Wake County Beekeepers Association

Want to learn more about becoming a beekeeper?

The WCBA will be hosting a beginner bee school on Tuesday nights, January 23 through March 19.  Classes will be from 7puntil 9pm and will be held at the Wake County Commons Building at 4011 Carya Drive, just off Poole Dr near the Raleigh Beltline.  

Cost: $75

REGISTER

What’s included: 

• Annual membership to the WCBA.  Membership benefits include monthly educational meetings, fellowship with other beekeepers, participation in the club mentoring program including assignment to an area mentor, and free use of club-owned beekeeping equipment such as honey extractors.
  
• Bound student manual to accompany class lectures
  
• Beverages and snacks provided during class

What’s NOT included:

• Class Text The Beekeeper’s Handbook by Diana Sammatoro and Alphonse Avitabile, 5th edition.  This book is recommended to be purchased by all students.  Lectures and out-of-class assignments will reference materials in this text.
  
• Membership in the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association.  Membership in the NCSBA is required to test for Certified Beekeeper.  Testing and participation in certification is voluntary. (See NCSBA website for complete info on the benefits of certification).

Class Itinerary

• Week 1- Beekeeping Basics/NC State Beekeepers Association and the Master Beekeeper Program
  
• Week 2 - All About Bees and Honey Bee Societies
  
• Week 3 - Bee life cycle and anatomy, plus honey bee communication
  
• Week 4 - Hive Equipment Workshop plus Bee Sting Prevention and Treatment (this will also be a club-wide meeting)
  
• Week 5 - Foraging and Botany
  
• Week 6 - Basic Colony Management
  
• Week 7 - Varroa Management
  
• Week 8 - Panel Q&A and varroa mite sampling workshop (this will also be a club-wide meeting)
• Week 9 - Other diseases and pests plus seasonal management