Beekeeping with AŽ hives

Behind the painted facades of Slovenian apiaries AŽ beehives are stacked, the main technological specialty of beekeeping in Slovenia.

Webinar 1: Presentation of a basic inspection of bee colonies in AŽ beehives

Webinar 2: Suppression of varroa mites in AŽ beehive

We will share with you our knowledge of beekeeping with AŽ beehives, so that in the future you will be able to keep bees with AŽ beehives in a simpler, more advanced and more productive way.

Registration for education

Behind the painted facades of Slovenian apiaries, AŽ beehives are stacked, the main technological specialty of Slovenian beekeeping. The AŽ beehive is operated from behind and can be placed in stacks. In this beehive, the combs are placed longitudinally in the direction of the bees’ flight. Combs can be moved like pages in a book. In terms of its development, the leaf hive system is indigenously Slovene. The Alberti-Žnideršič version of a leaf hive quickly established itself among Slovenian beekeepers and even today it is used in its original form and in various variants by more than 90 percent of beekeepers. The home of the Carniolan honey bee is thus usually the AŽ beehive.

Why beekeeping with an AŽ beehive?

The authentic AŽ beehive is made of quality material, which ensures a long life of the beehive that can be maintained through several generations. The AŽ beehive is easy to use and requires less physical strength. We can keep bees with a large number of AŽ beehives on the same surface, as they can be placed on top of each other. AŽ beehives are suitable for beekeeping in apiaries. The main advantage of an apiary is that it allows the beekeeper to work in different weather conditions, as they do their work indoors. When working with AŽ beehives, you will produce better honey, which will contain up to a few percent less water compared to honey from other hive systems.

Try yourself out in beekeeping technology with AŽ beehives and gain the necessary knowledge.

 Webinar number 1: Presentation of a basic inspection of bee colonies in AŽ beehives

In the 19th century, various solutions that included movable combs emerged in Europe and North America. In this process, beekeepers from the region of Carniola contributed their own concepts, which were consolidated into a unique Slovenian hive system at the beginning of the 20th century, combining the then known solutions of leaf systems and traditional Slovenian beehives. Modern professional beekeepers have introduced innovations, especially beekeeping in a large spacious hive, which still retains the essential elements of the original hive, designed by Anton Žnideršič.

VALUE OF THE PROGRAMME

  • You will learn what to look for during a basic inspection of bee colonies
  • You will learn what the appropriate weather conditions are for colony inspection
  • We will show you how to manage the combs so that your bee colony will be more successful at the peak of the season and bring in a higher honey yield.

WORK METHOD

  • Lecture via Zoom application
  • Practical display from the apiary
  • Consultations with the lecturer (questions and answers)
  • Option to revisit the online training

Webinar number 2: Suppression of varroa mites in AŽ beehive

Nowadays, in most parts of the world, the key concern is how to ensure proper control of the varroa parasite so that it does not cause economic damage to beekeeping. The AŽ beehive has its own specifics of an integrated approach to varroa control. This includes specific apitechnical measures as well as the appropriate use of anti-varroa agents. Experts are trying to make the best possible use of symbiotic methods, but we must not completely forgo the proper use of conventional means, especially in terms of caring for flawless bee products from beehives.

VALUE OF THE PROGRAMME

  • You will learn what varroa mites are, when did they appear and how do they affect the bee colony
  • You will learn to identify varroa mites in the AŽ beehive
  • You will learn which ways to prevent the spread of varroa mites exist and which method of suppression is most effective for the AŽ hive system

WORK METHOD

  • Lecture via Zoom application
  • Practical display
  • Consultations with the lecturer (questions and answers)
  • Option to revisit the online training