Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP)

Beekeeping in Prisons Program Guide

SPP Beekeeping Liaison Gina Sibley shows off healthy bees at Cedar Creek Corrections Center. Photo by Sadie Gilliom.

SPP is a partnership founded by The Evergreen State College and Washington State Department ofCorrections to bring environmental education, science, and nature into prisons. © 2017

SPP Beekeeping in Prisons Program Guide

Contents
1. Beekeeping Introduction for Prison Leadership ....................................................................................... 3
2. Beekeeping Introduction for DOC staff liaison ......................................................................................... 7
Expectations of Beekeeping Liaisons ........................................................................................................ 7
Honey-Beekeeping Education and Certification ....................................................................................... 8
Pollinator-friendly Education and Certification ........................................................................................ 9
Printed References: books and journals ................................................................................................. 10
Hives ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
Beekeeping Liaisons Contact Information .............................................................................................. 14
3. Beekeeping Safety................................................................................................................................... 16
Bee Safety Overview ............................................................................................................................... 16
Treating Bee Stings & Allergic Reactions ................................................................................................ 17
What to Wear.......................................................................................................................................... 19
How to Move........................................................................................................................................... 20
Timing is Everything ................................................................................................................................ 20
Outreach ................................................................................................................................................. 21
4. Beekeeping Equipment and Equipment Security ................................................................................... 22
Obtaining Equipment .............................................................................................................................. 22
Beekeeping Equipment Security and Storage ......................................................................................... 24
5. Hives, Buying Bees, Feeding, and Pollinator-Friendly Practices ............................................................. 26
Hive Specifics........................................................................................................................................... 26
Buying Bees: Nucs, Packages, Swarms, Established Colonies ................................................................. 28
Feeding Bees ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Pollinator-Friendly Practices ................................................................................................................... 30
Glossary of Terms.................................................................................................................................... 31
Contributors ................................................................................................................................................ 33

Page 2 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project1. Beekeeping Introduction for Prison Leadership
Mission: To create and sustain beekeeping programs that engage incarcerated adults andcorrections staff in quality environmental education and job skills experience, while also
contributing to healthy pollinator populations.
Beekeeping is a high priority for SPP/sustainability programming statewide. These programs cansatisfy multiple sustainability program requirements (see Policy 290.055.II) and fully developed
beekeeping programs will encompass the three components described below.

1. Restoration and Conservation of Honeybees and Native Pollinators
We depend on honeybees for our food supply: of 100 crop species that provide 90% of ourglobal food supply, 71 are bee pollinated (from http://www.olympiabeekeepers.org/news-andinformation/bee-a-pollinator/). Without their help, we won’t have crops such as apples,carrots, onions, melons, lemons, almonds, or cabbage. Meats and dairy depend on these
insects too, because farm animals need plants sustained by pollinators to eat. Many nativeplants depend on native pollinators, so natural habitats are also at stake.
In recent decades, honeybee and other pollinators have been dying at a frightening rate,
putting our food sources in jeopardy. We need healthy hives to conserve and restore bee
populations. Pollinator health has become a national priority; as a hobby or career,beekeeping is gaining societal recognition and value.

2. Beekeeping Education and Certification
Beekeeping is inherently educational. To be successful, beekeepers must read widely, keep
careful records, follow protocols, network with fellow beekeepers, and learn from methodical
trial and error. To support this process, SPP-Evergreen will support new beekeeping programs
by developing and identifying high quality guides to beekeeping and associated topics, helping
to develop and support partnerships with beekeeping organizations, and—when and whereappropriate—supporting scientific research trials within programs.
In partnership with Olympia Beekeepers, Cedar Creek Corrections Center has successfully
piloted beekeeping certification in-prison, and others are following suit. Following about 10
hours of classroom time, qualified volunteers from the local beekeepers associations haveprovided Washington State Beekeepers Association apprenticeship-level certification to classes
of inmates and staff. The formal education is an asset to the in-prison beekeeping program, andPage 3 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectalso helps to build participants’ resumes. Volunteer beekeepers benefit as well—they givecommunity service hours to advance their own certification.

3. Contributions to the Nearby Community
Prison beekeeping programs also may produce products to give back to visitors and community
organizations. Several programs already produce lip balms, lotions, candles, and other products
made from wax and honey. Our longer-term goal is to expand existing, and create newprograms to provide the following:Hive boxes made from reclaimed wood (pallet wood is discouraged)
Local queen bees bred by prisons with support of partners
Established healthy hives for donation to schools and other non-profits

Prison programs also may conduct observations and research that informs regional knowledgeof best practices; this contribution is sorely needed.

WSP beekeepers learn from Mona Chambers a professional beekeeper who helped teach the certification course at
the prison. Photo by Ricky Osborne

Page 4 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectProgram Expectations and Challenges
COSTS
Prisons are expected to finance beekeeping equipment from their Operations Budgets, andstartup costs are ~$2000. (If this cost is prohibitive, contact SPP Program Manager Kelli Bush to
determine if SPP-Evergreen funding may be available: bushk@evergreen.edu.)
Beekeeping certification is currently $5/student, and that cost should be paid by the students
from their own funds. SPP will consider written scholarship requests submitted by students
unable to pay.
SAFETY
There is no way to entirely eliminate the chances of bee stings in association with the program,but there are ways to greatly minimize the risk. Recommended honeybee varieties are very
docile, and unlikely to sting a person unless agitated by unusual circumstances. Each facility
should have an established safety protocol for response to insect stings (yellow jacket andhornet stings are most common) and can rely on that protocol for any honeybee stings.
Detailed safety protocols particular to keeping honeybees have been developed by beekeeping
and corrections partners, and will be provided by SPP.
BEEKEEPING IS TRICKY
The honeybee crisis is not easy to solve: there is no simple or single right way to keep bees.
Expect to lose hives to disease, pests, and mysterious causes. To reduce losses, encouragecomprehensive education, partnerships with beekeeping experts, monitoring, and record
keeping in all program participants to maximize successes and learning opportunities. SPP will
maintain a Washington State protocol for beekeeping in a prison environment. We’ll ask you toreview and add your best practices to the protocol, allowing us to learn from each other acrossthe state.
It can be challenging to accommodate hands-on experience for all who want it. Honeybees
require careful and particular handling, and an experienced beekeeper must be present for any
interaction with a hive. In the winter, hives largely remain closed; any check or treatment must
outweigh potential damage to the hive’s core temperature. The time to work with the bees isalso the time that community beekeepers are busiest with their own hives.
We will seek out creative solutions to increase program access for inmates and staff andencourage opportunities such as lectures, workshops, and reviewing books, articles and films as
a way to engage participants in beekeeping education.

