthedearthperiod.

t Decreasethenumberofcombswhenthecolonygetssmaller.A‘dummyboard’canbeplacednearthecombstomakethehivespacesmallerandmorecomfortableforasmallcolony.Thisisamovablepartitionmadeofhardboardorsimilarmaterial.Theflightentranceofthisemptypartofthehiveshouldbeclosed.

t Iftheweatheriscoldthenthehivecanbeinsulatedwithasackordrygrassatnight.

t Checkforanyattacksbyants,waxmothorotherpestsastheycancausealotoftroubletoweakcolonies.Closetheflightentrancewithcoarsemeshandnailssothatmiceandlizardscannotgetinbutbeescangetout.Removeallunoccupiedcombsasthebeeswillnotdefendtheseagainstwaxmoths.

Managing the bees during build-upt Aimtogetcoloniestobestrongandaboutthesamesize.Astrongcolonyshouldhaveaminimumof

6-8combsthatarefullycoveredwithbees.Combsofsealedbrood(withoutbees)canbetakenfromverystrongcoloniesandplacedinthehivesofweakercolonies.

t Feedthecolonyifitisweakandcannotbestrengthenedbygivingitbrood.

t Build-upcostsenergy,sofeedthebeesifthehoneyflowispoor.

t Checkthatthereisenoughdrinkingwaterinthesurroundings.

t Uniteveryweakcolonies.Alternativelyweakcoloniescanbeallowedtobuildupandhoneycanthenbeharvestedatamuchlaterdate.


t Providemorespaceasnecessary.Itisimportanttokeepadjustingthesizeofthehivetothesizeofthecolony.Thebeesshouldbeabletooccupyalltheframes.Onlythencanthetotalcombsurfacebeprotectedfromintrudersandkeptattherighttemperature.

t Topreventbroodfromdevelopinginthehoneycombs,placeaqueenexcluderbetweenthebroodandthehoneypartsofthenest.Howeverthisisnotimperativetohoneyproduction.

t Checkforbeediseases.

Managing the bees during honey flowt Givethebeespaceandventilationwhencoloniesbecomestrong.Provideextraroombymovingthe

‘dummyboard’andaddingmoretopbars.

t Checkforqueencells (afterdronesareseenflying)bytryingtostopanyswarmingbydestroyingqueencellsordividingthecolony.

However,itisbettertodividecoloniesduringthebuild-upandnotthehoneyflowasanylossofpopulationcandecreasethehoneyproduction.

The main principles of floral calendar and beekeepingt Knowingthearea,theplantsthatbeeslikeandwhentheyflowerandforhowlong.

t Understandingthecolonycycleandaimingforstrongcoloniesatthesametimeasthenectarflowformaximumhoneyyield.

t Leavingfoodforthebeeswhenharvestingtokeepthemduringtimeoffoodscarcity(dearth).

t Providingspaceforthebeesandexpandingandcontractingthebroodnestasneeded.

Management during harvesting seasont Inspecthiveswhicharedueforharvesting

t Prepareenoughcontainersforhoney

t Haveprotectives,smokersandhelpersready.

MODULE 9: BEE STINGS AND MANAGEMENT

IntroductionBees are feared not only inAfrica but all over theworld. They sting painfully, but the tropical bee, inaddition,cankillbothmanandhisanimals.Howeverbeesshouldnotbeconsideredextremelydangerous.Thestingscanbesuccessfullyavoidedandmanaged.


1. Explainwhatcausesbeestosting

2. Explainhowtoavoidbeestings

3. Describehowtomanagebeestings

Target Participant:Existingbeekeepersinterestedingainingmoreknowledge,orindividualsororganizationswantingtostartkeepingbees

Suggested Number of Participants:Aminimum10,maximum30

Duration:1hour.


MaterialsFlipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,notes,liveworkerbees,protectivewearand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

MethodMethodsshouldincludebrainstorming,groupworkandpresentation.

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“BEE STINGS AND MANAGEMENT”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheirexperiencesandbodyreactionstobeestings.

Step 3Allocatetheparticipantsin3groupsandassigneachgroupthefollowingtasks:

i. Whatcausesbeestosting

ii. Describebodyreactionstobeestings

iii. Howtoavoidandmanagebee

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifiesandsummarizes,givesoutthenotes.

HANDOUT: BEE STINGS AND MANAGEMENTBees are feared not only inAfrica but all over theworld. They sting painfully, but the tropical bee, inaddition,cankillbothmanandhisanimals.BeesintheforestareasandthoseinthetemperateregioninthesoutharelessaggressivethanthoseinthesavannahvegetationandintheSahara;theleastdisturbancemayprovokethedesertbeetoabscond.Eventhoughstingscankill,beesshouldnotbeconsideredasextremelydangerous.Thebeekeeperwhoisafraidofhisbeesislikealorrydriverwhowillnotdriveforfearofanaccident,orafarmerwhowillnotgotohisfarmforfearofasnakebite.Itisinterestingtonotethatthebeestingscantreatdiseaseslikearthritisandthatbeevenomisusedasadesensitizerforpeoplewhoareallergictostings.Thusafewstingsthatadministersmalldosesofvenommaybehelpful.Buttoomuchcanbedangerous,andpeopleallergictobeestingsshouldnotkeepbees.

Ifastingisinsertedintotheskin,itmustbescrapedawaywiththefingernailoraknife.Donotpullitout,ormorepoisonwillbeinjectedintotheflesh.Iftheresultisitchingandswelling,donotrubthespot,asthisactionwillcausegreaterpainandswelling.Treatbeestingsbyapplyingcoldcloths.Inextremecases,victimsshouldbesenttothehospital.Ephedrinemaybeadministeredwhenadoctor’shelpcannotbeobtained.

What causes bees to sting?t Visitingahiveduringthewarmpartoftheday;

t Disturbingthemwithoutsmoke;

t Breathingintothehive,especiallyifthebeekeeperhasbeendrinkinganyalcoholicbeverage,includingbeer;

t Wearingacosmeticitemwhichcontainsbeeswax;

t Talking,drummingormakinganyothernoisewhenbeesarebusynearby;

t Standingintheirflightpath;

t Wearingdarkclothesnearthehiveduringthedaytime;

t Makingjerkymovementsnearthehive;


t Crushingabeenearahiveorsquashingabeebodyandsmearingthejuiceonone’sbody;

t Swattingwiththehandtodriveabeeaway.

t Grazingwithintheapiary

t Poorselectionofthesite

How does the bee attack?Itissafetoworkaslongasnobeesattack.However,thefirstbeestingattractsotherstostrike.Ifthevictimstandsquietlywithoutmovinghisbody,allotherattackerswillstingonthesamespotasthefirststrike.Everybeethatstingsputsmorealarmpheromoneonthespot,thuscausingmoreandmorebeestostrike,andtheresultingpainmakesthevictimswatroundandround,causingotherattackerstostingotherpartsofthebody.

How to avoid stingsRememberthataqueenlesscolonyisveryaggressiveduringitsearlydays.

Rememberthateverybeethatstingsdiesafterwards.Thustheapiaristwhocauseshisbeestostrikeinfactkillsthem.Areductionofthefieldforcemeansareductionofoutputofworkwhichresultsinlesshoneyproduction.

Ifunprotected,oneshouldrunawayafterthefirststing.Theattackermaychasethebeekeeper,butheshouldnotbeafraidofasecondstingbythesamebee.Thisbeecanbekilledsothatshecannotreturntothecolonyandpassoninformation.

Thestingoftheworkerbeeisdesignedtoperforatetheskinofherenemiesandtopumppoisonintothestingsite.Ithasabouttenbarbs,sothatwhenitisthrustintoflesh,thebeecannotpullitbackagain.Itbreaksoffwiththepoisonsacalwaysattachedtoit,enablingmorepoisontopenetrateforaslongasitremainsintheflesh.Thebee’sstingislodgedinaspecialsheathandisreleasedonlywhentheneedarises.Thestingofthequeenbeeislongerthanthatoftheworker.Itisusedonlytofightandkillrivalqueensinthehive.Thedronehasnostingandistotallydefenseless.

Management of bee stingIfyouworkwithbees,onethingiscertain,atsomestageyouwillgetstung.Butmostbeekeepersaretrulyamazedbythegentlenessofbeesandeventhoughstingscankill incertainsituationsandwithcertainindividuals,beesshouldnotbeconsideredextremelydangerous.Oftenpeoplegetstungpurelybecausetheyswatatorkillabee.Beesdieaftertheysting,andwillgenerallystingonlywhentheyperceivethatthecolonyisthreatened.Beesawayfromthehiverarelystingunlessprovoked.Beestingscanrangefromnothingmore thanaminor irritation to life-threateningallergic reactions. It is very important toknowthedifferencebetween a normal and a life threatening reaction.An initial reaction especially for newbeekeepersislocalredness,swelling,painanditchiness.Thisisknownasanormalreaction.Life-threateningsystemicallergicreactionsaffectthewholebodyespeciallycirculatorysystems(movementoftheblood)andrespiratorysystems(breathing).Symptomsarenotlocalizedjustaroundthesingsite.

Firstsymptomsofasevereallergicreactionoccurringwithinthefirst5minutesofbeingstunginclude:

t Nausea/sickness

t Dizziness

t Anurgetousethetoilet

t Generalweaknessandaneedtoliedown

t Itchypalms,soles,eyesandthroat.

t Heartfailure

Theabovesymptomsofsevereallergicreactiontobestingsareveryrare.Apersonshowingthesesymptomsshouldbetakentoahospitalimmediately.Aseverereactionlikethiswillonlyhappentoapersonwhohas


hadseveralstingsinthepastandapreviousbadreaction.

Severe allergic reactions can be treated by:-

t Using an epinephrine inhaler that can be purchased in some pharmacies in the event that anunexpectedallergicreactionoccurs.

t UsinganEpipeninjector,thiscontainsepinephrine.Thisisanintramuscularinjectionofadrenalinebutisonlyusedinveryextremeconditions.

Normal bee stings can be treated immediately by:-

t Applyingcoldclothsoracoolingagentsuchascoldcleanwater,verydilutevinegarorice.Plasteringathinlayerofclaysoiloverthestungareaorapplyingthegelofthealoeveraplantcanalsosootheandcoolswelling.Ifnothingelseisavailablethenalittlehoneycouldbeappliedtothearea.

t Takinganantihistaminewhichcanreduceswelling.

But to reduce the chances of being stung use a smoker. Bees exchange chemical signals or smells tocommunicate.Ifonebeeisspreadingasignalofalarmbystinginganattackerorintruder,thensmokingthebeeswillcoverthesesmells.Thisstopsthebeescommunicatingandcanpreventanattack.Becauseofthesmokethreatmanyofthebeeswillrushtothehoneycellsandfilltheirstomachsreadyforanemergencyabsconding.Oncethebeesarefulltheyarelessinclinedtostingbecauseitisharderforthebeestobend.Smoking can reduce the risk of dangerous situations but it should be remembered that nobeekeeperwouldavoidstingscompletely.

If you are stung then:

1. Staycalm:putthecombsbackinthehiveandclosethehive.Iftheattackerbeechasesthebeekeeperitisbettertokillthebee,soshecannotreturntothecolonyandpassoninformation.

2. Remove the sting as quickly as possible: The longer the sting is in the skin themore venom istransferred! It isnecessary to remove thestingerbyscrapingunderneath thevenomsackwithafingernailorasharpobject.Thevenomsacmustnotbesqueezedorpulledout,asitwilldischargevenomintothestingsiteincreasingthepain.Donotrubthespot,asthisactionwillcausegreaterpainandswelling.

3. Smokethestingsite:Thesmellofthepoisoniscalled‘alarmpheromone’.Thissmellirritatesotherbeesandattractsthemtostrikeonthesamespot.Thereforethestingsiteandfingernailmustbesmokedquickly.

4. Runavoidhuman,animalandbusydwellings.

Avoid stings or reduce the number of bee stings by doing the following:-

t Hivesshouldbesitedsoasnottocauseanuisancetoneighborsandanimals.

t Makesurethehivesarenotbeingbotheredbypests.

t Workhivesondayswhenbeesareflyingwell. If it iswindy, rainyor cold all thebeeswill be athome.

t Siteyourhivesoutofthemiddaysunandworkbeesatmidday.

t Avoidworkingthehiveinthreateningweathersuchasextremeheat,strongwindsandapproachingstorms.

t Harvesthoneylateinthedayjustbeforedark.

t Beescanbecomeentangledinhairandclothing.Wearappropriateprotection.

t Washyourbeeclothesthoroughlyperiodicallyespeciallyifbeeshavebeenstinging.

t Wearwhiteorlightcolouredclothes;howevertheveilitselfshouldbeblacktoenablethebeekeepertoseemoreclearly.

t Avoidstrongsmellssuchasperspiration,alcohol,soapandperfume.


t Smokeyourfaceandarmsrepeatedlybeforeyoustartworkingwiththebees.

t Don’tstandinfrontofthehiveentranceorinthebee’sflightpath.

t Light2smokersincaseonegoesoutduringtheinspection

t Workthehivewith2people.Onedoingthesmokingandonethehandling.

t Haveenoughfuelforthesmokerathand.Makesurethesmokeisthick,cool,whitesmokeandthatnosparkscomeoutofthesmoke.

t Useyoursmokerwisely–don’tover–smokethebees.

t Keepcalmandmoveslowlyanddeliberatelyaroundthebees.Don’tswatatflyingbees,flapyourarmsaboutorrunaway.

t Avoidbangingagainstthehiveorsqueezingandcrushingbees.

t Smokeanystingsiteandtryrubbingscentedherbsonthespot

t Rememberthataqueenlesscolonyisveryaggressiveduringthisearlydays,sobeextracareful.

Commonsenseandexperiencegoesalongwaytowardhelpingthenovicebeekeeperavoidorreducethenumberofstingingincidents.

MODULE 10: HIVE INSPECTION

Introduction Itisimportantforabeekeepertoundertakehiveinspectionintheapiary.


1. Understandtheimportantstepsinhiveinspection,

2. Carryoutsystematichiveinspection.

Target Participants:Existing beekeepers, extension service providers, individuals and organizations interested in pest anddiseasecontrolandqualityhoneyharvesting.


Duration:3hours.

MaterialsFlipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,colonizedbeehive(s)and/ortheirpictures,beesuits,smokersandhivetoolset(hiveopener,beebrushandstainlesssteelknife)andhandouts.

Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Fieldorpracticalexercisetoinspectahive


HAND OUT: Hive Inspection Importancethingstonoteduringhiveinspection

t Checktheweatherandproceedtotheapiaryinthelateafternooniftheweatherisgood.

t Allthetraineesmustputontheirbeesuitsoradjusttheirclothingappropriately.

t Thereareanumberofthingsyoucancheckintheapiaryandthehive.

t Thefirstimportantthingistoknowhowtoprepareandopenthehive.

Steps in hive inspection1. Lightthesmokersusingcharcoalanddrycowdung.Makesureyouhaveplentyoffuelathandforthe

inspection.Checkforcoolwhitesmokeandsmokeyourhands,headandarmsifyoudonothavethefullprotectivegear.

2. Nowcheckyourclothing.Pushyourveilinsideyourt-shirtandtuckyourtrousersintoyoursocksifyoudonothaveafullbeesuit.

3. Gotothehiveandsmoketheentranceholesofthehivebutdonotstandinfrontofthehiveentrance.Waitforhalfaminuteandsmokeitagain.Repeatthis8times.

4. Removethelidgentlyandslowly.Knockthetopbarsgentlywithyourhivetoolorknife.Youwillhearwhenthecombsbegin.

5. Loosenandliftatopbarwithyourknife6-8barsawayfromthelastcomb.

6. Blowsmokeinsideimmediately.

7. Takeoutafewtopbarstogiveyouroomtowork(workinggap)anduseyourknifeifbarsarestucktogether.Shakeanybeesintothehivefromthecombsbyhittingyourarmbehindthewrist.

8. Movetheemptytopbarstowardstheemptysideofthehiveonebyone,leavingnogapsbetween,wherebeescancomeup.Dothisgently,smokebetweeneachstepandbecarefulnottosquashanybeesbetweentopbars.Ifabeegetssquashed,smokeitandputitintoyoursmoker.Ifyoudogetstung,don’tpanic,moveawayandremovethestinger.

9. Whenyouarenearthefirstcomb,smokethebeesuntilyouhearthembuzz.Toomuchwillirritatethem.Thesmokewilldrivethemfromthehoneycomb.

10. Beforeyou liftthecombout,makeagapsothenextcombisvisibleandblowsmokeinthegap.Nevertouchthebeesandcombswiththesmoker.Liftthecomboutandlookifthehoneyisripethenreplaceittowardstheemptysideofthehive.Alwaysholdcombsinaverticalpositionortheymaybreak.

Continue in thisway, smoking thebees, checkingeach comband shifting eachone along to theemptysideofthehive.

Replaceeachcombinthesameorder.Covertheworkinggapwithaclothasoftenaspossible.

Largeportionsofpollenindicatethatthebroodnestisnear.

Nowinspectthebroodnest(seediagram)butdonotdisturbitforlongerthanisnecessary.

11. Whenyouhavefinished,pushthetopbarscarefullybackintotheiroriginalposition.Shift2topbarswithcombsinonego.Asyouclosethegaps,drivethebeesbackinsidewithsmoke.Donotleaveanygaps.

12. Closethehiveandpassthroughsomebushestoridyourselfofanybeesfollowingyou.

Duringthishiveinspectionandinspectionofthebroodnestcheckthefollowing:-

Check for surplus sealed honey.

Beesstorehoneytoeatduringtimesofhardship.Ifyouseecombswithlargeareasofsealedwhitecappingsthenthehoneyisreadyforharvesting.Thebeekeeperwillshareinthisstore.Anyhoneycombyouwanttocropmustbemorethanhalfsealedoneitherside.Somehoneyshouldbeleftinthehiveatalltimesor


thebeesmaystarveorabscond.Ifyoudonotseelotsofwhitesealedcombsthenthismeansthereisnosurplusandnohoneyshouldbeharvested.

Checkifthebeesaredisturbedoraggressive.Itisimportanttoknowthatsomebeesaremoreaggressivethanothersandmaystingorswarmwhenbeingworked.Alsoifbeesarehungrytheycanbeangryoriftheyhavelotsofhoneytheycanbedefensive.Aggressivenessmayalsobeduetoqueenlessness,diseaseorpestharassment.Rememberpestdisturbancecanalsomeanhumans!Naturalaggressivenesscanbecontrolledbytheselectionofagentlerqueen.

Check for queenlessness.

Ifyoufindnoeggs,larvaeorcappedbrood(andthehiveisaggressive)thenitmaybequeenless.

Check for sealed and unsealed brood.

Sealedbroodorlarvaisthetinybabybee.Thislookslikeamaggotandisinanuncoveredcell.Thesealedbroodorpupaisthemoredevelopedbeeandisinacoveredcell.Ifyoucanseebotheggsandlarvaethenyouknowthequeenispresent.Ifyoudon’tseepupabutseeeggsthenmaybethequeenisnew!

