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7/27/2019 McMullan-Beekeeping Basics.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/mcmullan-beekeeping-basicspdf 1/9
Houston Urban Food Production Conference
BEEKEEPINGBASICS
Presented by
Jeff McMullanFort Bend Beekeepers Association
Beekeeping Rule No.1
BE SAFEAROUND BEES!
BEWARE OF STING ALLERGIES!
seek medical attention i f …..
- stung many times- difficulty breathing- reaction away from the sting
BEESAFE • honey bees as pollinators impact U. S.
agricultural crops valued at $15 billion peryear
Honey bee facts….
7/27/2019 McMullan-Beekeeping Basics.pdf
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• pests, disease and pesticides have decimatedferal honey bee colonies in many areas
• Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the termgiven to the loss of many managed colonies
Honey bee facts….
THE HONEYBEE COLONY
The Honey Bee Queen
• colony has a single queen
• may live five years or even more
• largest bee in the colony
• may lay 1,500 or more eggs per day
• emits chemical scents (pheromones) that
regulate the colony unity
• attendants are vital
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• females with undeveloped ovaries
• most of colony’s population• smaller abdomen than the queen
• barbed stinger
• life span of only six weeks during active season
The Honey Bee Worker
Foraging
• nectar for honey
• pollen (protein)
• water
• resins for propolis
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The Honeybee Drone
• only role is as mating partner
• large barrel shape• huge eyes
• develops from unfertilized egg
• haploid (one set of chromosomes)
• no stinger
• accepted and cared for by (any) colony’sworkers
• ejected from hive at the end of the season
The Honey Bee Hive
• the Queen
• 60,000 or so female workers
• a few hundred male drones
• comb constructed of beeswax
• immature brood
• stores of nectar, honey and pollen
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pupae
larvae
eggs
adult
HONEY BEE BROOD: COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS
stores of nectar and honey
stores of pollen (“bee bread”)
Propolis
The Keepingof Bees
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hive stand
bottom board
deep brood
medium brood
telescoping cover (and inner cover)
medium supers
Foundation and Frames
• foundation
– deep (8 1/2” x 16 3/4” )
– medium (5 5/8” x 16 3/4” )
– shallow (4 3/4” x 16 3/4” )
Colony Placement
• easy maintenance
• easy access
• hive stand• safe, discrete
• full sun
• cleansing flights
• water source
• barriers…up and away
Where can I get bees?
• buy packaged bees
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Where can I get bees?
• buy packaged bees• buy active hives (or nucs)• “ split” an existing hive• captured swarms
Where can I get bees?
• buy packaged bees
• buy active hives (or nucs)• “split” an existing hive
• captured swarms
• colony removal (“cutouts”)
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Beekeeper Gear
• protective clothing
• smoker • tools and gadgets
Honeybee Pests and Disease
• honeybees are susceptible to a number of
diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungus
and even protozoans
• parasites and hive pests cause serious
problems
Integrated Pest Management
that are causing o r likely to cause
SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.
to control
IDENTIFIED PESTS
Use
LEAST TOXIC MEANS
Managing Pests and Disease
– chemical pesticides, antibiotics, etc.
– beekeeping equipment and practi ces
– biological control
– genetic selection
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Rewards of Beekeeping
Beekeeping Rule No.1
BE SAFEAROUND BEES!
Houston Urban Food Production Conference
BEEKEEPINGBASICS
Presented by
Jeff McMullanFort Bend Beekeepers Association