Page 5 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectSupport available
SPP-Evergreen supports beekeeping programs statewide, and is your outside-prison point ofcontact. We will provide protocols, educational resources, and help establish partnerships withorganizations and individuals who can contribute. We also will help track and report on yourefforts, so that we can broadcast and celebrate your successes widely. Some examples of media
and outreach attention on beekeeping:
http://seattle.suntimes.com/sea-news/7/79/192577/bees-behind-bars-give-prisoners-asecond-chance
http://sustainabilityinprisons.org/beekeeping-programs/
http://sustainabilityinprisons.org/blog/2014/11/13/first-beekeeping-certification-in-prison-forspp-wa/

Next steps
Let us know if you’re ready to consider starting or expanding a beekeeping program, and whatquestions you have. Bee in touch (sorry!):
Joslyn Trivett, SPP Education & Outreach Manager trivettj@evergreen.edu
Emily Passarelli, SPP Green Track Coordinator passaree@evergreen.edu

The new honeybee program at AHCC has excellent support from a community volunteer; he has
generously donated materials, bees, and expertise. Photo by DOC staff.

Page 6 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project2. Beekeeping Introduction for DOC staff liaison
Expectations of Beekeeping LiaisonsFirst off, thank you so much for supporting the program. We really appreciate everything you
do. Beekeeping is a Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) program, and you can call on
Evergreen’s SPP staff to assist you when you need it—don’t hesitate to ask. This protocol will
give you a rundown of what a beekeeping liaison does and a general introduction tobeekeeping in prisons.
We ask beekeeping liaisons to serve as the point of contact for all aspects of a beekeeping
program: direct work with the bees, beekeeping education, and contributions to thecommunity (described in greater detail in Section 1). This work includes:
Cultivating partnerships. All three components of a fully-developed beekeeping program
rely on partnerships. The program requires input from local beekeeping experts, thestatewide beekeeping association, SPP-Evergreen staff, and—like all SPP programs—staff
and inmates across the facility. Embrace working across differences, and find thecommon ground that will make the program succeed.
Reporting. SPP-Evergreen staff prepare a quarterly report that includes beekeeping
program activities and achievements. Please respond within the requested timeline torequests for reporting updates. SPP-Evergreen staff will develop a form to trackbeekeeping contacts (inside and outside prison), number of hives, names and DOC
numbers of inmates participating and certified, names of staff participating and certified,and program highlights such as honey harvested, products made/distributed, and any
special events.
Academic quality of educational materials and presentations. Monitoring quality ofeducational components, and addressing concerns. See Section 2 for more details, andask SPP-Evergreen staff for support!
Program safety and security. Promoting the facility’s safety plan for the program
including: screening out sting-allergic program participants; following practices that limit
chances of stings from honeybees and hornets; and provide adequate first aid treatment
when stings occur. See Section 3 for more information.
Equipment security. Creating and implementing an plan for beekeeping equipment
control and requesting clearances for any donated equipment. See Section 4.
Beekeeping and pollinator-friendly practices. Beekeeping is tricky, and a successfulprogram requires a “student” mindset. We ask that you commit to ongoing learning fromexperts and resources, and from experiences within the program. See Section 5 for a very
basic overview of beekeeping and pollinator-friendly practices, and be excited to learnmuch, much more!
Page 7 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectHoney-Beekeeping Education and Certification
Identify Local Beekeeping Experts
Education and certification require input from experienced, knowledgeable beekeepers.
Programs without expert support are unlikely to succeed. Instructors for the Apprenticeprogram (see Certification, below) must be member of a beekeeping association recognized by
the Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA; https://wasba.org/). For accessibility
and region-specific knowledge, nearby experts are best, of course.
Ask SPP-Evergreen staff to make the initial contact with the local beekeeping association. We
can also help find local private beekeepers who can provide valuable information and may wantto supplement your program. Several prisons have private beekeepers on staff—ask around!
Keep in mind that during the spring and summer beekeepers are especially busy and will be lessresponsive and available.
Certification
Becoming a certified beekeeper in Washington State requires beekeepers to take a ~20 hourcourse in the classroom. For incarcerated students, WASBA has offered to reduce course costs
from $20 to $5/person. This $5 covers: the class materials (workbook), beekeeping iron-on
patch, and certificate. Typically, students have paid their fee themselves from their own funds.
However, students who are willing to demonstrate financial need in a written statement will beconsidered for scholarships through SPP-Evergreen.
After completing the class, the beekeeper will earn the title of “Apprentice.” There are twomore levels of beekeepers in Washington. So far, no inmate has gone beyond Apprentice, but
SPP and WASBA will pursue how to make it possible. In general, most beekeepers are either
Apprentices or Journeyman—there are only 5 Master Beekeepers in the state of Washington!
1. Apprenticea. 15-20 hour class (10 lessons) required.
b. No hands-on experience required.
c. More info at https://wasba.org/master-beekeepers-program/apprentice/
2. Journeyman
a. Must have achieved Apprentice level.
b. Paid membership in Washington State Beekeepers Association (WASBA).
c. Minimum of 3 years’ experience.
d. Must pass a field test at the applicant’s apiary.
e. Obtain 30 public service points; WASBA says public service within a prison
community can satisfy (need to determine particulars).
f. More info at https://wasba.org/master-beekeepers-program/journeyman/
3. Master Beekeeper (remember, only 5 in WA right now!)a. Must have achieved both Apprentice and Journeyman level.
b. 6 years of experience.
c. Public Service
Page 8 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectd. A body of research papers and presentations
e. More info at https://wasba.org/master-beekeepers-program/masterbeekeeper/
Ordering Student Workbooks. Every student must have their own workbook. A PDF workbook
is included in the $5 fee. Typically, the workbooks can be printed off or ordered through Emily.
Arrange purchasing approval for student workbooks with your facility business office. Once you
have received approval, send an email to Emily indicating how many workbooks you need.
Once your order has been processed, you will receive an invoice. Payment must be made bycheck to: Washington State Beekeeping Association
Scholarships
If a student is unable to pay the $5 fee but is interested in taking the class, the student may
write an essay explaining their interests in beekeeping. Students can give the essays to thebeekeeping liaison at each facility or mail to SPP. SPP will reserve funds to help pay class fees.
Space & scheduling. Liaisons are in charge of finding a room that will work well as a class roomand developing a class schedule that works well for them, volunteer instructors, and thestudents. If interested in looking at past schedules, please email Emily.
Liaison with students. Liaisons are the point of contact for incarcerated students. We often
need your help to get new educational materials to those students, and to share with us their
input and ideas for program development.

Pollinator-friendly Education and Certification
There is no formal curriculum for pollinator-friendly education, but an abundance of guides
exist; see the next section for three recommendations. The Pollinator Partnership (great
website; see http://www.pollinator.org/) offers “Farms an online, self-certification program forwhich many existing prison campuses are contenders. In December, 2016, they list thesecriteria for certification (consult http://www.pollinator.org/bff/ for possible changes):
1. Offer forage providing good nutrition for bees on 3-6% of land.
2. Plant continuous bloom of a variety of flowering plants throughout the growing season,
especially in early spring and late autumn in temperate regions.
3. Offer clean water for bees.
4. Provide a variety of habitat for nesting and mating, through features such as hedgerows,
natural brush, or bufferstrips.
5. Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM); reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals.
6. Pay the annual $35 certification fee.