Check the brood pattern.

Whenthequeenlayseggsineveryemptycellandfillsupthecomb,sheissaidtobeagoodlayingqueen,showingagoodbroodpattern.Ifyoufindspottyegglaying,toomanydronesoraslowqueeninthehive–thenitisagoodideatoreplacethequeen.

Check for honey and pollen.

Whenthereisnohoneyorpolleninthehive,beesmaybemoreaggressiveandstopproducingwax.Ifyoudonotseeanystoredhoneyorpollenthenthebeesmayneedfeedingwithsugarsolution.Itisveryimportanttolearnthedifferencebetweencappedbroodandcappedhoney.Youdonotwanttoharvestthebrood.

Honey is always at the top and brood below.

Cappedbroodisusuallydarkbrown(butcanbepaleronnewcombs)andlocatedinthemiddleofthecolonyandatthebottomofthecomb.Youcanseethedistinctoutlineofeachcellwithitsthicksealbutyoucannotseethebrooditself.

Fig. 48: Comb


Cappedhoneyisusuallywhiteorcreamyincolorandlocatedateithersideorabovethebroodcomb.Itishardertoseetheindividualcellsandwithitsthinsealyoucanseetheshinyhoney.

Remember:-NEVER harvest a brood comb even if it contains large portions of sealed honey.

Check for old brood combs and black combs.

Afteranumberofseasonsthebeeswilldecidetoshiftthebroodnestfromthedarkcombstothelightcombsofthehoneysection.Movethenewbroodtotheoriginalpositionofthebroodnestandcropthedarkcombs–thiswillalsohelptocontroldisease.

Oldblackcombsmayalsomeanthatthebeesareunabletomakenewcombsandthisisnotagoodsign.Thebeesmaybehungry.Itisbettertomovetheoldcomboutofthehiveortotheoutsideofthenest.Putnewercombsinthemiddleoraddatopbarwithawaxstarterstrip.

Check for queen cells.

Whenthebeesmakenumerouspeanutshapedwaxcellsandthehiveispopulousthenthebeesmaybestartingswarmpreparation.Thisisanaturalinstincttodividethecolonyinhalf–theoldqueenleaveswithhalfthebeesandnewqueenhatchesintheoriginalhive.

Check the hive arrangement.

Thebroodnestshouldbecompactandnotspreadout.Itshouldbeinthecenterofthecolonyinordertoincubatetheeggs.Combsofbroodshouldbeplacedtogether.Donotputcombsofhoneybetweencombsofbroodbecausethiscouldpreventthequeenfromexpandingthebroodnestproperly.

Check for faulty combs.

Sometimesyoumayfindpartsofcombsbeingcross-builtorattachedtoothertopbarsorcombs.Correctthisbycuttingpartsoff,changingpositionsorevenremovingcombs.Neverleaveanywaxpiecesonthehivebottom.Replacewarpedtopbarsanddamagedorloststarterstripswithcleanwax.

Check for diseases and pests.

Hivesaresubjecttoattackbypestssuchasmites,antsandwaxmoth.

Sealanysmallcracksandgapswithpiecesofwoodgluedwithwaxorpropolis.

Check for drone brood.

Transferanycombsfullofdronebroodtotheedgeofthebroodnest.

Thiswillsecurethebroodnestspaceforthemoreproductiveworkers.

Finally check the location of the hive.

Ifbeesareplacedinadampplacethehoneywillbeverywateryandunripehoneywillferment.Hivesinahotplaceorinthedirestsunwillforcethebeestocarrywatertocoolthehive.Whentheyaredoingthistheywillnotbeproducinghoney!Thisstressesthecolonyanditmayleaveordie.Theapiaryshouldbeclean.Thegrassshouldbecutshortandanybranchesthatreachthehivestrimmedtopreventpestscrawlingin.Thewiresholdingthehiveshouldbegreasedtoalsopreventpests.

Close the hive.

Beekeepersmustaimforastrongcolonywithnewcombs,eggs,unsealedbrood,sealedbrood,honeyandpollen.

Abeekeepershouldinspecthivesregularlytomonitortheprogressofthebees.Whenthebeesaremakinghoneyyoushouldopenthehivesonceaweek.Atothertimesopenthehiveseverymonth.Simplylookingatthehiveswithoutopeningthemcanbedonealmostdaily.Observingthebeesforafewminutescantell


youalot.Simplycheckifthebeesarecollectingpollenontheirlegs.Iftheyarethen,itindicatesthatthebeesarefeedingtheyoung.Itshowsthatthebeesarehealthyandhavealayingqueen.Asmellofhoneywillindicatethatthebeesarestoringitandthataharvestmaynotbefaroff!

MODULE 11: POPULATING THE HIVE

Introduction Itoftenhappensthatbeesdonotenterthehiveforquiteawhile.Thenewhivethatyouhaveworkedsohardtobuildandinvestedmoneyinstaysempty-andanempty hivedoesnotproduceanyhoney!


1. Defineaswarm

2. Describethemethodsinvolvedinpopulatingahive

Target participant:Existingbeekeepersandextensionserviceproviders.

Suggestednumberofparticipants:

Amaximumof30

Duration:

2hours.

Materials:

Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,aswarmofbees,aswarmbagorcontainer,beesuit,smoker,smokerfuel,Beeattractantorbait,aqueencage,apreparedhive,catcherboxand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Method:t Lectures

t Brainstorming

t Groupworkandpresentation

t Fieldexercise

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“POPULATING A HIVE”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engage theparticipants tobrainstormon theirexperiencesandsuccesseswith thevariousmethodsofpopulatingahive.


Group 1:: Listdownallthematerialsrequiredineachmethodtodosuccessfulhivepopulating

Group 2:: Describestepsofeachmethodofpopulatingahive



Step 5Fieldexercise-engagetheparticipantsintopracticalhivebaiting.

HAND OUT: Populating a HiveWhatshouldwedotogetbeestoenterthebeehive?

t Chooseagoodsiteforthehive

t Waxthetopbars

t Keepthehivecleanandpestfree

t Catchawildswarmofbees

t Transferbeesintothehive

t Makeadivisionofanexistingcolony

t Buybees

Important things to notet Ahivemustbesitedinanappropriateplace.

t Toencouragebeestoenterahiveyoumustmakeitattractive.Oftenbeekeepersputwaxonthetopbarsandwax,propolisorlemongrassinsidethehive.Butthewaxshouldbefreshandhaveastrongsmell.Beesareverycleaninsectsanddonotlikeadirtyhive.Thereshouldnotbeanydirt,spiders,cobwebsorinsectsthatmightcaptureascoutbeeandpreventitreturningtofetchtheswarm.Ifthereareanyants,lizardsorratsnestinginit,youmustcleanitoutandre-greasethewires.

Swarming t Swarming happens when the colony gets too big and the bees want to reproduce the colony by

makinganewqueen.

t Theold,experiencedqueenandmostoftheadultworkersleavethehivewiththeswarmandflyoutoftheoldhivelookingforanewhome.Sheneedstofindasecureplacetomateandstartlayingeggs.Aswarmingcolonydoesnothaveanycombs.

t Anewqueenlaterhatchesoutandtakesovertheoldcolonyandtheremainingbees.Duringtheswarmingseasonitiseasierforhivestobeoccupiedquickly.

t Insomeareas,swarmingseasonscoincidewithrainfallwhentherearealotofflowersforthebeestofeedon.Itisagoodideatoaskexperiencedbeekeepersinyourareawhentheswarmingseasonis.

t Aswarmisacolonyofbeesclusteredintheopenandlookingforanewhome.Aswarmingcolonyiseasytocatch.Thebeekeepercancapturetheswarmandplaceitintoatemporaryorpermanenthive.Theswarmhasabetterchanceofstayinginitsnewhiveifitiscapturedduringanectarflow.

Catching a swarmVerysimplythestepsinclude:-

t Preparinganewhivefirst.

t Usingasmoker,beeveilandsuit.

t Lookingforaswarmofbeesclusteringonabranchoraplacewheretheycanbeeasilycaught.

t Sprayingthebeeswithsugarwatertowettheirwings.

t Catchingtheswarminacontainerthatiseasytoclose,easytocarryandbeventilated-suchasacardboardbox,awidemouthedbasketorevenabagmadefromcloth.

t Smokingthebees.

t Holdingthecontainerundertheswarmandshakingtheswarmdirectlyintothecontainer.

t Findingandcagingthequeen.


t Placingthecagewiththequeenintheupperpartofthecontainer.

t Leavingthecontainerinashadyplaceuntileveningcoveredwithadampcloth.

t Shakingthebeesintoyouremptyhivewheneveningcomes.Placingthecagedqueeninthehive.

t Givingthebeesacombwithsomeuncappedhoneyandabroodcombwitheggs(butwithoutbees!)fromanotherhive.

Fig. 49: Catching a swarm

t Fixingqueengatesorincludersinfrontoftheentranceholes.

t Releasingthequeenafterafewdayswhenthebeeshavesettleddown.

t Feedingthebeesinthefirstfeweveningstohelptheswarmtosettleduringthenights.

t Checkingthatbeesareenteringandleavingthehive.

Youcanalsotrapswarmsinaswarmboxorbaithive.Youcanalsousespecialbaithivesorcatcherboxes(minitopbarhives)tocatchswarms–butboxes,basketsorgourdsmayalsobeusedasbaithives.Thebestcatcherboxeswillhavetopbarsfromwhichthebeescanbuildcombs.Ifsothesebarsshouldbethesamesizeasthosefoundinyournewpermanenthivetomaketransfereasy.

Verysimplythestepsinclude:-

t Preparingthebaithivewithemptycomb,propolisoraromaticplants.

t Sitingthebaithivealongaswarmorinagoodapiarylocation.

t Inspectingthehiveeveryfewdays.

t Transferringthenewcolonytoyouremptytopbarhive,combaftercomb,inthesameorder.

t Adding2broodcombsandafoodcombfromanotherhive.

t Brushingtheremainingbeesintothehiveandlettingthebeessettleundisturbed.

t Feedingthebees.

Anotherwaytopopulateyourtopbarhivesisbytransferringbeesfromawildnestorfromatraditionalhivewithfixedcombs(combswhicharenotmoveable).


Transferring beesStepsinclude:-

t Transferringthecolonyshortlybeforesunset.

t Usingalotofsmoketodrivethebeesawayfromthecombs.

t Takingcombsoutofeitherwildnestsorfixedcombhivesbycuttingthemalongthetopwheretheyjointhecontainerandwithoutbreakingthem.

t Tyingcombswithlargeareasofbroodandpollenonebyoneontothetopbarsofthenewhivewithstripsofnaturalfibre.

t Puttingthecombswithbroodtiedontotopbarsbackintothenestingchamberoftheoriginalnestandsmokingthebeesontothecombs.

t Placingthecombs,coveredinbees,intothenewtopbarhive.

t Scoopingtheremainingbeesverygentlyintothehive.

t Placingthehiveclosetotheprevioussiteorhivesothatforagingbeeswillreturntoit.

t Closingtheentrancetotheoriginalsitesecurelyorremovingtheoldhive.

t Checkingifthequeenispresentorcapturingthequeenandintroducinghertothehivewhentherestofthetransferiscomplete.

Fig. 50: Transferring bees

Dividing coloniesStepsinclude:-

t Choosingthemostproductive,docilecolonywithbrood,eggs,pollenandhoney.

t Makingdivisionsafterthehoneyflowtoincreasecolonynumbersor

t Dividingacolonywhenthebeesaregettingreadytoswarm.

t Preparingyournewhivefirst.

t Usingasmokerandbeeveilandsuit.

t Selectingacombwithqueencellsandbreakingallthequeencellsexcepttwo.

t Transferringthecombwiththequeencellsintothenewhive.Transferringoneortwocombswithsealedbroodandalittleunsealedbrood,plusoneortwocombsofhoneyandpollen.AnewQueenwillhatchoutinthenewcolony.Thefirstqueentohatchoutwilldestroytheotherqueencell.

t Includingbeesonallthecombsyoutransferandbrushinginbeesfrom2or3othercombs.Mostoftheadultbeeswillremainintheoldhiveandcontinuetomakehoney.

t CheckingthatyoudoNOThavetheoldqueenonthecombsyoumoveorbrushoff.

t Rememberingtoputthebroodcombsinthemiddleandthehoneycombsoneithersidetoinsulatethebroodnest.

t Waitinguntildarkthenmovingthenewhivetoasiteat2kmsfromtheoldsite.Alternativelymovingbothhives1meithersideoftheoldlocation.


t Feedingthebeesinthenewhive.

Fig. 51: Dividing a colony

Wecanalsopopulateahivebybuyingbeesfromabeekeeper.Beekeepersbuyandsellbeesasabusinesssuchas:-

t Swarms.

t Laying queens only with eggs-thoughyoumusthaveaqueenlesscolonyoracolonywithabadqueen.

t A nucleus hive-withasmallpopulationofbees,4or5combsandalayingqueen.

t Full hives–thisislesscommonanddifficulttotransport.

Catching a swarm

Advantagest Free

t Common

t Plentifulinseason

t Easytocapture

t Givesthebeesahome

Disadvantagest Don’tknowthebeesstock

t Beesmaybeaggressive

t Beesmaybediseasedinfestedwithpestsorofinferiorstock.

Transferringawildcolonyintothehive:

Advantagest Free

t Plentifulwithextrawaxandhoney

Disadvantagest Establishedcoloniescanbeaggressiveandbeesmaysting

t Queencouldbekilled

t Theprocesscanbedifficultfornewbeekeepers

Making a division of an existing colony

Advantagest Free

t Nearbyandavailable


t Candividethebestcolonieseasilyandwhenyouwant

t Cansupplythebeeswitheverythingtheyneed

t Canquicklymultiplyyourbeepopulation

Disadvantagest Needtoalreadyhaveabeepopulation

t Canbecomplicated

t Needstechnicalknowledgeandexperience

Buying beesAdvantagest Easy

t Allagesandbroodcanbeobtained

Disadvantagest Mightbecostly

t Queenmaybeoldorofpoorquality

t Waxcombmayhavediseasesorpests

MODULE 12: CATCHING A SWARM

IntroductionAswarmisacolonyofbeesclusteredintheopenandlookingforanewhome.Aswarmingcolonyiseasytocatch.Abeekeepercancaptureaswarmandplaceitintoatemporaryorpermanenthive.Theswarmhasabetterchanceofstayinginitsnewhiveifitiscapturedandintroducedbetweenthebeginningandthepeakofamainnectarflow.Otherwisetheywon’tsettleeasilyandmayabscondsoonaftertheintroductionintoahive.


1. Defineaswarm

2. Describethestepsinvolvedincatchingaswarm


Suggested number of participants:Amaximumof30

Duration:2hours.

Materials:Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,aswarmofbees,aswarmbagorcontainer,beesuit,smoker,smokerfuel,aqueencage,apreparedhive,catcherboxand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Method:t Lectures

t Brainstorming



t Fieldexercise

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Catchingaswarm”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheirexperiencesandsuccesseswithcatchingaswarm.


Group 1:: Listdownallthematerialsrequiredtodosuccessfulswarmcatching

Group 2:: Describestepsofswarmcatching


Step 5Fieldexercise-walkwiththetraineestothesiteofaswarmwithinthelocalareatoparticipateinswarmcatchingexercise.

HAND OUT: Catching a SwarmAswarmisacolonyofbeesclusteredintheopenandlookingforanewhome.Aswarmingcolonyiseasytocatch.Abeekeepercancapturetheswarmandplaceitintoatemporaryorpermanenthive.Aswarmhasabetterchanceofstayinginitsnewhiveifitiscapturedandintroducedbetweenthebeginningandthepeakofamainnectarflow.Otherwisetheywon’tsettleeasilyandmayabscondsoonaftertheintroductionintoahive.

Forthisoperationitisbesttoseekhelpfromanexperiencedfriendratherthantryingtodoitalone.

Steps of catching a swarm and putting the swarm inside a hive

Catching a swarm(i) Prepare your new hive first–cleanitandbyrubitwithsomebeeswaxorpropolissoitsmellsfamiliar

forthebees.Bothpropolisandbeeswax,canbesoftenedinhotwater,nearfireorinthesunbeforeusingthem.

(ii) Useyoursmokerandbeeveilandsuitwhencatchingaswarm,assomeswarmsmaybehungryanddifficulttomanage.Generallyswarmingbeesaredocileastheyhavenobroodtoprotectbutalwaysbecarefulwithstrangebees,astheymaybeaggressive!Keepyoursmokeralightnearbyincaseyouneedit.

(iii) Checkwheretheswarmislocated.Beesclusteringonabranchwhereyoucancatchthemareeasy.Anaturalswarmhangingfromatreeisnormallydocileandcanbeeasilyremovedandhived.Iftheswarmisinanawkwardplacethenuseyoursmoker(oranysmelltheyinstinctivelymoveawayfrom,suchassquashedmarigoldleaves)tomovetheswarmtoaplacewhereyoucangetunderneathandcatchiteasily.

(iv) Checkthesizeoftheswarm.Don’twastetimewithverysmallswarms(smallerthanaperson’shead),astheyaremoretroublethantheyareworth.

(v) Sprayorsprinklethebeeswithwater(preferablywithsugaradded)towettheirwings.Thiswillstopthemflyingawayandtheywilllickeachotherandbecomemoresatisfied.Alsoblowsmokegentlyandrepeatedlyovertheswarmwithoutarousingit.


(vi) Youcancatchaswarminacontainersuchasacardboardbox,awidemouthedbasketorevenabagmadefromcloth.Thecontainerneedstobeeasytoclose,easytocarryandbeventilated.Donotuseaplasticbagasthebeeswillsuffocate!Beeveilsthataretiedatthebottomcanalsomakegoodswarmcatchers.

(vii) Holdthecontainerundertheswarm.Nowshakeorbrushthewholeswarmofbeeswithafeatherorbrushmadefromsoftleaves,directlyintothecontainer.Butneverbrushbeeswithoutsmokingbeforehand.Iftheswarmishangingfromabranchthenafirmblowonthebranch(oroneortwohardshakes)willmakethebeesdropintothecontainer.Alternativelyyoumaycutthebranchifitisthinandcarrytheswarmtothecontainer.

(viii) Nowobservethebees,ifmostofthebeeshaveentered,youcanbecertainyouhavegotthequeen.Ifyouhavethequeen,youautomaticallyhavetheswarm.

(ix) Closethecontainerandquicklybutgentlyturnitupsidedownsotheentranceisatthebottom.Thebeeswillsitorhangfromthetopoftheinsideofthecontainer.Waitforabout20minutesforallthebeestosettle.

(x) BUTifyouarenotsurethatyouhavethequeenandwanttobeonthesafeside,thenshaketheswarmontoawhitesheetorclothandfindthequeenbee.Seizehergentlybythechestorwings(NEVERherabdomen)-shewillnotsting.

(xi) Placeherinaqueencagesuchasamatchbox.Youcanalsouseanoldhairrollerblockedateitherendbywaxorwoodorarollofwiremesh(queenexcludersize).Slightlyopenthematchboxsothebeescancommunicatewithherandfeedherbutshecannotescape.

