Newsletter December 2018

Posted on1st December 20182nd January 2019Authoradmin2 Comments

Summary of contents: Christmas Social, Beginners Training Day, AGM, Certificates & Trophies, Swarm Request List, Asian Hornet, Fondant consumption & Read More …

since 1st January
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Website Editors:
Sarah Rapley and John Farrow.

Topical Tips for January & February.

1] Monitor the hive entrance for build up of dead bees and blockage.
2] Check regularly for any damage by wind, weather or woodpeckers.
3] Ensure the roof is secured by bricks and possibly a strap to reduce the risk of toppling over.
4] In January, when the weather is cold, but not below freezing, treat your hives to control varroa see this pdf Varroa + Treatments . Record the varroa drop in the following two weeks so that you know how badly your colonies were infested.
5] Gently heft (lift) the hive to check food weight. If light put a block of fondant over the crown board feedhole or queen excluder, see: To 6] Feed or not to Feed. Check regularly to see if it is being consumed.
7] Plan what you want to do in your apiary in the coming year. Buy your stock of new frames, foundation and hive parts for assembly on those cold wet days.

March.

1] During early March continue to monitor the hive entrance for damage by weather or attack, animal or human!
2] Pay close attention to the weight of the hive if weather is warming up. The colony should be growing quickly and food consumption will increase considerably.
3] Replace fondant when it is consumed.
4] Later in the month consider giving full strength syrup (made by adding 1kg sugar to one pint of hand-hot water) instead of fondant if you wish to continue feeding because food is short or if you want to try to stimulate the colony into early growth.

Remember most colonies don’t die from the cold, but more likely from damp or starvation.

Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells Beekeepers

A branch of the Kent Bee-Keepers Association

Month: December 2018

Newsletter December 2018