Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees: Honey Production, Pollination, Bee Health by Richard E. Bonney & Malcolm T. Sanford

Author:Richard E. Bonney & Malcolm T. Sanford
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Technology & Engineering, Animals, Nature, Sustainable Living, Insects & Spiders, Animal Husbandry, House & Home, Agriculture
ISBN: 9781603424448
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Published: 2010-09-15T04:00:00+00:00

The Apicultural Calendar

Beekeeper and bee activities follow what is called the apicultural calendar, usually divided into “active” and “inactive” times for the colony. In temperate lands, the four seasons are well defined. In the subtropics, this distinction becomes less clear, and as one approaches the equator, two seasons are usually the norm, a wet summer and a dry winter. The nectar flows generally occur in winter, as opposed to spring in more northerly regions.

Colony population growth correlates with the kinds of plants that might be available, and this in turn affects beekeeper activity. In temperate regions, the bee population rapidly expands as pollen-producing plants bloom. At this time, beekeepers check for brood and stores, feeding if necessary. Next come the prolific nectar-producing plants that make up the honey flow, signaling the beekeeper to add supers, control swarming, and finally remove the honey crop. This transitions into a leveling off of the population in summer, and even a decline if the colony swarmed.

In many areas, another time of increased activity might follow, correlating with Indian summer and lower temperatures. This can result in a late summer or early fall honey flow, which can be substantial in some regions but is not usually as reliable as the one in spring. The colony and the beekeeper then prepare for the coming inactive season. At this time, Varroa control and queen egg laying are critical to produce the vital winter bees the colony needs to survive this harsh season.

Varroa Cycle

Now that the Varroa mite is part of every colony, we also must take its cycle into consideration as part of the apicultural calendar. In the early part of the active season, a honey bee population will easily outstrip Varroa as the colony rapidly builds in number. When the colony reaches a peak, however, and begins to decelerate, the Varroa population will catch up and often continues to rise as the bee population levels out and then declines in advance of the inactive season. In essence, the brood becomes a mite factory. It is at this time that Varroa is most dangerous and emergency treatment options must be considered.

Spring Management

In temperate lands, bees and people look forward to spring. It is when the beekeeper must “spring” into action, marking the end of the winter doldrums. In spite of the optimism, however, it is important not to rush the season. It can be easy to do this, especially in the North where so-called “cabin fever” might have set in.

March in the southern United States and April in the northern regions, the beginning of spring in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 and 6, respectively, are critical seasons. Things can change quickly. It’s difficult to know when to inspect the bees at this time. You may have a warm and sunny spell but cool, rainy, unpleasant days are yet to come. A good sign to look for in the North is the dandelion bloom; in the South it is the blooming of the swamp maples and willows. Both are producing pollen, which the bees need to begin or sustain brood rearing.

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