An experienced Austrian apiarist has urged anyone interested in beekeeping to attend lectures before starting out.
Harald Trattner heads an association that unites beekeepers in the Upper Austrian towns of Hohenzell, Geiersberg, Sankt Marienkirchen and Eberschwang. It has more than 70 members.
Harald said: “Anyone can become an apiarist in Austria. But obtaining some kind of education would, of course, be advisable.”
Speaking to the MeinBezirk news website, the beekeeping association head explained: “There are courses and seminars concerning beekeeping.
“The Upper Austrian Apiculture Association is highly active. It keeps offering lectures.”
Asked to identify the most urgent problems beekeepers in the region are currently facing, Harald said: “The Varroa mite is still one of the main challenges.
“We are engaged in different regards such as breeding resistant bees to avoid aggressive treatment methods.”
The Varroa mite is a parasite that weakens bee larvae and spreads viruses. Ignoring infestations can have devastating consequences.
Graz University scientist Dr Robert Brodschneider recently warned: “Untreated Varroa infestations will result in the certain death of the colony after two or three years.”
More than 95 per cent of beekeepers in Austria are non-professionals. The activity is most popular in the region of Upper Austria and the neighbouring state of Lower Austria.
