Posts Tagged ‘Bee Health’

March Already

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Well, here we are at the start of  March.  The beekeeping season will now start to get into full swing from now on, weather being favourable of course! The brood nest will now start to increase and demands for pollen and water will likewise also increase.  If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check on food stores in your colonies. As mentioned in a previous entry there are several ways to check.   From now on it may be better to feed sugar syrup, either a specialist type or home made.  You need a concentration of 1kg (2lb) sugar to 0.5ltrs (1pt) water.  I recommend at least 5ltrs(1gal).  Use a Rapid/Contact type feeder placed directly over the brood nest,  not the Ashforth or Miller feeder type at this time due to temperatures still being low and bees may not enter these feeders.

It is also worthwhile observing your colonies at this time of year.  On warm mild days at midday the entrance should be very active with bees taking quantities of pollen into the hive, this being a good indication that the colony has a laying queen and brood is being produced.  It is also worthwhile to note that also at this time bees will endeavour to clean the hive, so a number of dead bees may be noticed beneath the entrance, you should not be unduly worried by this unless extremely large numbers or weak and crawling bees are seen, then further checks should be made.

If you are in any doubt as to the health of your bees, collect a sample (30 bees approx) and get them checked for adult bee disease.

Tags: Bee Feeding, Bee Health, Information
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Feeding Your Bees

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Should you feed or not? and if so with what?

Well, they say that if you have checked and made sure there was enough stores in the Autumn, feeding should not be necessary.  That is the ideal situation but the fact is that many colonies die out in the Spring due to lack of food.  It may have been an unavoidable mishap, miscalculation, you may have been too busy, the weather may not have been favourable and many different circumstances can result in the bees being low on food.  You will not be alone if you have slipped up.

OK, now is a good time, on a fine day to take a quick peak under the cover-board (don’t go any further in at this point).  You may even heft (lift) the hive to get a feel of the weight, it can give an indication of any food stores available.  Ask yourself, do the bees look happy, (no they won’t have little smiley faces) but they will behave quiet, content, be active and should take very little notice of your presence.  If you feel happy with the situation close up and leave alone.  If however you feel unsure it will not hurt to feed.  At this time of year, certainly in my location, it is far too early (Mid February) and cold to feed syrup and would stress the bees, so I recommend fondant, either purchased or home made.  Place about 1 to 2 kg on top of the frames directly above the bees, you do not need anything to place it on.  Put an empty super or preferably a home made spacer on the hive, deep enough to give space for the fondant, (just tack four pieces of 2″x1″ batten in a hive size square will do fine) replace the cover-board and roof and leave alone.  Check over the next few weeks to monitor etc, add more if required.

Whilst at the hives check there is a supply of water close by, a shallow container full of pebbles is ideal to avoid drowning your bees.

Tags: Bee Feeding, Bee Health, Information
Posted in Beekeeping | 1 Comment »

Combating Bee Colony Loss – Workshop

Monday, February 1st, 2010

National Bee Unit
South West Region
In conjunction with the Defra Healthy Bees Plan

Combating Bee Colony Loss

A workshop will be held to cover this major bee keeping issue on:

Saturday 20^th March 2010

9.30. am to 4.30. pm

Village Hall, Lowman Cross, Uplowman, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 7DP

All beekeepers are welcome to attend. There is no charge to attend.

• Tea and coffee will be supplied.
• You will need to bring your own lunch or use a local public house.
• Topics covered will include

Varroa                                     Nosema

Bee Medicaments       Healthy Bees

Interaction of bees with viruses and much more.

To book a place or obtain further information please contact Regional Bee Inspector Adam Vevers tel. 01 364 653 474   or e-mail adam.vevers@fera.gsi.gov.uk

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.