Page 9 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectIf you are interested in pursuing certification at your facility, please be in touch—SPP-Evergreen
would love to support and celebrate your efforts.

Printed References: books and journals
SPP recommends the following titles:
Title

Contents

The Backyard
Beekeeper

AuthorApprox.
Cost$19

ExampleSourceLink

Diana
Sammataro &Alphonse
Avitabile

$17

Link

RhondaFleming
Hayes

$16

Link

Written for small-scale beekeepers,
covers all the basics, plus how tomake products from beeswax.
The Beekeeper’s
A very readable guide for both
Handbookhobby and professional beekeepers;
many illustrations and diagrams;
step by step instructions for set up,
harvesting honey, and managing
pests and diseases.
Pollinator Friendly
A gardener’s guide for creating
Gardening: Gardening habitat for favorite pollinators;
for Bees, Butterflies,
includes plant selection, hardscapeand Other Pollinators design, habitat structures, andgrowing practices.
Attracting Native
This guide is focused on native
Pollinators: The
pollinators: native bees, butterflies,
Xerces Society Guide, flies, and others that keep plant andProtecting North
animal communities healthy; great
America's Bees andphotos and illustrations.
Butterflies

Kim Flottum

The Xerxes
Society$20

Link

Bringing Nature
Home: How You Can
Sustain Wildlife withNative Plants,
Updated & Expanded
Honey Bee Biology
and Beekeeping

Offers practical ways for any
gardeners to create crucial wildlife
habitat and support biodiversity;
full of beautiful photos.

Douglas W.
Tallamy$15

LinkStandard textbook used to teachcollege and beekeeping students
about bees and beekeeping; likely
the most complete guide—WSP’s
program says this is the best book!

Dewey M
Caron

$80

Link

Approx. Cost for All

Page 10 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide$167 +
Tax©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectSuggested Scholarly Articles
Frisch, K. V. (1973, December 12). Decoding the Language of the Bee. Readings in Zoosemiotics,
141-156. doi:10.1515/9783110253436.141
Frisch explores a bees’ intricate waggle dance in this article. He explains how the bees
move in specific angles to communicate with other bees where the location of a new
potential hive could be or a food source. The dance not only accurately communicatesthe location of the food or hive, but also the amount of energy required to get there.
This article is an excellent source for anyone interested in learning more about thisintricate form of communication. Though it is an older article, this article is written by
the scientist who discovered the waggle dance and this article is written in an easy-toread narrative.
Genersch, E. (2010, January 9). Honey bee pathology: Current threats to honey bees andbeekeeping. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 87(1),87-97. doi:10.1007/s00253-010-2573-8
This article outlines the main pathogens and parasites that are causing significant
declines in bee populations. The article takes the reader through the symptoms the
hives experience, how the hive becomes vulnerable to the pathogen or parasite, andsome remedies and solutions. Genersch also briefly discusses the social and economic
impacts beekeeping has recently had. This article comes from a peer-reviewed scholarly
journal.
Hasegawa, Y., & Ikeno, H. (2011, May 16). How Do Honeybees Attract Nestmates Using Waggle
Dances in Dark and Noisy Hives? PLoS ONE, 6(5), 1-7. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019619
Hasegawa and Ikeno discuss bee’s waggle dance as it pertains to attracting nest mates.
This article explores the importance of sound rather than vibrations or odors. This
article would be useful to anyone interested in learning more about the waggle dance.
This article was also published by PLoS ONE, a peer-reviewed open access journal. The
author is affiliated with the Honda Research Institute in Japan.
Lecocq A, Kryger P, Vejsnæs F, Bruun Jensen A (2015) Weight Watching and the Effect ofLandscape on Honeybee Colony Productivity: Investigating the Value of Colony Weight
Monitoring for the Beekeeping Industry. PLoS ONE 10(7): e0132473.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132473
This article explores the importance of hive weight. The authors found that weighing thehives allowed them to see and describe patterns of productivity. Patterns of hive
weight gave the authors clues on what environmental factors have significant influence
on bee productivity. For instance, they found that bee kept in urban areas were heavier(therefore, healthier) than bees kept in agricultural and mixed habitats. PLoS ONE, thejournal this article was published in, is a peer-reviewed open access journal. All but oneof the authors are professors at the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University.
The last author is a member of the Danish Beekeepers Association. This article could bevery useful to those looking for another method of monitoring their bees’ health.
Page 11 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project

Phillips, C. (2014, August 14). Following beekeeping: More-than-human practice in agrifood.
Journal of Rural Studies, 36, 149-159. doi:10.1016/j.jrurstud.2014.06.013
Phillips looks at beekeeping though a combination of more-than-human studies andsocial practice theory, rather than as contemporary agrifood production. The paper
discusses beekeeping production as well as sustainable and just beekeeping options. This
article would be a good resource for those interested in interdisciplinary studies of bees,
particularly from a social science side. The article was published in Journal of Rural Studies
and the author is from the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies in Australia.
Reybroeck, W., Daeseleire, E., Brabander, H. F., & Herman, L. (2012). Antimicrobials inbeekeeping. Veterinary Microbiology, 158(1-2), 1-11. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.01.012
This article discusses the effects of using antimicrobials in beekeeping. Bees are subject
to pathogens, parasites, and other threats. Some antimicrobials can be successfully used
to protect the bees against some threats, however, the authors found that using
antimicrobials can result in high concentrations of residues in the honey. While theconcentrations of antimicrobials decrease as time goes on, residue can still be detectedin honey. In many countries, this means the honey is inconsumable. This article is fromthe journal Veterinary Microbiology, which is a scholarly journal. Three of the authors
work with the Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research in Belgium, while thefourth works for Ghent University. This article is useful to anyone interested inunderstanding the effects of antimicrobials on bees.
Zacepins, A., Brusbardis, V., Meitalovs, J., & Stalidzans, E. (2014, December 14). Challenges inthe development of Precision Beekeeping. Biosystems Engineering, 130, 60-71.
doi:10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2014.12.001
This article explores Precision Beekeeping, a beekeeping management strategy which
involves monitoring individual bee colonies to minimize resource use, by decreasingstress and unnecessary activities, and maximize bee productivity. The article walks
through what to look for, what data to collect, and how to interpret that data. This
article would be useful to anyone who is interesting in learning about different
management strategies. The article was published in the journal Biosystems
Engineering. All of the authors work for the Department of Computer Systems in Latvia.
Recommended monthly journals:
American Bee JournalThis has been providing beekeeping articles to beekeepers and scientists since the mid 1800’s.
“Readership is concentrated among hobby and commercial beekeepers, bee supply dealers,
queen breeders, package-bee shippers, honey packers, and entomologists.” (American Bee
Journal, 2016). 1 year subscription costs $28.00.
Bee Culture“Bee Culture magazine offers articles, advice and information for every level beekeeper, fromPage 12 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectnot-yet-started to the commercial operator. We cover every aspect of how to keep bees, makeyour own equipment, new products on the market, a national honey report and honey market
survey every month. Our regular contributors - scientists, researchers, beekeeping authors,beekeepers, extension specialists – are all known across the U. S. and internationally for theirexpertise and contributions to the industry.” (Bee Culture, 2016). 1 Year subscription costs$25.00.
Who buys these things?
As funding allows, SPP will supply copies of these books to beekeeping programs—for easy
access by program staff and incarcerated participants—and to the host prison’s general library.
Please contact SPP staff at Evergreen to make a request. SPP-Evergreen staff can also print anddeliver beekeeping articles; please let us know which ones you want!

