“Days four through 12 will be videotaped, so that any students who are unable to attend all class sessions can still obtain the desired training online,” he explained. The cost is $75; enrollment is limited to 15. Call Kimbrough at
The Big Island Beekeepers Association (BIBA) will host a hands-on training class in February for existing and new beekeepers interested in learning how to raise bee hives more resistant to the pests that are decimating bee populations throughout the state.
“In Hawaii we are not allowed to import bees from off island, so we must develop techniques here that will result in stronger hives that are more capable of defending themselves against the pests that are destroying bee populations throughout the state,” said BIBA President Val Kimbrough.
“This training course is critical in that regard, as bees that exhibit hygienic behavior are more capable of defending their hives against predatory pests.”
The BIBA Hygienic Queen Selection class will be taught by master beekeeper Jeff Ritchie of Winding Road Apiaries in North Carolina. The class will be held in the Pahoa area from Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Sunday, Feb. 19.
Opening day offers eight hours on orientation, hygienic testing of colonies, setting up cell builders; Feb. 9, eight hours on identifying hygienic bees, grafting from the best; Feb. 10, two and a half hours, check grafts/cull cells; days four through eight, Feb. 11-15, two hours, feed cell builders if necessary and check for webbing in cell bars; Feb. 16, two hours on make-up mating nuclei at selected yards; Feb. 17, one hour, feed nuclei if needed; Feb. 18, two hours to pull grafted cells from cell builders and put in incubators, check mating nuclei for queen cells and destroy; Feb. 19, two hours, place grafted cells into mating nuclei (14-16 days later, check for mated queens).
“Due to the duration of this course, it may not be possible for all students to attend all days,” said Kimbrough. Days one through three should be considered mandatory. Days four through 12 are recommended for existing beekeeper/yard owners, but all enrolled students are welcome.
“Days four through 12 will be videotaped, so that any students who are unable to attend all class sessions can still obtain the desired training online,” he explained. The cost is $75; enrollment is limited to 15. Call Kimbrough at 769-1320.
