By: Ann Harman
Spring Is A Busy Time For Beekeepers
- Review all current equipment.
- Make a list of equipment needed for coming year.
Repair or replace any damaged or worn out equipment.
- Take advantage of equipment supplier January sales.
- Check hives and beeyard after Winter storms.
Get outside and see what is blooming.
- Check colonies once a month but do not break cluster. Wear your veil.
- Frames of honey can be moved closer to cluster.
In warm climates requeen if necessary.
- In cold climates if food is needed, feed ‘wet sugar’ blocks.
- In warm climates feed 1:1 or slightly weaker sugar syrup to encourage egg laying.
Queen excluders need to be clean and not damaged.
- If any dead colonies, block entrances until you can inspect for a problem.
- In temperate climates bees will take cleansing flights if bright sun and 40° or more.
In warm climates swarms can occur.
- The arrival of Spring depends on climate.
- Be a Weather Watcher and a Plant Watcher.
Check your protective gear.
- Drones seen at entrance mean swarm season is beginning.
- In warm climates strong colonies can be split.• Read the bee book you got for Christmas. Learn something new about honey bees.
Check at entrance for bees bringing in pollen, essential for brood rearing
- Attend your local club meetings.
- Plan to be an apprentice mentor this year. You are certain to learn something.
