Instructor: Master Beekeeper, Regina Rhoa

This course is designed for beekeepers who have completed the beginner classes OR with at least 1 year of experience,  Below is a rough outline of the course materials.  So that the beekeepers can prepare for the following month, the materials are presented a month in advance of when activities are usually needed.  However, since we will all be experienced beekeepers, the material will be altered to reflect the participants needs.  Seasonally relevant questions will be welcome.  When we visit the club’s beehives each beekeeper is required to wear a veil.  

When:   6 pm to 9 pm.   

Where: Montgomery County 4H Center.

Cost: $120 per person / $180 per couple for MCBA members;  $150 per person / $210 per couple for non-MCBA members. 

Class size is limited and enrollment will be allotted on a first to register-first enrolled basis. 

Course Outline:

March 25, 2025

• ·       Dead out and colony forensics
• ·       Swarm Management
• ·       Making splits and nucs
• ·       Building equipment and frames
• ·       Spring feeding

April 22, 2025

• ·       Honey Bee Biology
• ·       Varroa management
• ·       Pest and Pathogens
• ·       Building Comb- How to maximize wax production
• ·       Maximizing Honey Production

May 27, 2025

• ·       Nectar/Pollen producing plants
• ·       Flower Morphology
• ·       Rendering Wax
• ·       Honey Bee Nutrition
• ·       Sting Reaction

June 24, 2025

• ·       Harvesting honey
• ·       Products of the Hive and How to Make Money
• ·       Integrated Pest Management
• ·       Varroa monitoring after removing honey

July 22, 2025

• ·       Different honey bee races
• ·       Native pollinators
• ·       Wasps and hornets
• ·       Other pests

August - no meeting

September 23, 2025

• ·       Fall and Winter Management
• ·       Winter Hive Pests
• ·       Winter feeding