Keeping Bees in April
April is generally a happy time in the apiary of most beekeepers. Full of hope, thankfulness, and wonder. Hopefulness for the future season’s success in each of our own endeavors. Health of the honey bees being at the top of the list for most beekeepers. Followed by success at their own pollination efforts, or efforts at queen rearing, honey production, pollen collection, and all the many other reasons why we keep bees. We are also thankful. Thankful for the colonies that survived the winter as most do. Sadly, some do not. But the memory of those that do not survive will soon fade and that sadness will be replaced with optimism for the future. Wonder is on many beekeepers’ minds this time of year as we open our hives for the first time in several months. Wonder and amazement at what we see inside the hive. All the worker bees going about their duties in spite of our clumsy intrusion into their home. The sight of the queen going about her work with the majestic dignity that only the queen can display. All while being respectfully followed about by her loyal retinue. It is truly an amazing world inside the hive and never more amazing than in April. I look forward to it each year.
So what will we do on our first visit inside the hive this year? Well . . . As all the experienced beekeepers (all together now!) are saying in unison, “THAT DEPENDS.” Yes, it does depend. But considering the limitations on time and space for this article I will only make a short list of things you may want to consider on your first visit inside the hive this year. I will attempt to list them in their order of priority.
#1 – Evaluate the overall health of your colony.
* Is it warm enough? (60˚F or above)
* Disease present? Mite count? Test? Treat?
* Population? Large, small, or appropriate to the season?
* Queen Right? Observed or Suspected? Marked?
* Brood? Eggs, Larvae, Pupae?
* Food Supply? Nectar, Capped Honey, Pollen?
* Bottom box empty of brood?
* Boxes rotated?
* Hive closed up in 15 minutes or less?
#2 – Log book updated after today’s evaluation? Bloom log?
More comprehensive, printed, check-off sheets are available from different bee supply companies as well as some bee associations, the Oregon Master Beekeeper program website, and other outlets. If you want to try one, seek them out and choose the design you like.
Happy beekeeping and good luck with your bees.
Max Kuhn