3.0 PRACTICE OF BEEKEEPING
The candidate will be:
3.4 able to give an elementary description of the annual cycle of work in the apiary;
NOTES
Spring:
The queen will increase egg laying and the colony should start to build up in numbers.
Carry out the first inspections of the year on mild spring days when the bees appear to be active.
Check the health and condition of the colony, feed and medicate if required.
As the days warm up, start to carry out regular inspections (ideally weekly) – monitor varroa mite drop.
Bees will start to forage in earnest as more flowering plants appear.
As colonies build up ensure they have space to expand – add queen excluders and supers.
Summer:
Continue regular weekly inspections.
Watch for signs of swarming (queen cells being made). If larvae are found in queen cells, swarm prevention will be necessary.
Consider splitting colonies to increase numbers.
Varroa treatment can be carried out by removing drone cells.
If the weather prevents bees from foraging be prepared to feed sugar solution.
The main honey flow will happen in the summer, continue to add supers as the old ones become full.
Autumn:
Brood production will slow down and colony numbers will start to decrease, drones will be ejected from the hive.
Remove supers and process the honey.
Consider chemical treatment for varroa.
Replace old queens and reunite colonies if necessary.
Feed colonies with wet extracted supers and then sugar solution. Make sure colonies have adequate food reserves for the winter.
Make sure the hive is secure for the winter. Add mouse guards.
Winter:
Bees will cluster to conserve heat and egg laying will almost cease. On mild days some bees may be seen venturing out on “cleansing” flights.
Check hives for storm damage. Ensure hives are not damp and have some ventilation.
Consider oxalic acid treatment for varroa.
Clean and repair equipment.
Review hive records and plan for the forthcoming season.