As we anticipated, it has been an early start to the beekeeping season after such a mild winter. They’re going full tilt now! So:
- Fears of a late freeze can be laid to rest, so your insulation should come off if it isn’t already.
- Food stores are being replenished with the recent spring blooms, but not all hives are equal; check the food stores in each of your hives and supplement with fondant or sugar cake if needed. Nights are still a bit cold to put syrup in overnight, but you could work out a way to have it on during the day, take it in overnight. If you don’t have top feeders ready to go – get them!
- Depending on your microclimate, many hives have a significant number of drones already, so we can expect an early swarm season. Be prepared! Check hives every 5 days, no less than weekly, add boxes if you have activity on 7 of your 10 frames. Make sure you have enough boxes and frames ready to add, and I strongly suggest you have extra bottom boards and top covers so you can put a complete hive together in case you end up retrieving a swarm.
Our monthly meeting is this Thursday, April 9th , 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Central Saanich Seniors Citizens Association, 1229 Clarke Rd., Brentwood Bay