Winterizing and Feeding Bees

A detail photograph of honey bees on honeycomb.Instructor: David Zachary

Location: Sycamore Building, 7105

This course is a fun and instructive 4-week course is designed for individuals interested in knowing the requirements for building and maintaining various feeders for over-wintering bee colonies. Prior knowledge about honeybees and beehives IS required. Prior knowledge of power tools and equipment is helpful, but not required. Subjects covered will include hive equipment, tools, protective clothing, insulating colonies and how to winterize colonies. In addition, students will receive practical experience with constructing a candy board, making sugar-candy, and insulating colonies in the HCC Apiary. 

Students are responsible for all supplies and materials, and must be purchased from outside sources. (Students cannot purchase supplies, materials, and/or books from the instructor.)    

Supplies: Textbook(s): (Optional textbook):
Flottum, Kim. The Backyard Beekeeper, 4th Edition: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and Garden, Beverly, MA: Quarto Publishing Group, 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1-63159-332-1

Materials/Supplies list: Pen and notebook and: Students MUST bring the following items to conduct proper apiary inspections and installation of
equipment. This Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is REQUIRED for all apiary visits. See
suggestions below:
1. Bee Suit OR Jacket with veil (one each, sized accordingly).
2. Protective Gloves (one pair, sized accordingly). Ventilated Gloves Goatskin Leather, Ventilated
Sleeve Elastic Cuff – one each or Nitrile version.
3. Smoker and Hive tools for colony inspections.


INSTRUCTOR’S NOTES
HCC has a selection of hand tools; however, students may bring their own tools to use during the course. A canvas or leather shop apron is not required, but I highly suggest that if you own one, then bring it to class to protect your clothing. Review the Course Safety section above. Students need to bring a writing pad for taking notes and a graphing pad would be a plus too.

NOTES:
1. Students must purchase and bring the following items for this course:
a. (1) – Pine board, 1” x 8” x 8 FT (ensure it is straight)
b. (1) – Box, Power Pro #8 x 1-3/4-in Yellow Zinc Interior Wood Screws (75-Per Box). See Lowe’s item #755715, https://www.lowes.com/pd/Power-Pro-8-x-1-3-4-in-Yellow-Zinc-Flat-Interior-Wood-Screws-75-Count/999979418
c. (1) 24” wide by 17” long hardware cloth #8 mesh (per candy board). Available at Ace Hardware (Lake Junaluska)
d. (1) – Razor knife for cutting insulation

Dates Day Time Cost Section Register By Registration Link
10/4/24-10/25/24 Fridays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. $102.25   9/28/24 Register

 

How to Register by Email:
  1. Download Creative Arts Registration Form (Form must be fully completed to be accepted)
  2. Email completed form to ajclark@haywood.edu.
  3. If you are registering through email please await a Successful Confirmation Registration Email.
    This service is only available to those that register by email. 

How to Register in Person:
Please visit Student Services Department on the top floor of the Hemlock Building at
185 Freedlander Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.