Mathieu DOMECQ Editor of the API of the Month and the Blog
In March, temperatures stabilize in the south of France. Professional beekeepers are already stimulating their colonies to start rearing quickly, whereas in recreational beekeeping, hives won’t be opened until after the end of the month, or as soon as temperatures stabilize above 14°C.
This month, we’ll look at how to open your hive for the first spring inspection. Next, we’ll learn how to set up an apiary correctly.
Did you know? The average foraging distance for bees is 2 km, but they can travel up to 5 km! (source: cari.be)
Tasks of the month
Most beekeepers have already started working on their hives. For beginners, contact an apiary-school or a beekeeper-trainer for guidance on how to carry out your tasks and to share your observations. Here are the tasks you need to accomplish in March at the start of the season:
The queen resumes laying: As the days lengthen and temperatures warm, the queen increases her egg production. She is capable of producing up to 2,000 eggs daily, facilitating population expansion within the colony. This increase in egg production requires the beekeeper to be extra vigilant with regard to the resources present in the hive (honey and pollen in sufficient quantities!).
Spring visit: This is a key stage in the season. It consists in making an inventory of the hive, observing the size and strength of the colony; its honey and pollen reserves; whether the brood is well developed (presence of eggs, larvae and pupae)…
Providing food for your bees: with the resumption of egg-laying and the increase in activity, food consumption increases considerably. A colony can consume between 1 and 2 kg of honey per week in March, according to INRA observations. So check your reserves regularly. Be careful not to open the hive unless the temperature is at least 14°C. If reserves are low, use Apifonda candy (or protein candy if brood is low), or syrup such as Apiinvert.
Trapping Asian hornet foundresses: In some regions, the first Asian hornet foundresses appeared as early as the end of January this year. Their activity becomes more marked in March as temperatures rise. It’s crucial to set up traps around your hives to capture these queens, in order to limit the creation of Asian hornet nests in the coming months! Above all, make sure you use selective trapping…
Melliferous flowers of the month
almond, willow, rosemary and dandelion.
