{"id":5439,"date":"2023-12-26T14:45:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T19:45:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/?p=5439"},"modified":"2023-12-26T14:45:31","modified_gmt":"2023-12-26T19:45:31","slug":"spring-beehive-management-12-main-tasks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/spring-beehive-management-12-main-tasks\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring Beehive Management (12 Main Tasks)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Seasonal requirements drive most beekeeping management tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spring months are among the busiest time of year for beekeepers and bees alike. A colony’s progress in the spring sets the stage for the rest of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spring beehive management includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This article describes spring beehive management tasks in more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If this is your first spring as a beekeeper, we suggest you start by reading How To Start Beekeeping<\/a><\/strong> first.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Spring beehive management times will vary based on your specific location and climate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here in the northeast U.S., spring-like temperatures can occur in January and February, spurring hive activity. But that is way too early to really work on the hives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unseasonably warm weather may provide an opportunity to do a cursory inspection of a hive and check food stores. However, wait until spring has genuinely arrived before manipulating hives. (In recent years, some of our worst winter weather came in March.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Follow the climate in your area.<\/strong> With consistent temperatures above 60\u00b0 F (15.5\u00b0 C) it’s a good time to begin spring beehive management chores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is a dead-out?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A dead out is a hive where the entire colony has died. While entire colonies may die at any time from various causes, many losses occur over the winter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Bee Informed Partnership<\/a>, \u201cDuring Winter 2020-2021 (1 October 2020 \u2013 1 April 2021), an estimated 32.2% of managed colonies in the United States were lost.\u201d Backyard beekeepers tend to experience higher loss rates than sideliners and commercial beekeepers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Winter dead outs become painfully apparent in the spring. Temperatures rise, and you expect to see bees emerging for cleansing flights and foraging. No such activity is a sign the colony did not survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opening a dead-out is very discouraging<\/strong>. It feels like a failure on the beekeeper’s part and a significant loss of time and money invested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But everyone has dead out hives. So take the opportunity to learn what you might have done differently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Examine the colony for signs of why it died.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Look for signs of pests such as varroa mites, small hive beetles, or wax moths <\/strong>that may have hastened the colony\u2019s demise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are the bees dead on frames with their heads buried in the comb? This is a sign that they may have starved<\/strong>. Even if there is plenty of honey left in the hive, the cluster may have been too small to stay warm and move to the food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are there signs of a mouse infestation<\/strong>? If so, clean it out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See if bees are deformed, indicating a disease from varroa mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n American Foul Brood (AFB) <\/strong>is a disease that requires quick and extreme action to prevent its spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Agriculture Victoria for information on Diagnosis, control and eradication of American foulbrood disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n If you suspect AFB, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs<\/a> suggests making the hive bee-tight and moving it out of the apiary to a secure location. Ask your state inspector or experienced beekeepers for help in assessing the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Discovery of AFB requires that you burn the infected hive, among other steps, to protect bees in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nosema,<\/strong> caused by a spore-forming fungus, is another serious problem that can kill a hive. BeeAware<\/a> explains that Nosema can \u201ccause reduced colony health, population, and performance, which can ultimately result in the colony dying.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs of bee dysentery around the hive indicate possible Nosema. However, to determine if the colony had Nosema requires testing. Check with your local beekeepers association or state inspector for services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can determine the likely cause of death, you may be able to adjust your hive management to avoid future problems.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out NYBee Wellness\u2019 Winter Dead Out Diagnosis Key<\/a> for a handy examination guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Timing Of Spring Beehive Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Examining, Cleaning, And Storing Dead Outs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Examining Dead Out Hives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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