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Home→Advice→This Month in the Apiary: March

This Month in the Apiary: March

West Suffolk Beekeepers’ Association Posted on by
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  • On warmer days the bees will be flying. Do not go into the hive until at least 15 degrees or the weather is really settled . March can be warm in the day but temperatures still plummet at night.
  • If you have fondant on the colony, check if the bees are still taking it down.
  • Flowers may not produce nectar until towards the end of the month, so you may still need to feed.
  • The bees may be bringing in pollen from the snowdrops, crocus, hazel and willow among other plants. This can indicate the queen is laying
  • If a colony does not appear as active as others, keep a close check on stores and check when the temperature allows .
  • Continue to remove dead bees from the entrance and when the temperature is around 15 degrees on a warm windless day you can change the floor.
  • Do not do any other manipulation .
  • Once the weather has settled above 15 degrees you can do your first inspection to see the state of the stores and brood. Do this as quickly as possible.
  • If you find a colony has died out block the entrance to prevent robbing.
  • If the bees died with heads in the cells it was most likely starvation . In case of disease remove the hive and wash equipment with strong soda solution and scorch the hive parts.
  • Change tools and gloves if inspecting another colony..
  • At the first full inspection you will need to do a health check. This may be March or April depending on the weather.
  • In preparation insert the varroa board the week before to ascertain the mite drop.. You can check whether to treat with the NBU mite calculator.
  • At the first check you may find your queen has been superseded late last year.. if so you might want to mark and clip. the new one .
  • Get ahead by preparing for the possibility of swarming .
  • If you intend to change combs think about moving these to the edge of the hive, for a Bailey comb change or shook swarm when the temperature is settled at night as well as day .
  • Remove mouseguards..
  • Put Asian hornet traps in place. with some kind of sugary mixture such as apple juice. . Monitor daily and ensure you release other pollinators.

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