(xii) Placethecagewiththequeenintheupperpartofthecontainer.Thebeeswillfollowthequeenandclusteraroundthecage.

Putting the swarm in a hive(i) Onceyouhavetheswarmofbees,leaveorhangthecontainerinashadyplaceordarkcorneruntil

evening.Makesurethebeesdonotbecomehotinthecontainer-coveringitwithadampclothcanhelp.

(ii) Wheneveningcomes,takethebeestotheapiary.

(iii) Removehalfofthetopbarsfromanemptyhive,withtheremainingtopbarscoveringoneendofthehive.

(iv) Ifyouhaveotherhivesgivethebeesacappedbroodcombandabroodcombwitheggs(butwithoutbees!)toencouragethemtostay.Theswarmwillfeelathomewithbroodtolookafter.Alsogivetheswarmacombwithsomeuncappedhoneyandpollenandframethebroodcombswiththese.

(v) Ifyouhavecagedthequeenthenfixthecagetoatopbar.

(vi) Lowertheswarmintothehiveandwithasuddenjerk,shakethebeesintoyouremptyhive.Theywillgatherunderthebarsnearthequeen.

(vii) Ifthequeeniscagedthenreleaseherafterafewdayswhenthebeeshavesettleddown.Pushthematchboxopennearaclusterofbeesandthequeenwillquicklycreepamongtheotherbees.Donotcagethequeenforlongerthan3days.

(viii) Ifnobroodcombandfoodcombsareavailableforyournewlyhivedswarmyoucanfixqueengatesorincludersinfrontoftheentranceholeswithsoftwax.Usepaperclipswiththeinnermeasurementsof4mm.Thispreventsthequeenandtherestoftheswarmescaping.(Butonlyusequeenexcludersifyouaresurethequeenhasmated).

(ix) Initialfeedinginthefirstfeweveningswillhelptheswarmtosettleduringthenights.Itisbestnottoopenthehiveduringthenext4weeks,asthecolonyhastosettleundisturbed.Butrememberifyoucaughttheswarmduringapoorfloweringseasonitisbettercontinuefeedingsugarwaterfor2weeks.


(x) Checkthatbeesareenteringandleavingthehive.Ifthebeesarecarryingpollenthisisagoodsign,asitmeanstheyaremakingandfeedingnewbroodandarehappyintheirnewhome.

Trapping swarms in catcher boxesYoucanalsousespecialbaithivesorcatcherboxestocatchswarms.Thesearelikeminishorttopbarhiveswithabout4bars-butboxes,basketsorgourdsmayalsobeusedasbaithives.

The steps of trapping a swarm in a swarm box:-(i) Afewpiecesofemptycomb(withoutbroodordeadbrood)takenfromanestablishedcolonyand

stuckinthecatcherboxincreaseitsattraction.Rubbingbeeswax,propolisoraromaticplantssuchaslemongrass,canalsomakethemmoreattractive.Lemongrasshasasimilarsmelltothequeenbee.Honeyshouldnotbeusedasthiswillattractantsandwaxmoths.

(ii) Theideallocationstositebaithivesarethesameasthosewhereanapiarycouldbesetup.Itshouldbehunginatreeclosetotheplacewhereyouwanttoputthetopbarhive.Insomeareas,swarmsflyalongthesamerouteduringthesameseasoneachyear.Theseroutesmakegoodlocationsforbaithives.Youmayfindouttheroutesbyaskinglocalpeopleorbeekeepers.

(iii) Thebestcatcherboxeswillhavetopbarsfromwhichthebeescanbuildcombs.Thesebarsshouldbethesamesizeasthosefoundinyournewpermanenthivetomaketransfereasy.

(iv) Catcherboxesmustbeinspectedeveryfewdaysasanewswarmquicklybuildscombandbecomesestablished.Itisthendifficulttotransferitintoamorepermanenthome.

(v) Intheeveningtaketheswarmboxnexttotheemptytopbarhivethatyouwanttopopulateandsmokethebees.Avoidbreakingcombs!

(vi) Puttheswarmboxnexttoyourhive,smokethebeesandtransferthenewcolonytoyouremptytopbarhive,combaftercomb,inthesameorder.

(vii) Add2broodcombsandacombwithopenhoneyandpollenfromanotherhivewithastrongcolonyifyouhaveone.Smokeandbrushtheremainingbeesintothehive,closethehiveandletthebeessettleundisturbed.Therewillprobablybeenoughfoodinthecombs.

(viii) Suspendtheswarmboxagainasitshouldalwaysbereadytohelpyoutoincreaseyourcolonies!

Why bees abscondt Useofinsecticidesandchemicals.

Howyoumayavoidabsconding

t Useofchemicalswithshortresidualeffectse.g.pyrethroids.

t Shiftinghiveswithcoloniesfromanareatargetedforsprayingandreturningthemafterflowering.

t Demarcateareasforbeekeeping.

t Encouragethoseneargazzetedarease.g.nationalparkstositetheirhivesthere.


MODULE 13: TRANSFERRING BEES

IntroductionItispossibletotransferbeesfromawildnestorfromatraditionalhivewithfixedcombs(combswhicharenotmoveable)inordertopopulateahive.Transferringisnoteasyforthebeginner.Transferringbeesfromafixedcombhiveismucheasierthantransferringbeesfromawildnest.


1. Explainthepurposefortransferringbees

2. Describethestepsinvolvedintransferringbees

Target Participant:Existingbeekeepersandextensionserviceproviders


Duration:2hours.

Materials:Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,anexistingtraditionaloccupiedhiveorwildcolony,anemptypreparedhive,topbars,naturalfibre,beesuit,smokerandsmokerfuel,aqueencageand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Method:t Lectures

t Brainstorming


t Fieldexercise

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Transferringbees”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheirexperiencesandsuccesseswithtransferringbees.

Step 3Allocatetheparticipantsin2groupsandassigneachgroupthefollowingtasks:-

Group 1:: Listdownallthematerialsrequiredtodosuccessfultransferofbeestopopulateahive

Group 2:: Describestepsoftransferringbees


Step 5Fieldexercise-walkwiththetraineestothesiteofacolonyoranapiarywithinthelocalareatoparticipateintheexerciseoftransferringbees.


HAND OUT: TRANSFERRING BEESItispossibletotransferbeesfromawildnestorfromatraditionalhivewithfixedcombs(combswhicharenotmoveable)inordertopopulateanewhive.

Transferring isnoteasy for thebeginner.Transferringbees fromafixedcombhive ismucheasier thantransferringbeesfromawildnest.

Steps of transferring a colony:-(i) ThebesttimetodothistransferisshortlybeforesunsetNOTinthemiddleoftheday.Inthemiddle

oftheday,manyworkerbeeswouldhavebeenoutofthehiveforagingbutintheeveningtheywillhavecomeback.

(ii) Insomecaseswildcoloniesmaynotbeeasilyaccessibleandmaybedifficulttotransfer.Holesmayhavetobecarefullycutintrees.

(iii) Usealotofsmoketodrivethebeesawayfromthecombs.Harvestthehoneycombsintoabucketforprocessing.Makesurethebuckethasacover!

(iv) Itisessentialthatcombsbetakenoutofeitherwildnestsorfixedcombhivesbycuttingthemalongthetopwheretheyjointhecontainerandwithoutbreakingthem.

Combswithlargeareasofbroodandpollenaretightlytiedonebyoneontothetopbarsofthenewhive.Thecombsshouldbetouchingthetopbar.Stripsofnaturalfibresuchascloth,cottonstring,bananastemfibreoracaciabark,canbeusedintoholdthecombsinplace.Tiethecombstothetopbarsin2placesforsecurity.Thebeeswilljointhecombtothetopbarandthenbreakthesedownintime.Rubberbandsandplasticstringcanbeusedbutmaycauseproblemsbecauseitisverydifficultforthebeestocutthemandtheymaydamagethecomb.

(v) Putoneortwocombswithbroodtiedontotopbarsbackintothenestingchamberoftheoriginalnest,fromwhereyoucutthecomb.Leaveitfor20minutes.Smokethebeesontothecombsandletthemsettle.

(vi) Nowplacethecomb,coveredinbees,intothenewtopbarhive.Ifthebeesarenotstingingscooptheremainingbeesverygentlybyhand(orusingapot)andputtheminthehivewiththecombs.

(vii) Itisgoodtoplacethehiveascloseaspossibleto,oronthepreviousnestsiteoroldhivesite,sothatforagingbeeswillreturntoit.Butclosetheentrancetotheoriginalsitesecurelywithrags,sackingornewspapertostopanybeesreturningthere.Orremovetheoldhive,closeitandputitindoorswherethebeeswillnotbeabletofindit.

(viii) Check the bees. If the bees have their tails in the air showing their white stripe then they arecommunicatingtotheotherbeesthatthequeenisthere.Ifthebeesaresittinginoneplaceinthenewhivethenitislikelythatyouhavethequeen-itisnotinthenewhive.

(ix) Ifthebeesaredoingthisfanningbehaviourwiththeirtailsintheairintheoldsitethenyoumustcapture the queen in queen cage and introduce her to the hive when the rest of the transfer iscomplete.Placeherclosetothebrood.Anyremainingbeeswillcometothenewhiveifthequeenispresent.

(x) Alternatively is to takeseveralbroodcombswithsealedbrood,eggsandpollen to thenewhive.Takeasmanybeesasyoucanscoopinyourhandsalsotothenewhive.Takethenewhive3kmsorsoawayfromtheoldnestsite.Thisisagoodmethodifyouhavetroublefindingthequeenasthenewhivewillsimplymakeanewqueencellandformanewcolony.Thismethodisbesttriednearswarmingseasonwhendronesareavailable.

Itmaynotbenecessarytotakethenewhive3kmsaway,justchangethedirectionoftheentrancesoftheoldhive180°,whilemaintainingthenewhiveintheformerpositionoftheoldhive.

(xi) Alternativelyyoucanmakewildbeesswarmbysmokingorhittingthetreeinwhichtheyarenesting


withahammercontinuously.Thebeeswillleaveandclusteroutside.Theycanthenbecaughtinaswarmbagandinstalledasaswarm.Youmayalsoplaceabaithivenearthesiteatswarmingtimeandcatchtheswarmattherighttime.Howeverthemainproblemwiththesemethodsisthatthehoney,pollenandcombsfromthenestwillbewasted.

Youcanalsouse theabovemethodto transferawildcolony intoaboxorother traditionalhive.Afterremovingthebroodcombfromtheoldsiteyousimplyleanthecombsagainsttheinsideofyournewhiveorpropitupwithastick.Youmustbecarefulthatbothsidesofthecombareaccessible-thebroodontheundersidewillrotifthecombislyingdownandthebadsmellwillcauseabsconding.

MODULE 14: DIVIDING AND UNITING COLONIES

IntroductionYoucanmakeadivisionofanexistinghealthycolonyinordertopopulateanewhivebutalwayschoosethemostproductiveanddocilecolony.Bydividing ityouarespreading itsgoodgeneticcharacteristics.Sometimeswemayalsoneedtounitecolonies.Beekeepersunitecoloniesinordertoenlargeacolonyandimprovetheiryieldofhoneyortosurvivethedearth.


1. Explainthepurposefordividingandunitingcolonies

2. Describethestepsinvolvedindividingandunitingcolonies



Duration:3hours.

MaterialsFlipchartorchalkboard,maskingtape,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,anexistingoccupiedhive,anemptypreparedhive,beesuit,smokerandsmokerfuel,and/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Method:t Lectures

t Brainstorming


t Game(ofdividingacolony)

t Fieldexercise

STEPS

(a) Dividing colonies

Step 1 Writethetitle“Dividinganovercrowdedcolony”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheirexperiencesandsuccesseswithdividingcolonies.



Group 1:: Listdownallthematerialsrequiredtodosuccessfulcolonydivision

Group 2:: Describestepsofdividingcolonies

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifiesandsummarizes.

(b) Uniting colonies

Step 1 Writethetitle“Unitingacolonywithanothercolony”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheirexperiencesandsuccesseswithunitingacolonywithanothercolony.


Group 1:: Listdownallthematerialsrequiredtodosuccessfulunitingofacolonywithanother colony.

Group 2:: Describestepsinvolvedinunitingacolonywithanothercolony


Step 5Fieldexercise-walkwiththetraineestothesiteofanapiarywithinthe localareatoparticipate intheexerciseofdividingandunitingcolonies.

HAND OUT: Dividing and Uniting ColoniesA- Dividing a Colony

Youcanmakeadivisionofanexistinghealthycolonyinordertopopulateanewhive.

Youshouldavoidmakingdivisionsduringthehoneyseasonbecauseitwillreducetheamountofhoneyproduced and to be harvested.Make divisions after the honey flow to increase colony numbers. Thebesttimetodivideacolony iswhenthebeesare ready toswarmand thebeesare tryingnaturally toreproduce.

How to know if the bees are getting ready to swarmBetween the beginning and the peak of the flowering seasons strong colonies can suddenly becomeovercrowdedwithclustersofbeesneartheentrance,andlargenumbersofdrones.

Tocheckifacolonyisgettingreadytoswarmandwantingtodivideitselfwemustlookforsignsthatthecolonyisovercrowdedandthequeenhasrunoutofcellstolayeggsin.Acolonycanfillbetween9and15broodcombswithbroodofallstages,includingalotofdronebroodandsometimesthereisevenlittlesurplushoney.Therewillbeclustersofbeesoutsidethehiveandlotsofdronesflying.Alsothebeeswillbeproducingqueencells(thelongthumbshapedcellsprotrudingfromtheedgeofthecombs).

Dividingstopsthemfromswarmingandsavesthebeekeeperfromlosingthebeesorthetroubleofcatchingaswarm.


Ways of preventing bees from swarmingt Makingsurethatthequeenhasenoughroomtolayeggs.Makeextraspacearoundthebroodnest

byremovinghoneycombsandputtinginemptycombsnearthebroodnest.

t Weakeningthestrongcolonycanpreventitsurgetoswarm.Destroyallthequeencellsinthecolonythenswitchthehivelocationwithaweakercolony.Theforagingbeesfromthestrongcolonywillreturntotheoriginalsiteofthehiveandstrengthentheweakcolony.Youmayalsogivebroodcomb(withoutbees)fromthestrongcolonytoaweakercolonyandthusweakenthestrongone.Artificiallyswarmingthebeesforswarmcontrolbymakingadivision

t Makingdivisionsisalsoagreatwaytoincreaseyourcoloniesbutalwayschoosethemostproductiveanddocilecolony.Bydividingityouarespreadingitsgoodgeneticcharacteristics.

The steps of dividing a colony:-(i) Prepareyournewhivefirst–cleanitandbyrubitwithsomebeeswaxorpropolissoitsmellsfamiliar

forthebees.

(ii) Putonprotectivegearandhavethesmokerlit.

(iii) Alwayschooseabighealthycolonytodivideandcheckithasbrood,eggs,pollenandhoney.

(iv) Putthenewhivenexttotheovercrowdedhive.

(v) Fromthebighealthycolony,selectacombwithqueencells,removeitfromthehiveandbreakallthequeencellsexceptthebiggestcappedtwo.Youneedtwojustincaseonegetsdamaged.

(vi) Nowtransferthecombwiththe2queencellsintothenewhive.

(vii) Alsotransferoneortwoothercombswitha lotofsealedbroodanda littleunsealedbrood.Thenumberwilldependonhowmanyyouhaveintheoriginalhive.Thesealedbroodisveryimportantbecausemorebroodmeansadultbeeswillemergeveryquicklyinthenewhive.Alsosealedbroodarestrongerandcansurvivebetterthanunsealedbrood.

(viii) Alsotransferoneortwocombsoffoodcombwithlotsofsealedhoneyandpollen.

(ix) Youcanmakeadivisionwithoutqueencellsaslongasthenewcolonyhasfemaleworkereggsandlarvaeinthecombstransferred.Fromtheveryyounglarvaetheywillbeabletomakenewqueencellswithinafewdaysandraiseanewqueen.

(x) Includebeesonallthecombsyoutransferandbrushorshakeinbeesfrom2or3othercombsaswell.Includethebeessittingonthebroodcombsasthesearenursebeesthatwillsoonproduceroyaljellyforthenewqueen.Theseareveryimportanttofeedandwarmthebroodalso.

(xi) CheckverythoroughlythatyoudoNOThavetheoldqueenonthecombsyoumoveorbrushoff.Shemustremainundisturbedintheoldhiveormothercolony.Ifyouareindoubtthenmakesureyouleaveeggsandatleastleaveonebigcappedqueencellintheoldhiveincaseyouhavetakenherbyaccident.Thebeeswilldestroythequeencellifthequeenispresent.

(xii) Remembertoputthebroodcombsinthemiddleandthehoneycombsoneithersidetoinsulatethebroodnest.Theframingcombsfeedandhelpthebeestokeepthebroodwarm.

(xiii) Thesebeeswillbecomeanewcolony.Mostoftheadultbeeswillremainintheoldhiveandcontinuetomakehoney.

(xiv) Thebeeswilllookafterthequeencellsinthenewcolonyandanewqueenwillhatchout.Thefirstqueentohatchoutwilldestroytheotherqueencells.

(xv) Waituntildarkthenmovethenewhivetoasiteatleast2kmsfromtheoldsiteifpossible.

(xvi) Ifyoudon’thaveaplacetoputthenewdividedcolony2kmsawaythenyoumustmovebothhives1meithersideoftheoldlocation.Thiswillensurethatsomereturningbeesgointotheoldhiveandsomeintothenew.


(xvii) Youwillneedtofeedthebeesinthenewhive,astheywillnotknowwheretogoandgetfoodintheirnewplace.Asmallcolonycanbecomeweakveryquickly.

(xviii)Ifyouseethequeenorbroodafter3-4weeksthenthishasnowbecomeanestablishedcolony.

(xix) Alternatively,placeonehiveontopoftheotherbutwithdifferentdirectionofentrances.

Game: Inordertocheckyourunderstandingofdividingacolony,youwillplayasimplegame.Usethefollowingpapercombsprovided:5combswithhoney,pollenandbrood;3combswithsealedbrood,unsealedbroodandhoney;4combsofhoneyalone;2combswithhoney,pollenbroodandqueencells;1combwithhoney,pollen,broodandqueen.Thesecombswillbestuckontoasheetofpaperwithblutackandtapedontothewallofthetrainingroomtorepresenttheovercrowdedcolonythatneedsdividing.Anotherblankpieceofflipchartwillbetapedupontothewalltorepresentanewhivethatiswaitingtobecolonized.

Twopeoplearerequiredtoplaythisgame.Thetaskistodividethecolonyandplacetherightcombsintotherighthivesintherightorder.

Ensurethatthenewcolonyhascombswithqueencellsplusmoresealedbroodcombsframedbyplentyoffoodcombs.Thequeenshouldhaveremainedintheoldhivewithenoughbroodandfood.Thecombsshouldberoughlydividedequallybetweenthehivesorwithmorecombsleftintheoldhive.Youmustalsoshakeofflotsofyoungbeesintothenewhive-theywillgiveroyaljellytothenewqueen.

