It ’s near spring , and that mean one matter : It ’s time to get into the hive . Your nettle rash are either brand new , necessitate installation and monitoring , or they ’re just coming out of winter and ask some general upkeep , more space and , well , monitoring . In bee talk , we call such an event a “ beehive review . ” The idiomatic expression describes the process of ascertain on your bees within the beehive . It ’s a vital part of beekeeping , and you simply ca n’t be a beekeeper without doing this one labor . If you do n’t conduct hive review , you launch the risk of becoming what my wise man used to call a “ bee - haver ” as opposed to a “ beekeeper . ”
Let ’s rise right into the Q - and - A :
How often must I inspect my hive?
This is a dandy question , and there ’s no single answer . Quite just , there ’s no consensus on how often to conduct an review on your hive . In the summertime , most apiculturist inspect once a week , or once every two calendar week . In the winter , most apiarist go calendar month without an inspection because it’stoo cold , and peril the bee to temperatures below 55 degrees F could be deadly .
What do I look for when I inspect my hive?
Hive review are always an assessment for levels of health and disease . First , you want to found that you have a healthy , layingqueen , who is able to lie egg and is actively doing so . Look for signal of healthy brood pattern , egg and larvae in all stage of growing . Also during review lookup the hive for pest and signs of disease .
Will I get stung?
The brusk answer is : yes . Eventually . All beekeepers get stung now and again , but most good beekeepers will say you that it was their fault — not that of the bees . Honeybees die when they burn , so this is truly a last refuge for them . Our domesticated bees are also rather easy . Most beekeepers let in that when they got sting , it ’s because they were n’t think , were moving too fast , acting clumsily or just made the wrong move .
How do hive inspections affect the bees?
Every sentence we crack reach the lid of a beehive , we disrupt the menstruation of their workplace . Bees work indefatigably to conjure up healthy brood , harvest home nectar , turn over it into honey and store provisions for the wintertime ( admit propolis and pollen ) . When we pull out frames , we destroy bit of comb , spill dearest and inevitably wound bees . We are colossus in their world , and by all accounts , we ’re all thumb and clumsy . Alwayshave a purpose when conduct a hive review , and be dim but effective with your time . It study anywhere from 48 hours to a hebdomad for a bee colony to clean house up the “ messiness ” we make during our inspections .
Conducting hive inspections is one of the most thrilling and exciting parts of being a beekeeper . It ’s muted and calming , thrilling and exhilarating all at once . But as with all parts of beekeeping , we must recognise what we ’re doingbeforetaking action . Know why you ’re inspecting and what you ’re looking for before you get into the hive . Have a plan , gather all the prick you postulate ahead of prison term , and take notes ( and picture ) to refresh after . Listen to your bees and discover how they communicate : Good apiarist have it off when work with bee and when to let them be .
