BEE CHRONICLES MAY 2010

Can you believe it! Just as the best spring honey flow is starting up, we get tornadoes? Not really but nearly. Torrential rains and high wind. Flower blossoms all over the ground. Those that had good strong hives, with bee populations on the fast increase, look out. This will be known as the year of the early swarms. When a dirthe of nectar and pollen occurs during fast population growth the bees can decide to move to the other side of the mountain. This is absconding. For the relatively new bee keeper this will be a new experience. It takes about 10 days for the queen to slim down to flying weight, so you notice the same signals from the hive. Bussing around outside the hive instead of foraging, agitation inside the hive, and no new eggs. Then off they go. The difference with swarming is there may or may not be queen cell left behind. The hive is not maxed out on food and brood. They just go looking for a better home.

Monitor your hives and feed syrup and pollen substitute if necessary. If a new set of plants blossom soon (say blackberry) nature will rescue us. If not we have to feed until adequate nectar and pollen sources are available again. This is where your beekeeper training as a detective and scientist come in. What is blooming and is it a source of nectar or pollen. If yes, is it in adequate volume?

I noticed some tulip poplar outer flower shells on the ground. I don’t know the botanical name for that part of the flower, maybe pre-petal. It is not part of the main flower. However, if they were damaged in the storm there may be a degradation in the flowers later when they bloom (or don’t bloom). Just something else to watch for. Also, what other flowers have been affected.

Be vigilant and prepare for a good honey flow, supers and fames. Swarm management, hive bodies, honey supers, nucs. Try to make your own queens for fall requeening. The industry may not be able to cover the requirements this fall.

The bears are out with all those cute cubs that need to learn how to eat honey. Keep your apiaries secure.

Now relax

Glen