Advice for Spring

Its likely there is activity from your hive now. Bee's will start foraging as soon as the weather is good enough.

I did my hive inspections last week when it was warm.

I am now ready to supply a small number of my best colonies of bee's to you.

I was fortunate to have lots of honey in two of my hives so I did a honey extraction, 22 frames of honey, most of it is sold already.

Check the condition of your hives, do any of them need repairing?

Check if any of your colonies have died out.

If so empty the hive, sterilize and clean the 'dead' hive - dispose of the dead bees to minimise diseases. Wash the hive out and bleach it, then rinse it well with water, let it dry.

Consider contacting me if you need a new colony. You can call 07860 113545 before I sell my last small supply of fantastic bee's along with last years overwintered Buckfast Queen, reared in the Midlands.

Do an inspection of your Hive when it is warm, above 14 degrees or sunny and calm outside

Check the condition of your brood.

Do you need to replace any Brood frames with new foundation so the bee's can get to work asap.

Is the queen laying?

Can you see any eggs?

Are there stocks of honey in your hive?

Do you need to add Fondant to feed your bees?

Prepare yourself for the forthcoming season

Wash your beesuit.

If you have a spare hive sterilise it and get it ready for next month.

Make sure you have supers ready and frames ready for when your colony expands

Spring time, is the most important time of the year, the expansion of healthy colonies is rapid, so get into your hives and contact me if you need any advice.

Good Luck and Happy Beekeeping !

Enjoy this forthcoming bee season