Midlands Beekeeping Calendar for November

Tags

beekeeping, beekeeping calendar, management

As always, All beekeeping is local. Here’s my offering for the beekeeping calendar for the South Carolina Midlands for the month of November:

Plan on checks once this month but otherwise do not work unless necessary to prevent the triggering of robbing behavior. Try to not be too disruptive in order to allow them to get their house (brood box) in order for winter.

1) Make sure bees have stores enough for winter and proceed accordingly. Last month we suggested aggressively feeding colonies that were underweight using 2:1 syrup. The goal was to increase their weight to approximately 30 – 35 lbs of stores. This month with the cooler weather we increasingly start to concern ourselves with excessive moisture in the hive. If your colonies are still lagging behind in stored nectar / syrup you may be forced to continue feeding 2:1 syrup. If they have stored enough syrup, later this month you may wish to add some insurance in the way of a candy board or mountain camp style dry sugar feeding.

2) Moisture containment becomes a major management concern this month as we move into cooler weather. Moisture within the hive can not be avoided. The bees breathe and, like humans, express humidity which condensates in the cooler weather. Additionally, the process of eating and metabolizing honey results in the release of water molecules. Important reading: A review of methods to control moisture within the hive can be found here.

3) Further reduce entrances if not yet done. The appropriate amount of reduction is what your bees can guard. Colder weather will result in the bees staying inside more and clustering. Lack of forage will also reduce their need for a larger entrance. You probably won’t see as many guard bees on your landing board. Rather than struggling with removing the current reducer, simply place a small piece of wood across the front of the current reducer to attain a smaller entrance. Addition of an upper entrance such as a notched inner cover is advisable prior to entering colder weather to allow for ventilation and allow moisture to escape. The upper entrance should be small, perhaps one bee width. If the colony is small a piece of screen across the upper entrance will insure no unwanted guests have access.

4) Make repairs on your equipment, assemble new equipment, and make some of those time saver gadgets.  Replace any bad equipment. Get started on that bait hive /swarm trap now for placement in early spring.

5) November is an excellent month for selling honey as customers prepare for the holiday season.

6) If you are considering an out yard for next year, now is the time to start looking for a suitable place. Use Google Maps, place an ad in the Market Bulletin, or cruise the countryside to find a place that has ideal forage.

7) Make plans to attend your association’s monthly meeting.

8) Start hinting at what books or equipment you’d like this year for holiday gift giving.

9) Start setting your beekeeping goals for next season.

The above are general guidelines for the average bee colony in the Midlands of South Carolina. We all have hives that may be outperforming the average. We also have colonies that underperform the average. Use your judgement in making changes suggested here. Beekeeping is an art as well as a science. Only you know the many, many particulars associated with your physical hives as well as the general health and population of your colonies.

Midlands Beekeeping Calendar for February

Tags

beekeeping, beekeeping calendar, chores, management

These chores are for the Midlands of South Carolina or a similar climate where the bees are flying at least a few hours most days of the year. February begins a gradual warming in the Midlands but can often be all over the map with freezing temperatures as well as the occasional warm, even spring like, day.

Red Maple blooms in earnest at the beginning of this month and other early bloomers soon join in – look for them along the roadways. The queen goes full tilt with her egg laying and the colony makes plans for reproduction. A lot is happening but mostly it’s a covert operation within the hives for the bees during February. While we humans believe it’s winter, the bees have decided to go forward with spring plans and are building up their population in anticipation of colony reproduction (read what Randy Oliver has to say about Understanding Colony Buildup). For the beekeeper it’s crunch time to prepare themselves and equipment for the coming rush of spring. Bees can and sometimes begin swarming the later part of February in South Carolina.

1) During inspections this month we are looking to ensure the bees have enough food stores to support their current brood buildup. During February the bees will be intent on raising lots of brood regardless of their pantry stores. This population increase will require food for the nurse bees, larvae, and additional heat to be generated from the workers. For that reason, the use of colony food stores is dramatically increased. We are entering a risky time for colony starvation. Remember, the colony will keep everyone fed up until the last drop of honey is used then they will perish together, typically head down in the cells, if food is not available.