B- Uniting Colonies

Wehaveseenhowtodivideacolonybutsometimeswemayalsoneedtounitecolonies.

Beekeepersunitecoloniesinordertoenlargeacolonyandimprovetheiryieldofhoneyorsurvivingthedearth.Acolonycanproducesurplushoneyonlyifitisstrongenoughandcontains6-8combswithplentyofbroodandsealedhoneyandcoveredwellbybees.Thisverymuchdependson thecolonyhavingaproductivequeen.Ifacolonyfailstoproducesurplushoneyfor2seasons,orifitweakenedbyrepeatedswarming,thenitcanbestrengthened.

Twoweakcoloniescanbecombinedtomakeonestrongcolony.Onelargecolonycollectsmorehoneythantwosmallercolonies.Acolonycanbeunitedeitherwithanothercolonyorwithaswarm.

Uniting a colony with another colonyThestepsofunitingacolonywithanothercolony:-

(i) Inthelateafternoon,checkwhichcolonyhastheyoungestandhealthiestqueen.Removeandkillthequeenfromtheworst,mostaggressiveorleastproductivecolony.

(ii) Leavethiscolonyfor24hrs,theywillnowbemissingthequeenandreadytoacceptanewone.Theywillalsobelesslikelytofightastherewillbenosmellonthemofthedeadqueenafter24hours.

(iii) Intheeveningcatchandcagethequeenfromtheothercolonyinaqueencageandplacethehiveneartothequeenlesscolony.Youwillhavetomoveitslowlyandgraduallyoveranumberofdays(1mperday)soasnot to loseany foragingbees.Alternativelyalwayschoosethe locationof thestrongercolony.

(iv) Smokebothhivesthoroughlysothattheirfamiliarsmellsarecovered.

(v) Thecagewillprotectthequeenshouldanyfightingstart.BUTtopreventbeesfightingalsodustthemwithflourorspraywithsugarwater–theywillbebusycleaningthemselvesandwillnotfight!

(vi) Placethequeeninhercageinthequeenlesshivenexttothebroodnest.

(vii) Transferallthetopbarswithcombsandbeesintothehive.Smokeeachcombasyoudoso.Alternatecombsfromthedifferentcoloniesasyoudosountilallthebroodcombsareunitedandthenaddthehoneycombsatthesides.

(viii) Completelyremovetheemptyhive.


(ix) Releasethequeenwhenyouseethatthereisnofightingbetweenthe2unitedcolonies.

(x) Closetheoccupiedhiveandleavetheunitedcolonyundisturbedforthenextfewdays.Anyfurtherdisturbancesmaycausethebeestoabscond.

(xi) Ifyoudidnotfindeitherqueenordonotwhichoneisthebestthenyoucanstillunitethecolonies.Leavebothqueensinthehiveandthestrongeronewillkilltheweakerone.Butrememberfightsarelikelytohappenandbeesmayflyaway,sosmokeheavilyandflickthebeeswithwatertoseparatethem.Watchthemandkeepsmokingthemforanhourorsountiltheysettledown.

Beekeepersmayalsouniteacolonywithanotherbecauseonequeenhasdiedorhasgotlost.

Ifacolonybecomeslazywhenothersarebusythentheyoungqueenmaybelostduringhermatingflight.Therewillbenobroodtoraiseanewqueenandworkerswillstarttolayunfertilizedeggs.Youwillnoticethatmanybroodcellsarecrammedwitheggs-thisiscalled“WorkerLaying”.

It is often too late to give thebees somebrood fromanother colony so they canmakeanewqueen.Workerswilloftenbetoooldtoproducemilktoraiseher.Sounitethecolonybyremovingallthecombs,brushingoffthebeesandaddingthecombstoahealthycolony.Smokethebeesoutoftheoldhiveandcarryitaway.Mostofthehomelessbeeswillbewelcomedbythecolonyastheyhavehoneytooffer.

Uniting a colony with a swarmThestepsofunitingacolonywithaswarm:-

(i) Intheeveningtimecatchaswarmandifyoucanfindthequeenthencageher.

(ii) Openthehive,removetheoldqueeninacageandkillherlater.

(iii) Smokethebeesandplacethenewcagedqueenfromtheswarmnearthebroodnest.

(iv) Shaketheswarmintoanemptypartofthehive.

(v) Youmayleavebothqueensinthehivetofightandthestrongeronewillsurvive.

Youcanalsoincreaseahoneyproducingcolonybypartiallyunitingit.Topbarswithcappedbrood(withoutbees)canbeaddedfromothercoloniesbutthereceivingcolonymustbeabletooccupythecombsandkeepthebroodwarmortheywilldie.

Fig. 52: Opening an old weak colony for uniting with a swarm


Fig. 53: The appearance of Queen Cells and Queen cups

MODULE 15: FEEDING OF BEES

IntroductionIngeneralfeedingbeesisnotrecommendedunlessyouaresureofwhyyouaredoingit.Beesdonotneedtobefedregularlylikeotherlivestock.Aslongasthereareflowersthenbeeswillfeedthemselves.Youcanwastealotofmoneybuyingsugartofeedbeeswhenyouneeditforyourselfandyourfamily.Feedingbeesistimeconsuming,messyandexpensive.Oftenpeoplefeedwhenitisunnecessaryandgetnoreturnfortheirmoney.Furthermoreifthebeescanflyawayorabscondthenyourmoneyiswasted.Buttherearesomeoccasionswhenitisimportanttofeedbees.


1. Explaintheoccasionswhenitisnecessarytofeedbees

2. Describethestepsinvolvedinfeedingbees



Duration:2hours.

MaterialsFlipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensandchalk,anoccupiedhive,afeederboxorjamorplateorlidofamilktinorbowl,water,sugar,drysticksorgrassand/ortheirpicturesandhandouts.

Method:t Lectures

t Brainstorming


t Fieldexercise


STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Feedingbees”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormontheoccasionswhenitisimportanttofeedbees.


Group 1:: Describehowtopreparethefeedforthebees

Group 2:: Describethemethodsforgettingthefeedreadytogointhehive

Group 3:: Describehowtoputthefeedinthehive


Step 5Field exercise-walkwiththetraineestothesiteofanoccupiedhivewithinthelocalareatoparticipateintheexerciseoffeedingbees.

HAND OUT: FEEDING OF BEESBeesdonotneedtobefedregularlylikeotherlivestock.Aslongasthereareflowersthenbeeswillfeedthemselves.Youcanwastealotofmoneybuyingsugartofeedbeeswhenyouneeditforyourselfandyourfamily.Itistimeconsuming,messyandexpensive.Buttherearesomeoccasionswhenitisimportanttofeedbees:-

(i) Beesshouldbefedintimesoffoodshortagewhentherearenoflowers.Theyshouldalsobefedduringdroughtorexcessivelywet,windyandcoldperiodswhenthebeescannotgetoutside.Feedbeeswhenactivityislowandinpoorflyingweather.Ifyouseethattraffictoandfromthehiveisslowthenthebeesmightneedfeeding.Ifthecombsaredryandthereisnohoneythenthebeesarehungry.

Feedingatsuchtimesmaypreventthebeesabscondingandmigratingawayfromtheareaorevenpreventstarvation.

(ii) Beesshouldbefedtoreplacethehoneyharvestedfromthemattheendoftheseason,especiallyifalotofhoneyhasbeenharvested.Rememberthatacolonyfromwhichyouhavealreadyremovedalotofhoneycannotbridgeadearthperiodwithoutbeingfedwithsugarsolution.Acolonyisfedtostimulatedevelopmentduringdearthperiodsandinpreparationforthehoneyflow.

(iii) Regular feeding with very small quantities of sugar solution (or diluted honey) stimulates thedevelopmentofbrood.Beesshouldbefedforabout6-8weeksbeforeanectarflowwhenflowersareplentiful.Thequeenwillthenlayhereggsandthecolonywillbuildupinnumbersbeforethehoneyflow.Ittakes6weeksfromeggtoadultforagingbee,whichisreadytoflyoutsidethehiveandcollectnectar.Therewillthenbealargenumberofbeesreadytogooutandcollectnectarthusmorehoneytoharvest!

(iv) Beescanbe fed toassist themwhenestablishinganewcolony. Initial feedingwhenestablishinganewcolonywillhelpaswarmordividedtosettledownduringtheirfirstnights.Thiswillhelptopreventthemfromwantingtoabscondduringtheirfirstfewdays.

(v) Bees should also be fed at times of stress such as disease, sickness or after spray damage frominsecticides.Ifthebeeshavebeensick,removeanyrotten,dryanddeadlarvaefromthehiveandthenfeedthebees.


(vi) Ifyoucansellhoneyforagoodpricethenitisgoodtobegenerouswithfeedingintimesofpoorhoneyflow.Itispossiblethentorecoverthecostofthesugar,andmakeagoodprofit,becausethecolonyandhoneyyieldswillincreaseduetothefeeding.Butbeawarethatifyoufeedveryclosetothetimeofharvest,sugarsyrupmaybemixedintothehoney,whichspoilsitsquality.Howmuchyoufeedthebeesandhowoftenwilldependonthebees,thesite,thenumberofcolonies,theavailableforageandtheweather.Themostconvenientfoodtogivebeesisstoresofsealedhoneycombsandpollen.Thesecanbetransferredatanytimeintheactiveseasonfromprosperouscoloniestothoseinneed.Ifyouhavemanycoloniesthenyoucantransferacofromonehivetoanother.Howeverhoneystoresarenotalwaysavailableandsugarsyrupisthefoodthatmostpeopleassociatewithfeedingbees.

Preparing the feed:-(i) Takesomesugar,somehotboiledwaterandacontainer.

(ii) Dissolveonepartqualitywhitecrystalsugarandoneparthotwatertogether.Useboiledwatertoavoiddiseasebutdonotboilthemixture.

(iii) Itisbetternottouserawsugarorbrownsugarasitmaycausesicknessamongthebees.

(iv) Stiruntilthesugarisdissolved,asitisdifficultforthebeestoeatiftherearewholecrystals.Addateaspoonfullofhoneyifavailable.

(v) Neverpreparemoresugarsolution than thebeescan takeup in2days tominimize intrusionbyrobberbeesandfermentationofthefeedinsidethehive.

Method 1t Placethesolutioninasmallcontainerandcoverwithalargelid.Youcanusealargejamjarforthis.

t Quicklyturnthejarupsidedownandwaitforittocool.

t Pushamatchcarefullybetweenthejarandlid,sothatthesugarwatercantrickleoutforthebeestodrink

t Alternativelyuseanailtoknockalargenumberoftinyholesinthelidofalargejamjarandturnitupsidedown.

Method 2Putthesugarsolutionintoabowlorjarandplacesomebrokentwigs/grasstofloatonthesurfaceofthesyruptopreventthebeesfromdrowning.Thebeeswillsitonthegrasstodrink.


Method 3Useaspeciallydesignedfeederboxforatopbarhive.

Putting the feed in the hive:-(i) Removeoneortwotopbarsorframesfromthehiveandputthefeederintheplaceclosetothe

clusterofbeessothattheywillfinditquickly.Removethefeederbottleassoonasitisempty.

(ii) Placethefeederbottleclosetotheclusterofbeessothattheywillfinditquickly.Oncethefirst2or3beesfindthesyrupthewordsoongoesaroundandtherewillbeasteadymovementofsyrupoutofthefeeder.Removethefeederbottleassoonasitisempty.

(iii) Itisbettertoplacethefeedattheoppositesideofthehivefromtheentrancewhichwillmakeiteasier for thebees toprotect fromrobberbees.Ensuresure thatonly thebees in thehivehaveaccesstothesyrup.

(iv) Avoidspillagesofsugarsyruporhoneyaroundtheapiaryasthiscanattractantsorstartrobbing.Robbingiswherebeesattackeachothertorobstoresofhoney.Weakcoloniesarepronetorobbingbythestrongandhundredsofbeescanbekilled.Trytokeepallcoloniesequalinstrengthandunitesmallunitstostrongcolonies.

(v) Hiveentrancesshouldbereducedandallotherentrancesandholespluggedsothehiveiseasiertodefend.Beekeepersshouldmakesurethattherearenoopeningsthroughwhichbees,wasps,antsetccanstealthesugarandNEVERofferfoodoutsideofthehive.

(vi) Feedbeesintheeveningsothebeescangetusedtothepresenceoffoodduringthenightandwillhavesettleddownbymorning.Neverfeedinthemiddleoftheday.Ifyouhaveseveralcoloniesalwaystakethefoodoutofthehiveduringthedaytopreventrobbingandreplaceitatnight.Alternativelyfeedallthecoloniestogetherduringaone-timefeed.

(vii) Stopfeedingassoonasthebeesnolongerimmediatelytakeupthesugarorifitremainsuntouchedforaday.Thismeanstheyeitherdon’tneedthefoodoraretooweaktoeatit.Howmuchthebeeswilleatwilldependonhowmanybeesthereareinthehive.

MODULE 16: BEE PESTS, PREDATORS AND DISEASES

IntroductionAnumberofbeepests,predatorsanddiseasesoccurandaffect toa significantdegree thehealthandproductivityofbeecoloniesworldover. It is thereforevery important toknowthedifferentbeepests,predatorsanddiseasesthatmayoccurinyourareaandhowtocombatthem.


1. Identifydifferentbeepests,predatorsanddiseases

2. Explaintheeffectsofpests,predatorsanddiseasesonbeekeeping

3. Suggestmethodstocontrolvariousbeepests,predatorsanddiseases

Target Participants:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,artisans,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:3hours.


MaterialsFlipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,picturesofdiseasesymptoms,samplesofpestsandpredators,TVs,Projectors,generators,filmsaboutbeepestsanddiseases,handouts.

Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Fieldorpracticalexercisetoidentifythedifferentbeepestsanddiseases

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“Beepests,predatorsanddiseases”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engageeveryparticipant togiveexamplesofbeepestsandpredatorsand their controlwithin in theirlocality.

Step 3Guidetheparticipantsindescribingthecommonbeediseasesaffectingbeesandtheircontrol

Step 4Thetrainerclarifies,summarizesandgivesoutthehandoutonbeepests,diseasesandpredators.

Step 5Fieldorpracticalexercisefortraineestoparticipateinidentifyingthedifferentbeepests,predatorsanddiseases.Feedbackonfieldexcursion.

HANDOUT: Bee Pests, Predators and DiseasesExamplesofBeepestsandpredators

t Waxmoth t Antsincludingsafariants t Honeybadgers

t Hawkmoths t Man t Cattle

t Baboons t Termites t Hivebeetles

t Birds t Waspsandhornets t Louse

t Spiders t Lizards t Mice

t Robberbees t Pesticides t Mouldandfungus

t Acarine(tracheal)Mite t VarroaMite t TropaelaelapsMite

t Cleptoparasiticdroneflies(flies that look like bees)

Man:Peoplecancausea lotofdamagetohivesandareusuallyconsideredtheworstenemyofbees.Honeyhuntersandthievesdestroycountlessbeecoloniesandhives.Childrenoftenantagonizebeesbythrowingstonesatbeehives,whichoftenresultsinpeopleandlivestockbeingstung.

However,alwaystryandkeepyourhiveswheretheycanbesupervised.Hivesmustbemaintainedandprotectedagainstharshweather,naturalenemiesandfires.Hivescanbeplacedinabeehouseorastrongfenceplacedaroundtheapiary.


Wax Moth (greater and lesser):Thismothlookslikethemoththateatsgrainanddestroyswoolenclothes.Itlayseggsinthehiveandthelarvaelookslikeawormormaggot.Boththelarvaeandadultfeedonthecombs.Thegreatermoth’slarvaefeedonthebrowncombsanddestroythewax.Itburrowsthroughthecombsandleavesawhitewebormeshinalonglineinthecomb.Thelessermothtendstoattackprocessedwaxsoalwaysusecleanwaxonstarterstrips!Scrapeawayanyeggs,waxmothfaecesorpupa.Killanylarvaeoradultwaxmoths.Sealanyholesandcracksinthetopbarsandthehivebody.Removeoldcombsduringtimesoffoodscarcitywhenthecolonysizeshrinks.Keepthehivecleanandfreefrombitsofcombanddebris.

Control of wax mothWaxmothcanbecontrolledbyastrongcolony.Uniteweakcolonieswithstrongerones.Smokingthehiveswillexpeladultwaxmothsfromhives.Avoidlitteringofapiarieswithbeeswax.

Safari and other ants:Antsgoforbees,broodandhoneyduringanyseasonorwhenthehivessmellofhoney.Itisadvisablethatyouhanghivesandgreasehangingwiresregularly.Ifhivesareonstands,placethelegsofthestandsintinsofoldengineoil.Alternativelytieragssoakedindieselaroundthesupportsorsmearthepostswitharingofgreaseorcreosote.Clearthegroundunderthehivestandandspreaddryashesaroundtheposts–theantswillnotwalkontheashes.Keepthegrassshortandstopthebranchesfromtouchingthehives.Makehivepartsfittogetherwithoutgaps.Alsokeepthehivebottomcleanandbecarefulnottospillhoneyorsugarsyrupwhenfeeding.

Termites:Termites will not attack the bees themselves but will destroy your hives, hive stands and equipment.Suspendhivesbetweentreesinsteadofpoles.Alternativelytreatthepostswithusedengineoilandplacethesupportsintinsofoldoil.Alsoavoidusingunburntbricksashivesupports.

Hive beetles (large and small):Beetlesmayenterthroughgapsandcracksbutalsothroughlargeentranceholes.Thelargeblackbeetlefeeds on brood and is most numerous during the rains. Others with distinct markings feed on smallamountsofhoneyandpollen.Thesmallerhivebeetleslayeggsinpollencells,whichcanbeturnedintoastinkingmessbythemaggotswithinafewdays.Topreventthebeetle,useholesinsteadofslitsfortheentranceandreducethesizeoftheentranceholes(8-10mm).Handpickordestroythemiffoundinthehive.Disinfectingthegroundinapiarieswillhelpkillthepupae.Smokingisequallyveryeffectiveinthecontrolofhivebeetles.

Honey Badger or horr:Thehoneybadgercanbreakintohivestoeathoneyandbrood.Hangthehivessecurely1.5metresfromthegroundtopreventthebadgerknockingthemdown,tielidsonsecurelywithwireandputheavystonesonthecovers,topreventthebadgerbreakingthemopen.Alternativelyuseapulleysystemandsuspendhivesover2metersfromthegroundbymeansofarope.

Pirate Wasp (lion of the honeybee):Theseareslenderwasps,yellow-brownwithblackcrossstripes.Theywillmolestcolonies,attackandeatworkerbees.Fillanygapsandholesinthehiveandmaketheentrancesmallenoughforthebeestodefend.Cutabottlewithanarrowmouthinhalfandinvertthetop,putsomewaterandjamin,thewaspswillenteranddrown(donotbaitwithhoney).Theycanalsobecontrolledbysettingawatertrapbythehiveentrance.


