Guidelines for keeping bees in Queensland
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Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Queensland
Guidelines for keeping bees in© The State of Queensland, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, 2011. Except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this work may in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any other means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be broadcast or transmitted without the prior written permission of the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The copyright owner shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility for losses, damages, costs and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 2
Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Definitions 5 Industry profile 6 Requirements under the Apiaries Act 1982 7 Good beekeeping practices 8 Transportation of hives 12 Acknowledgements 12 Suggested reading and contacts 13 Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 3
Introduction
Honeybees not only produce honey, but play a vital role in the balance of nature, especially the
pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops and the house garden. Pollination is important for
the viability of many pastoral enterprises, market gardens, orchards and seed industries. Our
favourite foods such as apples, avocados, stone fruits, melons and citrus fruits are either highly
dependent on, or greatly benefit from, honeybee pollination. It has been estimated that honeybees
add $1.6 billion to the Australian agricultural and horticultural industries.
Beekeeping is becoming increasingly popular in towns and cities throughout Queensland with over
3,000 households registering hives. This provides honey for home consumption, enjoyment in
watching these highly social creatures and the opportunity to join an amateur beekeeping group.
However, honeybees possess a sting and therefore require proper and responsible management
so they do not create a problem for neighbours.
The purpose of these guidelines is to form a reference and standard for the management of
beekeeping in Queensland by providing:
a minimum standard to which beekeepers should comply
community confidence in the safety of beekeeping activities
a guide for the prevention and resolution of complaints
the prescription for harmonious cooperation between beekeepers and other land occupiers
and ensuring that the keeping of honey bees does not have a negative impact on people,
property, domestic animals or native flora and fauna
Under the Apiaries Act 1982 appointed government apiary officers have the power to remove
troublesome hives or apiaries.
Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 4Definitions Apiarist or beekeeper – a person keeping bees Apiary – a group of one or more European honeybee hives Apiary site or bee site – the premises where an apiary is situated Apiculture or beekeeping – the management of bees and beehives for production of honey or related purpose Beehive – see hive definition Bee sting – Injury sustained and inflicted by a worker honey bee Brand – see HIN definition Flight path – the route taken by foraging worker bees when leaving from or returning to their hive Foraging bees – worker bees seeking out and collecting food and water for their hive; bees naturally forage at flowers for nectar and pollen supplies. (If there is a low natural supply, bees may seek alternative sources, e.g. stock feed) HIN – Hive identification number. Unique identification code issued by DEEDI to each registered apiarist in Queensland; used to mark ownership of frames and hives Hive – a structure housing a colony of bees Honeybee comb – removable frames supporting wax cells that contain honey, pollen, and/or brood (eggs, larvae, pupae) Honey flow – the gathering of nectar from flora by bees for conversion into honey Honey extraction – the removal of honey from combs Package bees – a number of adult worker bees, with or without a queen, contained in a ventilated shipping cage Pollination – plant fertilisation, achieved by the transfer of pollen by bees from anthers to stigmas of flowers Queen raising yard – a site or property where queen bees are raised Robber bees – worker bees attempting to gather stored or spilt honey Strong hive – a populous honeybee colony Super – box containing frames Swarm – cluster or flying mass of bees including workers, queen and drones Water supply – a natural or man-made water supply accessed by bees Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 5
Industry profile
There were 3,118 registered beekeepers in Queensland as of August 2011.
Annual honey production in Queensland is approximately 8,400 tonnes which represents 17%
of the total Australian crop.
Average annual honey production per hive is 70 kg.
Commercial apiaries can often have 100 to 120 hives at one particular site.
A viable commercial honey-producing operation is assumed to operate a minimum of 400 hives.
Pollination-based enterprises can have fewer hives.
Table 1. Registered beekeepers by groups as of August 2011
Apiary Beekeeper/Hive Statistics
Number of Beekeepers per % of beekeepers Number of % of
hives group hives hives
0 119 3.82% 0 0.00%
1–4 1496 47.98% 3190 2.76%
5 – 24 940 30.15% 9832 8.52%
25 – 49 227 7.28% 7696 6.67%
50 – 99 111 3.56% 7436 6.44%
100 – 249 120 3.85% 17879 15.49%
250 – 499 53 1.70% 19473 16.87%
500 – 749 24 0.77% 13861 12.01%
750 – 999 12 0.38% 9970 8.64%
1000+ 16 0.51% 26110 22.62%
Total 3118 100% 115447 100%
Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 6Requirements under the Apiaries Act 1982
Registration
If you own one or more hives it is a requirement under the Apiaries Act 1982 to be registered as a
beekeeper with the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).
