Improver's 1 day course

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Bee a better beekeeper

learn about swarm control, queenlessness, varroa control and winter feeding

Bee a better beekeeper


This refresher day aims to equip you to deal successfully with the main causes of colony losses:-


  • Swarming
  • Ineffective varroa control
  • Winter starvation.
  •  Queenlessness and queen problems


Presentations, practical apiary activities and acting out scenarios using empty hives are used as teaching methods. We firstly help you differentiate between swarm cells, supersedure cells and emergency queen cells and explain what the bees are trying to do and a course of action for each, with a successful outcome for you. We then practically explore the pros and cons of two easy to follow preventative methods to delay the onset of swarm preparation and then practice two reliable practical methods of "switching off" the swarming impulse in colonies that have already started preparations to swarm. 


You will learn how to rescue a queenless colony or a colony with a drone-laying queen by using a second colony to rear a spare queen and if you wish, produce a spare nucleus colony and make an increase. Lastly we will explore effective varroa control and feeding to prevent winter starvation.

Course content

  • Inspections, what are we looking for?
  • Identifying the type of queen cells
  • Pre-emptive swarm control 
  • Switching off the swarming impulse
  • Producing replacement queens
  • Successful varroa control
  • Effective autumn feeding


  • This is an all-weather one-day course
  • Cost, £90 per person
  • maximum 4 persons.
  •   10:00 - 16:30 
  • Use of protective clothing included.
  • Printed folder of notes to accompany the course and links to further reading available on request.
  • Call, text or email to check availability or to purchase.
  • Invitation to join private Whatspp group for on-going support.
  • Gift vouchers available for this experience.


Dates for 2024  April 13, 5 May or on request - suggest a date


How to book

  1. Choose a suitable dates.
  2. Check availability by clicking on this Availability Enquiry link.
  3. We will confirm availability or suggest alternative dates by email.
  4. A non-returnable deposit of £30 per person is required to secure a place on a course or experience.
  5. Payment can be made  by online banking to Starling Bank account No. 48221226, sort code 608371, Business account name Dafydd Jones. Please use your name as reference.
  6. Alternatively call 07816 188573 to pay by card.
  7. The balance of £60 per person can be paid by card on arrival.


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