Washington State Beekeepers Association Beginning Beekeepers Course

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About Course

The Washington State Beekeepers Association’s five-week Beginning Beekeepers Course introduces students to the fundamentals of hobbyist beekeeping before they invest the time, effort, and money required to establish an apiary.

Students will learn about honey bees, responsible colony management, seasonal responsibilities, equipment, and startup costs. The course also explores the importance of pollinators to our food supply, the benefits of sustainable beekeeping, and the possibility of harvesting surplus honey.

Successful beekeeping requires ongoing learning and attention at specific times throughout the year. This course will help students understand those commitments, make informed decisions, and begin developing the knowledge and skills needed for a positive beekeeping experience. Students are also encouraged to seek continued support from local associations, experienced beekeepers, and reputable suppliers.

 
 
 
 
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What Will You Learn?

  • Students will learn about honey bees, responsible colony management, seasonal responsibilities, equipment, and startup costs. The course also explores the importance of pollinators to our food supply, the benefits of sustainable beekeeping, and the possibility of harvesting surplus honey.

Course Content

Week One
In Week One of the Washington State Beekeepers Association course, students will learn the basic equipment and preparation needed to begin keeping bees successfully. Chapter 1 introduces common types of beehives, protective clothing, and essential beekeeping tools. Students will also learn how to choose a suitable apiary location and why maintaining a bee log or journal is important for tracking inspections, colony conditions, and the progress of each hive. Chapter 3 covers supplemental feeding and its importance when natural food sources are limited. Because package bees often arrive in early spring, students should be prepared to provide feed when needed. This chapter explains the different types of feeders and feed, when supplemental feeding may be necessary, and how to determine whether a colony needs additional nutrition. By the end of Week One, students should understand how to prepare their equipment and apiary site, maintain accurate hive records, and provide supplemental feed to support a new or established colony.

Week Two
In Week Two of the Washington State Beekeepers Association course, students will learn about honey bees and how to establish a new colony successfully. The lessons provide a brief history of honey bees in the United States and introduce common honey bee breeds and strains. Students will learn when and where to order bees, how to locate local suppliers, and the different ways a beekeeper can acquire a colony. Week Two also introduces the three castes of honey bees—workers, drones, and the queen—and explains the important role each plays within the colony. Students will also learn the basics of honey bee anatomy and how a bee’s physical features support its work and survival. Finally, students will learn how to install both nucleus colonies (NUCs) and package bees into their hives and how to care for a newly installed colony as it becomes established. Chapter 3 – Supplemental Feed The importance of providing supplemental feed at certain times is one of the topics that a beginning beekeeper has the most questions about. Since one of the times when supplemental feed is necessary is when package bees arrive in the early spring, the beginning beekeeper needs to be ready to feed their bees. This chapter discusses what kinds of feeders are available to use, what kind of feed to supply when to provide supplemental feed, and how to know if supplemental feed is necessary.

Week Three 
In Week Three of the Washington State Beekeepers Association course, students will learn how to observe and inspect a honey bee colony. The lessons explain what to look for outside and inside the hive, when to conduct hive inspections, and how to determine when the colony needs additional space. Students will also learn about swarming—the honey bee colony’s natural method of reproduction. A swarm occurs when a group of bees leaves the hive with the original queen to establish a new colony. The lessons discuss the conditions that can lead to swarming, how beekeepers can recognize the warning signs, and what steps to take to catch and safely house a swarm.

Week Four
In Week Four of the Washington State Beekeepers Association course, students will learn about the honey flow and the food sources honey bees need during the foraging season. The lessons explain how to recognize when a honey flow begins, how to determine when it has ended, and why understanding local bloom times and nectar-producing plants is important. Students are encouraged to use the knowledge of local beekeeping associations and experienced beekeepers to learn which flowers bloom in their area, when they bloom, and how much nectar they may provide. Week Four also explains how much honey a healthy colony needs to keep for successful overwintering. Students will learn how to evaluate a colony’s stored honey and determine whether the hive has produced a true surplus that can be safely harvested without placing the bees at risk.

Week Five
In Week Five of the Washington State Beekeepers Association course, students will learn how to prepare their honey bee colonies for winter and recognize common pests and diseases. Chapter 9 explains the steps necessary for successful overwintering, including evaluating colony strength, merging weak colonies when appropriate, providing supplemental feed, and protecting hives from winter weather. Students will also learn about the winter cluster and what they may observe when inspecting their colonies in the spring. Chapter 10 provides an introductory overview of the pests and diseases commonly encountered by beekeepers in Washington State. Students will learn to recognize potential problems and become familiar with basic prevention, remediation, and treatment options. Because correctly identifying colony problems can be challenging, beginning beekeepers are encouraged to work with a mentor and participate in a local beekeeping association. These relationships can help students distinguish between normal colony conditions and problems that require attention.

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