Beekeeper

Work description

Beekeepers must inspect, repair, clean, feed, split & treat for disease as well as raise new queen bees all with the objective of strengthening colonies at the earliest possible date in order to load colonies onto trucks for shipping out of state. Beekeepers will not leave the state of Texas, but rather specifically take advantage of Texas weather starting early in January to get bees ready for other geographical locations. Beekeepers interact with honey bees during all stages of the honey bees life cycle: egg, pupae, larvae, worker bee, drone, young queen and full grown queens. Beekeepers must offer proper attention to brood at different stages of the life cycle. A beekeeper must treat for various diseases and pests which include but are not limited to, American Foul Brood, Tracheal Mites, Florida Beetles, Fire Ants and most importantly Varroa Mites. Treatments for the aforementioned pests and disease are an ongoing part of the work cycle. Hives are treated twice with Checkmite strips to control varroa mites and hive beetles, they are also fed twice with Tylan medicated syrup to control American foul brood. Both treatments are industry standard practices. Beekeepers feed com syrup and/or other forms of glucose as needed and as weather dictate, so the colonies will quickly develop into strong healthy hives. A beekeeper must keep hives clean, painted and in good mechanical order for the health of the bees. A beekeeper must maintain his/her personal work equipment which is provided by the employer to perform his/her duties (smoker, bee suit, ropes, hive tool etc.) in good working order as to be fully effective. Mechanical equipment and ropes must be maintained on a regular basis in order to ensure worker safety and that of the general public. In conclusion beekeepers must stimulate quick and healthy growth among the colonies in order to ship at the earliest possible date. It is a strenuous work cycle for the bee and beekeeper alike. Timing combined with appropriate knowledge is everything. Therefore qualified beekeepers will have at least three months work experience.