{"id":20342,"date":"2026-05-18T11:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beefeed.com\/api-of-the-month-45\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T11:27:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:27:14","slug":"api-of-the-month-45","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beefeed.com\/en\/api-of-the-month-45\/","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 May, beekeeping enters its most spectacular phase. As nature displays its full vigour, work at the apiary demands constant vigilance, with favourable weather conditions in most regions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

This month, we will focus in particular on the spring honey harvest: a crucial moment when we must act quickly to extract the rapeseed honey before it crystallises in the combs. We will discuss the technique of harvesting by brushing the frames, a gentle method. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Finally, we will look at how to strategically place additional supers. These tasks, combining perfect timing and technical precision, are the cornerstones for transforming your bees\u2019 energy into an exceptional harvest.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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

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

May is a bustling time for beekeepers. The apiary is now in full swing. From acacia groves to clover fields, nectar sources are at their peak.<\/p>\n\n

The colony reaches its peak population, creating a veritable swarm of workers ready to harvest the nectar. This is the moment of truth when space management becomes crucial to turning this power into a bountiful harvest. Here are the main tasks to be carried out at the apiary this month: <\/p>\n\n

Monitor young swarms<\/strong>: If you have just acquired a new swarm on frames, be particularly vigilant. Unlike an established colony, a young swarm has no safety reserves. If the weather turns changeable or rainy for several days, keep a very close eye on their food supply and do not hesitate to provide them with a supplement of APIINVERT\u00ae syrup.<\/p>\n\n

Add new supers<\/strong>: Nature is bountiful in May. If you notice that the bees are starting to cover the tops of the frames with fresh wax or that the current super is three-quarters full, do not hesitate to add a new super. A lack of space to store nectar is the first sign that prompts a colony to swarm.<\/p>\n\n

Splitting the colony<\/strong>: If you notice that egg-laying has stopped due to an excess of brood frames (often more than 7 or 8 frames in a 10-frame Dadant hive), it is time to split the colony. By removing two or three brood and feed frames to create a new colony, you reduce the pressure and thus control swarming instinct whilst expanding your stock.<\/p>\n\n

Renewing the wax<\/strong>: Spring is the ideal time for hive hygiene. Take advantage of the strong wax production to introduce new embossed frames and replace the old black frames. New wax limits the spread of disease and provides larger cells for the hatching of vigorous young bees.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

The honey flowers of the month<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

acacia (nectar), dandelion (nectar and pollen), photinia (nectar), hawthorn (nectar and pollen)…<\/p>\n\n

Read more on page 2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\u00a0\r\n\n\n\n

Should you harvest spring honey?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Spring 2026 is spoiling us. Between the rapeseed fields that have turned the landscape golden and the sweet scent of acacia trees filling the air, the bees are spoilt for choice. But for the beekeeper, this abundance demands constant vigilance.<\/p>\n\n

The rapeseed urgency: preventing the honey from turning to \u2018concrete\u2019 in the frames.<\/p>\n\n

If you have hives near rapeseed crops, time is of the essence. Rapeseed honey has a distinctive physical characteristic: its very high glucose content causes it to crystallise extremely quickly.<\/p>\n\n

If you wait until the summer harvest (August) to remove your spring supers, you risk finding honey as hard as stone, right in the cells. Once crystallised in the wax, it becomes impossible to extract by centrifugation. It is therefore essential to harvest as soon as the frames are capped, before the natural chemical process causes it to harden.<\/p>\n\n

The good news is that the weather is on our side this year. The acacia is currently in full bloom and the conditions (warm weather and mild humidity) are ideal for nectar production.<\/p>\n\n

The flow is so intense that it is not uncommon to see colonies fill a super in just a few days. Do keep a close eye on your hives: if the first super is almost full, place a second, or even a third, on top. Providing space is the best way to prevent swarming and allow the bees to store this precious harvest.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

When harvesting the honey, do ensure that the frames are as fully capped as possible; in other words, that the cells are sealed with a wax cap, indicating that the nectar has been converted into honey and that the high water content of the nectar has been removed by the bees.<\/p>\n\n

Harvesting frames with the brush<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

For those who keep bees as a hobby, the method of brushing the frames remains the simplest and most precise. Here\u2019s how to do it:<\/p>\n\n

Open your hive: lightly smoke the entrance and the tops of the frames to keep the bees at bay. Don\u2019t use too much smoke, as this may impart a taste to the honey.<\/p>\n\n

Remove the supers: take the frames out one by one. Hold the frame above the hive to shake off the bees and, using a soft brush, brush the worker bees off with a firm but gentle stroke.<\/p>\n\n

Transporting the frames: immediately place the brushed frame in a closed transport box (or an empty super with a lid) to prevent the bees from returning to it.<\/p>\n\n

Once your super is empty, replace the frames with built-up or waxed frames so that the bees can continue working.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

Do this on a lovely sunny afternoon. Most of the foragers will be out, which will make working on the hive much quieter as there will be fewer bees around.<\/p>\n\n

Spring honey is recognisable by its creamy sweetness, very fine crystallisation, white colour and a taste that is not very strong but delicate. <\/p>\n\n

As usual, share your photos with us: we’ll post them on our website from the social networks with the hashtag: #apifonda #apiinvert!<\/p>\n\n

See you next month on your API blog with your faithful partner, Les Ruchers De Mathieu!<\/p>\n\n

\"LES<\/figure>\n\n

LES RUCHERS DE MATHIEU<\/strong>Miellerie & Magasin d\u2019Apiculture<\/p>\n\n

Photos \u00a9lesruchersdemathieu<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In May, beekeeping enters its most spectacular phase. As nature displays its full vigour, work at the apiary demands constant vigilance, with favourable weather conditions in most regions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[1202],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-api-of-the-month"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAPI - API of the month<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In May, beekeeping enters its most spectacular phase. 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