General Beekeeping Resources

Education and Training

The following resources are recommended for all beekeepers in Ontario.  They originate from reputable sources, are science-based, and have proven to be successful in the province.  Be wary of sources that recommend practices contradictory to those recommended here as they may be illegal or irrelevant to beekeeping in Ontario.

OMAFRA Apiary Program: Government regulations and information regarding apiculture in Ontario.

Ontario Beekeepers’ Association’s (OBA): The OBA and the OBA Tech Transfer Program conducts research for Ontario’s beekeeping industry, facilitates a honey bee breeding program in Ontario and works to transfer information, skills and methodologies to beekeepers. The OBA offers training for new and experienced beekeepers through a number of hands-on and online workshops.

University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre: This centre hosts a number of educational events for University students and the public. Additionally, they create how-to videos to provide new and advanced beekeepers with demonstrations on a variety of topics ranging from how to open a hive to queen rearing.

Niagara College Commercial Beekeeping Course: The college offers post secondary apiculture training courses for individuals who wish to pursue commercial beekeeping.

Algonquin College: The college offers courses for individuals who wish to obtain a general knowledge of beekeeping.

Reference Manuals

A number of Reference Manuals can be obtained from the Ontario Beekeepers Association. Titles include:

Ontario Beekeeping Manual

          Integrated Pest Management for Beekeeping in Ontario

Ontario Introductory Queen Rearing Manual

Elemental Genetics and Breeding for the Honey Bee

Honey Bee Diseases and Pests

Canadian Best Management Practices for Honey Bee Health can be accessed as a .pdf through the Canadian Honey Council’s website.

Essential Practices for Beekeepers, 2019 (OMAFRA) 

OMAFRA’s Apiary Program has links to infosheets and industry reports.