This is the book that the DPI uses in its beginner beekeeping courses. It contains a set of simple, easy-to-follow chapters for those who are new to beekeeping, with step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and colour pictures. Information includes modules on using a smoker, buying equipment, catching swarms, maintaining hives, removing and extracting honey, identifying and managing pests, and working safely with bees. 114 full-colour A4 pages.

Table of contents:

• Introduction
• General safety precautions
• Quality assurance
• Select bee site
• Assemble and maintain a hive
• Obtaining bees
• Light and extinguish a bee smoker
• Open, inspect, and close a hive
• Move a hive
• Seasonal management
• Catch a swarm
• Requeen
• Identify flora for honey production
• Judging field conditions
• Remove honey
• Extract honey
• Legal considerations for an apiary
• Health problems and pests in the hive
• Reducing swarming behaviour
• Buying second-hand hives and equipment
• Industry structure and contacts
• Background knowledge
• Glossary
• Safe work method statements
• Check your skills