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Beekeeping Instruction

Bee Camp 2025
 

June 21 and 28 • 8 am–4:30 pm
Instructor: Mark Antunes

Join us for a full day of beekeeping instruction! The class on each date is the same and the schedule is ambitious. Pre-registration is required. Topics covered will be:
 

  • Reading the comb – What you can determine about the colony status (good and bad) from what is directly before your eyes.

  • Marking queens - Students will practice on drones

  • Making a nuc split

  • Queen cell installation

  • Applying a beeswax coating to plastic foundation

  • Installing new frames into a functioning colony

  • Supering for a honey crop

  • Using Queen excluders – How, when, and why

  • Shake testing honey frames for extraction

  • Paper merging bees

  • Sugar roll and alcohol wash mite assessment. Done by small groups of students.

  • Mixing (on electric stove in the honey house) and applying oxalic acid dribble and oxalic acid saturation pads in the field.

  • Treating with oxalic acid vapor - field demonstration instructor only.

  • Treating with Apiguard and formic acid pads - Field demonstration, and hands-on with appropriate colonies.

  • Pulling, uncapping, and extracting honey

I highly recommend Beekeeping Camp at Honey Hill Farm taught by Mark Antunes. I attended the camp in August 2024 and found it incredibly valuable. These are just a few reasons why I recommend it for beekeepers at all levels. Hands-On Learning - The camp was a full-day, hands-on experience at Mark’s hives and apiary for a small group of beekeepers at all levels. He offered practical insights you can’t get from books or classes. Jam-Packed Agenda - The sessions covered essential topics like equipment use, hive inspections (queen locating/marking, brood pattern analysis, problem diagnosis), hive splitting, treatments, and honey harvesting. Expert Guidance - Mark's detailed instructions during hive inspections helped clarify what to look for and how to respond to hive conditions. Mark guided us through a hive inspection and really broke down what we were looking at and looking for to assist you in the care of your hives. Small-Group Setting - The hands-on approach and small group setting really allowed fellow beekeepers to analyze unique situations that they may face as beekeepers under the close guidance of a leader with vast knowledge and experience in beekeeping. It was helpful to bounce off ideas and practices with fellow beekeepers. Mentorship - Mark’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for beekeeping are contagious. Through his instruction and humor, Mark encouraged, guided, and taught us how to be a better beekeeper. He has been a great mentor for me personally. Since becoming a beekeeper, I experienced many complications in beekeeping that weren’t covered in traditional classes or books. He has been available by phone or in person, always encouraging and helping me to sort out what action needed to be taken. As a second-year beekeeper, I found this camp to be extremely helpful. Although I have read many beekeeping books and attended other beekeeping classes, I have found that hands-on learning in the field has helped me the most. If you’re looking to grow your beekeeping skills, Mark’s camp is an experience I highly recommend. – D. Mason Doylestown, PA

Beekeeping Consultations
 

$40./hr. at your location door-to-door
Instructor: Mark Antunes

Book a private session to diagnose your beekeeping challenges. Learn from an experienced beekeeper as Mark comes to your hives to help evaluate placement, condition, inspects for common pests and diseases, and provides advice. Bookings will be scheduled throughout the beekeeping year and will be charged based upon the time spent.
 

Beekeeper working in hives

To schedule an appointment, contact Mark Antunes at 267-885-6619 to set up time that works for you. You may also contact us by using our contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that any consultation cancellations must be made 72 hours (3 days) in advance of the scheduled session.

Beekeeping Presentations
 

For your local club, group or organization.

If you are in need of a beekeeper to provide an engaging presentation or entertaining public speaking for an event about honey bees or beekeeping, I am available to do so provided that my beekeeping duties and educational obligations allow me to.

I have spoken to numerous groups, clubs, associations, local government bodies, and beekeeping organizations. I can provide lectures/presentations with powerpoint slide shows that will clearly explain and illustrate the topic selected from my list of offerings by the event host or organization. For more information and details about what speaking topics I can provide and the associated speaking fee please contact me.

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