Moulds:These are fungi that grow on the inside of the hive and are caused by excess moisture. Moulds mayindicatethatthehiveissitedinadampplace.Thisisaproblemmainlyduringandshortlyaftertherainsbutisgenerallynotamajorproblem.Topreventthis,avoidsitinghivesindampplacesandremoveanyunattendedemptycombsfromtheedgesofthenestifbeesfailtofananysurplusmoistureoutofthehive.Increasethenumberofentranceholestoimprovehiveventilationandairpassage.

Birds, such as honey guides and bee eaters:Somebirdssitonthehiveandeatworkerbeescomingout.Otherse.gwoodpeckersmakeholesinthehivewhilethehoneyguideseatbeesandbeebrood.Honeyguidesontheotherhandleadotherpredatorstothehive.Don’tleaveanybroodcombsexposedandscarethebirdsawayorusetraps.Alternativelyplaceyourhivesinabeehouse.Donotusesoftwoodtomakebeehives.Doproperhangingofthehives.

Bee Louse:Thisisasmalllightbrowninsectwith6legs(3pairs).Itisseenonthebacksofthebeebutcausesnegligibledamagetothecolony.Smokethehiveregularlytocontrolthem.

Varroa mite:Thisisaflat,reddishbrownmiteandisarelativeofthespiderwith8legs(4pairs).Itissimilartothebeelousebutsmaller.Thismitefeedsonthebee’sblood,makingthebeeweakerandweaker.Itismainlyfoundonthedevelopingdronebeepupaeandemergeswiththeadultbee.Varroacausesdeformityonbeesandslowlykillsthecolony.ItisamajordevastatingparasiteforApis melliferabeesthroughoutEurope,NorthAmericaandelsewhere.Itshouldnotbeconfusedwiththebeelouse.Thisisaparasiticmitecausingwidespreaddamageworldwide.Ugandabeekeepersshouldbeonthelookoutforvarroaasitisanextremelyseriouspest.Knowthedifferencebetweenbeelouseandvarroa!DonotimportbeestoavoidthespreadofVarroaandotherpests!

Acarine mites (Acarapi woodi):Theseliveinthebreathingtubesofyoungbeesandpreventbreathing.

Tropilealaps:Thesearesmallerthanvarroabutalsofeedonthebee’sblood.

Lizards:Theysitbythehiveentrancesandeatworkerbeesastheymoveinandout.Unoccupiedhivesoftenattractsquirrels,mice,dormiceandlizards.Thesmelloftheirdroppingswilldiscourageswarmsfromoccupyingthehiveandmayevendamageit.Protectunoccupiedhivesagainstpestsandkeepthemcleanandbaited.Avoidhavinglandingboardsonhiveentrances.Putratguardsonhivestands.

Bee diseases:t AmericanFoulBrood

t Sacbrood

t Nosema

t Chalkbrood

t Paralysis

Brooddiseasesaffectthedevelopingbrood.Abeekeepermustalwayscheckthebroodforabnormalities.Larvaeshouldbefat,shinyandwhiteandthesealedbroodshouldbeeven.

Chalkbrood:Afungusinfectingandkillinglarvaethatthendriesandshrinkstoachalklikemummy.Thehousebeesexposeandthenremovethesemummies.Onlyoccasionallydoesthediseaseaffectsomanylarvaethat


themummiesareseen.Itweakensbutdoesnotusuallykillthecolony.Removetheinfectedcombs,controlthediseaseandkeepstressesonthecolony(insecticides,pests,etc.)toaminimum.Unitethecolonywithastrongerone.ThisdiseaseisfoundinUganda.

European Foul Brood:Thisbacteriumaffectstheunsealedbrood.Itcauseslarvaetodieandseemto‘meltdown’inthecells.Theyturnbrownandcauseasoursmellinthehive.Combsareremovedandnewcombsareaddedfromunaffectedcolonies.Thequeeniscagedforafewdayssoworkerscanremovediseasedlarvaeandthenreleased.

American Foul Brood:Thisbacteriumcausesbeestodieinthelarvaeorpupastage.Itisveryseriousandverycontagious.Cappingsareindented,thesealedbroodbecomessunkenanditlookslikethereisglueinthecells.Thebroodnestbecomesirregularandthereisasmellofglueinthehive.Allbeesandtopbarsmustbeburntandthehivescorchedandwashed.Donotfeedhoneyorexchangetopbarsandcombs.RememberdonotimportbeesandusedbeekeepingequipmentsintoUganda.

Sacbrood:Thisdiseaseaffectsbroodattheprepupaestage.Thesealedbroodwillhavelotsofholesandpupaemaybeunsealed.Thepupaewillbefounddead,pointedandunderdeveloped.ItissimilartoEuropeanFoulBroodbutwithoutsmell.

Ifyoususpectthatyouhaveabrooddiseaseyoushould:

t Removeanddestroyalltheaffectedbroodcombs.

t Cagethequeenfor7daystostopthediseasecycle

t Feedthebeeseachday.

t Useaqueengateafterreleasingthequeentopreventabsconding.

t Neverexchangecombsandtopbarsbetweenhives.

Otherdiseasesthataffectadultbees.Theseareeasiertodetect,asyouwillfinddeadbeesinandoutsidethehiveandincludethefollowing:

Nosema:This isadiseaseofadultbees that causespoorbroodnestdevelopmentand isoftenaccompaniedbydiarrhea.Youwilloftenseeyellowdiarrheaoutsideandattheentranceofthehive.Ithastobedetectedbymicroscopeandtreatedwithmedicines.

Paralysis:Avirusthatcausesdeath.Thebeesshakewhentheyarebornandcannotfly.Sometimesinfectedbeesexhibitnospecificsignsandspecialisttechniquesareneededtoidentifyit.

Black Queen Virus (BQV) disease (reported in Uganda):Itmostlyaffectshousedapiariesand those indampplaces.PreventionofBQV isby removing thebeecolonyfromtheapiaryandremovingthedeadbee.Avoidsitinghivesindampplaces.

Insecticides and pesticides:Pesticidespoisonbees.Acolonycandiewithin3hoursofexposuretoinsecticidesastheyquicklypassitinthenectartootherbeesandbroodinthehive.Abeespinningonthegroundoutsidethehiveisasignofinsecticidepoisoning.Alsobeesoftendiewiththeirtonguesstickingout.Keepintouchwithotherfarmersandknowwhentheyarespraying.Askthemtosprayatnightwhenthebeesarenotflying.Whensprayingistakingplacecloseyourcoloniesusingmeshwiretoallowventilation.NEVER totallyblockuptheholesorthebeesmaydieofsuffocation!Feedthebeeswithsugarsyrupwhilsttheyareenclosed.Researchand


suggestalternativelesstoxicalternatives,suchastobaccoinsoappowderorneemleavescrushedinwater.Asalastresortmovethehivesfromtheareaeithertemporarilyorpermanently.

Note:

1. Wemustalwaysbeonthelookoutfordiseasesastheycanspreadquickly

andmayadverselyaffectbeekeepinginthearea.

2. The apiary should be kept clean as a general control strategy for most

pestsanddiseases.

3. Foreffectivecontrolandmanagementofpestsanddiseases,anintergrated

approachshouldbeused.

MODULE 17: MAKING BIO-PESTICIDESBiopesticidesareorganicsubstancesusedasalternativestopesticidestodeterandeliminatecroppests,especiallyinsects.Farminginvolveswideuseofpesticidesthatalsokillbeesandmakebeekeepingimpossibleiftheyaresprayedheavilyinbeeforageareas.Itisthereforeadvisablethatfarmerslookforalternativeinsecticidessuchasbiopesticides.


1. Understandwhatbiopesticidesare.

2. Explaintheimportanceofusingbiopesticides

3. Demonstratetheuseandapplicationofbiopesticidesinpestanddiseasecontrol

Target Participants:Beekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,farmers,individualsandorganizations


Duration:4hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,biopesticide

materials,videos,picturesandhandouts.

Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Fieldorpracticalexercise

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“biopesticides”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.


Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonwhatbiopesticidesareandtheirimportance.

Step 3Dividetheparticipantsinto2groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:

Group 1: Discussthedisadvantagesofinsecticides

Group 2: Theimportanceofusingbiopesticides

Step 4Inplenary,participantspresentfindings,thetrainerclarifies,demonstratesandsummarizes,givesoutthehandouts.

HAND OUT: Making Bio-pesticidesBiopesticidesareorganicsubstancesusedasalternativestopesticidestodeterandeliminatecroppests,especiallyinsects.Farminginvolveswideuseofpesticidesthatalsokillbeesandmakebeekeepingimpossibleiftheyaresprayedheavilyinbeeforageareas.Itisthereforeadvisablethatfarmerslookforalternativeinsecticidessuchasbiopesticides.

Mostcommonmaterialsusedformakingbiopesticidesincludethefollowingamongothers:-

t Lantana camara-‘Kapanga’

t Redpaper

t Solanum incanum-Sodomapple

t Phytoloca dodecandria -‘Omuwoko’

t Gynodropsis gynandra-‘Ejobyo’

t Ash

t Neemtree

t Mexicanmarigold

The dangers and disadvantages of inorganic insecticides.t Insecticidespoisonbeesandreduceproductionfrombeekeeping.

t Insecticideskillbeneficialinsectslikepollinatorsandpredatoryinsects.

t Asaresultofyearsofinsecticideapplication,fruitandvegetableyieldsmaysufferbecauseoflackofpollinators.

t Insecticides kill micro-organisms in the soil, reduce soil quality andmake plants more prone toattack.

t Insecticidesaretoxictohumansandlivestockandcouldresultindeathifconsumedinlargequantitybyaccident.

t Manyinsecticidesareavailableinthemarketbutoftenthehealthwarningsandinstructionsforusearenotprintedinalanguagethatpeopleunderstand.Thismeansthereisahighriskofmisuseandwrongdosages.

t Traderssellinsecticidesinsmallquantitiesinunlabelledcontainersincreasingthedangerofmisuseevenfurther.

t Insecticidescanadverselyaffecthumanhealthevenwhenconsumedinsmallquantitiesinourfoodorinhaledwhenwearespraying!Insecticideshavebeenshowntoaffectchildhooddevelopmentandhavebeenlinkedtocancersandotherdiseases.

t Insecticidesareexpensiveandmaynotbeavailablejustatthetimeyoumostneedthem.


Note:Application of inorganic pesticides should be restricted toeveninghoursandduringnonfloweringperiod.

Since insecticideskillbeestheirusecanmakebeekeeping impossible if theyaresprayedheavily inbeeforageareas.Anentirecolonyofbeescanbedestroyedinaslittleas3hoursifforagersbringinsecticidecontaminatedhoneyloadsbacktothehive.Beespoisonedwithinsecticideareoftenfounddeadoutsidethehivewith their tonguesstickingout.Theymightbehavestrangelyflying roundand round incirclesonthegroundbeforetheydie. Ifyouwanttokeepbeesandalsoproducefruits,vegetablesandotherlivestock,thenyouneedtolookfornaturalalternativestoinsecticidessuchasbio-pesticides.

Bio pesticides help:-

t Bio-pesticidesmaynotkillbeneficialinsects(insectsthatarepredatorstopestinsectsandhelptocontrolthem).

t Topreventpestinsectinfestation-theyareusuallynotharmfultohumansbutaretoxicordistastefultopestinsects.

t Togetridofinsectpestsaftertheyhaveattackedthecrop.

t Toactasfertilizer-theycanalsohavethedoublebenefitofactingasfertilizersaswellasdeterringinsects.

t Tosavemoneyoninsecticidesandfertilizers-becausebio-pesticidescanbemadeusingthelocallyavailableplantsinanarea,theyarecheaperthanusinginsecticides.

t Toprotecttheenvironmentfromchemicalpollution.

t Tobeindependentandnothavetowaitforchemicalpesticidestobeavailable.

t Tohelpmaintainsoilquality.

t Toavoidthetoxiceffectsofinsecticidesonourfamilies.

t Tosaveourbeesandourlivelihoods!

t Biochemicalsdonotcontaminatehoney.

Aneffectivebio-pesticide-cum-liquidmanurecanbemadebycompostingdifferentplantsthatarebitter,strongsmelling,hottotaste,toxictoinsectsandnoteatenbylivestock.Thesemayinclude:cowdung,ash,urine,wastematerials,etcyoumayknowinyourlocalarea.

Followsteps1to3toprepareyourbio-pesticide:

1. Collectasmanyleavesandrootsfromthelistofplantsgivenaboveaspossible,enoughtofitintothebigdrumorbucketthatyouhavechosen.

2. Cutuptheseplantsveryfinely, ifyouhaveapestleandmortaryoucangrindthechilies,onions,garlic,corianderandcloves.Putallthecutupplantsintothedrumandthencovertheplantmaterialwithwater.

3. Takerawfreshcowdungandashesandtiethemupintothepieceofsackoroldcloth.Putthisintothedrumontopof thecutup leavesandcoverwithwater.Thecowdungwillactasa ‘seed’ofmicroorganismstohelptheleavestorotinthewaterandtheasheshelpprovidetherightenvironmentforthecompostingprocess.

4. Allowtheleavestorotcompletelyinthewater.Thisshouldtakeaboutaweekinveryhotweatherandamaximumofabout3weeksintherainyseasons.Themixtureshouldsmellstrongandshouldlookalittlelikeliquidmanure(cowdung).

5. Thesmellingliquid,withtheleavesstrainedoff,isyourcompletedbio-pesticide.


How to apply bio pesticidesThemethodofapplicationofthebio-pesticideisthesameforbothyoungandestablishedplantsbutthedilutionsaredifferent.Itcanbeputintoacleansprayer(notonewhichcontainsremnantsofinsecticides)and sprayedonto theplants.Alternatively, it canbemixed in abucketandabroomor leavesused tosprinkleitontoyourcropstostoptheinsectsfromattacking.Applyitregularlytoyourcropsjustbeforetheusualseasonthatinsectpestscauseproblems.Sprayyourplantswithbio-pesticideallthroughthecropcycle.Theregularityofsprayingdependsonhowsusceptibletheplantsaretoinsectattackandhowmuchinneedofextrafertilizerthesoilis.Thelessfertilethesoilandthehighertheriskofinsectattack,themoreregularlyyoushouldapplythebio-pesticide.

Note:Bio-pesticide Treatments if the bio-pesticidecumliquidmanurefailstowork

Ifinsectsattackthecropdespitetheuseofbio-pesticidetryusingthebio-pesticideslightlylessdilutedbutonlyapplyittoaffectedareas.Youcanalsotryusinganotherbio-pesticidetreatmentrecipesuchas:

t Tobacco water-Soaktobaccoleavesinwaterovernightwithsomeashesandsomecow’surine.Addalittlesoappowderandsprinklethisontheaffectedplants.

t Neem Water-Soakneemleavesandfruitsinwaterovernightandsprinklethisontheaffectedareas.Themixtureshouldbeconcentratedandtasteverybitter.Ifitdoesnottastebittertryboilingtheleavesinwater.

t Ashes-Applyashesaroundtheaffectedplants.

t Myrrh water-Soakabout250gmyrrhin7litresofwaterfor6-7daysandspraythisontheplants.

t Datura-Mixtogetheraboutahalf(½)kgofdriedpowderedleavesin10litresofwaterandsoakthemfor24hours.BewarethatDatura is toxic!Sprayonplantsbutavoidbeesanddonotsprayanythingyouwilleatinthenextweek.

Anothermethodofcontrolling insectpestsespeciallyonvegetablecrops is touse integratedvegetablegrowingtechniquesorintercropping.Thismethodofvegetablegrowinginvolvesmixingupdifferentshapes,smellsandtypesofplantsinyourvegetableplots,sothatitismoredifficultfortheinsectpesttolocateitspreferredplantandtomovefromoneplanttoanother.Combineleafcropsandrootcropstogetherandtomixupdifferentshapesofplant.Mixgarlic,onions,coriander,marigold,basilandanyotherstrongsmellingplantsamongstyourvegetablecropstohelpmaskthesmellofanyplantsthatattractinsectpests.

Everyoneshouldtryandpreventtheunnecessaryuseofpesticidesbyusingnaturalbio-pesticidesmadefromlocallyavailableplants.Weshouldalltrytoeducatefarmersaboutchemicalinsecticidesandtheirnegativeimpactonbothbeesandtheenvironment.


CHAPTER THREE

HIVE PRODUCTS AND PROCESSING

MODULE 18: HIVE PRODUCTS

IntroductionInthehive,beesproduceanumberofproductsusefultomanandtothebees.Theseproductsmaybeuseddirectlyormayactasrawmaterialsformakingotherby-products.


1. Listanddescribethedifferentbeeproducts

2. Listandexplaintheusesofthedifferentbeeproducts

3. Explainhowthedifferentbeeproductsareextracted

Target ParticipantBeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,individualsandorganizations/Institutions


Duration:2hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,notebooksandpens,markerpensorchalk,hiveproducts,

by-productsand/ortheirpictures,anyotherrelevantmaterialsandhandouts.

Methodt Lectures

t Brainstorming

t Discussions

t Practicals(demonstrations)

STEPS

Step 1Writethetitle“Hiveproducts”onthechalkboardorflipchartandintroduceit.

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonthedifferenthiveproductsintheirareas.


Group 1: Listanddescribethedifferentbeeproducts

Group 2: Listandexplaintheusesofthedifferentbeeproducts

Group 3: Explainhowthedifferentbeeproductsareextracted



HAND OUTS: Hive Productst Honeyt Pollent RoyalJellyt Propolist Beevenomt Beeswax

(i) Honey

Honeyisthesweet,viscousjuiceusuallycollectedinthelargestquantitiesfromthebeehive. It isfoundincellsofthehoneybeecomb.Mature(ripe)honeyisusuallyfoundinsealedcombsandcanbekeptindefinitely;unsealedhoneyisnotmature(unripe)andthereforefermentsshortlyafteritisharvested.

Honeyisusedasfood,medicine(constipation,duodenalulcers,liverproblems,burns,etc)andasingredients inmedicine(added incoughsyrups), food(confectionary industry),makingbeveragesandcosmeticcreams.

Fig 54: Farmers selling Honey Wine at a show Fig 55: Hoima Natural Honey on display

(ii) Pollen

Pollenistheprinciplefoodofbeesandiscollectedfromtheanthersofflowersonthelegsofthebees.Thehairsonthebee’slegsactlikeahaircomb.Asthebeescollectthepollen,theymoistenitwithalittlenectarwhenpackingitintopollenloadsontheirhindlegs.Partofthepollenservestopollinateflowers,andpartisbroughtbacktothehiveintheirpollenbaskets.Beesthenstorepolleninthecombsbutnot ingreatquantities.Pollencomesinmanydifferentcoloursfromred,yellowtobrown,dependingontheflowersource.Allaredifferent,somecanbebitterwhilesomecanbesweetandallthesevarietiescanbemixedtogether.

