3.0 PRACTICE OF BEEKEEPING
The candidate will be:
3.1 able to give an elementary description of how to set up an apiary;
NOTES
Setting up an apiary requires consideration of the needs of the bees, the needs of the beekeeper and any possible impact to the surrounding area of the apiary site.
The bees require a sheltered home with adequate food (and water) supplies available. They do not like damp conditions or vibrations. They can tolerate cold, but a sunny position (especially in Scotland) would be preferable. Shelter from the prevailing wind would be ideal. It is said that positioning hives directly under trees is not a good idea (“bees in a wood never did any good”).
The beekeeper requires easy access to the hives, a site where a vehicle can be driven nearby to deliver equipment would be highly desirable.
The site should be fairly level (not on a steep slope) with enough space for the beekeeper to work around the hives. Stable and level platforms should be provided to place hives on. If space allows, the hives should be placed irregularly, not in neat rows, this avoids problems of drifting and robbing.
Discussion with neighbours of the apiary should be done before setting it up, to ensure there are no objections, and to give contact details if problems occur in the future.
Care should be taken to minimise the possibility of people (or animals) being stung or even coming into contact with the bees. Screening with hedges, fences or similar should be done where the likely flight paths of bees might interfere with people or livestock. A barrier (like a hedge) close to the front of a hive will cause the bees to fly up and away from neighbours. If the apiary is close to livestock it should be securely fenced to avoid animals bumping the hives.