Free references and resources, are available at the links below:
http://www.xerces.org/pollinators-pacific-northwest-region/
pollinator.org
Please let SPP know what books work and which don’t. We want to recommend and provide
the most useful resources, and any feedback is helpful.

Hives
Identify the number of hives desired.
You absolutely want to start out with more than one hive. When starting beekeeping, hives
fatalities can be rather common. If you only buy one, then you will not have anything else tocompare the hive to. It may be more difficult to identify problems with the hive. In addition, if
one hive is struggling and another is thriving, you can potentially exchange resources (likehoney or brood) from the stronger colony to the weaker one. Therefore, start with a minimumof two. However, the number of hives desired depends on how much time and resources areavailable.
Time Commitment
How much time you dedicate to beekeeping is entirely up to you. One extreme is that you can
install your package in the spring and basically do nothing more with your bees, to the otherextreme of inspecting your hives every week. A good management practice is to inspect you
hives every two weeks. This should only take about 10 minutes per hive.
But, here's what happens for most folks just getting started in beekeeping: They love it somuch, they are always in the hive. Looking at it, pulling frames out, searching for the queen andshowing friends and relatives. It does disrupt their activities, so it is best to limit yourinspections to twice a month. While not ideal, disruption in the hive caused by more frequent
Page 13 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectchecks may be worth the experience you gain by observing up the hive. With the more hives
you have, the more you can inspect different hives and enjoy learning.

Beekeeping Liaisons Contact Information
Please see the attached contact list of designated Beekeeping Liaison at each facility. Notify
Emily and Joslyn (also on the list) to correct any errors and when a Liaison position is reassigned. Please feel free to communicate with each other; other liaisons may know of simple
solutions to problems you are having!
Name
Leonard Mayfield

Institution Email
AHCC
llmayfield@doc1.wa.gov

DOC Position
Lieutenant

Mike Rainville

AHCC

marainville@DOC1.WA.GOV

Faye Nicholas

CBCC

fanicholas@DOC1.WA.GOV

Correctional Unit (509) 244-6894
Supervisor
Custody Officer 2 (360) 963-2000

James LeinanCBCCjrleinan@DOC1.WA.GOV

Custody Officer 2 (360) 963-2000

Amanda Granados

CCCC

amgranados@DOC1.WA.GOV

Dorothy Trainer

CRCC

djtrainer@doc1.wa.gov

Caitlin Ribera

LCC

crribera@DOC1.WA.GOV

J.C. Miller

LCC

jcmiller@DOC1.WA.GOVClassificationCounselor 2
Environmental
Specialist 5
Secretary
Supervisor
CPM

Lonn Turner

MCC-WSRlsturner@doc1.wa.gov

CI Manager

Michele Wood

MCC-TRU

miwood@doc1.wa.gov

William Anderson

MCCCW

wlanderson@DOC1.WA.GOV

Ed Baldwin

SCCC

edbaldwin@doc1.wa.gov

Dean Mason

WCC

damason@DOC1.WA.GOVPaula Andrew

WCCW

prandrew@doc1.wa.gov

Ronald R.
BenjaminJonathon P.
FischerWSP

rrbenjamin@doc1.wa.gov

Associate
Superintendent
Correctional Unit
Supervisor
Ground/Nursery
Specialist
Associate
Superintendent
Training
AssistantCustody Officer 3

WSP

jpfischer@doc1.wa.gov

CC3

Page 14 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide

Phone(509) 244-6740(360) 359-4149
509-544-3520
360-260-6300
x214
360-260-6300
x203(360) 794-2435
360-794-2605(360) 277-2478(360) 537-2431(360) 432-5938(253) 858-4215(509) 5263610x2010(509) 526-6370©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectOther Beekeeping Contacts
Name
Julie Vanneste

Institution
SPP WDOC

Emailjavanneste@doc1.wa.gov

Joslyn Rose
Trivett
Emily
Passarelli

SPP
Evergreen
SPP
Evergreen

trivettj@evergreen.edu
passaree@evergreen.edu

DOC Position
SPP Sustainable
Operations Manager
SPP Education &Outreach Manager
SPP Green Track
Coordinator

Phone(360) 725-8396(360) 867-6735(360) 867-6765

We appreciate all your efforts implementing the Beekeeping programs. Please be in touch at
any time that we can support and recognize your efforts.

Page 15 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project3. Beekeeping Safety
Bee Safety Overview
There is no way to entirely eliminate chances of bee stings in the program, but there are ways
to greatly minimize the risk. Key considerations:

The recommended honeybee species is very docile and unlikely to sting a person unlessstepped on with bare feet or trapped inside clothing.

All beekeepers should wear full-length protective bee suits; see What to Wear.

Your facility will rely on the same safety protocol for honeybee stings as it does foryellow jacket stings; keep in mind that yellow jacket/hornet stings are generally more
likely, and more painful. Sting protocol is on the next page!

Give staff and inmates at your facility ample time to get used to the idea that bees arecoming, and that safety is part of the plan. If you have bees coming in May, put up
posters (see Outreach, page 21) or fliers the fall or winter beforehand. Send out
informative emails to all staff, and include the safety plan. Buy your hive boxes a few
months early, and put them in place—that will give folks the chance to get used to theirpresence first, before they are full of bees.

Honeybees on a protective glove cause the beekeeper no concern. Photo by Lucas Foglia.

Page 16 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectTreating Bee Stings & Allergic Reactions
If the person stung shows severe allergy symptoms that includes
swelling in the mouth, neck, and especially their wind pipe
(anaphylaxis) and/or any of the following: Difficulty breathing or wheezing
 Tightness in the throat or a feeling that the airways are closing
 Hoarseness or trouble speaking
 Nausea, abdominal pain, or vomiting Fast heartbeat or pulse
 Skin that severely itches, tingles, swells, or turns red Anxiety or dizziness Loss of consciousness
immediately request emergency response from facility health carestaff. Epinephrine injectors are standard equipment in health careemergency bags. Epinephrine treats immediate, life-threatening
symptoms.
DOC plans to update policy to allow for non-health care staff to use epinephrine injectors, but
at this time, only medical staff are permitted.

