A2B2 2021 Beginner Bee School Dates & Times

  • 2/7/21 - Session 1: 10:00-12:00 (Virtual).
    • Equipment needs / season overview / bee biology
    • The organization of the hive: Life cycles and jobs
    • Hive Setup Options: Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre and Flow Hives
    • Feeders and feeding techniques

  • 2/24/21 - Zoom Session Beginner & Intermediate Combined 
    • 7:30 PM-8:30 PM
  • 3/7/21 – Session 2: 10:00-12:00 (Virtual)
    • Varroa Mites
      • Biology of the Varroa Mite
      • Developing your Varroa Strategy
      • Varroa Management Tools & Techniques
  • 3/20/21 – Build Day 10:00-4:00 (Location: 625 Avis Drive Ann Arbor 48108)
  • 4/11/21 – Session 3: 10:00-12:00 (Virtual)
  • Package Bees and Nucs: Installing your bees
  • Working at “Bee Speed”: Basic techniques for working your hive
  • Making your hive their home

 

  • 4/25/21 - Nuc Delivery/Pickup
  • 5/4/21 - Package Delivery/Pickup

 

  • 5/16/21 – Session 4: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
    • Pests and Pathogens
      • Small Hive Beetles, Wax Moths
      • The importance of Hive Strength
    • Reading the Frames
    • Comb Production: The Currency of the Hive
      • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard
  • 6/13/21 – Session 5: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
    • Honey Plants, Trees and Crops
    • Supering Techniques: What, why and when
      • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard
  • 7/11/21 – Session 6: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
    • Making Late Season Splits
    • Honey Harvesting:  Timing, Techniques and Tools
      • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard
  • 8/15/21 – Session 7: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
    • Fall Management / Disease Control / Combining Hives
      • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard
  • 9/12/21: - Session 8: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
    • Fall Management / Preparing for Winter
      • Three things to protect your bees against in winter
      • Winterizing prep and techniques
      • Signs of a strong hive ready for winter
        • 12:00-1:00 Hands on in the bee yard
  • 10/17/21: - Session 9: Lecture 10:00-11:30 at MBG (Possibly Outside)
  • Winter Management
        • Timing
        • Bees in winter
        • Early Feeding
        • Preparing for spring