APIARY NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 5

APIARY NOTES

WORK FOR JUNE. (By H. P. Dobson, Apiary Instructor.) The conservation of stores and heat are two factors of importance to be remembered at this time of year. Where colonies are headed by vigorous queens brood may be found in large quantities and it is then that it becomes necessary to consider to what extent stores may influence the queen’s activity. An abundance of stores encourages a queen to continue laying well into the autumn, thus maintaining a hive activity that is desirable. The consumption of stores during the winter is not high; between 301 b. find 401 b. per colony should be ample. It should be -remembered that the creation of heat utilises energy and causes a drain on the food supply; consequently it is not economical for bees to have to maintain warmth nt unused spaces. Where possible, the bees should be wintered in one box. Remove surplus combs not being used by the bees. As winter progresses, the bees will desert the lower box for flip top, where it is warmer, leaving the unoccupied combs at the mercy of moth and mice. Once the bees are established in the winter quarters with a sufficiency of food and warmth, they should not be disturbed. Care should he taken to see that stands are in good order and keeping the hives off the ground, away from dampness, with a slight tilt forward to allow any moisture that may collect in the hive to run out.

Tf there is any danger of lids being blown off. heavy weights may lx? placed on top. The best time to move hives is during the winter months. When establishing new apiaries, it should be remembered that besides the questions of -shade and shelter, the water supply plays an important part in the hive, and a beekeeper setting up a new apiary should not overlook that fact. If the bees’ water supply is too far distant, many thousands of bees may be lost during the early spring. If there is no natural source at hand. the apiary should be provided with an artificial water supply.