{"id":2543,"date":"2023-12-13T19:56:01","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T00:56:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/?p=2543"},"modified":"2023-12-13T19:56:02","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T00:56:02","slug":"beekeeping-record-keeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/beekeeping-record-keeping\/","title":{"rendered":"Record Keeping For Beekeepers
(A Guide To Why, What & How)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
When you start beekeeping, recording information may seem overly burdensome. After all, you\u2019ve only got one or two hives. How much could you possibly have to track? No need to write anything down, right? Not really!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beekeeping records are a vital tool for learning, hive management, and regulatory compliance. Records help monitor hive health, measure honey production, and spot potential issues like pest infestations or diseases. Record-keeping methods range from simple pen-and-paper notes to audio\/visual records and specialized beekeeping apps.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping records is a habit that\u2019s much easier to start when your apiary is small, and your goals are simple. Like your bee smoker, beekeeping records are a tool you should learn to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond any legally required record keeping and reporting, there are no rules. There is no right way or wrong way to keep beehive records. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, we’ll discuss the why, what, and how of record keeping for beekeepers. You can decide what\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Record keeping serves as both a learning tool and a management tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every time I pick up one of our beekeeping books, I realize how little I know about beekeeping, even after nearly a decade of working with bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping records will help you learn about beekeeping <\/strong>in general and your bees in particular.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a beginning beekeeper, you’ll want to learn about the different behaviors<\/strong> you spot. Go on any Facebook bee group or online forum, and you’ll see people asking about unusual bee activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you record your observations<\/strong>, you\u2019ll capture more details to help identify the behavior. You\u2019re also more likely to remember to research it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you become more experienced, you may try out different techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic foundation vs. beeswax foundation vs. foundationless frames? \u00a0Queen excluder or not? Various mite treatments? Recording the details will help you learn what works best for you and your apiary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The queen can be hard to spot among all the bees. Even\nwithout seeing her, there are things in the hive that help you determine if the\nqueen is okay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eggs, brood patterns, and brood stages are good indicators of your queen\u2019s health<\/strong>. Tracking changes from one inspection to the next helps you decide on any actions needed. The more hives you have, the more you\u2019ll need records to refresh your memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See our articles about about honey bee life cycles<\/a><\/strong> and how to check if your hive is queenless<\/strong><\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Some of your colonies will be more proficient at honey production than others. What kind of bees are they? Where did you get them? This kind of information can help you maximize your harvest<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should also monitor honey production so that you leave enough for winter<\/strong>. If the bees are not building up enough food stores, it might be time to start feeding, or you’ll need to provide some winter supplements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honey stores can also indicate if you\u2019re in a dearth<\/strong>. If you find the bees consuming honey instead of producing it, you might want to feed them. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy Keep Beehive Records?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gain knowledge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Determine if the hive is queenright<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Track honey production<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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