Beekeeperscollectitformedicinalneedsasitcontainshighqualitynutrientsandisricherinproteinthaneggs,meatandmilk.Itcontainsmostofthevitaminsandproteinsthatthebodyneeds.Itcanbeeatendrybutisprimarilyusedinfood,traditionalmedicines,asnutritionalsupplementsandincosmeticssuchasshampoos,creamsandevenperfume.Asafood,itaidsdigestion,buildsenergy,strengthens immunity, improvesconcentration(it isgoodforthebrain!)andhelpstobalancethemetabolism(soaidsweightlossorgain).Italsohassomeantibioticproperties.

Manybeekeeperseatpolleninthecomb(beebread).Itiseasiertodigestthandrypollenandcanhelppeople live longer lives, forexample,onetribe inPakistan isknownonlytosurviveonnuts,berriesandbeebread– theiraverageage is140years.Bothbeebreadandpollenshouldnotbeeateninlargequantitiesasitishardtodigestandcancausestomachupset.Itisbettertoeatsmallamounts,especiallyatfirsttoallowthebodytobecomeaccustomedtoit.


How pollen is collectedIt is easy.Thebeekeeperputsapollentrapinthehiveentrance.Thepollentraplookslikeametalsheetfullofholesora5mmwiremesh.Asimplepollentrapcanbemadelocally,cheaplyandeasily.Asthebeespassthroughtheholesthepollenpelletsareknockedfromthebees’legsandfallintoadrawerortraycoveredbyafinermesh.However,inordernottoharmthecolony,collectionsmustbelimitedtoeveryotherdayto2-3kgperhiveperyearfromastrongcolony.Rememberthebeesneedpollenstorestofeedthebroodsotrapsshouldberemovedatregular intervalsorthecolonywillbeshortof food.Pollenmustnotbecollectedfromaweakcolony.Thepollenmustbeimmediatelydriedoutofthesun,asthesunwilldestroythevitaminsinthepollen.Itshouldbespreadinathinlayerintheshadewhereabreezeisfelt.Pollenitselfismoistasitmixeswithnectarbutwelldriedpollenwillcrackbetweenaperson’steethlikerice.Itmustbestoredinadrycoolplaceinsealedcontainersandprotectedagainstmoisture.Pollencollectionismoresuccessfulindryareasashumidityincreasesthedangerofcontaminationofcollectedpollenwithmouldandfungi.

Fig 56: A pollen trap

(iii) Royal jelly

RoyalJelly isawhitishfluid,secretedbytheyoungbeesandusedtofeedthequeenbeein largeamounts.Youngbeesthathavejusthatchedoutproduceitjustwithintheirfirst6days.Royaljellydoesnotcomefromflowers.Aqueenbeecanlivebetweenfourandfiveyearsifsheisfedexclusivelyonroyaljelly,laysabout1,500eggsaday,andhasahealthylifeprotectedfrombacteriaandparasites.Withoutroyaljellyshecannotbeaqueenbee.Itistherichnutritioninroyaljellythatmakesthequeenfertileandstrong.Itcontainsvitaminsandhormonesforincreasingfertility,whichiswhyshecanlaysomanyeggsoversomanyyears.Otherfemaleworkerbeesthatdonotfeedonroyaljellyaresterileandcannotlayeggs.

Royaljellyalsohasnutritional,energeticandmetabolicadvantagesforhumans.Itissospecialbutnotmanybeekeeperscollectit.ItisrichinproteinsandallBvitaminsandincreasesoverallmentalandphysicalwell-being.Itcanbetakenpureorblendedwithhoney(5partsroyaljellyto120partshoney).Itisalsousedasadietarysupplementandfertilitystimulant.Inskinpreparationsuchassoapitisknowntopreventwrinkles.

How royal jelly is collectedItneedsspecializedequipmentandrefrigeration.Themethodinvolvesremovingthequeenfromthehivesothebeesmakenewqueencells.Whenthequalityandthequantityoftheroyaljellyareatitspeak,thebeekeeperextractsthequeenbeelarvaewithtweezersandremovestheprecioussubstancebysuction.250-500gcanbecollectedfromeachhiveeveryyear.Itmustbekeptbelow4degreescentigradefromthe


pointofcollectionasitgoesrottenveryquickly,ifitistobesoldforcommercialvalue.ThismaybeagoodincomeopportunityforbeekeepersinUgandatoexplore.

(iv) Propolis

Beesgatherresinfromaroundthenewbudsofcertainlivingtreesandplants.Theycollectitintheirmouths,packitintheirlegsanduseitformakingpropolis.Itisusedbybeesforrepairingthehiveandalsoservesasprotectiontothehivefrombacteria,fungiandviruses.Beesuseitasmedicineinthehivebecauseitisapowerfulnaturalantibioticandisbothantifungalandantibacterial.Interestingly,ifapestorpredatordiesinthehiveandcannotberemoved,thebeeswillwrapit inpropolissothatitdoesnotrotorsmell.Humansalsousepropolistopreventinfection.Propolisishelpfulforpreventingcoughsandcolds;andtreatingstomachulcers. Ifeaten in itsnaturalstate, it isbettertosuckasmallpieceasitstickstotheteethifyouchewit!Italsohelpstotreatwoundsandskindisorders.Rawpropoliscanbetakenandstuckoveracutjustlikesealingplaster!Italsohelpstostimulatethebody’sownimmunesystemtofightdiseasefor itself.Propoliscanbeusedinmanyapplicationsandisusedtoproducecreams,mouthwash,toothpaste,andthroatsyrup.Itisalsousedinanimalfeedtotreatsomedisordersandasthebasisforfinewoodvarnishes.

How to collect propolisThebeekeepercollectsitbyscrapingthebarsandwallsofthehivewithaknifeorhivetool.Toincreasecollection,manybeekeeperswillputapieceofmeshinsidethetopofthehive.Thebeeswillfilltheholesofthemeshwithpropolisastheywillconsiderthistobetheboundaryofthenest.Itisstickyandsoftwhenwarmbuthardandbrittlewhencold.Thepropoliscanthenbescrapedofforthemeshcanbeputinthefreezerfor24hours.Thiswillmakeiteasiertoknockorscrapeoffthehardenedpropolis.100-200gayearcanbecollectedfromeachhive.Itshouldbestoredindark,cleansealedbuckets,awayfromexcessiveheatandmustbeprotectedagainstcontaminationsuchaschemicals.Generallyspeaking,mostusesrequireittobeinliquidformandithastobedissolved.Thisextractionhoweverrequiressomecareandskill.

(v) Bee venom

Beevenomisthepoisonous,colorlessliquidcontainedinthevenomsacofthebee,usedtostingpredatorsorenemies.Itisananti-inflammatoryandisusedbyhumanstorelievepain.Itiseffectiveintreatingthesymptomsofrheumatoidarthritis,neuralgia,highbloodpressure,highcholesterolandevenmultiplesclerosis.Beevenomtherapycanalsohelpwithinfertilityproblems.

Applyingbeevenommedicinallycanbeeasy.Thisisdonebyholdingbothofthebee’swingsandapplying thetipof theabdomen to thepainful areaandallowing thebee to sting thearea.Thebeethendiesasthestingisleftintheskin.Thenumberofstingsandlengthoftreatmentrequireddependsonhowoldandseverethediseaseis.Howeveritmustberememberedthatitisdangeroustostingpeoplewhoareallergictobeestings.Alwaysaskthepersonfirstiftheyareallergictobeestings.Asmall,localizedswellingwithrednessisnormal.Itchingalloverthebodyandshortnessofbreathisnot.

Beevenomiswidelyusedincreams,soaps,linimentsandointments.Itmayalsocomeincapsuleform.

How to collect bee venomAnelectricshockmethodisusedtostimulatethebeestostingacollectorframeorclothwhereitdriesandisthenscrapedoff.Thispowderisverydangeroustohandleanditmustbefreeze-driedandprotectedfrommoistureandlight.Ifdonecorrectlyitcanbecollectedwithoutkillingthebees.

(vi) Beeswax

Beeswaxisnotaplantproductbutabeesecretionandbeesdonotcollectitfromoutsideofthehive.Workerbeesmakeregularhexagonalwaxcellsandcappingsinthehivetostorenewhoney.Thesehoneycombsaremadefrombeeswaxproducedbywaxglandsontheundersideoftheabdomenof


aworkerbeebetween12and15daysold.Tinyscalesofwaxaresecretedandknead(softened)andthenusetheirlegstoconstructthecellsofthehoneycomb.

Note:Beeseatbetween8and22kgsofhoneytoproduce1kgofwax.

Humansmostcommonlyusewaxincandlemakingasitmakesdripless,smokelessandlonglastingcandles.Itisthebaseforlipstickandrougeandisusedinlipbalm,skincreams,deodorantsandhaircreams.Itisalsousedindrugs(astheoutsidecoatingofpills),modelingandstatuemaking,cosmetics,printing,foodprocessingandfurniturepolish.

How to collect beeswaxThebeekeepergetsthebeeswaxfromthehoneycombshavingfirstextractedthehoney.Beeswaxcanalsobegotfromoldemptycombs.Itcanthenbemeltedandsievedandsoldasarawcommodity.Howevermostbeekeepersdonotknowthebenefitsofbeeswaxandthrowcombsaway.Butmanysmallbusinessescanbedevelopedfrombeeswaxproduction.

MODULE 19: QUALITY HONEY HARVESTING

Introduction Itisimportantforabeekeepertoidentify,harvest,gradeandhandleexcellentqualityhoneyformarketingpurposes. The quality of honey can be judged from its cleanliness, taste, smell, colour and moisturecontent.


1. Identify,harvest,gradeandhandleexcellentqualityhoney

2. Explainthedifferentmethodsusedtocheckwatercontentinhoney

Target Participants:Existingbeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,honeytraders,individualsandorganizationsinterestedinharvesting,processingandsellinghoney.


Duration:3hours.

Materialst Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,cappedhoney

and/orthepicture,2airtightbuckets,beesuits,smokersandhivetoolset(hiveopener,beebrushandstainlesssteelknife),water,spoon,refractometer(ifavailable),honeysamples–arangefromotherregionsandothercountriesandhandouts.

Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Fieldorpracticalexercisetoidentify,harvest,gradeandhandleexcellentqualityhoney


STEPS Step. 1 Writethetitle“Qualityhoneyharvesting”onthechalkboardorflipchart

Step 2Introduce the topic and engage theparticipants to brainstormonwhatmaterials bees use formakinghoneyandwhydifferenthoneyshavedifferenttastesandsmells.


Group 1: Whataffectsthegoodqualityofahoneyproduct?

Group 2: Howdoweknowwhenhoneyisreadytobeharvested?

Group 3: Whatshouldyouconsiderwhenactuallyharvestinghoneyfromthehive?


Step 5 Giveoutthehandoutonbeediseasesanddiscusseachdiseaseonebyoneusingthenotesandpicturesonthehandout.

Step 6Fieldorpracticalexercisefortraineestoparticipateinhoneyharvestinginanearbyapiary,whilefollowingthestepsoftheharvestingprocessinthehandout.

t Whatabouttheotherbeeproducts.

t Includepropolisandwaxharvesting.

t Pollenbelookedintofortappingresources.

HAND OUT: Quality Honey Harvesting

What do bees make honey from?

Honey is theprimaryproductof thehive.Beesmakehoneyfromnectarwhich isasugarysecretionofflowers.Nectarcontains70-80%water.Tomakehoneythebeesaddenzymesandreducethewatercontentofthenectartothatofhoney(goodhoneycontainslessthan19%water).

Bees transfer nectar from their stomachs to other bees that in turn pass it on to other bees. As it istransferred,thewatercontentisreducedandthebeesaddenzymesfromtheirhoneysacks,whichpreventfermentationof thenectar. Thebees thenplace this into the cells of thehoneycomband continue toreducethewatercontentfurtherbywarmingthehoneytoabout35degreescentigrade(thetemperatureofhumanblood).Thebeesfantheirwingstotakeanywarmdampairoutofthehiveandtoallowcoolerdryairin.Thisevaporationprocesseventuallyreducesthewatercontentto19%andthebeesthencapthehoney.Thisprocesshelpsthehoneytobekeptforalongperiodsinthehive.

Why do different honeys have different tastes and smells?Thedifferenttastes,aromasandcoloursofhoneyarearesultofthedifferentflowersthatthebeeshavecollectednectarfrom.Colourisalsoaffectedbytheageofthecombs–oldcombsgivedarkerhoneythannewcombs.

Honeymostly contains different kinds of natural fruit sugars (80-85%) that are easily and immediatelyabsorbedbythebody,arehighincarbohydratesandgivethebodyenergy.Thesugarinhoneyisnotthesameasrefinedgranules(sucrose),whichcanhaveanegativeeffectonthehealth.Refinedsugarismoredifficultforthebodytobreakdownandcanleadtodiabetesinlaterlife.


Honeyalsocontainsmanyvitaminsandmineralsfromthepollen.Honeyhasmedicinalpropertiesandisusedtohelpcurecoughs,ulcers,woundsandsorethroats.Generallybeesdoaverygoodjobofmakinghoneyanditisthebeekeeperthattendstospoilthequalityofthehoneywithpoorharvesting,processingandmarketingtechniques.Itisessentialthattheproductbeingsoldretainsitsproperties,isofgoodqualityandwellpresented.

What affects the good quality of a honey product?t Honeymustbecleanandclear-nodirt,deadbees,wax,dust,splintersofwoodorashes.

t Honeymusthaveagoodtaste.Itshouldnotbetoosmokyorhaveafermentedtaste.Chemicalsandinsecticidescanaffectthesmellandtasteofhoney.

t Honeymusthaveagoodsmell.Harvestingolddarkcombsandbroodcombscanaffectthesmellandcolourofthehoney.Oversmokingthecombscanalsoaffectitssmell.

t Honeymusthaveagoodcolour–thisdependsuponthenectarsourceandageofthecombs.Usuallydarkhoneyhasstrongerflavourandlightcolouredhoneyamoredelicateflavour.

t ThePresenceofpollencanmakethehoneyappearmuddyorcloudybutisinfacthighlynutritiousandgoodforthebody.

Honeymustberipeandhavealowwatercontent–moistureshouldnotbegreaterthan19%orthehoneyislikelytoferment.Harvestingincompletelysealedcombscanresultinexcessivewatercontentinhoney.Thisismeasuredusingarefractometer

Honeybuyersandtradersoftenusearefractometertocheckthewatercontentofhoneysamplesfromhuntersandbeekeepers.Theywillavoidbuyinghoneywithhighwatercontent,asitislikelytoferment.Theywillselectonlyhoneywithawatercontentofaround19%,ashoneywithawatercontentofover20%mustbeusedtooquicklyformarketinginotherregionsorcountries.Howevertheywillnotbewaryofhoneywithverylowwatercontent.Ifitistoolowthentheyknowthehoneyhasprobablybeenheatedtoevaporateoffmorewaterormayhaveevenbeenadulteratedwithsugarwater.

Therearesomeverysimplemethodsthatyoucantrytocheckthewatercontentwithoutarefractometer.

t Putamatchstickinthehoneyandifthewatercontentistoohighthentheheadwillbedampandwillnotburn.

t Dropadropletofhoneyondrysoil.Ifthehoneyspreadsintothesoilanddispersesthenthewatercontentistoohigh.Thehoneyshouldsitonthesoilasaglobule.

How do we know when honey is ready to be harvested?Honeyisreadyforharvestwhenthehivebecomesheavy,smellsofhoneyandbeesmayhavebecomemoreaggressiveandnoisythanusualastheyprotecttheirstores.Lookforripesealedhoneywithanevenlayerofsealingonthehoneycomb.Regularinspectionsofthehivesduringthehoneyflowperiodwillensurethatyouharvestassoonasthehoneyisready.Generallyharvestingisrelatedtotherainsandharvestingshouldbedoneaftertheflowershavewitheredandfallen.

What should you consider when actually harvesting honey from the hive?t Theidealharvestingtimeisinthecoolofdusk,justbeforedark.Don’tharvestduringthedaytime

unlessapiaryislocatedfarawayfrompublicplaces.

t Do not crop honey during rainy weather as the honey draws moisture from the air and gets toowatery.

t Useabeesuitandasmokerwhenharvesting,asusuallythebeesgetupset!

t 2peoplearebetterthanoneand2smokersarebetterthanone.Don’tharvestalone.

t Harvestcombsthatareatleast2/3cappedorsealedfullofhoney.Uncappedhoneycontainstoomuchwaterandwillstarttoferment.


t Usingacleanknifecutawaythelight-coloredcombsleavingabout2cmsofcombforthebeestousetorebuildanewhoneycomb.

t Leavethecombswithbrood,pollenandsomehoneyforthebeestoeattoenablefutureproductionofhoney.Infixedcombhivesonlytakeawaythecombsatthesidesofthehive.

t Alwayscarry2cleananddrycontainerswithairtightlids.ThecontainersshouldbeplasticorwoodandNOTmetalunlessthemetalcontainsstainlesssteel.Honeyiscorrosiveandifputinametalliccontainerthatisnotcoated,itwillreactwiththemetal.Themetaldissolvedinthehoneymaypresentahealthhazardtotheconsumer.Placethehoneycombsintoapotorbucketthatcanbeclosedtoavoidrobbing.

t Putcombswithlittleornocappedhoneyintotheothercontainer.Keepthis2ndgradehoneyforlocalorhomeconsumption,asitcannotbestoredforalongperiod–eatitquickly!

t Makesurethereisnodirtinthehoney.

t Sometimesmoremoneyispaidforcertainkindsorcoloursofhoneythanforamixturesoharvestthiskindofhoneyseparately.Separatethelightanddarkcombs.

t Avoidpropolisandtoomuchpolleninhoneyifyouaremarketingyourhoneywidely.Thesemakethehoneycloudyandmanycustomerspreferclearhoney.

t Honeypresentedforsaleinthecombisseentobepureandcanfetchagoodprice.Selectundamagedwhitesealedcombtosellascutcombasdarkcombsdonottastesonice.

Thestepsoftheharvestingprocess:

1. Lightthesmokersandputonthebeesuits.

2. Smokethebeesandcheckforcombsthatareatleast2/3cappedorsealedfullofhoney.Honeycombsareusuallyatthebackofthehiveoppositetheentrance.Alwaysleavethecombswithbrood,largeportionsofpollenandsomehoneyforthebees.

3. Alwaysholdthecombsinaverticalpositiontoavoidbreaking.

4. Liftthecomb,blowsmokeonbothsidesandquicklybrushthebeesbackintothehivewithafeatherorbeebrush.

5. Cutawaythelight-colouredcombswithaknife leavingabout1cmofcomb.Thiswillserveasanorientationlineforanewcomb.

6. Placethecappedhoneyinacleananddrycontainerwithasealedlidtokeepthebeesout.Returnthetopbartothehive.

7. Putcombswithlittleornocappedhoneyintoaseparatecontainer.

8. Make sure there is no dirt or bees in the honey and avoid propolis and too much pollen in thehoney.

9. Whileharvestingalsoscrapethepropolisoffthetopbarsbeforereplacingthemandkeepthisforfuturebaitingofhives.

10. Continuecroppingalltheripecombsinthesamewaybutdonotcroptoomuchorthebeesmayabscond.Leaveatleast8combsforthebees.

11. Beforeclosingthehivepushtheunripecombsbehindthelastbroodorpollencombandputthecroppedtopbarsbehindthese.

12. Carrythecontainersoutofreachofthebeesstillbuzzingaround.


MODULE 20: PROCESSING HONEY

IntroductionThereareanumberofmethodsforprocessinghoney,namelyfloating,pressingandcentrifuging.


t Statethedifferentusesofhoney

t Describethevariousmethodsofprocessinghoney

t Processhoneyforsaleoruse.