2) We get occasional warm, spring like, days in February.  You may do a pre-spring inspection, checking for the presence of a queen and assessing the colony and stores. In fact, it is strongly recommended you assess the colony on a nice day, warm enough that the bees are out flying. Explore into the hive as far down as the brood nest if the weather is warm and the bees are flying. Note strength, they should be gaining in population. Be purposeful and brief. Check honey supply and feed with a candy board, sugar bricks, fondant, or thick sugar syrup fed from above if below one-half super. Whatever you choose, the food must be placed close to the cluster or on top for them to access the food during cold weather. If you saved frames of honey you may add these (after thawing), placing them close to or above the cluster. When removing a top telescoping cover with the  inner cover exposed, if the bees are visible in the hole in the inner cover you likely need to feed. Typically once feeding is started it continues until the nectar flow begins to prevent starvation of the growing colony.

3) Depending on the Midlands climate, be ready for an early buildup. Some colonies, especially those that were fed through the winter, may be making swarm preparations. As brood rearing continues and populations increase, make note of increased population and congestion in the brood area. Swap (rotate) brood boxes based on your assessment of buildup. Rotating boxes provides the queen with empty drawn comb to lay in as well as disrupts the colony with regards to swarm preparations. Only rotate brood boxes when all of the nest is in the upper brood box (food chamber).  You do not want to split the cluster.  Rotating brood boxes is a swarm prevention measure, not simply to get the queen into the lower brood box.

4) When rotating boxes notice that the bees will often have built drone comb in the space between boxes (bottom bar to top bar). You will break this comb as you separate the boxes – don’t panic. Before scraping the top bars clean, visually assess for the presence of Varroa mites on the drone pupae. Also note whether the drone pupae are at the purple eyed stage which indicates queen rearing may start soon if swarm prevention efforts are not implemented.

5) Low stress swarm prevention measures that do not disrupt the brood nest, such as hive body rotation, adding drawn comb above, and nectar management can typically be safely done during early February. Later in the month, weather permitting (moderate temps), and depending on colony buildup and strength, you may want to perform more invasive swarm prevention methods such as the opening up the brood chamber with drawn comb or even empty frames if congested. (Next month we will talk about swarm control i.e. when they have ignored all your hard work and decided to swarm.)

6) If your goal is to build up for honey production, or to make increase (i.e. splits) you may want to begin to stimulate the colony with feed. This will stimulate a population growth that will accelerate rapidly. Eggs laid on Valentine’s Day, will reach foraging age by April 1st which often marks the beginning of the nectar flow in the Midlands. Be cautious, stimulating population growth will also stimulate swarm preparations. Your goal is to have lots of bees for nectar collection, but the bees have a different idea. Swarm prevention and control techniques should be constantly on your management agenda. Also, once you start feeding it is important that you continue until the nectar flow begins unless you are assured they have enough to feed larvae and heat the colony until forage is available.

7) Assess for Varroa levels early February and give a spring clean-up treatment if indicated. Your goal is very low levels now because it will be June before the nectar flow ends and supers are removed. Remember, once supers are in place your options for varroa treatment are greatly reduced. When choosing your treatment method make note of how soon it needs to be out of the hive prior to placing honey supers. Remove any medications in the hive if already in place before the nectar flow begins.

8) If not yet done, continue to assemble honey supers, frames, etc. Get them ready now because you will be busy once the season begins.

9) Notice Red Maple  starting along the roadways in the Midlands. Also Dandelions, Japanese Apricot, and Camellias.

10) Notice bees bringing in yellow pollen.

11) Place and bait swarm traps (bait hives) by mid month.

12) If you are going to chase swarms this year, prepare a well-ventilated traveling nucleus hive or a portable hive for transport. Sign up for swarm notifications at Bees-on-the-Net. In the Midlands, contact David Gobbel from the MSBA webpage if you want to be placed on the MSBA swarm call list.

