Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan to select and establish an apiary site
- Criteria for selecting a site are established.
- Suitable locality in which to search for site is identified.
- Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and checked prior to use.
- Tools and equipment required to select and establish an apiary site are selected and checked prior to use.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with selecting and establishing an apiary site are identified and actions are taken to minimise risk to self and others.
- Select the apiary site
- Detailed information about potential sites in selected locality is gathered and analysed using site selection criteria.
- Capacity of available flora to support desired number of hives at site is determined.
- Most suitable site(s) is selected.
- Precise area(s) within site to place hives is selected taking into account proximity to flora, water, gates, stockyards and movement of the sun.
- Permission to locate beehives at site is obtained from land owner or manager.
- Establish the apiary at the selected sit
- Access of bees to floral sources and water is monitored and hives are repositioned as required or a new site is sought.
- Where required, supplementary feeds of nectar and/or protein substitutes are provided at concentration and frequency required by bees to obtain desired results.
- Results of inspections and any remedial action taken are recorded and used as basis for future beekeeping operations.