In mid-spring, begin regular inspections of your colonies if the weather permits. Assess stores, keep a careful eye out for brood diseases, monitor the growth of the colony and start thinking about swarm management.
In the apiary
Regular brood inspections of larger colonies can begin if the weather is warm enough.
Check that colonies have sufficient stores. April is the danger month when colonies can starve, especially if poor weather prevents foraging.
If stores are low, it is now safe to feed with heavy syrup or a bag of damp sugar, or fondant. Colonies close to starvation can be given warm sugar syrup squirted into empty combs using a very clean washing-up-liquid botle.
Study the brood patern. Are there solid patches of eggs, larvae and nicely capped brood, or is the brood patern patchy or with raised cappings, possibly indicating a failing or missing queen? Colonies with queen problems might need to be united, but be sure they are not diseased.
Note the quality of the brood comb. Mark any that needs to be replaced with a pen or drawing pins. Decide how to replace them – by gradually moving to the edge of the brood nest over several inspections before removal, or with a shook swarm if most of the combs are in poor condition.
Bee Craſt April 2020 Diseases and swarms
Keep records of each inspection and pay atention to which colonies are expanding well and which seem sluggish. Consider testing weak colonies for nosema.
Watch for brood diseases. Chalk brood is not uncommon at this time of year but should abate as the season progresses. If not, consider requeening. Replace any chalkbrood- affected combs as soon as sensible.
Chilled brood can occur if there aren’t enough nurse bees to cover all the brood. Look out for larvae that have died and shriveled because they have been leſt untended at the edges of the brood nest. Be sure that you know the difference between chilled brood and European foulbrood.
Watch for signs of swarm preparations, it could happen very soon – but not before drones are be seen in colonies.
Plan your swarm management. Read up on your chosen method and have the appropriate equipment to hand. If you are new to beekeeping, it’s worth rehearsing your preferred method.
Other activities
Continue to watch for Asian hornet queens.
Consider hanging an Asian hornet trap near the apiary. Bait it with something sweet such as beer mixed with blackcurrant cordial. Record it on BeeBase.
Check Asian hornet traps regularly to release any unintended by-catch.
Think about seting up a bait hive or two to catch swarms from your apiary. They are best placed at least 500 metres from the apiary. They are fairly easy to make and don’t have to be of the best quality construction, so it’s worth geting ready now before the beekeeping season gets fully underway.
Visit the BBKA Spring Convention at Harper Adams University on 3-5 April. Make an inventory of your equipment, especially frames and foundation, and decide what you need to buy for the season ahead. Don’t forget to visit the smart new Bee Craſt stand.
17
Photos: Richard Rickit, Danrok CC BY-SA 4.0
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
