Here Comes February!

Be sure to keep an eye on your hives over the coming weeks. We should start to notice more pollen baskets on forager bees. Colonies will soon begin ramping up brood production for spring and the subsequent swarm season. In our area the earliest sources of food are typically from Alder and Willow, with Maples following soon after to provide a burst of nectar and pollen. Check the link located under our Club Resources labeled “Flowering Season Chart” to learn more about food sources in our area. 

Now is the time to repair/re-paint equipment and to assemble all tools and gear to ensure good working condition. Test electric fencing regularly to ensure it is functioning correctly. Be sure hive stands are sturdy to avoid tipping heavy colonies. Confirm you have enough equipment for current hives (hive bodies, lids, bottoms, frames, entrance reducers, etc), as well as for any future hives from purchases, splits, or caught swarms. If you plan to purchase bees there are several suppliers in the area, most are already taking orders for spring packages and nucs. Check the link located under our Club Resources labeled “Comparison of Honeybee Traits” to learn more.

Packages include around 3 pounds of worker bees and 1 mated queen.

Nucs (nucleus colony) include 4-5 combed frames with resources (pollen/nectar/honey), 1 mated queen, and a sufficient population of worker bees. This population includes eggs, larva, and developing bees of all stages.

As the days continue to warm, it will become time to consider cracking open lids for early assessment. Best practice is limiting brood exposure to cold winds and temperatures by keeping inspections at this time brief and executed with purpose. Be sure to appraise population size by counting the number of frames covered with bees. Also gain an idea of remaining food stores by checking outside frames and overall weight of each colony. If food stores seem low, feed using your preferred method (inside-hive/outside-hive, honey, 2:1 sugar syrup, candy board/fondant, etc.). Take note on which colonies are building up strongly and consider taking splits when the time arrives. Check the links located under our Club Tutorials to learn more about splitting colonies. If your hive is overflowing with bees, you may consider adding a super on top allowing them room to grow as brood develops and is born.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the club and someone will be happy to answer them.


Bee Informed!

This Month’s Priorities for Beekeepers
NCSBA News and Events


In the News …

Sunflowers Linked to Reduced Varroa Mite Infestations in Honeybees submitted by Chris Marok
First Vaccine for Honey Bees Approved by USDA, submitted by Don Reynolds
US approves world’s first vaccine for declining honey bees, submitted by Holly Cole