Registration forms are available from the Warwick DEEDI office or from the internet at
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/27_10965.htm.
Registration renewal forms are sent to registered beekeepers for return to the Warwick DEEDI
office along with the annual fee. Beekeepers who change their postal address are requested to
notify DEEDI apiary staff of their new address.
Notification of disease
It is a requirement under the Apiaries Act 1982 to notify DEEDI within 48 hours when a beekeeper
is aware of, or suspects, the existence of certain diseases in beehives or bee products. These
diseases include American foulbrood (AFB), parasitic mites, small hive beetle (SHB) and the bee
louse.
Branding of hives
Beekeepers are advised to brand all hives as proof of ownership and to assist recovery in the
event of loss or theft. Upon registration a unique registered brand (HIN) is issued to each
beekeeper. This brand is not transferable to other beekeepers. The onus is on beekeepers to
notify DEEDI when they dispose of all their bees and wish to be cancelled.
The Apiaries Regulation 1988 specify that the hive identification number (HIN) is to be no less than
25 mm high and be maintained in a legible condition. One hive in each 50 or part thereof must be
branded. The first owner’s HIN or brand must be placed in the centre of the hive. Subsequent
owners’ HINs are to be placed in a clockwise sequence starting at the top left-hand corner, as per
the diagram below.
2 3
1
5 4
The sequence for owners’ marking on the hive front
Apiary classification and distance between sites
At the time of registration beekeepers are requested to identify all of their apiary sites. This is to
allow swift, direct contact with the beekeepers if necessary. Classes of apiaries are based on hive
numbers and determine the minimum distance between apiaries.
Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 7Good beekeeping practices
Hive placement
The correct placement of hives is an important consideration for responsible beekeeping. In rural
situations, many issues should be considered to minimise impact on neighbouring properties, stock
or people; for example, a horse in a small paddock, hives adjacent to a property gate or an apiary
close to a dwelling.
In urban situations, the hives must be in a quiet area of the allotment and not directly against the
neighbouring property unless a solid fence or impenetrable vegetative barrier not less than 2 m
high forms the property boundary. Keep hives as far away from roads, footpaths and parks as
possible. In rural areas, apiaries should not be located within 50 m of an adjoining neighbour’s
dwelling or school bus stops.
Face the entrance of the hives in such a direction that bees fly across your property. If this cannot
be readily done consider placing barriers. These can be in the form of hedges or shrubs or instant
barriers consisting of shade cloth fixed to a trellis 2 to 4 m high. Bees will fly up and over these
structures and should not worry neighbours.
On warm to hot nights bees are attracted to lights, particularly fluorescent. If windows are not
screened, problems can occur so ensure a solid barrier is erected to prevent light shining on the
entrance of the hive.
Presumably the pre-issue of a permit on Crown Land or other authority would have already
covered many of the problems that may occur and a designated area will be defined on the permit.
Privately situated apiaries can pose enormous problems if placed incorrectly or overstocked. The
following considerations may minimise some of these problems.
Hives must not be within 30 m of main thoroughfare.
Apiaries should be faced away from bright light sources e.g. floodlights. A reasonable
distance from bright light sources is 100 m.
Water and grain feeds can attract high numbers of bees during floral dearth and dry times.
Alternative feed/stores and water should be available to the bees. Do not place hives near
stock feeding points.
In extreme circumstances an apiary may have to be shifted during the problem period. Regular
communication with the property owner is advisable so that any problem may be quickly rectified.
One of the primary limitations to the keeping of bees is the real or perceived interaction between
the honeybees and people who live in or use the surrounding area.
The number of hives that can be kept on a particular allotment is usually governed by local
government. Apiarists are encouraged to consult their local government in determining if and how
many hives may be kept on a premises. The following is a guide where local government laws
permit the keeping of bees but do not specify the numbers of hives that may be kept.
Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 8Recommended number of hives in relation to allotment size Allotment area Number of hives up to 400 m2 0 401–1000 m2 2 1001–2000 m2 5 2001 – 4000 m2 10 >4000 m2 To seek advice (if urban zoned) Site responsibilities Beekeepers have a responsibility to property owners when keeping bees on private lands. Correct usage not only encompasses the tangible issues such as responsible apiary maintenance and effective bee husbandry, but it also means maintaining and presenting a credible image on behalf of the industry as a whole. Important issues that should be highlighted are: appropriate arrangements for any locked gates open communication on the nature of the occupancy use of but not destruction of farm roads arrangements with the property owner regarding access to the property providing owners with a gift of honey over and above any negotiated monetary agreement do not leave any rubbish on the site Failure to observe these fundamental principles may result in irreparable damage to the relationship between owner and beekeeper. This not only affects the beekeepers at fault but also impacts on other beekeepers as well. It is also worth noting that property owners often have further links to other land holdings. Flight paths Beekeepers must locate and manage their hives to minimise the risk of interference with the general public. Fire prevention It is recommended that apiaries be mown and cleaned of debris such as branches, twigs and dead grass with a firebreak at least 2 m wide around the apiary to minimise risk to the apiary. All clearing of vegetation must take into account possible restrictions made under the Vegetation Management Act 1999 and Vegetation Management Plan 2000. Seek permission from the owner before clearing an apiary site. Grass and bush fires can destroy apiaries quickly as the components are highly combustible. The fire risk should be considered carefully when choosing prospective sites. Easy access to the apiary in a severe bush fire season is also an important factor. Check with local fire authorities, e.g. Rural Fire Brigade Division of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to find out whether fire bans are in place and the lighting of smokers prohibited. In times of fire risk, it is advisable that the bee smoker be kept in a fireproof container such as a modified 20 litre drum. Sparks escaping from the air intake at the base of the smoker are a possible source of fire. Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 9
The reporting of fires is an important community responsibility and should be acted upon immediately to minimise damage. Smokers A bee smoker is one of an apiarist’s basic tools of the trade and its use is essential for the correct manipulation of hives. A smoker is fuelled using dried grass, wood shavings, bark or hessian and is used to calm the bees. The action of smoke through the hive masks any alarm pheromone emitted by the bees. It is advisable to use smoke prior to disturbing the hive and during its manipulation. To prevent or reduce stinging it is recommended to smoke hives before mowing, slashing or using weed eaters or chainsaws in the vicinity of the hives. Water requirements Water is essential for all forms of life, including bees. As the temperature increases the number of water carriers also increases. Water is used in the hive for cooling via evaporation as well as being a vital part of the bee’s diet. The provision of water needs to be considered when placing hives as a natural source may not be suitable (stock watering) or reliable (droughted streams). If this basic requirement is overlooked or indeed disappears, bees can become a nuisance at alternative water sources e.g. taps, hose fittings or stock watering points. Bees may die from the lack of available water so water should be provided by the beekeeper. Ideally this should be as close as possible to the apiary, e.g. within 500 m. A public nuisance may also occur if bees utilising the provided water cross public spaces such as footpaths. It is advisable to set up a watering facility before locating hives to the site. Clean water should be in the capillary form. Wet gravel or a sand bed is ideal but a large drum with foam floats can also be effective. The edges of ponds or water weeds are attractive. Robbing and working hives Avoid working bees when conditions are poor, that is during cool or rainy weather or when little nectar and pollen are available. If conditions are poor and the bees start to rob they become savage and the potential for trouble increases. Beekeepers should consider their neighbours when they work bees and ensure they are not working or relaxing outdoors at the time. Try to make hive manipulations as short as possible so there is minimal disturbance to the bees. A suggested useful way of removing honey supers is to place clearer boards in the hive overnight. Clearer boards are available from beekeeping suppliers. The use of these boards is detailed in husbandry books such as the DEEDI publication by P. Warhurst and R. Goebel (2005), The Bee Book – beekeeping in Australia. Prevention of robbing by bees Robber bees are workers, usually from neighbouring hives, that appear when honey is exposed. When foraging conditions are unfavourable, robber activity increases and can be a real nuisance leading to potential hazards as the frenzy escalates. The beekeeper should not expose cappings, sticky combs or honeycombs for bees to rob. Cease hive manipulation if robbing commences. Exposing cappings or combs to robbing is an offence under the Apiaries Act 1982 and carries hefty fines. To prevent robbing, sheds and caravans used for honey extraction need to be made as bee proof as practically possible. Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 10
