January: The Quiet Work Behind the Busy SeasonA winter update on bee removal training, course development, and colony health.

Bee removal work feels like a distant memory. As I watch the snow fall in the garden while I type this, it’s hard to imagine those warm days on rooftops in just a T‑shirt and shorts under the vented protection of a bee suit. (No, I’m not a naked bee‑removal influencer.)

This time of year is when we review our processes, tighten our training, reassess policies, and sharpen our skills.

It’s easy to sit back and assume you’ve got it all figured out because “it works”, but that’s not how you stay ahead. Only this week we received notice of changes to health and safety in the building trade which, indirectly, mean we’ll need to tighten some of our own procedures. That means more training. During our company review I also noticed our PASMA tickets expired in December, so I’ll be hunting for a suitable course this afternoon.

As a course provider myself — and having completed trainer training — I recognise the importance of learning done well. Cost never decides whether I take a course. What I learn, how it’s presented, and the return on investment matter far more. Will it make me more attractive as a contractor? Could it open a new revenue stream now or later? Will it improve efficiency? These are the questions I ask, and they’re the same principles we try to embed in our own bee‑removal courses.

Our foundation course has been running for around six years, with one year off for Covid. It’s evolved a lot: from a two‑day course with a practical day, to a three‑day course with an internal removal simulation. In 2021 we added an advanced course covering removals from brickwork and chimneys.

So what does 2026 hold?

We’ve spent a lot of time this winter refining the programme. For the first time, we’re introducing a workbook to help candidates revisit their training and retain information more easily. Over the last couple of years we’ve piloted an exercise that helps candidates understand how revenue and profit are achieved in this line of work. It’s been so effective that some have used it in other parts of their businesses with great success. This year we’re doubling down and creating a more streamlined, direct version with a measurable outcome.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a fresh new look for a course that’s grown steadily in popularity.

And what about the bees? I managed to get out on the 2nd of January before the snow arrived, and I’m pleased to report losses are low. The colonies still with us are strong and have substantial stores that should see them through to the start of Spring without too much extra feeding. It’s a critical time of year for them, take your eye off the ball now and the consequences can be severe.

This time of year might look slow from the outside, but it’s where the real work happens. Training, planning, reviewing, refining — all the things that make the busy months run smoothly. The colonies are holding strong, the course is evolving, and 2026 already feels like a year of raising the bar. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds once the season begins.