If the person does not have severe allergy symptoms:
1. Remove the Stinger
a. Scrape the area with the edge of a credit card or straight edge object to remove it.
b. Don't pinch the stinger or use tweezers -- that can inject more venom.
2. Control Swellinga. Ice the area.
b. If you were stung on your arm or leg, elevate it.
c. Remove any tight-fitting jewelry from the area of the sting. As it swells, rings orbracelets might be difficult to remove.
3. Treat Symptoms
a. For pain, take an over-the-counter painkiller like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Page 17 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectb. A mixture of baking soda and water or calamine lotion on the sting site can besoothing. Anti-histamines (like Benadryl and Zyrtec) help to calm allergic reactions,but are not carried by health care staff. Programs may purchase single dose packetsof chewable antihistamines, but must not be given instead of Epinephrine.
4. Follow-Up
a. It might take 2-5 days for the area to heal. Keep it clean to prevent infection.

What Other Facilities have done: stings and allergies
We asked facilities to describe what steps they’re taking to ensure the safety of those around.
Here’s what they had to say:Stafford Creek Corrections Center"Not much issue with safety." "A couple of inmates [working in the program] have been stung
during my year employed here and it was of no consequence although I always follow up to
make sure they had no reaction to the sting. The stings happened when the inmates were notcompletely suited up in their bee protection gear or they were not wearing gloves."
Washington State Penitentiary"We have been keeping bees now for two years at WSP/MSU ...We have not come across bee
stings at this point; however it is on our radar. We have a medical hospital on our prison
grounds. Our offsite crews run into bee stings often during the summer and it has not appeared
to be an issue as of yet. We may have the offenders sign some sort of release of liability should
they volunteer and chosen for the beekeeping program."
Their beekeeping program has a locked cart dedicated to the program, and their suits andallergy treatment are in the cart.
Cedar Creek Corrections Center"We require everyone involved in directly dealing with the bees to have suits on. Also, we knowof people in the institution that have allergies, so we usually notify them in advance. If we see
people anywhere near the bee area we warn them as well. We [working in the program] haveall been stung. One of my techs developed an allergy and is no longer allowed to be anywhere
near the bees."“My first experience when I opened up a bee box I found out it is very important to have all thezipper points of your bee suit zipped up and covered with the flap that is provided. I found outthat day I was not allergic to them.”“Another one is when the weather is warm and the bees are very active wear your suit they arevery protective of their hive. Some times when the weather is cooler you can seek a peek into
your hives without the bees flying and stinging you.”“I have gotten stung many times. There are some spots on the body that are more sensitive theothers such as lips, eyes, nose, under the arms that some swelling may occur.”Page 18 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectAirway Heights Corrections Center
From an email sent to all-staff:“Knowledge and education is the most important part of any safety plan. When it comes tobees, understanding that there is a difference between wasps/yellow jackets and honeybees isvery important. Most people believe all bees are the same, however, honeybees are not usually
aggressive. Honeybees rarely sting and are docile, social insects that are generally so
preoccupied with their work that they hardly notice a human’s presence. Airway Heights will be
prepared for the presence of honeybees by having a safety plan in place which will address thefollowing concerns:The bee hives will be located behind the J-Building gardens. This area will provide accessto a water source while being in close proximity to both the Main and MSU gardens. It
will also be out of the way of normal foot traffic.
We will be working with our Medical Department to ensure our on-site medical
personnel are aware that we have live bee hives on site.
For staff working within the secure perimeter, situations regarding allergic reactions tobee stings, would continue to be able to store emergency auto-injectors (Epi Pen) in
Master Control for immediate dispatch and delivery to the affected employee.
In the future, any staff or incarcerated individuals working with bees will be required towear the proper protective clothing after weeks of education and safety classes
including:o Full body bee suit with veil and bee gloves. Incarcerated individuals who
ultimately are allowed to participate in the beekeeping program will be prescreened for bee allergies and Roots of Success requirements prior toparticipation.”

What to Wear
One relatively easy way to keep bees from becoming defensive is to consider what you’re
wearing. The best-dressed beekeeper wears light-colored smooth fabrics. Strong colors,
especially red and black, can cause bees to become agitated. The hooks on bees’ feet canbecome caught in fluffy fabrics, such as sweaters, flannel and athletic socks.
Your charges are quite resourceful and can use gaps of less than 3 millimeters to find their way
into your clothing. To keep them from crawling up your pant legs, tuck your trousers into yourboots or socks. Be sure that any gaps are closed. You can even use tape or elastic bands on
your pants and sleeves.

Page 19 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectBecause scents and pheromones are so important to life in a bee colony,they also are an easy way to cause a defensive response. When you’reon the way to visit your bees, avoid fragrances (hair products, perfumes,
aftershave or deodorant) and other odors or fumes. Avoid consuming
bananas before opening a hive; the honeybee’s alarm-pheromone
smells similar to bananas and they can potentially respond like it’s analarm when smelling banana on a beekeeper’s breath!

How to MoveCalm, sure movements are best. Stay relaxed. Don’t work too fast or with quick jerky
movements. Bees are sensitive to vibrations, so bumping or banging on the hive can set off
their defensive response.
Tuck or tie back long hair, both to keep it out of the way and to keep it from moving wildly inthe wind.
When handling bees, it’s important to remember that each hive is moody, behaving
differently on different days. Don’t assume that the way a hive behaved in the past is the way it
will behave today.

Timing is Everything
When opening a hive, choose a day that is bright, sunny and warm. Rainy or hot, muggy days
can make bees more defensive. Thunderclouds or storms are to be avoided, as environmental
factors during these times may make bees more irritable. Also, more bees are likely to be in thehive during a storm, which means more hanging around with the express purpose of defending
the hive.
Working the hive on a colder day can be dangerous for the bees. The way bees stay warm is tobunch together in a complex cluster. Honeybees begin to cluster if the temperature drops
below about 57 degrees. If you work the hive after the cluster has formed, you may cause thebees to become disorganized, and they may not get their cluster rebuilt before the temperaturedrops, causing the hive to be more susceptible to the cold. If you must manipulate them duringcolder weather, do so in the morning to give them plenty of time to get their clusterorganized again before temperatures plummet.

Page 20 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project

The optimum time for hive management is during nectar flow, when most of the bees aregone from the hive collecting nectar. This occurs when the most flowers are in bloom andproducing nectar and pollen for the bees to use. The timing varies based on your climate. Check
with your local beekeepers association or extension agent to find out when nectar flow
happens in your area.

