The Foundation is offering a course entitled Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee!
This course will be a 10-lesson programme designed especially for aspiring beekeepers. With Over 20 hours of engaging lessons, this course will equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to establish and maintain bee colonies responsibly, while contributing to the protection of Malta’s native pollinators.
Focusing on the endemic Apis mellifera ruttneri, the Maltese Honey Bee and our officially recognised National Insect, the course combines hands-on training with a strong conservation ethos. Participants will explore among others:
- Bee biology and behaviour
- Sustainable hive management
- Honey harvesting
- Legal requirements for beekeeping in Malta.
- Key environmental challenges; hybridisation, pesticide use, and climate change
Practical learning is central to the course, with interactive sessions and a guided visits to a working apiary. Those who attend at least 80% of sessions will receive a Certificate of Attendance and the opportunity to join exclusive schemes offered by the Foundation.
The course will not only teach participants how to rear the Maltese Honey Bee but will also raise awareness about the importance of conservation. Rearing and conservation should go hand in hand, ensuring that beekeeping activities indirectly contribute to the protection of ecology and the local environment. Furthermore, the course encourages a shift from a linear to a circular economy mindset, thereby supporting the sustainability of the apicultural sector.
All course details are provided below. Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality learning environment. Take the first step towards becoming a beekeeper and help safeguard Malta’s unique bee heritage. To reserve your place, kindly follow these instructions;
ACCEPTING BOOKINGS
- Kindly effect the payment of €175 to the Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee;
- Beneficiary Name: FONDAZZJONI GHALL-KONSERVAZZJONI TAN-NAHLA MALTIJA
- IBAN: MT44VALL22013000000050020135691
- BIC: VALLMTMTXXX
- Bank Name: Bank of Valletta
- N.B. A fiscal receipt will be provided on the first day of the course. Please note that the fee is non-refundable (in part or in full) and non-transferable.
- Once payment has been made, please email us at info@maltesehoneybee.org and forward the following information for our records, which will be used to issue your course completion certificate:
- Full Name and Surname
- Email Address
- Mobile Number
- ID Card Number
Title: Introduction to Beekeeping and Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee (English Language Class)
Duration: 10 Lessons × 2 Hours Each (Total: 20 Hours)
Fee: €175
Venues:
| Theory (Lessons 1-5 & 8-10) | Paola Volunteer Centre, Jake Vella (Paola) |
| Practical (Lessons 6 & 7 ) | Group A: St Paul’s Missionary College (Rabat, Malta) Group B: Alexander Ball Garden (Ħal-Safi) Group C: St Paul’s Missionary College (Rabat, Malta) |
Timetable:
| Lesson 1 | 2 Hours | Theory (Online or In-Person @Paola) | Wednesday, 15th July 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00 |
| Lessons 2 & 3 | 4 Hours | Theory (Online or In-Person @Paola) | Saturday, 18th July 2026 | 9:00 – 13:00 |
| Lesson 4 | 2 Hours | Theory (Online or In-Person @Paola) | Tuesday, 21st July 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00 |
| Lessons 5 & 8 | 4 Hours | Theory (Online or In-Person @Paola) | Saturday, 25th July 2026 | 9:00 – 13:00 |
| Lessons 6 & 7 Group A* | 4 Hours | Practical (In-Person @Rabat, Malta) | Sunday, 26th July 2026 | 16:00 – 20:00 |
| Lessons 6 & 7 Group B* | 4 Hours | Practical (In-Person @Ħal-Safi) | Saturday, 1st August 2026 | 7:00 – 11:00 |
| Lessons 6 & 7 Group C* | 4 Hours | Practical (In-Person @Rabat, Malta) | Sunday, 2nd August 2026 | 16:00 – 20:00 |
| Lessons 9 & 10 | 4 Hours | Theory (Online** or In-Person @Paola) | Saturday, 8th August 2026 | 9:00 – 13:00 |
*N.B. Practical Groups B & C will be held only if the number of bookings exceeds 10 and 20 students, respectively.
**N.B. Ideally, participants should attend the final lesson live in order to receive their certificate.
What’s Included:
- Certificate of Attendance (issued to participants who attend at least 80% of the sessions)
- Direct access to Custodians of the National Insect scheme as Guardian of the National Insect (beekeeper)
- Opportunities to join schemes offered by the Foundation.
- Permanent access to a private WhatsApp group with both new and experienced beekeepers, as well as like-minded individuals.
Group Size:
- Minimum: 10 participants
- Maximum: 30 participants
To ensure effective learning and practical experience, the practical session will be divided into three groups (A, B & C), with a maximum of 10 students per group.
Intended For:
This course is ideal for beekeepers (both experienced and aspiring), conservationists, educators, and nature enthusiasts who wish to support Malta’s native biodiversity. It also welcomes farmers, gardeners, and citizen scientists interested in pollinator-friendly practices and anyone passionate about becoming a Guardian of the National Insect by helping to protect and keep the endemic Apis mellifera ruttneri.
Language: English
Course Overview
This comprehensive course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and commitment required to become Guardians of the National Insect (beekeepers in Malta who keep and protect the Apis mellifera ruttneri, the endemic Maltese Honey Bee and Malta’s officially recognised National Insect).
