A Code of Practice For Nova Scotia Beekeepers

Honey bees are a vital component of both the natural world and modem agriculture. Keeping honeybees is an ancient human tradition, providing highly prized honey and beeswax. Honey bee pollination is important for the viability of many pastoral enterprises, market gardens and orchards. In Nova Scotia, fruit growing, especially blueberry growing, is partially or completely dependant on effective pollination by honey bees.

Humans and honey bees have lived in harmony for over 7,000 years. This code recommends ways to maintain that co-operation and provides a standard for the management of bee hives which Nova Scotia beekeepers are asked to honour. By following the code and learning all they can about honey bee habits, apiarists will choose the best sites for their hives, keep their bees healthy, maintain good relations with their neighbours and comply with all the laws that govern their industry.

Bees are kept in most areas of Nova Scotia despite the province's great variability in climate, soils and vegetation. Beekeepers vary in their reasons for keeping bees and their management techniques. This code of practice is designed for all beekeepers recreation or hobbyist, part time and commercial, as well as beekeeping associated with research and educational institutions.

Location

Locate hives so flight paths avoid high pedestrian and traffic areas
Locate your apiary a reasonable distance from other apiaries.
In urban areas, locate hives adjacent to high fences or high shrubbery to keep flight paths over the heads of pedestrians.
Keep the area around you hives neat, clean of debris and leave in a clean state.

Disease

Beekeepers should be using an integrated pest management approach for the control of pests and diseases. Only recommended chemicals should be used and only in accordance with label instructions to ensure the purity of honey and the health of bees.

Beekeepers should make regular checks of their hives for disease and pests and should they require it, seek assistance from other beekeepers or from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. If unusual conditions or abnormalities are observed they should contact the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture .

Unused beekeeping equipment should be stored to minimize bee access thus reducing the potential spread of disease.

Open feeding

Beekeepers are not to provide bees with unrestricted access to containers of sugar syrup during the period May 15 to September 15.

Bee Temperament

Gentle bees are best, especially in urban areas. Requeen any hives that are too aggressive and manage your colonies to minimize the bees' defensive behaviour.

Manage colonies to minimize swarming through such techniques as providing adequate room for egg laying and regular requeening of colonies.

Water

Water should be readily available in close proximity to the apiary. This will keep bees from using watering troughs or swimming pools. When the beekeeper judges there could be a shortage of water, they should take steps to provide a source.

Protection from bears

Colonies should be fastened on pallets or protected by an electric fence where there is a potential problem of damage by bears.

Keeping up-to-date

Beekeepers should keep abreast of all industry development, changes in legislation and other management improvements both locally and federally. This can best be achieved by joining the beekeeping association, reading beekeeping journals and attending field days and meetings.

Public relations

Where possible beekeepers should advise and/or assist the public in bee situations such as swarms, bees in buildings and trees. Beekeepers should deal promptly with concerns and questions about bees and hive products.
Beekeepers should be prepared to undertake an occasional act of public relations to help the industry as a whole (e.g. addressing a school, commodity group or the general public at exhibits and fairs).

Transportation

Ensure that all loads are properly secured following Department of Transportation regulations. Move hives when bees are not flying (i.e. during darkness or in wet or cold weather).

When working with your bees park your vehicle so it does not block traffic or interfere with the landowner's use of the land. Remember to close any gates you opened.

Fire prevention

Extreme caution should be used whenever you use your smoker especially during high fire danger periods. Exercise care when lighting and extinguishing smokers and placing smokers on dry grass.

Registration

Beekeepers are required to register annually with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. This registration requirement aids in disease control, the gathering of industry statistics and in the distribution of information to beekeepers.

Marketing

Honey and pollen are food products that should be packaged in clean and appropriately marked containers.


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A Code of Practice For Nova Scotia Beekeepers Honey bees are a vital component of both the natural world and modem agriculture. Keeping honeybees is an ancient human tradition, providing highly prized honey and beeswax. Honey bee pollination is important for the viability of many pastoral enterprises, market gardens and orchards. In Nova Scotia, fruit growing, especially blueberry growing, is partially or completely dependant on effective pollination by honey bees. Humans and honey bees have lived in harmony for over 7,000 years. This code recommends ways to maintain that co-operation and provides a standard for the management of bee hives which Nova Scotia beekeepers are asked to honour. By following the code and learning all they can about honey bee habits, apiarists will choose the best sites for their hives, keep their bees healthy, maintain good relations with their neighbours and comply with all the laws that govern their industry. Bees are kept in most areas of Nova Scotia despite the province's great variability in climate, soils and vegetation. Beekeepers vary in their reasons for keeping bees and their management techniques. This code of practice is designed for all beekeepers recreation or hobbyist, part time and commercial, as well as beekeeping associated with research and educational institutions. Location Locate hives so flight paths avoid high pedestrian and traffic areas Locate your apiary a reasonable distance from other apiaries. In urban areas, locate hives adjacent to high fences or high shrubbery to keep flight paths over the heads of pedestrians. Keep the area around you hives neat, clean of debris and leave in a clean state. Disease Beekeepers should be using an integrated pest management approach for the control of pests and diseases. Only recommended chemicals should be used and only in accordance with label instructions to ensure the purity of honey and the health of bees. Beekeepers should make regular checks of their hives for disease and pests and should they require it, seek assistance from other beekeepers or from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. If unusual conditions or abnormalities are observed they should contact the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture . Unused beekeeping equipment should be stored to minimize bee access thus reducing the potential spread of disease. Open feeding Beekeepers are not to provide bees with unrestricted access to containers of sugar syrup during the period May 15 to September 15. Bee Temperament Gentle bees are best, especially in urban areas. Requeen any hives that are too aggressive and manage your colonies to minimize the bees' defensive behaviour. Manage colonies to minimize swarming through such techniques as providing adequate room for egg laying and regular requeening of colonies. Water Water should be readily available in close proximity to the apiary. This will keep bees from using watering troughs or swimming pools. When the beekeeper judges there could be a shortage of water, they should take steps to provide a source. Protection from bears Colonies should be fastened on pallets or protected by an electric fence where there is a potential problem of damage by bears. Keeping up-to-date Beekeepers should keep abreast of all industry development, changes in legislation and other management improvements both locally and federally. This can best be achieved by joining the beekeeping association, reading beekeeping journals and attending field days and meetings. Public relations Where possible beekeepers should advise and/or assist the public in bee situations such as swarms, bees in buildings and trees. Beekeepers should deal promptly with concerns and questions about bees and hive products. Beekeepers should be prepared to undertake an occasional act of public relations to help the industry as a whole (e.g. addressing a school, commodity group or the general public at exhibits and fairs). Transportation Ensure that all loads are properly secured following Department of Transportation regulations. Move hives when bees are not flying (i.e. during darkness or in wet or cold weather). When working with your bees park your vehicle so it does not block traffic or interfere with the landowner's use of the land. Remember to close any gates you opened. Fire prevention Extreme caution should be used whenever you use your smoker especially during high fire danger periods. Exercise care when lighting and extinguishing smokers and placing smokers on dry grass. Registration Beekeepers are required to register annually with the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture. This registration requirement aids in disease control, the gathering of industry statistics and in the distribution of information to beekeepers. Marketing Honey and pollen are food products that should be packaged in clean and appropriately marked containers.