Check the weight of the hive / level of stores and add fondant if needed.Quite often beekeepers give their bees a Christmas present of fondant on Boxing day.With the entrance narrowed down it’s important to check that the entrance is clear as there is a danger that bees that have died in the hive can start … Continue reading →
Varroa treatments should now be complete remove strips such as Amitraz to avoid building resistance by varroa mites Mouseguards should be in place along with woodpecker protection Heft the hive to judge the level of stores. It is now too late to feed syrup as it cannot be processed, only use fondant wrapped in cling film … Continue reading →
All feeding should be finished as the bees cannot process the syrup in low temperatures Clean feeders and store Up date records if you have united colonies / update BeeBase Check hives for gaps or damage Remove vegetation under hives to avoid damp Repair then store equipment Fit mouseguards Prepare insulation if using Protect hives from … Continue reading →
If you have not already done so , you may want to extract this month. Give the bees space to go into or push down into the brood box by putting clearer boards on Place supers back on the hives they came from. Remember honey is a food product and should only be stored in food … Continue reading →
The invasive species ‘Asian Hornet’ (Vespa velutina) poses a significant threat to bee keeping and public safety, it is an aggressive and voracious predator that has been spreading across Europe and now threatens to cross the channel. This danger is being taken very seriously and the NBU (DEFRA/APHA) teams respond rapidly to any reports of individual … Continue reading →
Extract Oil seed rape before it sets in the comb If you remove supers make sure there is enough stores in the brood box and feed if necessary Make sure the queen has space to lay and the brood box doesn’t fill with stores Swarming has been increased this year as the weather was so variable … Continue reading →
Normally there would be a nectar flow but if it has been cold and the bees aren’t always able to get out, watch stores and feed 1:1 syrup if needed Make sure there is room for the queen to lay. If filled with stores remove a frame or two and replace with drawn comb or foundation … Continue reading →
If this is your first inspection check the colony is queenright. Look for the queen or eggs Make sure the queen has space to lay, you may need to remove a frame or two of winter stores and replace with foundation If it is warm enough do a full health check , shake the bees of … Continue reading →
. 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. … Continue reading →
Continue to heft to check stores. Feed fondant if in doubt. If feeding fondant, check if it needs replacing and that it’s over the cluster. You may have to rotate the crownboard so the hole is closer to the bees. Look under the hive to locate the cappings as an indication of where the cluster is. … Continue reading →