Outreach
For new programs, and based on a success story from AHCC, we recommend an all-staff email
to describe your beekeeping plans. Identify expected benefits to staff, inmates, and thecommunity (see Section 1, starting page 3), and plans that will maximize safety and security—
feel free to use/adapt text from this section in your message.
Another option for preparing for the bees’ arrival: SPP can provide posters that focus on or
includes beekeeping safety. If interested, please contact Emily passaree@evergreen.edu and
Joslyn Trivett trivettj@evergreen.edu. A sample of a poster used at Clallam Bay:We also recommend printing and posting signs of severe allergy symptoms and notice to callemergency response (see Treating Bee Stings, above, starting page 17).
Page 21 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project4. Beekeeping Equipment and Equipment Security
Obtaining Equipment
Beekeeping requires very specialized equipment. The hives themselves must be made fromclean, chemical-free wood, and to very precise measurements; a dedicated prison woodshop
could manufacture on site to save costs.
Various pest controls must be included—it is too easy to lose hives to yellow jackets, rats, andmites, so make pest control and monitoring a regular part of the program.
Honey extraction requires additional equipment, but facilities tend to assume that honey will
be part of the program. Other supplies are needed to create products from honeybee wax.
Larger suppliers of beekeeping equipment include:
Mann Lake
Brushy Mountain
Betterbee
Kelley Beekeeping
Tractor Supply Company
Western Bee Supply
DadantGlory Bee
Walter T. Kelly
Bee Thinking Hives
Mother Lode Products

Known Washington State-based suppliers are
Ballard Bee Co.
Coastal Farm & Ranch
Belleville Honey
Sunny Bee honey Co.
Northwest bee Supply
Stedman's Bee Supply
Tarboo Valley Bees
Trees 'n Bees

The equipment list below is provided as an example; it shows start up plans and cost for LCC,
where they purchased equipment for six hives.

Page 22 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectExample equipment purchase, 6 hives (bees not included)
June, 2016
Item

Number Cost eachneededExample Cost Example
VendorBasicsHive kit (Langstroth
medium)6

Hive tool (HD-570)

4

6.95

$27.80Bee brush (HD-660)
Sugar (25-lb bag)

2
12

5.1
12.99

$10.20$155.88127$762.00

Notes

Link With exact plans,
skills & precision,
possible to build
Link Pry bar to gethive open

Link
Link Bee feeding
during lean times

Hive entrance feeder(FD-100)
SafetyX-Large Bee Suit (CV315)
Large Bee Suit (CV310)
Medium Bee Suit
(CV-305)
X-large gloves (CL148)
Large gloves (CL-147)
Medium gloves (CL146)
Smoker (HD-560)

6

3.95

$23.70

Link

1

79.95

$79.95

Link Range of sizes tofurnish program
long-term

2

79.95

$159.90

Link

1

79.95

$79.95

Link

1

22.95

$22.95

Link

2
1

22.95
22.95

$45.90$22.95

Link
Link

1

32.95

$32.95

Link Smoke makes

Yellow jacket trap

4

9.82

$39.28bees docile
Link Predators of bees
& humans

Yellow jacket
attractant refills
Pest control
Mouse guard (HD591)

5

5.59

$27.95

Link

6

4.95

$29.70

Link One for each

Hop Guard 12 pack(DC-301)
Honey-related

1$48.95

hive, wintermonthsLink Mite control

Page 23 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide

48.95©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectExtractor (HH-162)1

429.95$429.95

Link Extracts honey

Queen Excluder (HD122)
Mason Jar (12-pack)(CN-123)
Example Total

6

14.95

$89.70

Link Keeps queen out$42.25of honey frames
Link To put honey in!

from frames

5

8.45

$2131.91

Cover and Inner CoverSupersHive Body

Bottom Board and Reducer
Figure by Anthony Pickard.

Beekeeping Equipment Security and Storage
Most beekeeping tools are generally treated like any other tool in a prison setting. They areinventoried and tracked, and typically left in a locked cabinet or shed. In Washington, the hive
tool—a specialized pry bar—is considered a Class A tool.

What Other Facilities Have Done – Equipment Security
Washington Corrections Center for Women – Has a small shed to hold tools and bee suits. No
formal checking out system, but shed is locked when not in use. The only tool which wasinventoried and tracked is a 6” pry bar, but still stored with the rest of the tools.

Page 24 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectBeekeeping program cart at WSP. Photo by Ricky Osborne.

Washington State Penitentiary - WSP has a wheeled, locked cage that holds the beekeeping
suits. Each suit is assigned to a student for better tracking. All equipment is held in the shednear the hives. At Washington State Penitentiary every tool is inventoried and numbered. Tools
live in a locked cabinet which is located in the beekeeping liaison’s office. Equipment is hung on
the wall and outlined for tracking. None of the tools used at WSP are considered a Class A(dangerous) tool.
Larch Corrections Center – Larch will have a caged area near the bees to hold all non-restrictive
equipment (e.g. buckets). This will be locked when not in use. Items that could be restrictive,
like beekeeping suits, and any equipment that can be used as a weapon, will be kept in thebeekeeping liaison’s office until a better solution is found. This is not ideal as it takes over someof the liaison’s working space.

Page 25 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project5. Hives, Buying Bees, Feeding, & Pollinator-Friendly
Practices
Hive Specifics
Types
There are several different types of hives. However, if you’re not an expert beekeeper, it ishighly recommended that you start with the industry standard, 10-frame Langstroth medium
hives. Medium hives are a max of 65 lbs, while deep hives are 3 inches deeper and weighbetween 80-100 lbs. It is generally easier to have all hives the same size, but mixing andmatching is possible. There are many alternatives to Langstroth hives, but most beekeepers
have advised against trying them; if you would like to experiment, please contact us to discussresearch design.
Number
You absolutely want to start out with two or more hives. When starting beekeeping, hives
fatalities are common: expect 1 out 3 hives to die. Losing an entire program at once would bevery discouraging for all involved, so start with more so this is unlikely!
Multiple hives allows you to compare hives to each other, and thus learn more quickly. Morehives also gives eager beekeepers more chances for hands-on time with the bees (see Time,
below). We recommend 3 or more hives to start. However, the number of hives will dependon resources available.
Time considerations
How much time you dedicate to beekeeping is entirely up to you. One extreme is that you can
install your package in the spring and basically do nothing more with your bees, to the otherextreme of inspecting your hives every week. A good management practice is to inspect you
hives every two weeks during the spring and summer. This should only take about 10 minutes
per hive. (See Timing is Everything, page 20, for more information)
Here's what happens for most folks just getting started in beekeeping. They love it so much,they are always in the hive. Looking at it, pulling frames out, searching for the queen andshowing friends and relatives. All this looking disrupts the bees’ activities, so it is best to limit
your inspections to twice a month. The more hives you have, the more you can inspectdifferent hives on different days and get more out of your program.
Page 26 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectLocation

Information from: http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/pick-the-perfect-location-foryour-beehive.html
The ideal hive location has easy access (so you can tend to your hives), good drainage (so thebees don’t get wet), a nearby water source for the bees, dappled sunlight, minimal wind, andaccess to bee-friendly plants. Keep in mind that fulfilling all these criteria may not always be
possible. No worries — the bees are forgiving. Do the best you can by following these basic
guidelines:
1. Face your hive to the southeast. That way your bees get a sunrise wake-up call and start
foraging early.
2. Position your hive so that it’s easily accessible come honey harvest time. You don’t want
to be hauling hundreds of pounds of honey up a hill or down a fire escape on a hot
August day.
3. Provide a windbreak at the rear of the hive.
a. You can plant trees to block the wind or you can erect a fence made from posts
and burlap or even use bales of hay to block harsh winter winds that can stressthe colony.
4. Put the hive in dappled sunlight. Full, direct sun all day long causes the hives to get very
hot in the summer. The bees will spend time trying to regulate the hive’s temperature,

Page 27 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project

5.

