A fantastic Stingless Bee workshop was run by Toby from Sugarbag Bees at the Kumbartcho Environmental Centre at Eatons Hill Qld.

There were plenty of challenges presented to Toby throughout the day, including.. the heat!!! …  quiet hive numbers for planned splits, possible hive disease and low amounts of honey from a harvest which was intended to feed the attendees.

It was a great day with plenty of information being shared and even having difficult challenges during the day may have been a good thing because it gave the opportunity for new bee keepers to see what they may come across and the correct action to take.

Toby presenting the info session to start off the workshop…

The first hive split demonstration for the day…

The top section (painted white) is one of Tim Heards original boxes, Hive No. 7. Made from Plywood walls and a Pine top which is 25 years old.

Below – Toby brought along this Hockingsi hive. After opening it he felt it wasn’t suitable for splitting because of low bee numbers so he put it back together. A great choice to show everyone that if the hive is not ready then it shouldn’t be split.

Below – Hockingsi Hive – a bit of space beside the brood …

Below – The crowd outside while Toby opens a Tetragonula Carbonaria hive…

Showing the brood. This brood had a lot of Brood Shot – missing brood cells…

Below – A healthy looking hive apart from the possible bacteria problem so may be in the early stages…

Below – Pointing to dark larvae. This is a suspected bacteria problem. Samples were taken for testing and the hive was put back together and will be monitored. Be aware – not alarmed – more info on Shanks Brood Disease

Below – The Honey Harvest. Unfortunately there wasn’t much honey! .. and in the words of Toby on the day “That’s Beekeeping!” – meaning some things don’t always go as planned.

More Stingless Bee Workshops can be found on the Sugarbag website – http://sugarbag.net/

Below – The presentation table. Books, Posters and Boxes available to purchase…