AnApiaristAn Apiarist (or Beekeeper) operates commercial beehives to produce honey and related products, such as beeswax, pollen, propolis and royal jelly.
The regular duties of an Apiarist include:
- building beehives
- treating and painting beehives to prevent wood rot
- liaising with property owners, government and councils to secure sites where they can keep their bees
- handle bee diseases, pests and parasites that affect hives
- remove honeycombs; package and sell honey
There are four major areas that Apiarists can specialise in:
- apiary
- queen bee production
- marketing and packing
- pollination
Apiarists spend the majority of their time working autonomously outdoors. This requires physical fitness and contentment with working alone.
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