{"id":20245,"date":"2026-03-24T09:57:44","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T08:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beefeed.com\/api-of-the-month-44\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T09:57:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T08:57:48","slug":"api-of-the-month-44","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beefeed.com\/en\/api-of-the-month-44\/","title":{"rendered":"API of the month"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mathieu DOMECQ<\/strong>Editor-in-chief of the API of the Month and Blog<\/em><\/p>\n\n

In April, beekeeping enters a crucial phase. As spring blossoms transform the landscape, work at the apiary picks up pace abruptly, shifting from patient observation to intensive technical management. Following the initial inspection visits comes the time for strategic interventions that determine the year\u2019s harvest and the survival of the colonies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This month, we will focus in particular on installing the first super, a key step in channelling the colonies\u2019 energy during the rapeseed honey flow, for example, as well as managing the balance between honey and pollen in the hive. We will also discuss monitoring swarming fever: a real spring challenge that sometimes requires splitting hives to prevent your best workers from flying away.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

These practices, combining responsiveness and precision, are essential for supporting the bees\u2019 natural dynamism.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\"Mathieu<\/figure>\n\n\u00a0\n\n

Tasks of the month<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

If April is the month of \u2018renewal\u2019 for the beekeeper, it is above all because nature is in full swing. Following the first pollen harvests, honey-producing flowers burst into bloom, providing the bees with the resources they need to build wax and feed the brood, which is growing before our very eyes. It is this abundance that allows the colony to become strong enough to fill our famous supers. Here are the main tasks to carry out in the apiary this month: <\/p>\n\n

Monitor the brood\/store balance<\/strong>: In spring, changeable weather can quickly deplete stores: keep a close eye on the balance between brood and stores. If you can no longer see a honey ring above the brood and the outer frames are light, a feed of Apiinvert syrup may be recommended.<\/p>\n\n

Similarly, if pollen is in short supply, adding a protein paste is essential to support larval growth. These food supplements secure the colony and act as a real boost to the queen\u2019s egg-laying, ensuring a strong population for the coming honey flows.<\/p>\n\n

Adding a super<\/strong>: As soon as your colony has filled almost all the frames and the first wax caps appear, add your first super to accommodate the rapeseed honey flow, for example. This step is crucial in April to provide space for the colony, boost production and thus reduce the urge to swarm.<\/p>\n\n

Ensure the brood is well-centred and active before installing, if you wish, a queen excluder between the hive body and the super to ensure a clean honey harvest. <\/p>\n\n

Splitting the colony<\/strong>: In April, monitoring the apiary becomes critical. As soon as a colony exceeds 6 brood frames, space begins to run out and swarming can take over the hive at any moment. To avoid losing half your bees and your future harvest, the most effective solution is to split the colony.<\/p>\n\n

The simplest way to create a new swarm is to take three frames from the parent hive:<\/p>\n\n