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| What to
do and when - A helpful guide for new beekeepers |
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MONTH |
December, January &
February |
|
What to
Do |
Monitor hive
entrance for build up of dead bees and blockage. Wedge up
the back of the hive to ensure the floor slopes gently
forwards. Repair Woodpecker and other damage to stop wind /
weather getting in. Ensure the roof is secure; bricks,
blocks and/or a strap will do the job. Gently heft (lift)
the hive to check food weight, if light put block of Candy
over the feedhole, a shallow eke may be needed. Record your
observations for each Hive in a book each time you visit;
more reliable than a memory! |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective
Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
Record Book.
Ply, foam, Drawing pins
etc.
Straps, Bricks, wedge.
Candy in tubs or blocks,
Shallow Eke to allow candy block over Crown Board.
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|
MONTH |
March |
|
What to Do |
During early
March continue to monitor the Hive entrance for damage by
weather or attack, Animal or Human! Pay close attention to
weight of the hive if weather is warming up the
colony should be growing quickly and food consumption will
increase considerably, replace Candy block if consumed.
Later on consider giving a weak Syrup (weather dependent). |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
As above
Later in the month possibly a liquid feeder and syrup.
Record
Book. |
|
MONTH |
April |
|
What to Do |
The colony
should be growing very quickly now so food supply will need
to be maintained if the hive is light. Feed if required
with half strength Syrup. On a warm day remove the Eke,
Entrance Block and Mouse Guard if fitted. Change the Floor
for a clean one prepared during winter. Later remove the
Feeder and put on a Queen Excluder and a Super(s) if
required to give space for the growing numbers. Insert
Varroa treatment for 42 Days only (2 Brood Cycles). Remove
before Honey flows into the Supers. Be vigilant Swarming can
begin in late April! Consider one or more 'Bait hives' in
the Apiary to catch Swarms. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
Feeder
and Syrup.
Varroa
Treatment.
Clean
sound floor with no gaps for Wax Moth to occupy, preferably
'flamed'.
Varroa
Treatment Queen Excluder and Super/s.
Sterilise your extractor for use / consider upgrade.
Bag for
rubbish removal.
Bait
Hive and Swarm Lure.
Record
Book. |
|
MONTH |
May |
|
What to Do |
Begin
thorough and regular inspections of the Brood Comb. Work old
comb to the outside so that it can be removed and replaced.
Old comb harbours disease and should be replaced
systematically as good practice. Aim to change 35% per
annum. If necessary remove outside frames clogged with
food. These can be given back in the Autumn after storing in
the freezer. Ensure enough food and Pollen remains in the
brood Chamber. Place new frames and Foundation either side
of the brood nest to allow the Queen to increase her nest
size. Congestion can cause swarming. Additional Supers may
now be required. Remove Varroa treatment before honey flow
into supers. Consider one or more 'Bait hives' in the Apiary
to catch Swarms. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
New
Frames and Foundation. Spare Brood Chamber/s for carrying
Frames in and out of Apiary.
Spare
Supers ready to use or to exchange for extraction.
Bait
Hives & Swarm Lures.
Bag for
rubbish removal.
Record
Book. |
|
MONTH |
June |
|
What to Do |
Continue to
examine (and if possible exchange) Brood Frames for any
signs of disease or swarming. The brood should be
able to occupy most of the Brood Chamber this month.
Swarming will continue through June so you will have to
continue to be vigilant. You may be able to take off some
frames of capped Honey or even complete Supers, ensure you
have empty Frames or Supers to replace those taken. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools. Record Book.
New
Brood Frames and Foundation.
Spare
Supers with Frames and Foundation.
Bee
Escapes for clearing Supers. Bee Brush. |
|
MONTH |
July &
August |
|
What to Do |
Swarming
should be over by early July allowing the Colony and
you to concentrate on collecting Nectar. The Honey
for harvesting and the Queen Excluder should be taken off in
early August allowing the bees to collect what little
remains for themselves and Varroa strips to be put in for 42
days (2 Brood Cycles) Early August insert Entrance block
to reduce entrances so the diminishing colony can defend
against Wasps. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
Record
Book.
Spare
Supers with Frames and Foundation.
Bee
Escapes for clearing Supers.
Bee
Brush.
Varroa
Strips.
Entrance
Blocks. |
|
MONTH |
September |
|
What to Do |
It is time
now to feed the colony for the winter replacing the Honey
taken. This is done by adding 1 Kg bag of Granulated Sugar
to a pint of water and heating until all the sugar is in
solution, add Fumidil B for Nosema. The colony will need
at least 15Kg (more for the bigger hives) of this Syrup
to make it through the cold months ahead. Feeding needs to
be completed before the end of the month allowing the colony
to process off the excess water. Remove Varroa strips after
42 days. Fit a mouse guard to the entrance. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective
Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
Record Book.
Feeder and Syrup with
Fumadil B. Feeders.
Large Eke for bucket type
feeders. |
|
MONTH |
October,
November December |
|
What to Do |
With all the
required syrup now in the brood chamber all should be well
for winter. Fit a mouse guard to the entrance if not done
already. Strap and or weigh down the roof against winter
wind. Monitor the now small entrance regularly for the build
up of dead bees. Bees are dying all the time and just a few
can block the entrance leaving the others unable to get out
for water or toileting. Unchecked a few dead bees can lead
to the loss of the whole colony. Keep a regular check for
Woodpecker damage or rain getting in. Be aware that deer or
other animals could knock the hive over rubbing against to
satisfy an itch. Feeding should not be required yet but keep
an emergency block of Candy with you just in case, Most of
the colonies that die out are due to starvation. Most
important remember bees are Livestock and we have a duty to
look after them as best we can. |
|
Essential Equipment |
Protective
Clothing, Smoker, Hive Tools.
Record Book.
Blocks or bricks.
Straps.
Mouse guards.
Ply, foam, Drawing pins
etc. Straps, Bricks, wedge.
Candy in tubs or blocks.
Books Videos and
magazines. |
|
|
Free
Moments |
|
What to Do |
Read as many
Bee books, Magazines and watch as many Video's as you can
get your hands on. The more you learn the easier and more
rewarding Beekeeping becomes. It is a privilege to keep
Bees; enjoy every minute! |
|
Essential Equipment |
Reference
Books, Beekeeping Video guides |
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