Society News
Thoughts For New Beekeepers
by Steve Mitchell
by Steve Mitchell
As I write this, June 5, 2018, blackberries are starting to flower. For honey bees, this is a chance to increase honey stores. From a beekeeper's perspective, there will be a surge in the colony population. The energy demands of the colony will be met for a short time and then we can expect salal to flower and give another boost to the colony.
Generally, at low elevation, salal is the last significant nectar source of the year. If one wishes to produce a significant amount of honey, the bees would have to be moved to a fireweed location which is usually in a logged area at higher elevation. There is a club yard available, for a modest fee. Weekend access, under the supervision of an experienced beekeeper, allows one to make occasional checks on his or her colonies.
Hauling bees to fireweed is not an attractive task for many beekeepers. Since the goal of summer beekeeping is to have a strong foraging force to ensure that honey and pollen stores will be adequate for the winter, I would advise that you check your bees at least once in a two week period and feed 1:1 syrup if necessary. There is no need to feed pollen supplement, since bees are very good at harvesting pollen (and nectar) from ornamentals.
By the end of August, the queen will be in a declining rate of egg laying. In order to generate enough winter bees, you can give the bees a little boost by feeding in early Sept. The upper brood nest should have 8-10 frames of capped honey. This will be enough for the bees to get through winter Any treatments for Varroa should be made in early October, when the weather is warm and brood rearing is much reduced. At this time, most of the Varroa population is phoretic, meaning that most of the mites are feeding on adult bees. Beyond Halloween, reduce the bottom entrance to an inch, and ensure that there is an upper entrance which will allow excess moisture to leave the colony. Some beekeepers place a folded wire screen across the bottom entrance. This will prevent mice from taking up residence with the resulting damage to some comb.
I am happy to entertain comments and questions at 746-9916 or beehaven@shaw.ca.
Generally, at low elevation, salal is the last significant nectar source of the year. If one wishes to produce a significant amount of honey, the bees would have to be moved to a fireweed location which is usually in a logged area at higher elevation. There is a club yard available, for a modest fee. Weekend access, under the supervision of an experienced beekeeper, allows one to make occasional checks on his or her colonies.
Hauling bees to fireweed is not an attractive task for many beekeepers. Since the goal of summer beekeeping is to have a strong foraging force to ensure that honey and pollen stores will be adequate for the winter, I would advise that you check your bees at least once in a two week period and feed 1:1 syrup if necessary. There is no need to feed pollen supplement, since bees are very good at harvesting pollen (and nectar) from ornamentals.
By the end of August, the queen will be in a declining rate of egg laying. In order to generate enough winter bees, you can give the bees a little boost by feeding in early Sept. The upper brood nest should have 8-10 frames of capped honey. This will be enough for the bees to get through winter Any treatments for Varroa should be made in early October, when the weather is warm and brood rearing is much reduced. At this time, most of the Varroa population is phoretic, meaning that most of the mites are feeding on adult bees. Beyond Halloween, reduce the bottom entrance to an inch, and ensure that there is an upper entrance which will allow excess moisture to leave the colony. Some beekeepers place a folded wire screen across the bottom entrance. This will prevent mice from taking up residence with the resulting damage to some comb.
I am happy to entertain comments and questions at 746-9916 or beehaven@shaw.ca.
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