FAQ for Bee Education Sessions in Schools and Early Learning Centres

Q: What is a display frame of live bees?
A: A display frame is an educational tool that typically consists of a section of a beehive containing live bees, usually encased in a clear, secure frame. This allows students to observe bee behaviour and learn about the importance of bees in our ecosystem.

Q. Is it safe to have live bees in the classroom?
A: Yes, all our programs are developed by staff with extensive knowledge and experience in both the education system and the beekeeping industry. This ensures that all our equipment is child-safe and risk assessed with the supporting documents, including learning plans, supplied as apart of our educational sessions

Q. Are there any allergies or health concerns I should be aware of?
A: Before bringing a display frame of bees to the classroom, check with parents and staff for any known allergies to bee stings or honey. Please communicate any allergies with our team so everyone is well informed should an allergic reaction occur.

Q. How should I prepare the classroom for the display?
A: We can host the session in both indoor or outdoor spaces, for larger groups we love bigger spaces like indoor basketball courts or multi-purpose rooms as this allows the children to move about the hands on activities freely and with an explorative approach, especially when role-playing the career of a apiarist (beekeeper) in our child-size beekeeper suits

Q. What educational topics can be covered with a display frame?
A: Topics can include bee anatomy, life cycle, roles within the hive, pollination, the importance of bees to agriculture, and environmental conservation.

Q. How do the children interact with the live bees?
A: The display frame is a beautiful exploration of the senses, children can hear the bees buzzing through the ventilation holes (sometimes we have to pause the talk because they are buzzing so loud), they can lightly press their hand up to the transparent sides of the frame and feel the vibrations of the bees and they can smell the aroma of honey and the bees pheromone

Q. How do we book a bee display for our classroom?
A: Use the online booking system to secure a date for your classroom and a member of the Teralba Park Honey team will be in contact to confirm the booking and communicate all supporting documentation to help get your classroom ready for this amazing, hands on learning experience

FAQ for Beginner Beekeepers

Q: I’ve got a beehive and the equipment, will bees just move into my hive?

A: The chances of a swarm of bees moving into your new hive is very unlikely, this is because your hive is most likely smells like a fresh and new wooden box, not like a pollen and wax filled home, you need to purchase a full hive or a Nucleus colony (baby hive) to transfer into your box. Bees purchased from a reputable beekeeper are sold as a working colony, meaning they have a laying queen bee, nurse bees to take care of the larvae, forager bees to bring in nectar and pollen and maybe even some drones (male bees). This ensures that you have all the colony members working together in unison and, if taken care of correctly, will grow from a 5-frame Nuc colony up to a 20-frame honey-producing hive within 12-18 months

Q: Is beekeeping suitable for beginners?
A: Yes, beekeeping can be suitable for beginners, provided you are willing to learn and invest time in maximising your beekeeping journey through reading, researching, watching videos, joining a beekeeping club, finding a mentor and/or investing in a beekeeping course that is specific to your area

Q: How often should I inspect my hive?
A: Inspections are typically recommended every 3 weeks during the busy spring and summer months however there are a multitude of factors that influence that rule like weather, pests and disease like small hive beetle (SHB) who thrive in our hot and humid environment or preparing for and managing varroa mite. In the cooler period (May - July), inspections can occur less frequently as the bees prefer to not be opened up in cooler conditions

Q: What is the best time of year to start beekeeping?
A: The best time to start beekeeping in SEQ is August - December, as a general rule it is best to not expect your first hive to produce any robbable honey in the first 12 months, especially if you are growing your hive from a Nucleus colony

Q: Do I need to register my beehives?
A: Yes, in Australia, beekeepers are required to register their hives with the local agricultural authority. This helps with tracking hive health and mitigating biosecurity risks.

Q: Can I keep bees in an urban area?
A: Yes, many people successfully keep bees in urban areas, we certainly do! It's important to check with your local council as guidelines are council specific for urban beekeeping

Q: What should I do if I get stung by a bee?
A: If stung, remove the stinger as quickly as possible using a scraping motion. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling and take antihistamines if necessary. Seek medical attention if you experience severe allergic reactions.

Q: How can I help the local bee population?
A: You can help by planting bee-friendly flowers, reducing pesticide use, providing water sources, and supporting local beekeepers by purchasing local honey. Australia is also home to 2000 species of native bee pollinators, most who are solitary and live in holes in logs or nest in the ground, leaving some garden debris laying around or making a bee hotel can be a great way to support these super cool insects