Target participants:Existingbeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,traders,individualsandorganizationsinterestedinsellingorusingofhoney.


Duration:3hours.

Materials:Flipchartandmasking tapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,combedhoney,cleanhoney sieve cloth,honey refractometer, cleanairtightbuckets, cleanhoney jars,honeywarmer,uncappingforkorknife,honeypress,centrifugalhoneyextractorandhandouts.

Methods:t Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Practicalexercisetoprocessqualityhoney

STEPS:

Step 1 Writethetitle“ProcessingHoney”onthechalkboardorflipchart

Step 2Engagealltheparticipantstobrainstormonwhatishoney,howitisprocessedandwhatisitusedfor.

Step 3Allocatetheparticipantsin3groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:-

Group 1:: Describethestepsinvolvedinusingfloatingmethodforprocessinghoney.

Group 2:: Describethestepsinvolvedinusingpressingmethodforprocessinghoney.

Group 3:: Describethestepsinvolvedinusingcentrifugalmethodforprocessinghoney.


Step 5 Practicalexercisetoprocessqualityhoney


HAND OUT: Processing HoneyHoneyisthesweetproductofthehoneybee.Honeycanbeprocessedintocombhoney,chunkedhoney,creamhoney,pressedhoneyandstrainedhoney.

Methods of processing honey Therearethreemethodsofextractinghoney:

1. Floating Method

Floatingisthesimplest,buttakesthelongest,whichisespeciallydisadvantageousintherainyseason(honeyishygroscopicandwillabsorbwaterfromtheairintimesofhighhumidity)unlessyouworkwithclosedcontainers.

Thismethodrequiresacleanairtightcontainer,acleanclothorspecialhoneysieveandanuncappingforkorknife.

Fig. 57: Uncapping fork

Steps:1. Removethewaxcapsofthecappedhoneycellswithanuncappingforkorknife.Uncappingknives

mustbewellfiledandrazorsharp.Attemperaturesoflessthan25°Cyoucanmakeuncappingeasierbyholdingtheuncappingtoolinabasinofhotwaterforashortwhile(butdodryitbeforeuse).

2. Thecombsarebrokenintosmallpiecesandplacedinanairtightbucketorothercontainer.

3. Afterafewdaysthewaxwhichhasfloatedtothetopcanbeskimmedoff.

4. Thehoneyisstrainedthroughacleancloth,nylonstockingorspecialhoneysieveandisagainputawayfor3daystosettle.

5. Anyfoamandwaxparticleswhichhavefloatedtothesurfacecanbeskimmedoffandthehoneyisnowreadyforstorageandpackaging.

2. Pressing

Pressinghoneyismorework,buttakeslesstime.Therearevariouspressconstructions.

Fig: 58: Different types of Honey Press and locally made bottling containers


Steps:1. Scrapeopenthecombs,breakthemintopiecesandtiethemupinacleanporousclothintheshape

ofapillowcase.

2. Kneadthecombsintheclothandthenpressthehoneythroughthecloth.

3. Twistoutthecloth(youneedtwopeopleforthis,oronepersonandafixedpoint),butitisfastertoworkwithawoodenpress.Therearevariouspressconstructions.

4. Pourthehoneythroughacleanclothorsieveintoapotormaturingvesselandleaveittostandforafewdays.Anyremainingwaxparticlesandpollengrainswillfloattothetopandcanbeskimmedoff.

3. Centrifuging Method

Thecentrifugalhoneyextractorconsistsofacylindricalcontainerinwhichacagemadeofaframecoveredwithstrongwiremeshturnsonanaxle.

Theadvantageofcentrifugingisthatyoucanextractthehoneyveryquicklyandthatyoucanusethecombsagain.

Fig. 59: A sketch and picture of a honey centrifuge extractor

Inthiskindofcentrifugalhoneyextractor2,3,4,6or8framescanbeextractedatthesametime.Thecageinwhichtheframesareplacedisturnedbymeansofahandlewithgears.Thehoneyisthrownoutofthecombsagainsttheinsidewallsofthecontainer.

Ahandyblacksmithcanmakethesecentrifugalhoneyextractorsusing,forexample,somecogsfromanoldgearbox.Itisevenpossibletocentrifugepartsofthecombortopbarcombsintoacentrifugalextractor.Inthatcaseyoumustmakewirebasketsinwhichthecombpiecesaretightlyenclosed.Thebasketsarehandledasthoughtheseareframes.Thepiecesofcombcanbeusedagaininthehive,re-attachingthemtotopbarswithpiecesofstringorstraws.Alternatively,theremainingcombcanbeusedforwaxprocessing.

Steps:-1. Beneaththetapatthebottomofthecontainerplacethehoneysieveorcleancloththroughwhich

thehoneyrunsintoabucketorstraightintothevessel.

2. Placehoneyframesintothecage(oneoneachsideofthecage).Incaseoftopbars,placethewirebasket.

3. First,turnthehandleslowly,otherwisetheweightofthehoneyinsidethecombwillpressthecombthroughthewiremeshofthecage.


4. Thenplacetheframesinreverseandturnthehandleuntilthecellsonthissideofthecombsarecompletelyempty.

5. Finallyturnthecombsonceagainandturnthehandleuntilthecellsonthefirstsideofthecombsarealsocompletelyempty.

6. Theemptycombsareputintoahoneysuperandgivenbacktothecolony,sothattheycanlickthecellsclean.Ifthereisnolongeranyhoneyflowtheoldcombsmustberemoved.Newonescanbestored.

7. Leavethehoneyinthesettlingvesselforafewdayssothatairbubblesandwaxparticlescanfloattothetop.Skimtheseoffandpourthehoneyintoairtightcontainers.

NOTE: Honeyshouldbeprocessedinaspacewherebeescannotenter(allopeningsmustbeclosedwithfinewiremesh).Itisalsopossibletoworkintheevening.Youcanalsospinhoneyinatentwhichsealswellwiththegroundsothattherearenogaps.Ifnecessaryyoucanstorewell-cappedframesinawell-sealedcontainer.Ifyourhoneycontainstoomuchwater,youcandryyouruncappedhoneybymakingachimneyof thehoney supers andblowingair through themwith a ventilator. If youplacenewspapersontheflooroftheroomyoucaneasilyremovespilthoney.

Table 6: Forms of honey and how they are made:

Liquid HoneySomehoneyremainsinliquidstatenaturallyiftheyhaveglucosetowaterratiooflessthan1:8.

Chunk honeyThisiswhere1or2stripsofcutcombareplacedinatransparentwidemouthedjar,whichisthenfilledwithlight-colouredliquidhoney.

Creamed honeyHomogeneouslystablecrystallizedhoneywithapleasantcreamyappearanceobtainedbytheadditionofasmallquantityofalreadycrystallizedhoneytoliquidhoney.

Comb honeySmallsectionofcompletelysealedcombbuiltofvirgin(new/white)beeswax,preferablywithlightcolouredhoney.

Crude honeyCombinationofhoney,pollen,beebroodsandotherimpuritieslikesticks,treeleaves…etc.

Semi-refined honeySkimmedhoneyafterremovalofcombafterseveraldaysofsettling.Itneedstobefurthersievedtoremoveimpurities.

Granulated honey

Honeyisasupersaturatedsolutioni.e. itcontainsmoredissolvedsubstancethanthesolventcannormallyretain insolutionatanyspecifictemperature.Such a solution is unstable and will in time revert to the stable saturatedconditionbycrystallizingtheexcesssolute.

Liquid HoneySomehoneyremainsinliquidstatenaturallyiftheyhaveglucosetowaterratiooflessthan1:8.

Chunk honeyThisiswhere1or2stripsofcutcombareplacedinatransparentwidemouthedjar,whichisthenfilledwithlight-colouredliquidhoney.


Creamed honeyHomogeneouslystablecrystallizedhoneywithapleasantcreamyappearanceobtainedbytheadditionofasmallquantityofalreadycrystallizedhoneytoliquidhoney.

Comb honeySmallsectionofcompletelysealedcombbuiltofvirgin(new/white)beeswax,preferablywithlightcolouredhoney.

Crude honeyCombinationofhoney,pollen,beebroodsandotherimpuritieslikesticks,treeleaves…etc.

Semi-refined honeySkimmedhoneyafterremovalofcombafterseveraldaysofsettling.Itneedstobefurthersievedtoremoveimpurities.

Granulated honeyHoneyisasupersaturatedsolutioni.e.itcontainsmoredissolvedsubstancethanthesolventcannormallyretain insolutionatanyspecifictemperature.Suchasolution isunstableandwill intimerevert tothestablesaturatedconditionbycrystallizingtheexcesssolute.

Storage of honey Honey should be stored in clean glass jars, food grade plastic airtight buckets or plastic coatedmetalcontainersimmediatelyafterextraction.

NOTE: Thehoneycanstart to fermentduringstorage ifthewatercontentistoohigh(>19%).

Heatingthehoneywillcauseboththetasteandsmellofthehoneytodeteriorate.Heatedhoneyisofaninferiorqualityastheenzymesarebrokendown.

MODULE 21: BEESWAX

IntroductionBeeswaxisoftenthesecondmostvaluableproductafterhoney.UnfortunatelyinUgandamanybeekeepersthrowawaywaxcombsonharvestingorafterhoneyextraction.Soitisimportantforourbeekeeperstohavetheknowledgeandskillsontheusesofbeeswaxandhowtoprocessitatlocallevel.


t Statethedifferentusesofbeeswax

t Describethevariousmethodsofprocessingbeeswax

t Processbeeswaxfromthecombsforsaleoruse.

Target participants:Existingbeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,traders,individualsandorganizationsinterestedinsellingorusingofbeeswax.



Duration:3hours.

Materials:Flipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,solarwaxmelter,waxcombs(fromhoneyrefiningsession)–soakedovernightincleanwater,largealuminiumcookingpot,additionalpot,fireandwater,oldricesackorclothbag(nottoofineaweave),2longcleansticks(1Inchdiameter),selectionofbeeswax,beeswaxproductssuchaslipbalm,soap,creamandcandles,andhandouts.

Methods:t Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Practicalexercisetoprocessqualitybeeswaxfromthecombs

STEPS:

Step 1 Writethetitle“Beeswax”onthechalkboardorflipchart

Step 2Engagealltheparticipantstobrainstormonwhatisbeeswax,whereitcomesfromandonwhatisitusedfor.

Step 3Allocatetheparticipantsin2groupsandassignthemthefollowingtasks:-

Group 1: Describethestepsinvolvedinusingsolarwaxmelterforprocessingwax.

Group 2: Describethestepsinvolvedinusinghotwaterbathmethodforprocessingwax.


Step 5 Practicalexercisetoprocessqualitybeeswaxfromthecombs

Instruction t Organize the training sessions so that making products from beeswax follows directly after this

module.Encourageparticipantstoattendbothsessions.

t Prepareallyourequipmentingoodtimeanddonotkeepyourtraineeswaiting–soakthecombsovernight,putthebeeswaxinthewaxmelteratthebeginningofthesessionandputthemelterinthesun,startthefireandbeginheatingthecombmix.

HAND OUTS: Beeswax

What is beeswax?t Beeswaxisthesubstanceusedbybeestomaketheircombstostoretheirhoney.

t Beeswaxisoftenthesecondmostvaluableproductafterhoney.

t It is harder than other waxes such as paraffin wax and has a low melting point (64 degreescentigrade).

t Beeswaxisnotaplantproductbutabeesecretion.


Where does it come from?t Thewax bee (aworker bee aged between 12-18 days)makes perfectly hexagonalwax cells and

cappingsinthehivetostorenewhoney,pollenandbrood.

t These honeycombs are made from beeswax secreted from wax glands on the underside of theabdomenofaworkerbee.Waxcanbeseenassmallflakesontheundersideofbees.

t Beesarestimulatedtoproducewaxwhenthequeenneedsspacetolaymoreeggswhenthecolonyisexpandingduringthebuildup.

t Beesarestimulatedtoproducewaxwhenthereissurplushoneytobestoredduringthehoneyflowandalackofhoneycombinwhichtostoreit.

t Beekeepingusingtraditionalhivesormovablecombscanresultinhighyieldofbeeswax.

What is it used for?t Thebeesuseittomakecombs.

t Beekeepersuseiton‘starter’stripsandtobaithives.

t Industriesuseitformaking:

t Cosmetics:itisthebaseforlipstickandrougeandisusedinlipbalm,skincreams,soaps,deodorantsandhaircreams.

t Pharmaceuticals.

t Foodprocessing.

t Candlesthataredripless,smokelessandlonglasting.

t Polishesforpreservingleatherandwoodsuchasshoepolishandfurniturepolish.

t Ointmentsforskinproblems,cutsandgrazes.

t Lostwaxcastingandmodelingforstatuemaking.

t Waxprintingandbatiks.

t Treatmentforcrackedhoovesoflivestock.

t Mendingcrackedpotsandwatercontainers.

t Forwaxingthreadsinshoemaking.

Beeswaxcanbeusedasthebasisofmanysmallbusinessactivitiesandisavaluablecommodityandexportcrop,whichsellsforUS$3-5perkgontheworldmarket.Insomecountries,waxratherthanhoneyisthemostvaluedhiveproduct.Beeswaxisvaluedaccordingtoitspurityandsometimesitscolour-lightwax(fromnewcombs)isoftenmorehighlyvaluedthandarkwax(fromoldcombs).Thepresenceofpollen,propolisandimpuritiescancausethebeeswaxtobecomeyellow.Itwillalsodarkenwithagesoitisbetterusedorsoldasquicklyaspossible.

Unlikehoney,beeswaxdoesnotrequirecarefulpackaging,whichsimplifiestransportandstorage.Howeverwaxmustbestoredinasealedcontainertoprotectitfromattackbywaxmoths.

Explainthatasimplewaxcollectingsystemandbulksellingofwaxcanresultinincomefromanotherwisewastedresource.Bothhoneyhuntersandbeekeepersshouldrealizethatbeeswaxisavaluableproductinadditiontohoney.

Thebeekeepercanharvestcombsfromthehivethatarenotbeingused.Thebeekeepercanalsotakethebeeswaxfromthehoneycombshavingfirstextractedthehoney.Thehoneyisextractedbyfirstremovingthewaxcappings.Thehoneyisthensqueezedandstrainedthroughacleancloth.Thecombscanthenbemeltedandsievedandusedorsoldasarawcommodity.

Beeswaxisvaluableandalloldcombs,scrapingsfromthehiveandpiecesofwaxshouldbekept!

Theprocessbywhichwaxfromcombsisconvertedintoblocksofcleanwaxisknownas‘rendering’.Allmethodsofrenderinginvolvemeltingthewax.


Points to note:-t Neveruse iron,zinc,brassorcoppercontainersasthewaxwillreactwiththepot-theydiscolor

waxandmakeitlooseitssmell.Useunchippedenamel,galvanizediron,stainlesssteeloraluminumcontainers.

t Neverboilwaxorheatitdirectlyonthefireasitdamagesthewaxandreducesitsquality.Overheatedorburntwaxisworthless.

t Becareful,aswaxisflammable!

t Usefreshcombsrecentlyremovedfromhiveswheneverpossible.

t Freshpalewhitecombsgivethebestbeeswax.Avoidcombswithbrood,asitwillmakethewaxsmellovertime.

t Newwhitecombsarebetter thandarkcombs (asnewbeesarebornoutof thecomb, theyspincocoonsmakingthecombsdarkandhardandtheyholdlesswax).

t Alwaysprocessoldcombseparatelyfromnewlightcolouredcombasoldcombislowerqualityandwillreducethevalueoftheendproduct.

t Ensureallequipmentiscleanandwillnotcontaminatethewax.Neverusecontainersthathaveheldanychemicals.

t NEVERaddanythingtothebeeswax.Somepeopleputstonesandsandintothesettingbeeswaxtoincreasetheweight.Thisisunethicalandmostbuyerswillbreakbeeswaxintopiecestocheckthequality.

Methods of wax extraction:Thereare2mainmethodsofwaxextraction.

t Solarwaxmelter.

t Hotwaterbathmethod.

The solar wax melter.Thisprovidesasimple,safeandcheapmethodusingtheheatofthesun.Itisaboxwithaglasslidthatistiltedatanangletocatchthesun.Thesunmeltsthewaxoveraperiodoftime.

t Thereisasheetofaluminummetal(orgalvanizedsteel)thatdirectswaxintothecontainer

t Thereisasingleordoublewallofglassthathelpsheatabsorption.

t Thewiremeshpreventsdebrisfromslippingintothecontainer.

t Thedarkpaintedwallshelptoheatabsorptionifnecessary.

Themeltermustnothaveanycracksorgapsthatwillencourageheatlossorallowanyrobberbeesinside.Thesmellof thewaxwill attractbeesandants. Itmustbe setup in suchaway thatants cannotgainaccess.

Steps:t Washthestickycombsoutincoldwaterandletthecombsdryoutinthesun.

t Placethecombsonthemetalsheetsofthemelter.

t Placetheboxinthedirectsunshineforafewhoursuntilthewaxhasmelted,runintothecontainerandformedblocks.

t Strainitthroughaclothintoasecondcontainer

Averysimplewaytomeltsmallscrapsofwaxistoplacethemonapieceofmetalaluminumfoil(suchasfromacigarettepacket)andleavetheminthesun.Foldthefoilcarefullysothemeltedwaxcannotrunout!Instrongsunlightthewaxwillmeltandcanbepouredintoacontainer.Thisisaverygoodwayofpreparingwaxforthestarterstripsontopbars.


For largeramountsofwaxanopenboxmaysimplybe linedwithtin foil andplaced in thedirect sun.Anothersimplemethodistoplaceawiremeshacrossthetopofabucketandplaceitinthehotsun.Themeshwillseparatethecocoonsfromthemeltingwax,whichcanthenbestrainedthroughacloth.

The hot water bath method:Thismethodinvolvesheatingwaxinwateroverfire.Thisismuchsaferthanusingheataloneasbeeswaxisveryflammable.

Steps:t Breakupcombintosmallpiecesandwashorsoakitovernightincleanwarmfreshwater.Rinsethe

combs2or3timestogetridofallthehoneyanddirt.(Rememberdon’tthrowthewateraway–useitasbeefeed!)

t Addwatertocoverthecombs.Beawarethatcombswillfloatsoensurethereisadequatewaterinthepot.

t Putthepotonthefireandheatthemixtureslowlyandgentlyandstiruntilthewaxmelts.DoNOTmakethewaterboilforlongortoohardbecausetoomuchheatwillspoilthewaxandmakeitbrittle.Infactwaterboilsat100degreescentigradeandwaxmeltsatabout64degreescentigradesothereisnoneedtoboilit.Inadditionthewatermustnotbeallowedtoboilover,aswaxisveryflammableandcouldburneasily.