6.

7.
8.

when they could be making honey. You also want to avoid deep, dark shade because it
can make the hive damp and the colony listless.
Make sure the hive has good ventilation. Avoid placing it in a gully where the air is stilland damp. Also, avoid putting it at the peak of a hill, should you live in a region where
the bees will be subjected to winter’s fury.
Place the hive absolutely level from side to side, with the front of the hive just slightly
lower than the rear (a difference of an inch or less is fine), so that any rainwater drains
out of the hive (and not into it).
Locate your hive on firm, dry land.
In a country setting, you can place mulch around the hive to prevent grass and weedsfrom blocking its entrances.

Space between multiple hives
6 - 8 inches is a minimum. And if you have a bit more space, give them a foot or two. Don't
place them too far a part or else you'll be making too much to work them. If you have more 4 ormore hives, make a "U" shape bee yard, like a horseshoe shape apiary yard. This helps the bees
identify their hive quickly, by position, and provides a little wind break for landings andtakeoffs.

Buying Bees: Nucs, Packages, Swarms, Established Colonies
WASBA recommends the Carniolan Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera Carnica) for Washington State;
it is a dark, gentle bee, well suited to the cooler climates of the Pacific Northwest. Whenordering your bees, you can choose between a nucleus (nuc) hive, a package, an establishedhive, or a swarm. Ask your local beekeeping expert for what they recommend, and the best
supplier for purchasing. General guidelines are given below, and some suppliers can be foundhere: http://www.pugetsoundbees.org/queen-bees-and-nucs/.
Nucs, or nucleus hives, are a more expensive and relatively easy way to start a new hive. They
are created from one, well-established hive, and the bees inside have already accepted thequeen and begun producing honey and brood. Nucs usually only consist of 5 frames of broodand bees and a queen (this is smaller than a full hive of bees), but contain all of the components
needed for a new and successful hive.
-

Generally comes with 3 pounds of bees, plus 5 frames of brood.
Queen usually starts laying eggs immediately.
Usually about a month ahead in growth and honey production compared to a package
Price slightly more expensive than packages

Page 28 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project-May be available in spring and summer

A package is a collection of bees put together from different established hives. This is the morecommon, and less expensive way to start a new hive. Starting a hive from a package requires
more patience, giving the colony time to accept the queen and then for her to start laying eggs.
A package will dwindle in strength for approximately 24-28 days before new bees begin tohatch.
--

It can be as long as 5 days after installing package bees before the queen begins laying
eggs to produce new bees, especially if you are installing the bees in brand new
equipment with no drawn comb.
The brood then takes 21 days to mature and hatch as new bees. Hive growth simply
cannot occur until new bees are hatching.
Packages only available in spring—even if you could get one later, not a good idea tostart a hive from a package later in the growing season, because bees will not haveenough time to produce and prepare for fall and winter.

Established colony: The easiest method of starting your own hive is to purchase one that has
already been established and fostered by another, more experienced beekeeper. This will
ensure your colony will survive and thrive, as they have already been producing workers andhoney by the time you get them.
Another option is to capture your own bees in the wild. Though bees are often at their gentlest
when swarming, this method can be dangerous and difficult if the bees are out of arm’s reach.
Only attempt this with the presence of experienced beekeepers.
You also have the option of setting swarm traps or bait hives. Great information about this canbe found here: http://www.bushfarms.com/beesferal.htm#baithives

Feeding Bees
The best way to feed your bees is to grow pollinator-friendly plants within their foraging range.
Recommended planting guides can be found in the list of books and journals (page 10). Many ofrecommended plants benefit native pollinators as well. Guides are also available online fromhttp://pollinator.org/guides.htm, http://www.xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/plant-lists/and http://www.permaculture.org/pollinator-friendly-permaculture/ .
When installing bees from a package, you will need to feed them a sugar-water mixture until
they are creating food and thriving on their own. After the hive is established, it’s likely you will
only need to spend a few hours per year handling and keeping the bees. Typically, you’ll only
Page 29 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectneed to feed them in early spring up until the first few weeks of May (depending on how thebees are doing). If your bees are thriving and making their own food, don’t feed them.
RECIPES
Sugar syrup can be made in three different formulas, each has its own special purpose and isused at a specific time of the year. We recommend using white granulated cane sugar. Avoid
brown sugar, beet sugar, powder sugar, or honey. Remember the bee keeper code: neverfeed the bees while honey supers are in place.
Spring: March-April-May
1:2 This formula is a very light syrup. It is made using one part of sugar to two parts ofwater. For example, 1 pound sugar to 2 pounds of water. It is used in late winter and early
spring to stimulate the queen to lay eggs and helps the bees draw more comb.
Summer; June-July-August
1:1 this formula is a medium weight syrup. It is made using one part of sugar to one partof water. For example, 1 pound of sugar to 1 pound of water. It is used as an artificial nectar
to feed brood larvae in spring and summer or to get the bees to draw more comb.
Fall Sept-Oct-Nov
2:1 this formula is a very heavy syrup. It is made using two parts of sugar to one part ofwater. For example, 2 pound of sugar to 1 pound of water. This is used in fall or early winter ashoney substitute to feed your bees. The bees should add weight and will use these storesthroughout winter.
Making the syrup: All three syrups are simple to make. Add proper weight of sugar to warm
water and stir until dissolved. Never cook your sugar. Just get all the sugar dissolved with noneon the bottom. Let cool and then feed.
For more information:
http://www.apishive.com/honey-bee-health-2/how-when-and-why-to-feed-your-honey-bees

Pollinator-Friendly Practices
About 15 percent of pollinator-dependent human crops is provided by native bees. Of course,
native pollinators are also vital to the health of many native plants, and healthy native
communities are dependent on these insects’ health. Many North American native pollinators

