Best Management Practices (BMPs)

1
Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Beekeepers
Pollinating Agricultural Crops

elearning modules
2
Module 2 Best Management Practices for Hive
Maintenance/Equipment

3
Beekeepers agree that the most important
piece of equipment in the apiary is the
beehive, the home of the honey bee.

Lets look at some of the ways we can maintain
this equipment that is found housed in
apiaries (bee yards).
4
The following three areas are most critical to
our equipment care

• hive maintenance
• hygiene
• hive security

5
Hive Maintenance
Can we extend the life and quality of our
current equipment? Does it make sense to
always buy new? Does this mean I have to work
harder during the peak season?

6
Hive Maintenance

What are some smart moves we beekeepers can
make to keep our equipment well- maintained?
7
Hive Maintenance
Start by being observant. Look around your
apiary. Inspect your equipment regularly.

Just what are we looking for?
8
Hive Maintenance
Look for rotten, loose or broken boards,
broken frames, covers, or bottoms
damaged entrance reducers or
excluders weathered paint.

OK. We found some damaged equipment. What do we
do now?
9
Hive Maintenance
Reconstruct, tighten, or replace hive bodies,
supers, frames and other parts. Should I do
this during summer?

10
Hive Maintenance
Use your time efficiently! Take advantage of
the slow winter months to do maintenance and
prepare for the upcoming season.

Also during the off-season, paint your
equipment with light colors to help beat the
summer heat and preserve the wood.
11
Hive Maintenance
Remember, just a little effort goes a long way
in keeping costs down and prevents you from
being forced to spend your hard earned money
on brand new equipment!

12
Equipment Maintenance
While we are at it, what about
checking our bee attire and inspecting our
essential two pieces of equipment.

Can you guess what I am referring to?
13
Equipment Maintenance
Bee suits, veils, gloves, smoker and hive tools

14
Equipment Maintenance
Remember to inspect and maintain trucks,
trailers, loaders, forklifts and bunkhouses, if
applicable.

15
Equipment Maintenance
Weve covered lots of equipment

Did we miss anything?
16
Equipment Care what have we missed?
These pictures symbolize two more points

• Keep your apiary trash free
• 2. Practice fire safety when using a bee smoker.

17
Weve learned the importance of maintaining the
hive equipment.

Now lets look at hygiene and security!
18
Hygiene
Practice good hygiene with hands, gloves, hive
tools and other equipment to reduce the
transmission of pathogens between colonies.
What is a pathogen?

19
Hygiene
A pathogen is an infectious agent, germ or
microbe such as a bacteria, virus or fungus.

What other steps can be taken to reduce or
eliminate these pathogens?
20
Hygiene
Replace old comb with new foundation to
minimize residual chemicals in old wax and
prevent the spread of disease.

Develop a comb replacement schedule.
21
Hygiene
Finally, if you purchase used equipment,
purchase equipment only if it has a history of
clean health and you know the source. One
final topic to go for now hive security.

22
Hive Security
Be aware that the probability of hive theft
has increased with the increased value of
pollinating crops.

Can you think of any of the four methods we
should use to prevent these thefts from
occurring?
23
Hive Security
1. Keep equipment simple to identify.

2. ID hives with a brand or name.

• Secure a signed contract
• when entering into a wintering deal.

4. Practice discretion when showing where
your yards are located.
24
The Beekeepers Goal
Weve learned the following

• Keep equipment in good condition.
• Good maintenance prolongs the life of hive
• parts, clothing, vehicles and other
  equipment.
• Good hygiene reduces the incidences of pests
• and diseases.
• Hive security can minimize economic losses.
  

25
www.ProjectApism.org
Any questions? Want more information? Email
ProjectApis_at_gmail.com Visit www.ProjectApism.org