About this course

Learn how to use chemicals safely to manage Varroa mite

Managing Varroa mite is an important part of protecting honey bee colonies. This one-day course at Tocal College is designed specifically for beekeepers and will teach you how to use chemicals safely and responsibly when treating Varroa mite, while protecting yourself, your bees and consumers.

You’ll learn how to:

  • read and interpret product labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical permits
  • find important information about personal safety and chemical preparation
  • prepare and apply chemicals for Varroa mite control
  • follow safe chemical handling and application procedures
  • manage potential impacts on bee colonies and the environment.

Whether you manage a few hives or operate a larger beekeeping business, this course will help you build your knowledge and confidence in using chemicals safely to manage Varroa mite and protect your colonies.

Is this course right for me?

Before registering, check that this course suits you. This training is designed for beekeepers who need to understand the safe use of chemicals when treating Varroa mite. You should be comfortable reading product labels and safety information, following chemical handling instructions and applying safe work practices around bee colonies. If you want to improve your knowledge of chemical application and protect yourself, your bees and consumers when managing Varroa mite, click on the register now button.

At a glance:

Location: Statewide
Course duration: 1 day
Start date: Multiple intakes
Number of units: 1
Indicative fees: (Nil to eligible participants)
Accredited Course: Yes

Details

  • Understand and comply with legal requirements for the use of chemicals
  • Determine whether chemical application is required by assessing pest infestation levels
  • Interpret chemical labels and apply chemicals in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
  • Select the appropriate chemical and calculate amounts and application rates according to the label
  • Select suitable application equipment
  • Calibrate application equipment
  • Select and correctly use personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Clean equipment and manage spills safely
  • Maintain records and report incidents

Funded under the Varroa Management Program for eligible beekeepers

  • One day, 8.00 am–4.00 pm
  • A combination of theory and practical delivery, with assessment integrated throughout
  • Observation of PPE selection and use, equipment calibration, chemical transport, and application of Api-Bioxal to treat honey bee colonies for Varroa mite control
  • Delivered in-room, so training is not impacted by weather

Participants receive course training materials:

  • AgGuide Chemical application
  • Beekeeping record book

This course is delivered using indoor instruction, theory and practical work.

Participants must:

  • Be actively involved in beekeeping (from small-scale hobby apiarists to commercial beekeeping operators) seeking to treat honey bee colonies for Varroa mite.
  • Be comfortable working with chemicals and handling active bee colonies under treatment conditions.
  • Have access to and be willing to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specified on product labels and Safety Data Sheets (e.g., chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection/goggles, respiratory protection, and full beekeeping suit/veil).
  • Strictly follow biosecurity guidelines, chemical permits, and Work Health and Safety (WHS) directives during practical exercises.

Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Capability Requirements

To complete this course successfully, participants will need:

  • Reading: Interpreting pesticide labels, emergency Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) emergency/minor use permits, withhold periods, and residue safety guidelines.
  • Writing: Completing chemical treatment logs, biosecurity record books, Varroa mite monitoring forms, and chemical storage inventories.
  • Numeracy: Calculating chemical dosing rates per hive, measuring strip/strips per brood box, determining treatment cycle durations, tracking temperature thresholds for chemical application, and monitoring mite infestation rates.
  • Oral Communication & Hearing: Following instructor safety briefings, discussing treatment protocols with biosecurity officers or fellow apiarists, and understanding emergency response commands.
  • Digital Literacy: Basic computer or smartphone skills.

This course is mapped to the following national unit of competency:

  • AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pests, weeds and diseases


Additional Information

For information on students rights and responsibilities, and the Tocal College Code of Practice see Industry qualification student policies.

This is an elective unit delivered within the qualification AHCBEK31824 Certificate III in Beekeeping.