13) Build and prepare woodenware and frames for upcoming spring splits.

14) If you stored your drawn comb using paradichlorobenzene for wax moth control, start the airing out process.

15) Order nucleus hives for delivery this spring or as early as possible for your area.

16) Renew your association membership.  Attend local meetings.

17) While you still have time, read a couple articles on swarm control here and here. Many more are available: Google search “Swarm Prevention and Control.”

18) Email your Association’s Secretary asking what you can do to help, or volunteer to lend a hand in your organization. Many hands make light work. If you’d like to see your organization grow as well as offer and maintain your current level of member services your help is needed.

The above are general guidelines for the average bee colony in the Midlands of South Carolina. We all have hives that may be outperforming the average. We also have colonies that underperform the average. Use your judgement in making changes suggested here. Beekeeping is an art as well as a science. Only you know the many, many particulars associated with your physical hives as well as the general health and population of your colonies.

Midlands Beekeeping Calendar for the Month of January

Tags

beekeeping, beekeeping calendar, chores, management

Hives in Winter

These chores are for the Midlands of South Carolina or a similar climate where the bees are flying a least a few hours most days of the year. Hive checks this month are tied directly to outside temperatures. Do not disturb the brood chamber or break propolis seals around boxes unless absolutely necessary. A brief peek inside, looking downward through the frames, is okay on days the bees are flying. Even then, do not open the hive deeply or excessively during the winter months. Try to not be too disruptive in order to allow them to keep their house (brood box) in order for winter. Use of a stethoscope or an ear against the side of the hive will often tell you all is well inside.

Before we start our monthly chore list, it is assumed you have addressed varroa. If you have not yet performed this critical beekeeping chore get hopping. Early winter in SC offers beekeepers the perfect chance to treat their colonies for pennies by using the oxalic acid dribble method during our “mostly” broodless period (now). Here’s an instructional sheet: How to Use the Oxalic Acid Dribble Method.

1) Continue to assess stores by tilting your hives from the back to check for weight (hefting the hive). You may peek into the hive if the weather is warm and the bees are flying. Check honey supply. Feed with a candy board, sugar bricks, fondant, or thick sugar syrup if below one-half super. Whatever you choose, the food must be placed close to the cluster or on top for them to access the food during cold weather. If you saved frames of honey you may add these (after thawing), placing them close to the cluster.

2) Long periods of temperatures below 50F will keep the bees inside and clustered. If you’d like to check on them place an ear against the side of the hive and give a knock to the side of the hive. You should hear a roar. An alternative method is to use a stethoscope which you can use to determine exactly where in the hive the cluster is located.

3) Continue to clean, repair, paint, and construct new equipment. Clean up and repair any dead-outs. Learn from your dead-outs.

4) Late January, eagerly look for the start of Red Maple  blooms by monitoring the sides of Interstates and roadways.

5) Colony population starts increasing this month. Population will rapidly accelerate when Red Maple blooms. Be prepared for a rapid decrease in the amount of food stores as the population expands and they start to feed more larvae. This increase in food use will become exponential.

6) Check for pollen stores and pollen coming in. If none, consider feeding dry pollen substitute in a feeder outside the hive.

7) Moisture control: Frequently check for excessive moisture on the underside of the telescoping cover. If wet, consider adding an empty  box above with an absorbent material such as sawdust in a burlap bag or a quilt. Increasing ventilation will also lower moisture inside the hive.

8) If colony is dwindling or queenless combine bees with another colony.

9) Historically our swarms over the past five years have been coming earlier. A mild winter can result in swarms in mid February. This year, consider building a nucleus hive or a portable hive for swarm captures. Build a swarm trap to capture your own swarms (and your neighbors).

10) Order package bees and queens now for delivery mid to late March or as early as possible for your area.

11) Plan now and get started on changes you’re going to implement this season.

