Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of collecting bee swarms and managing the swarming behaviour of bees, and defines the standard required to: catch a swarm of honey bees and relocate it safely; implement a range of control options to manage swarming behaviour in honey bees.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to beekeepers or workers who may be working by themselves or in a small team. Work is likely to be undertaken with limited supervision.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to catch a swarm of honey bees

1.1. All equipment required to collect a swarm of honey bees is obtained and confirmed as being in good repair and serviceable for use.

1.2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is checked for serviceability and worn and used correctly.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with collecting bee swarms are identified and action is taken to deal with them effectively.

1.4. Any site quarantine in effect or other biosecurity protocols are observed.

1.5. Risks associated with collecting a swarm of honey bees are identified and actions are taken to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks.

2. Collect a swarm of honey bees

2.1. Dry drawn frames are placed in hive box to be used for collected swarm to ensure collected bees remain in new hive box.

2.2. Swarm is caught by shaking it into an empty box.

2.3. Boxed swarm is moved to new location after confirming that whole swarm has been collected.

2.4. Swarm is requeened.

3. Manage swarming behaviour in a honey bee colony

3.1. Honey bee colony is monitored for signs that swarming may occur.

3.2. Risks associated with handling bees that are likely to swarm are identified and actions are taken to minimise likelihood and consequences of risks.

3.3. Where swarming appears likely to occur, range of control options is considered and best option is selected and implemented.

3.4. Colony is monitored to ensure that swarming behaviour has been controlled and if necessary further control options are implemented.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identifying hazards and implementing safe work procedures
• communication skills for dealing with members of the public and owners/managers of the property from which a swarm is being collected
• interpreting bee behaviour and handling bees
• identifying disease
• use of specialist equipment and PPE
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• signs of brood disease and wax moth infestation in swarm once it has been placed in a hive
• signs that indicate that a colony is about to swarm
• control options for honey bee swarms
• range of methods that can be used to manage a colony that is showing signs that it is about to swarm
• when to requeen a swarm that has been collected
• why and when honey bees swarm
• why swarms are collected.
• biosecurity protocols.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• catch a swarm of honey bees and relocate it safely
• implement a range of control options to manage swarming behaviour in honey bees.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Types of bees may include:

• all types and strains of bees used in commercial honey production.

Unit sector 

Beekeeping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field