Bee Training

Bees are best removed by properly trained bee removers. It is recommended that bee removers as members of BRASA are properly trained by a reputable, experienced apiarist

Keeping Bees

Are there any By-Laws for keeping bees?:

Although poorly enforced, owning and cultivating bees requires a permit from local government authorising the activity. The following is an example of the by-laws in Johannesburg.

The keeping of bees in the Johannesburg Metropolitan area is controlled by the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Public Health By-Laws, (Provincial Gazette Extraordinary No 179 dated 21 May 2004, Notice 830 of 2004).

The General Provisions for the keeping of bees is as follows:

Every bee hive must be situated

a minimum of five metres from any boundary of the premises; and

a minimum of twenty metres from any public place or building used for human habitation or from any place used for the keeping of animals, poultry and birds;

The bees must be kept in an approved bee hive; and the bee hive must be

kept in an area inaccessible to children and animals;

kept in the shade at all times;

and supplied with a source of drinking water within five metres of the hive.

No person may dump or deposit any garbage, compost, grass cuttings or manure within five metres of any bee hive.

How does one transfer bees into a hive?

Bees are not aggressive creatures by nature and they can be moved into a new hive with relative ease. it is however best to let a professional do this for you as they will have the right equipment and protective clothing. Below is a short video showing how bees can sometimes be moved into a hive.

DO NOT TRY THIS YOURSELF

Trainers

Before embarking on removing bees or keeping them as a means of income, it is important that training is given and the beekeeper or remover is sufficiently trained so that any operations involvng bees can take place safely and humanely. There are various training course available country wide where the delegates are taught about all aspects of bee-keeping including the removing of honey and the various pests from which bee colonies can suffer.

The following apiarists off training in the field of bee keeping and are recommended by BRASA:

Beehives.co.za

http://www.beehives.co.za

Bee keeping course for beginners, a full day course which includes lunch and working in the apiary for an hour.

Beequipment SA

http://www.beequip.co.za

Based in Randpark Ridge, courses are run on a monthly basis and delegate numbers are restricted to enable personal supervision and delegate participation.

Beeware.co.za

http://www.beeware.co.za/easybuzzingbeecourse.html

Bees, honey and beekeeping equipment, also provide regular one day training courses in which the delegate is not only taught the theory but gains about 2hours practical experience working with the hives in the field.

Menno's apiaries

http://www.mennosbees.com/education.html

Menno's apiaries give lectures at schools and welcome visitors to their blog page or you are welcome to visit the premises for assistance and information.