12) Call, visit, or write farmers or landowners where you’d like to place hives for out yards next spring.

13) Read a good beekeeping book.

14) Register for a spring conference or other beekeeping educational opportunity.

15) Renew your association membership.  Attend local meetings.

16) Scout trees for placement and prepare swarms traps. Construct swarm capture bucket.

17) Build a nuc box now to keep in your car or truck for community swarm captures next spring. Register with on-line swarm call lists.

18) ‘Tis the season to be grateful. Be thankful to have a local beekeeping association with hard working volunteers serving the membership and community. Thank a club leader or volunteer; offer to lend a hand.

The above are general guidelines for the average bee colony in the Midlands of South Carolina. We all have hives that may be outperforming the average. We also have colonies that under-perform the average. Use your judgement in making changes suggested here. Beekeeping is an art as well as a science. Only you know the many, many particulars associated with your physical hives as well as the general health and population of your colonies.

Beekeepers get ready for Spring in the Fall

Tags

beekeeping, management

Get ready for Spring!

Lots of articles speak to the beekeeping year beginning in August or early Fall. Yikes, that’s now!

If you harvested in June then you probably fed your bees through the dearth. If you waited until now to harvest you probably got less honey but you saved the costs associated with feeding. Either way, now is the time to build the best bees you possibly can for the winter.

I know it’s still hot but get back in there on the next reasonably nice day and assess them. You don’t really have to take every frame out and make them upset but get an idea of what they have. Look for capped and uncapped brood, pollen, and honey stores. And start picking up the back of that hive and compare it to what you see inside so you learn what’s heavy and what’s not.

We’re on the cusp of the Fall flow and soon your hive will start to stink from goldenrod pollen. That smell should bring a smile to your face as they are making preparations for winter and raising fat winter bees. Some of you may have more honey than you need, others will see some empty comb. Read your hive and, like an artist, choose your tools to create the ideal hive for overwintering.

Most beekeepers assess and treat for Varroa after they pull honey whether that was a couple months ago or now. You want to do everything possible to increase the health of your bees now so they, in turn, raise strong winter bees over the next two generations. Sickly bees build sickly bees; strong bees build Arnold Schwartenegger bees. You want Arnold on your side when the temperatures are 20 degrees in January and the pantry is waning.

Beekeepers that started this year will reach the pinnacle of their beekeeping in March 2019. Then they will have bees-a-plenty and the race to stay ahead of the bees becomes an exciting and enjoyable problem. Using this year’s drawn comb they will explode. The bees will be saying, “Scotty, give me all you’ve got.” and you’ll be saying, “Captain, I don’t think she can take much more! She’s gonna swarm!” (pardon the paraphrase).

But, back to the topic at hand – building better winter bees. Time now to step up your game one more time before we enter the long dull days of winter. Although most days in the Midlands of South Carolina allow for the bees to fly they won’t be flying much because there won’t be anything out there. And you’ll be stuck inside wishing for Spring to come and waiting for that first Red Maple bloom, or with your ear to the side of the hive listening for their hum as they convert honey into heat.

So, assess them now and and get them flying towards a hive full of strong winter bees and a hive filled with lots of stores for the long winter ahead. Go for it! Build better bees!

Picture: Early Spring bees. Notice no leaves on the trees yet.

Beekeeping Calendar and Seasons – Springtime

Tags

beekeeping, seasons

What to do through the spring season in beekeeping – check out our list of simple, spring beekeeper activities.

via Beekeeping Calendar and Seasons – Springtime — Prime Bees – College Station Bee & Honey Farm

Winter in the Nuc Yard

Tags

beekeeping, seasons

Saying goodbye to January.

 

Great hives from little nucs grow

Tags

beekeeping, management, seasons

We have had a few weeks of spring lately, with the air full of pollen and the bees going crazy. Rain and cool weather returned this weekend, so I am not able to work outside. I am instead sitting inside and writing this early spring update. A year will come when I feel that my […]

via Great hives from little nucs grow — Bees with eeb