Hazards include: increased spread of disease, e.g. AFB spread between hives and even between apiaries unsafe working conditions for the apiarist unsafe areas for property owners and stock possible killing of one or many hives by fighting workers. Managing swarms Swarming is a natural instinct of honeybees and occurs mainly in spring to early summer. Wherever possible, swarms should be collected and domesticated in a spare hive. This will reduce the risk of them becoming a nuisance if they fly to nearby properties and establish in houses, trees or similar sites. Honeybee colonies must be managed to prevent or minimise swarming. Suitable management practices are described in books such as the DEEDI publication by P. Warhurst and R. Goebel, (2005) The Bee Book – beekeeping in Australia. A procedure known as artificial swarming can be effective in removing the swarming impulse. As the swarming season approaches, reduce the population by dividing the colony of honeybees into two or more units. The reuniting of these units can take place later in order to reduce the number of hives. Other factors such as the provision of additional supers for brood rearing and honey storage, and the replacement of old or failing queens may also reduce the swarming impulse. It should not be assumed that swarms found in the vicinity of managed hives have issued from these particular hives. Swarms issuing from other hives or feral colonies may fly into nearby managed apiaries. Capturing swarms Beekeepers should take responsibility for a swarm that has come from one of their colonies and whenever possible capture it as soon as it has formed into a cluster. Swarm enquiries are handled through the Customer Service Centre (phone 13 25 23) by referring to a list of beekeepers prepared to collect swarms in the caller’s area. Some individuals nominate a charge for this service. Docile strains of bees Honeybee colonies should be maintained with young queens of a docile strain. Docility is one of the main selection criteria along with high honey production and low likelihood to swarm. Disease and pest control Beekeepers must control pests and diseases to remain viable and not infect other beekeepers’ hives. Further information is available from Apiary Officers. Beekeepers should be cautious about mixing or purchasing hive equipment unless the disease status is known. Samples can be sent to the laboratory accompanied by the correct forms. by post to: Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory Health and Food Sciences Precinct PO Box 156 Archerfield BC Qld 4108 Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 11
or delivered to:
Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory
Health and Food Sciences Precinct
Specimen Receipt (loading Block 12)
39 Kessels Road
Coopers Plains Qld 4108
Phone: 07 3276 6062 (submission enquiries)
Transportation of hives
Beekeepers must take appropriate care when transporting hives of honeybees. All loads of hives
and supers of honey must be secured in accordance with road safety traffic laws. Beehives are
not classified as dangerous goods but when transporting stock/bees the owner has a duty of care
to community members thus putting the responsibility back on the beekeeper to prevent any loss
en route.
Refuelling or travelling through built up areas with bright street and traffic lights could cause bees
to escape and become a nuisance. Refuelling and breaks should be carefully planned prior to
departure. Hives ideally should be shifted by one of the following methods:
Open entrance transport
This is the most common way of shifting beehives.
Beehives are loaded at dusk or at night after the bees have settled.
Transport is undertaken at night and the destination is reached at night.
Bees are unloaded after arrival at night or preferably at first light the next day.
Closed entrance transport
Hives can be shifted a short distance and unloaded without being stung.
Hives must be fitted with adequate ventilation so bees don't suffocate.
Bees can be shifted in a conventional station wagon or sedan.
Hives can be closed at night after the bees clustered at the entrance are smoked and driven
inside the hive.
Shifting should be done at night when all bees are at home and when it is cooler.
Netted bee transport
Bees can be moved at anytime using nets.
Bees need to be loaded at night or dusk.
Nets will have to be secure enough to contain bees in transit and not flap in the breeze.
Bees can be shifted during daylight hours provided temperatures are not too high.
Trucks should not be parked too close to bright lights, e.g. at service stations or near phone
boxes. This will lessen the likelihood of bees becoming excited, escaping or causing a public
nuisance.
Special movement conditions apply when proposing to shift hives interstate. Details may be
obtained from DEEDI apiary officers.
Acknowledgements
These guidelines have been prepared by the beekeeping industry in consultation with the
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Biosecurity Queensland.
Their contribution together with the Victorian Code of Practice for Beekeeping is also
acknowledged.
Guidelines for Keeping Bees In Queensland 12Suggested reading and contacts
Warhurst, P. and Goebel, R. (2005). The Bee Book – beekeeping in Australia
Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Queensland.
ISSN 0727-6273. Available from DEEDI Warwick, LMB 17 Warwick Qld 4370
Fact sheets are available from DEEDI Offices or the Customer Service Centre 13 25 23
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