PerfectBee Academy

Confidently start beekeeping with our unique, 100+ lesson Academy Syllabus.

Academy is just one of the many benefits of our Colony Memberships for the Hobbyist Beekeeper. Featuring 3 detailed online courses and over 100 lessons, Academy helps you confidently start and maintain your first beehive.

Colony Benefits

100+ Detailed Lessons, in 3 Online Courses

Our rich lessons build your knowledge of beekeeping in a structured, easy-to-understand way.

9 Challenging And Fun Quizzes

Think you learned well? We'll test you with a quiz at the end of section in our course!

Certificate of Course Completion

Having successfully passed the tests in each course, we'll send you a beautiful printable Certificate of Completion.

Engagement With Other Beekeepers

Join in the discussion and ask your questions at the members-only Colony Facebook group.

9 Fascinating Webinars

For each of our nine sections we'll back up your learning with a webinar covering key topics

Discounts At the PerfectBee Store

Members receive discounts at the PerfectBee Beekeeping Store - including on your first hive!

Three Detailed Courses

Course 1
Learn About Bees

All successful beekeepers have a keen awareness of the amazing honeybee! In our first course, we drill deep into the incredible science and life of the bee.

Then we look at how beekeeping relates to this wonderful creature, the honey bee.
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Course 2
Your Beehive

A heavily practical course! We introduce you to the types of beehives in common use today and how they might best suit your specific needs.

We cover tools, accessories, clothing and much more. Then we discover that great moment when you obtain and install your first bees!
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Course 3
A Healthy Beehive

Bees do a great job keeping a healthy colony. But it's also important that the beekeeper has a good sense of when things might go bad!

We look at how we can help our bees help themselves. And we finish with a look at the rewards beekeeping offers!
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Course 1 : Learn About Bees

Section 1.1 The Science of Bees

Why Bees Rock!
The Incredible Diversity of Bees
The Anatomy of Bees
A Deeper Look at Bee Anatomy
Honey Bee Genetics
How Honeybees Reproduce
The Honey Bee Life Cycle
Exploring the Process of Pollination
The Secrets of Honeycomb
How Bees Use Pheromones
Why Bees Can’t Fly?
The Common Races of Honey Bees

Section 1.2 The Life of Bees

Inside and Out of the Beehive
The Role of the Drone Bee
The Role of the Queen Bee
The Role of the Worker Bee
How Bees Sense and React to Their World
Why and How Bees Forage
How Do Bees Make Honey?
Sticking with Propolis
Understanding The Honey Flow
How Bees Manage Temperature & Moisture
Fat Bees and the Winter Cluster
Why and How Bees Swarm

Section 1.3 About Beekeeping

The Philosophy of Natural Beekeeping
Beekeeping with Kids
The Growth of Urban Beekeeping
Understanding Bee Stings
Finding Beekeeping Clubs and Mentors
Beekeeping and the Neighbors
Beekeeping Books for your Bookshelf
Why Beekeeping Matters
The Hidden Benefits of Beekeeping
Thoughts on Responsible Beekeeping

Course 2 : Your Beehive

Section 2.1 Beehive and Accessories

A Practical Guide to Starting Beekeeping
What Bees Need
What Beekeepers Need
The Common Types of Beehives
The Langstroth Beehive
The Top Bar Beehive
The Warre Beehive
The Flow Hive
Foundationless Beekeeping
The Practicalities of Setting Up a Beehive

Section 2.2 Equipment And Clothing

Beekeeping With A Smoker
Using Feeders With Your Beehive
Tools for Beekeepers to Consider
Beekeeping Protective Clothing Overview
Beekeeping and Technology

Section 2.3 Starting Your Beehive

Questions for the New Beekeeper
Preparing and Installing Your Beehive
Obtaining Bees for a Beehive
Installing a Package of Bees
Installing a Nucleus Colony
Installing a Swarm Of Bees
Practical Guidance for New Beekeepers
An Introduction to Feeding Bees
Contrarian Ideas for Beekeepers
Family and Friends in Beekeeping
An Introduction to the Brood Nest
Tracking Beehive Progress
The Beehive Inspection
Beekeeping Advocacy
Beekeeping Myths

Course 3 : A Healthy Beehive

Section 3.1 Threats To Bees

A Practical Guide to a Thriving Colony
An Overview of the Main Threats to Bees
The Threat of Robbing
Small Hive Beetle and Bees
The Lifecycle and Dangers of Wax Moths
From Tiny Mice to Big Bears
American and European Foulbrood
Nosema and Chalkbrood
An Introduction to Tracheal Mites
The Threat of Varroa Mites: Part 1
The Threat of Varroa Mites: Part 2

Section 3.2 Inspecting Your Beehive

Learning from Deadout Inspections
Big Issues to Check at the Hive Inspection
Queenlessness in Your Hive
When to Consider Requeening
Recognizing and Avoiding Swarms
What is Bearding?
Understanding the Brood Pattern
An Introduction to Cross Comb
Splitting a Hive
Introduction to Queen Rearing: Part 1
Introduction to Queen Rearing: Part 2
Overwintering Honey Bees
Preparing for Deep and Long Winters
Managing Moisture In The Hive
Managing Hive Capacity
Moving a Hive
A FAQ for the Committed New Beekeeper

Section 3.3 Reaping The Rewards

The Tangible Rewards
To The Start of Beekeeping
Harvesting Honey : Part 1
Harvesting Honey : Part 2
Extracting Beeswax
Making Money

Join Colony Now!

We offer two easy ways to subscribe to Colony - a low-cost monthly subscription or a money-saving annual subscription.

Courses, lessons, webinars, store discounts, Facebook group access and all other membership benefits remain available to you while your membership is maintained.

Colony Monthly

All the benefits of Colony a month at a time.
$9.99
monthly
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Colony Annual

All the benefits, plus two months free membership.
$99
annually
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