Page 30 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Projectare at risk of extinction; see “Red Lists” for bees, butterflies and moths at
http://www.xerces.org/endangered-species/.
The best way to support native pollinators is to create pollinator-friendly landscapes. Many
herbs and flowers appropriate for prison plantings can provide food and shelter to bothhoneybees and native pollinators (more details available above). Easy-to-make habitat nest
boxes can further improve the environment for native insects. Also consider whether thecampus has sites where “natural” conditions can be provided: undisturbed soil, grass, andshrub areas, and rotting logs and stumps. An overview article is available online: How to protect
native bees? (http://www.xerces.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/how_to_protect_native_bees.pdf)

Glossary of Terms
Anther – The part of a flower’s stamen that holds pollen.
Apiary – An area that contains a collection of honey bee hives.
Bee Brush – A brush designed to sweep the bees out of the way that will not injure them.
Brood – Bee eggs and larvae.
Carniolan Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera Carnica) – A dark, gentle bee well suited to the cooler climates of
the Pacific Northwest. Overwinters is smaller clusters than Italian Hone Bees.
Cell – An individual compartment in the bees’ comb.
Diapause – A delay in insect growth while it waits out unfavorable conditions; similar to hibernation.
Drone – Male honeybees; typically, a few hundred drones live surrounding the queen, and they have nostingers.
Foundation – A sheet embossed with a honey comb pattern for the bees to build their comb in. The
foundation is installed into a frame and placed in the hive body. Older style foundation is made ofbeeswax; newer style made of plastic coated in beeswax.
Frame – Rectangular structure of wood framing the foundation sheets; the series of frames provide themain structure inside the hive.
Grafting – This is the process of taking an egg or a larvae from the brood nest and placing it into an
artificial queen cup.
Ground nesting – Bees that dig nests in the ground.
Hive Body – This is the bees’ home, basically just a box that holds the frames that the bees build in.
Host plant – A plant preferred as a source of food by caterpillars; the adult female must lay her eggs onor near a host plant for her species.
Invasive species – A (usually non-native) species that can crowd out or compete with native species.
Italian Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera Ligustica) – the most commonly kept breed of honeybee in the U.S.
Kenyan Bar Hive – An older style of hive rarely used anymore in the U. S. These hives are one piece, nofoundation is used; the bees build directly on the bars.
Langstroth Hive – The most commonly used in commercial operations in the U.S. These type of hives arestacked on each other and have 8 to 10 removable frames per section.
Nectar – Sugar rich fluid produced by flowers that is a food source for pollinating animals.
Non-native – A species of animal or plant that does not occur naturally in an area; brought to the areaby humans intentionally or accidentally.

Page 31 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectNuc – A small 4 or 5 frame hive body usually used for transporting small colonies of bees. A regular hive
have 8 to 10 bodies.
Pheromone – A scent excreted by the bees that they use to communicate. The bees’ nasonov glandexcretes an orientation pheromone. Another type of pheromone is excreted by the poison sack when
the bee stings signaling the other bees to sting.
Pistil – The female part of the flower, usually made up of a swollen base (ovary, later becoming the
fruit), a stalk (style), and a pollen-receptive tip (stigma).
Pupation – The act of changing from a larva (e.g. caterpillar) to an adult.
Queen – The egg-laying female in a social bee colony.
Queen Cell – This is a finished queen cup after it has a larva, royal jelly, and has been sealed by the bees
for the pupa stage. It looks like a Peanut.
Queen Cup – This is a larger than normal cell (still open) made for producing a queen. The bees makethese on their own when they want a new queen, or an artificial one may be introduced.
Queen Excluder – A device with openings too narrow for the queen to pass, placed to prevent her fromlaying brood in certain parts of the hive.
Royal Jelly – Food produced by the nurse bees to feed the queen and the brood.
Smoker – This is a piece of equipment used to burn grass, pine needles, pine cones, or burlap. It is used
to apply smoke to the hive just before opening it. The smoke sedates the bees.
Social – Insects that live in colonies and work together to build and defend nests and feed and raise
offspring; honeybees are social insects.
Solitary – Insects that build and defend nests without working with other insects; the great majority ofnative bees are solitary.
Stamen – The male part of a flower, usually made up of a filament with an anther at the tip.
Stigma – The tip of the female part of the flower that is receptive to pollen.
Super – A box with frames in which the bees store honey, placed above the frames containing brood; a“queen excluder” prevents brood within the super.
Swarm – This is when the bees decide they need to leave the hive because the colony is overcrowded.
They make a second queen and when she emerges the older queen takes off with half of the colony tofind a new home. The bees are extremely gentle when they are in swarm mode.
Taxonomy – The theory, practice, and process of classifying organisms in established categories.
Wood nesting – Insects that make nests in or on woody stems, logs, and stumps.
Workers – Worker honeybees bees are non-reproductive female bees; they make up the vast majority
of bees in a normal and healthy colony, and have a stinger.

Honeybee Comparison. Digital image. Barnsley Beekeepers Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 23
Aug. 2014. <http://barnsleybeekeepers.org.uk/ bee_sexes.html>.

Page 32 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectContributors
The efforts, knowledge, and vision of many people are represented in this guide. Special thanks to thefolks listed here.

Editors
Emily Passarelli
SPP Green Track Program Coordinator
The Evergreen State College

Joslyn Rose Trivett
SPP Education & Outreach Manager
The Evergreen State College

Contributors
Ronald Benjamin
Custody Officer 3
Washington Corrections Penitentiary

Jim Lynch
SPP Senior Advisor for Conservation
Biologist, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Fish & Wildlife

Kelli BushSPP Program Manager
The Evergreen State College

Louis Matej
Master Beekeeper

Mona Chambers
Professional Beekeeper

Jim Miller
Master Beekeeper
Miller Homesteads

Gary Clueit
President
Washington State Beekeepers Association

Anthony Pickard
Offender Workforce Development Specialist
Washington Department of Corrections

Renzy Davenport
Beekeeper
Olympia Beekeepers Association

Laurie Pyne
President
Olympia Beekeepers Association

Glenn Epling
Officer
Cedar Creek Corrections Center

Gabriel Quitslund
Sales Manager
Bee Thinking

Jonathan Fischer
Classification Counselor 3
Washington State Penitentiary

Gina Sibley
Classification Counselor 3
Washington Corrections Center

Page 33 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons ProjectRebekah Golden
Education Coordinator
Bee Thinking

Steve Sinclair
SPP Co-Director & Assistant Secretary, Prisons Division
Washington State Department of Corrections

Carrie LeRoy, Ph.D
SPP Co-Director & Member of the Faculty
The Evergreen State College

Edward Tharp
Horticulture Instructor
Washington Corrections Center for Women

Carrie Little
Farm Manager
Mother Earth Farm

Kelly Thompson
Washington State Beekeepers Association

Paul Longwell
Journeyman Beekeeper
Olympia Beekeepers Association

Julie Vanneste
Sustainable Operations Manager
Washington State Department of Corrections

Technician Anglemeyer demonstrates beekeeping techniques for King5 News at CCCC. Photo by Kelli Bush.

Page 34 – SPP Beekeeping Program Guide©2017 Sustainability in Prisons Project