Fig. 60: melting wax

t Smearthesidesofasecondbigwidepotorbucketwithnon-scentedsoapywater.

t Onceyellowoilyliquidbeeswaxisseenonthetopofthewater,themixtureisthenstrainedthroughawiremeshorclothbagintothesecondcleanemptycontainerorbucket.

t Theendsof theclothcan thenbe twistedand themixturesqueezed.Or2 stickscanbeused tosqueezethebagfromtoptobottom.Youneed2peopletodothis!

t Beeswax is squeezedoutof thecombs.Theblackcocoons spunby the larvae (andotherdebris)remaininthecloth.Thisresiduecanbeusedasswarmbait.

t Asitcoolsthewaxseparatesfromthewaterandrisestothesurfaceofthecontainerlikeaplate.

t Coverthepotsodustandinsectscannotgetit.Leavethepotwiththewaterandmoltenbeeswaxinacooldarkplace.Donotdisturbthepotuntilthebeeswaxhassethardonthetopofthewater.Thismaytake12–24hoursespeciallyinthehotseason.

t Liftthesheetofbeeswaxfromthesurfaceofthewateranddiscardthewater.

t Debrisisscrapedfromthebottomofthewaxcakeonceithashardened.

t Toobtainevenpurerwaxmeltthewaxinadoubleboilerandstrainagain.

t Therenderedbeeswaxisnowreadyforsaleortobemadeintocandles,skincreamsorpolishes.

t Anothermethodforlargeamountsofcombcanbetriedusinganoildrum


Combsandrocksaretiedinasackandthesackplacedinadrumofwateroverthefire.Thewatershouldbeheatedbutnotboilingandthewaxwillmeltandcometothesurface.Thesackshouldberemovedandsqueezedandthewaxandwaterlefttocool.

Fig. 61: Wax extraction using a sack and a drum

t Waxshouldnotbestoredinthecombform.Combsshouldbeprocessedquicklyastheybecomebrittle.Inadditioncombsmaybeeatenbywaxmoth.Howeverputtingthecontainerofwaxoutsideforsomehoursinthesunshineeachdaycanhelpkeepthemothsout.

t Waxblocksmustbestoredinsealedplastic,airtightcontainersandinacooldryplace.

t Waxblocksshouldneverbestorednearpesticidesorchemicalsasthewaxmayabsorbthem.

t Waxshouldbewrappedinplasticornewspaperinordertostoreitforlongperiodsoftimewithoutdamage.Waxcanretainitsqualityandshapeforhundredsofyears.

Summary:Beeswaxisavaluablecommodityandexportcropandcanbeusedasthebasisofmanysmallbusinessactivities.Asimplewaxcollectingsystemandbulksellingofwaxcanresultinincomefromanotherwisewastedresource.Bothhoneyhuntersandbeekeepersshouldrealizethatbeeswaxisavaluableproductinadditiontohoney.Insomecountries,waxratherthanhoneyisthemostvaluedhiveproduct.Beeswaxisvaluedaccordingtoitspurityandsometimesitscolour-lightwaxisoftenmorehighlyvaluedthandarkwax.Thepresenceofpollen,propolisandimpuritiescancausethebeeswaxtobecomeyellowanditwilldarkenwithage.Unlikehoney,beeswaxdoesnotrequirecarefulpackaging,whichsimplifiestransportandstorage.Howeverwaxmustbestoredinasealedcontainertoprotectitfromattackbywaxmoths.

Collectingbeeswaxiseasy:thebeekeepertakesthebeeswaxfromthehoneycombshavingfirstextractedthehoney.Thebeeswaxcanthenbemeltedandsievedandsoldasarawcommodity.Theprocessbywhichwaxfromcombsisconvertedintoblocksofcleanwaxisknownas‘rendering’.Allmethodsofrenderinginvolvemeltingthewax.

Duringrenderingneveruseiron,zinc,brassorcoppercontainersastheydiscolourwaxandmakeitlooseitssmell.Useun-chippedenamel,galvanizediron,stainlesssteeloraluminiumcontainers.Neverboilwaxas itdamages thewaxand isdangerousaswax isflammable.Use freshcombs recently removed fromhiveswheneverpossible.Alwaysprocessoldcombseparatelyfromnewcombasoldcombislowerquality.Alwaysprocessdarkcombseparately fromlightcombasthiswill reducethevalueof theendproduct.Ensureallequipmentiscleanandwillnotcontaminatethewax.NEVERaddanythingtothebeeswax.Somepeopleputstonesandsandintothesettingbeeswaxtoincreasetheweight.This isunethicalandmostbuyerswillbreakbeeswaxintopiecestocheckthequality.


There are 2 main methods of wax extraction:-Thehotwaterbathmethod:involvesheatingwaxinwater,whichismuchsaferthanusingheataloneasbeeswaxisveryflammable.

t Breakupoldcombintosmallpiecesandwashitincleanwarmfreshwater.

Fig. 62: Wax extraction with cloth and sticks

t Putinanaluminiumpotandwaterisaddedtocoverthewax.

t Thepotisputonthefireandthemixtureheatedgentlyandstirreduntilthewaxmelts.

t Themixtureisthenstrainedthroughawiremeshorclothbag.

t Theendsoftheclothcanthenbetwistedandthemixturesqueezed.

t Thedebrisremainsinthecloth.

t Thewaxseparatesfromthewaterandrisestothesurface.

t Coverthepotandleaveittocool.

t Liftthesheetofbeeswaxfromthesurfaceofthewater.

t Debrisisscrapedfromthebottomofthewaxcakeonceithashardened.

t Averysimplewaytomeltsmallscrapsofwaxistoplacethemonapieceofmetalfoilandleavetheminthesun.Instrongsunlightthewaxwillmeltandcanbepouredintoacontainer.

t Thesolarwaxmelter:providesasimple,safeandcheapmethodusingtheheatofthesun.

t Theboxwithaglasslidistiltedatanangletocatchthesun.Thesunmeltsthewaxoveraperiodoftime.Themeltermustnothaveanycracksorgapsthatwillencourageheatlossorallowanyrobberbeesorantsinside.

Remember: t Waxshouldnotbestoredinthecombform,asitwillbeeatenbywaxmoth.Howeverputtingthe

containerofwaxoutsideforsomehoursinthesunshineeachdaycankeepthemothsout.


Fig. 63: Sketch of a solar wax extractor

t Waxblocksmustbestoredinsealedplastic,airtightcontainersandinacooldryplace.

t Waxblocksshouldneverbestorednearpesticidesorchemicalsasthewaxmayabsorbthem.

t Waxshouldbewrappedinplasticornewspaperinordertostoreitforlongperiodsoftimewithoutdamage.Waxcanretainitsqualityandshapeforhundredsofyears.

MODULE 22: MAKING BEESWAX PRODUCTS

IntroductionBeeswaxisgoodforcandlemakingasitburnswithabrightsteadyflame.Beeswaxisthebestsubstanceformakingskinproductssuchasscentedcreamsandantisepticointments.


t Makebodycreams

t Makecandles

Target participants:Existingbeekeepers,extensionserviceproviders,traders,individualsandorganizationsinterestedinsellingbeeswaxproducts.

Suggested number of participants:Amaximumof30persons

Duration:3hours.

MaterialsFlipchartandmaskingtapeorchalkboard,markerpensorchalk,notebooksandpens,Purecleanrenderedbeeswax,cleancandlemoulds(bamboo,cardboard,woodorplasticpipe),soappowderoroil,wick(fromparaffinlamporbraidedcottonstring),bottletops,matchsticksortoothpicks,cookingpotandsmallbowl/tincan,boxofclaysoil,water,fireandfuel,stickforstirring,containersforcream(Suchasfilmcanisters),perfumeorotherflavouringandhandouts.


Methodst Lecture

t Brainstorming

t Groupdiscussion

t Practicalexercisetomakebodycreamsandbeeswaxcandles

STEPS

Step 1 Writethetitle“MakingBeeswaxproducts”onthechalkboardorflipchart

Step 2Engagetheparticipantstobrainstormonwhatmaterialsareusedformakingdifferentbeeswaxproducts.


Group 1: Describethestepsfollowedinmakingbasiccream

Group 2: Describethestepsfollowedinmakingturmericcream

Group 3: Describethestepsfollowedinmakingpropoliscream

Group 4: Describethestepsfollowedinmakingscentedcream


Step 5 Practicalexercisefortraineestoparticipateinmakingbeeswaxproducts.

HANDOUT: Making Beeswax Products

CANDLESBeeswaxisgoodforcandlemakingasitburnswithabrightsteadyflameandithasahighermeltingpointthancheapercandles.Thecandlewillremainuprightinhotweatheranddoesnotsmoke.Candlescanbemadesimplyusingboughtcandlemouldsorlocalproductslikeplasticpipe,gourdsorhollowedoutfruit.Alternativelyusearolleduppieceofcardboard(fromasoappacket)fastenedwithrubberbands.Pleasenotethatathickcandlewillneedathickwickbutathincandlewillneedathinnerwick.

Followthesesteps:-

t Smeartheinsideofthepipewithoilorsoap/detergentmixedwithwater.

t Threadthewickthroughthepipe.

t Punchaholeinthemiddleofthebottletop,threadthewickthroughandknotit.

t Coverthebottomofthepipebypushingthepipeontothebottletop.

t Tiethetopofthewicktoamatchstickandensurethewickisinthecenterofthepipe.

t Standthemoulduprightinthefirmsoiltopreventleakage.

t Breakupthewaxandmeltitindirectlyinsideatincanplacedinapotofhotwater.Donotboilthewax.

t Pourthemeltedwaxintothemouldsmakingsurethewickremainsinthemiddleofthepipe.

t Leavethecandlefor2to3daystobecomesolidandthenremoveitfromthelubricatedmould.

t Testthecandlestoensuretheyburnproperly.Varyingthewicksizecanalterhowacandleburns.Ifthewickistoothinthecandlewillgoout.Ifitistoothickthecandlewillburnveryquickly.


CreamsBeeswaxisgoodformakingcreamsandointments.Addingingredientssuchasturmeric,honeyorpropoliscangivethecreamantibacterialproperties.Addingherbs,gumsorboughtperfumecangivethecreamanicescentofyourchoice.

Tomakethebasiccream,followthesesteps:-

t Heatwaterinthebigpotonthefire.

t Meltthebeeswaxbyplacingitinsidethesmallbowlandplacingthesmallbowlinsidethepot.

t Removefromtheheatandmix1tablespoonorcupofmoltenbeeswaxto4tablespoonsorcupofoilintooneofthesmallbowls.

t Add1tablespoonofanyadditionalingredients.

t Returntoheatandmix.

t Removeandstirituntilitcools.Itshouldhaveacreamyconsistency.

t Spoonitintosmallcontainers.

t Coverimmediately.

Tomakepropoliscream,followthesesteps:-

• Scrapesomepropolisfromyourhiveintoacontainer.

t Addsomewaterandheat.

t Anywaxwillmeltandfloattothesurface.Thepropoliswillsticktothebottom.

t Aftercoolingremovethewax,pouroffthewaterandsavethepropolismassbeneath.

t Placethecontainerinacoolplaceandletthepropolishardenandbecomedryandbrittle.

t Storethepropolisinasealedcontainer.



t Removefromtheheatandmix1tablespoonofmoltenbeeswaxto4tablespoonsofoilinasmallbowl.

t Add1tablespoonofpropolisgranules.




t Coverimmediately.

Tomaketurmericcream,followthesesteps:-

t Mix5tablespoonofturmericwith1litreofoil.(Infuseanysmellingherbsorgumsinthesamewayforanalternativecream).

t Leavethemixturefor15daystoallowtheturmericpowdertoinfuseinthecookingoil.Shakethepoteachmorningandevening.

t Strainthestainedoilandthrowawaythepowderdebris.



t Removefromtheheatandmix1tablespoonofmoltenbeeswaxto4tablespoonsoftheinfusedoilinasmallbowl.





t Coverimmediately.

Tomakescentedcream,followthesesteps:-



t Removefromtheheatandmix1tablespoonofmoltenbeeswaxto4tablespoonsofoilinasmallbowl.



t Addafewdropofperfumeasyouspoonitintosmallcontainers.


CHAPTER FOUR

EXPLANATION OF COMMON BEEKEEPING TERMS

Terms Explanation

Absconding Thisoccurswhenallhoneybeesleavethehiveornest.

Apiary Thesitewhereanumberofcolonizedhivesarekept.

Apiary hygiene Iskeepingapiaryclean.

Apiary inspection Routineobservationofwhatisgoingoninandaroundtheapiary.

Apiculture Thescienceandartofbeesandbeekeeping

Bark hiveIsatypeoftraditionalorlocalhivemadeoutofthebarkoftreeswhichcanbebuiltinacylindricalorothershape.

Basket hive Isawovenhivemadeoutofvariouslocallyavailablematerials.

Bee breadIsaproductofpollenandhoneytomakeadoughstoredasfoodforthebees.

Bee brood Itincludeseggs,larvaeandpupainacomb.

Bee brush Usedtobrushoffbeesfromthehoneycombduringinspectionorharvesting.

Bee calendar Iswhathappensinsidethehiveallyearround.

Bee Forage Plantswhichprovidepollen,nectar,honeydewandpropolisforthecolony.

Bee HouseAhousespecificallydesignedwithholesonthewallsthatareconnectedtothehiveentrances.

Bee keeper’s calendar Isaseriesofactivitiescarriedoutbyabeekeeperduringvariousseasons.

Bee Protective WearUsedtoprotectbeekeepersfromstingsandcomprisesofanoverall,beegloves,beeveilandgumboots.

Bee SmokerIsasimpledevice/toolusedtogeneratesmokeduringhiveinspectionorharvestingtocalmthebees.

Beeswax Waxproducedbyhoneybeesandusedtobuildcombs.

Bee Venom Isapoisonoussubstanceproducedbyworkerandqueenbeesfordefense.

Build-upIsaseasonwhentherearemanybeeforageplantsandtheweatherisfavourable,thecolonyexpands.

Catcher box Isasmallhivewithabout4to5frames/barsusedtotrappassingswarms.

Centrifuge extractor Itisamachineusedtoextracthoneyfromcombs.

CombThisisahangingstructurebuiltbybeesoutofbeewaxusedforrearingbroodandstoringhoneyandpollen.

Comb Knife Usedtocutoffhoneycombfromatopbaroralocalhive.

DearthIsaseasonwhennotmuchnectarisbeingcollectedduetobadweatherandpoorforage.

Frame hiveAhivewhichcontainsframese.g.Langstroth,Dadant,andSmith.Theyallrecognizetheimportanceofbeespaceandusemovable-framesasshowninfigure.


HiveThisisaman-madecontainerornaturalcavityorhollowinatree/groundmodifiedbymaninwhichacolonylives.

Hive BaitingThisisaactofattractingbeesintoahivebyusingbeattractantssuchasbeeswax,propolisoranyothersuitablematerial.

Hive InspectionOpeningthehiveandobservingwhatisgoingoninsidethehiveandalsowhatisgoingonoutsidethehive.

Hive ToolUsedtoopenthehiveandloosenthebarsorframesthatarestucktogetherwithpropolis.

HoneyAsweetviscousfluidmadebybeesfromNectarorhoneydewandstoredincombs.

Honey Bee ColonyAcolonyisagroupofhoneybeeslivingtogethercomprisingofaqueen,dronesandworkers.

Honey flow Isaseasonwhenmanyplantsprovidenectarandfloweratthesametime.

Honey processing Isthegettingofhoneyoutofthecomb.

Honey Refractometer Aninstrumentusedtomeasurethemoisturecontentofhoney.

Modern processing methods

Usingequipment(Honeypress,Stainlesssteeltanksetc)toprocessthehoney.

NectorThesweetfluidsecretedbynectariesofplantscommonlyinflowersthathelpsattractbeesandistherawmaterialfromwhichhoneyismade.

PropolisIsahiveproductmadebybeesfromresinoussubstancespickedfromplants.Itisusedtosealcracksinthehiveandtoreducehiveentrancewhennecessary.

Pollen Aregrainsproducedbyflowersandareusedasfoodforbees.

Royal jellyNutritioussubstanceproducedbyyoungworkerbeestofeedtheyounglarvaeandqueen.

Siting hive Isplacinghivesinasuitableplace.

Solar wax extractor Equipmentforextractingwaxusingsunshine.

Top Bar HiveAdesignofahivewithbarsontop.Top-barhivesaretransitionalhivesbetweenthetraditionalhivesandtheframehives.

Traditional hiveIsahivewhichismadeoutoflocalmaterialsavailableinanylocatione.g.loghive,claypothives,gourdhives,barkhives,orwoventwigsandmudbaskethives.

Watering bees Thisisprovisionofwaterinanapiary.

Queen Excluder Adeviceforconviningthequeentoaparticularsectionofthehive.


Appendix

Appendix 1:

The regions and districts where the beekeeping training and extension literature was collected:

Region N0. Districts

Northern and West Nile

1 Nakasongola

2 Lira

3 Adjumani

4 Moyo

5 Yumbe

6 Arua

7 Nebbi

8 Luweero

Eastern

9 Mbale

10 Sironko

11 Kapchorwa

12 Bukedea

13 Soroti

North Western & South Western

14 Masindi

15 Hoima

16 Kibaale

17 Kabarole

18 Kasese

19 Bushenyi

20 Mbarara

21 Masaka


Appendix 2:

Attendance list in the retreat to produce the first draft:

S/No. NAMESDISTRICT/ORGANIZATION

DESIGNATIONCONTACT(TEL/E-MAIL)

1 RamseyOwotNakasongolaApicultureCentre

Director0772495672

[email protected]

2 GeorgeAyoOgwalLiraDistrictLocalGovernment

SeniorEntomologist

0772872274

[email protected]

3 KyaligonzaPeterBusiaDistrictLocalGovernment

Entomologist07725552280

[email protected]

4 NdyabaremaRobert TUNADOExecutiveDirector

0712417452

[email protected]

5 AgapitusKatoMukonoDistrictLocalGovernment

SeniorEntomologist

0772985698

[email protected]

6 KabbaleFredrickKamuliDistrictLocalGovernment

Entomologist0772482119

[email protected]

7 KadduJohnWakisoDistrict/KadduJohnBeeEquipments

Technicalpersonnel

0712567395/0784368998

[email protected]

8 KangaveAlice MAAIFPrincipalEntomologist

0712273059

[email protected]

9ButeleCosmasAlfred

MAAIFSeniorEntomologist

0772994665

[email protected]

10 KanyikeCharles NakasongolaSeniorEntomologist

0772340468

11 BisaseG. KampalaFarmer/processor

0712844956


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MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIESPlot5KyadondoRoad,Nakasero.LegacyTowers,BlockA.

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