A YEAR IN THE
APIARY

Carry out inspections as you did in April. May is an exciting month as it marks the start of the busiest season in the apiary. The weather is warmer, and the days are longer, which means more time for bees to forage and for beekeepers to conduct important tasks to keep their hives healthy and productive. May is a crucial month for colony growth and development, so it's essential to keep a close eye on your bees' behaviour and health. Splitting hives and making artificial swarms can be useful strategies to prevent swarming.

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Lets discuss the key activities and tasks that you should focus on in May to ensure the bees thrive throughout the year.

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​Conduct weekly hive inspections: Regular hive inspections are important during this time to monitor the health of the colony and ensure that the queen is laying eggs and the bees are healthy. Look for signs of brood disease, queen health, and overall hive population. You should check for signs of swarming, such as queen cells, and take appropriate action if necessary.

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Replace Frames: It is recommended to have some pre-drawn brood frames available this time of year. Now is a good time to replace any old or damaged comb in the brood chamber (if frames are over 3 years old consider changing 10 to 20%) or have some for setting up a nucleus . If you don't have any, one way to achieve this is by converting the hive into a double brood box, similar to adding a super. First, remove all supers and install the brood box with frames above the queen excluder. The bees should start drawing out the foundation. Once the central frames have been drawn, move them to the sides. After the frames are all fully drawn, remove the brood box and replace the existing honey supers. Ensure to store the newly drawn frames carefully to avoid wax moth infestation. If the frames are filled with nectar, extract it and give it back to the bees. Feeding the bees can also help accelerate the drawing process.

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Monitor the colony's honey stores: As the colony's brood rearing continues to increase and the nectar flow becomes more abundant, it's important to ensure that the bees have enough space to store their honey. Check the hive's honey stores and add additional frames or boxes if necessary. . Bees can fill up a super in a week if there is a good nectar flow. Take off any supers that are full of honey but ensure the bees have enough for the June gap.

 

​Swarm prevention: As the colony grows, swarming increases to high levels. Take steps to prevent swarming by ensuring that the colony has adequate space to expand, adding more frames or boxes as needed. If you haven’t done so already, get those swarm traps out in the trees. Monitor the weather daily to plan your inspections so that you don’t extend the inspection period too long to find your bees have swarmed. In necessary, you can carry out splits this time of year.

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Queen rearing: If you are planning to rear queens, May is a good time to start as the weather is warm enough for successful mating flights.

 

Provide water sources: Bees need access to clean water in order to cool their hives and dilute their honey stores. Providing a nearby water source, such as a shallow dish or bird bath, can help ensure that your colonies stay healthy and hydrated.

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Clean the Apiary: Cut the grass in the apiary and clear away any vegetation.

 

Maintain records: Keep accurate records of the hives' health and activity throughout the year. This will help you make informed decisions about the health of your colony and any changes that may need to be made.

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Attend educational events: Attend beekeeping events, such as seminars or conferences, to learn about new techniques and best practices.

 

May is a busy and exciting time in the apiary, as the bees are actively producing honey and the colony is growing. By staying on top of hive management and pest control, you can help ensure a successful season.