It provides aspiring beekeepers, educators, and nature enthusiasts with a strong foundation in Maltese beekeeping practices, underpinned by a deep commitment to conservation and sustainability. Centred on the unique Apis mellifera ruttneri, the course blends practical instruction with ecological awareness, reflecting Malta’s national efforts to safeguard its native pollinators and biodiversity.
Across ten structured lessons, participants will explore the biology and behaviour of honey bees, the specific needs and traits of the Maltese subspecies, and the essential tools and techniques for responsible hive management. The course also covers the legal and ethical dimensions of beekeeping in Malta, as well as the major environmental threats facing bees today, such as hybridisation, pesticides, and climate change.
Hands-on sessions and an observational visit to a working apiary offer direct experience in hive handling, disease recognition, and sustainable honey harvesting. Participants will also learn how to implement pollinator-friendly practices, contribute to citizen science projects, and engage in broader conservation efforts that support the long-term survival of Malta’s native bee population.
The course will not only teach participants how to rear the Maltese honey bee but will also raise awareness about the importance of conservation. Rearing and conservation should go hand in hand, ensuring that beekeeping activities indirectly contribute to the protection of ecology and the local environment. Furthermore, the course encourages a shift from a linear to a circular economy mindset, thereby supporting the sustainability of the apicultural sector.
By the end of the course, learners will not only be prepared to establish and maintain bee colonies responsibly, but will also join a growing community of committed individuals actively working to preserve the Maltese Honey Bee and its vital role in our ecosystem.
Target Audience
- Adults with an interest in beekeeping, agriculture, biodiversity, or environmental conservation.
- Beginners or early intermediate beekeepers.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Understand the biology and behaviour of Maltese Honey Bee.
- Learn practical skills for managing hives and rearing bees responsibly.
- Appreciate the importance of the Maltese Honey Bee and how to help conserve it.
- Be able to identify threats to bee health and apply sustainable practices.
- Visit and safely interact with active beehives in an apiary.
Lesson Plan (2 hours each)
Lesson 1: Introduction to Beekeeping in Malta
- Introduction to the course
- Historical overview of beekeeping in the Maltese Islands.
- Introduction to the Maltese Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ruttneri): characteristics and importance.
- Overview of basic beekeeping equipment and terminology.
- Legal framework and regulations relevant to beekeeping in Malta.
Lesson 2: Understanding the Maltese Honey Bee
- Anatomy of the Maltese honey bee and roles within the hive: queen, drones, and workers.
- Bee behaviour and methods of communication (e.g., the waggle dance).
- The life cycle and reproductive biology of bees.
- Unique traits and adaptations of the Maltese Honey Bee subspecies.
Lesson 3: Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee
- The ecological value of conserving native pollinators.
- Key threats: hybridisation, pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change.
- An introduction to genetic testing and its role in subspecies verification
- Overview of the National Insect initiative and related legal protections.
- The role of designated custodians of the National Insect.
- The beekeeper’s role in safeguarding biodiversity.
Lesson 4: Equipment and Hive Management
- Overview of basic beekeeping equipment and terminology
- Common hive types used in Malta and their features.
- Practical use of hive tools and the smoker
- Essential tools and protective gear for safe beekeeping.
- Establishing an apiary: site selection, layout planning, and preparation.
- Seasonal hive management practices in the Maltese climate.
- Managing comb, hive space, and honey supers
Lesson 5: Starting and Maintaining a Maltese Honey Bee Colony
- Sourcing bees: catching swarms, making splits, and acquiring nucleus colonies (nucs)
- Introducing and monitoring queens; assessing colony strength and the importance of record-keeping
- Supplementary feeding: when and how to provide nutrition support.
- Practical sanitation and disease prevention measures
- Induction for beehive inspections
Lesson 6: Apiary Visit I – Hive Handling and Maintenance
- Guided visit to a functioning apiary.
- Live demonstration of a hive inspection.
- Identifying brood, pollen and honey stores.
- Hands-on practice with tools under supervision.
Lesson 7: Apiary Visit II – Assessing Colony Status
- Practical record-keeping.
- Observing signs of colony health or distress.
- Pests and disease diagnostic protocols.
- Treating for common apicultural pathogens.
- Emphasis on safety, respect for bees, and ethical handling.
- Bee products appreciation.
Lesson 8: Bee Health and Disease Management
- Identifying symptoms of common bee diseases (e.g., Varroa mite, foulbrood).
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.
- Approved treatment methods and hygiene protocols in Malta.
- Accessing veterinary support and understanding registration requirements.
Lesson 9: Honey Harvesting and Sustainable Practices
- Methods for honey bee products’ harvesting.
- Types of honey and how they vary with flora and season.
- Processing, filtering, and safe storage techniques.
- Labelling requirements, local markets, and developing value-added products.
- Ethical and sustainable approaches to honey production and hive management.
Lesson 10: Conservation in Practice
- Creating pollinator-friendly environments: support the planting of indigenous species and avoiding harmful chemicals.
- The role of green corridors and native flora in supporting biodiversity.
- Developing a conservation action plan as a beekeeper.
- Participation in citizen science and pollinator monitoring programmes.
- Building connections with local and international conservation initiatives.
- Concluding remarks
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