NOTES FOR BEEKEEPERS

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 70, Issue 4, 16 April 1945, Page 425

NOTES FOR BEEKEEPERS

Preparations for Wintering Colonies

r I ’HE harvesting of, all surplus honey THE harvesting of all surplus honey JI ■ should have been completed by now, and extracting supers will be in the shed awaiting correct storage to prevent loss of combs by the depredations of the wax-moth grub. This matter will be fully dealt with in next month’s notes; at the present time the beekeeper will require to see that his colonies are wintered down correctly, particular attention being given to the following points: —

Minimum of Manipulation

Cessation of nectar flow in the late summer, when colonies are generally strong, leaves a large force of worker bees with nothing to do but cause trouble should the beekeeper give them a chance. Until * these surplus field bees die off they are very quick to attack and rob out any weak colonies. Therefore do not put out any wet combs at this period to be cleaned up, and refrain from disturbing colonies more than is absolutely necessary.

Young Queens

Prolific queens which have built up the strength of colonies in the early spring and maintained brood rearing at a high rate during the early part of the main honey flow generally slow up just at a period when a force of young bees is desirable to form the winter cluster. To overcome this the autumn requeening of each colony is recommended. The introduction of a ripe queen cell, t after the old queen has been destroyed, towards the end of the main honey flow, ensures a young queen for next season, and one that will start sufficient brood to give an ample supply of young bees for the winter cluster. Colonies which face the, win+er with a cluster of comparatively old field bees invariably come out in the spring very weak, if they have not died or been robbed out before the spring.

To appreciate the necessity of stocking up ' the hive with young bees in preference to leaving • the old field bees to take care of the colony one needs to understand the quiescent state into which bees enter when wintering conditions are ideal. Bees remain in quietest condition when the outside temperature is round about 57° F. If the thermometer goes below this, the bees, instead of quietly clustering, become active and gradually bring up the inside temperature of the hive. This is brought about by the movement of the bees on the inside of the cluster and the inter-

changing of places with bees from the outside. The consumption of honey within easy reach is also used to create extra heat. Following very cold spells which have lasted for .several weeks, hives may be found in the spring with all the bees dead, but still having ample stores untouched. This is because all the honey in close proximity to the cluster has been used up in an endeavour to maintain life, and the low temperature has chilled any bees that attempted to bring over supplies from an adjacent comb. One or two days of warmer weather would have been sufficient for the cluster to open up and fresh supplies of honey to be brought within easy reach.

Temperatures above 57°. F. are responsible for the breaking up of the cluster and increased activity of the bees due to warmer conditions. In some instances the queen may be induced to lay. Under such conditions normal stores soon become depleted.

Ample Good-quality Stores

The amount of honey left as stores will have been adjusted when the last lot of honey was taken in for extraction. Capped combs which mean wellripened honey should be left in the hives in preference to a large amount of uncapped honey. Pollen is essential for the production of young bees, so the hives should not be depleted of their pollen supplies. This reserve may come in very useful in the spring should unfavourable weather be experienced when the first pollen-pro-ducing flowers come into bloom.

Shelter

This has a bearing on successful wintering, as it controls to a limited degree some of the above conditions just explained regarding the bee cluster. Much bee-keeping literature in the past has stressed the necessity for the provision of adequate shelter for the bees, and urged the planting of certain live hedges. As the years pass by this shelter can become a definite drawback. Too much shelter during the winter months is inclined to keep the hives damp for long periods, thus not only shortening the life of hive equipment, but providing conditions under which the bees do not winter well. Excessive shelter, even with dry conditions, is still not ideal for wintering, as on sunny days the increased heat causes too much bee activity and the consumption of additional stores. In the spring warm, sheltered apiaries are ideal for working in, but too often

considerable trouble is experienced in keeping down excessive swarming. Colonies in these positions build up too rapidly in the early spring and are very often past their peak when the main honey flow commences. Absolute lack of shelter, with the hives exposed to continuous cold winds, is not conducive to successful wintering. Conditions half way between these extremes are desirable, and can be obtained by careful selection of the apiary site to take advantage of the natural lay of the ground and to secure maximum sunshine with protection from prevailing winds, but at the same time allowing a free flow of air around the hives. This is sometimes referred to as “air drainage.” Where a break-wind is desirable the most suitable type is I to erect a fence about 6ft. high of slabs or Bin. x lin. boards spaced about 2in. apart. This will break the main force of the wind and allow the necessary free circulation of air.

Sound Equipment

All hive equipment should be checked over, special attention being given to the condition of the hive covers; faulty ones should be replaced and renovated during the winter months. Hive entrances should be reduced to check robbing and prevent the ingress of mice. If time and labour are available, each hive should be moved and the site cleared of all long grass or weeds before replacing the hive. This will encourage air circulation under the floor boards, which will last much longer.

Apiary Fences

, During the winter the minimum number of visits are made to out apiaries, so that it is very necessary to see that all fences are in a sound condition. During this period stock are fossicking round for any fresh feed, and fences need to be well strained to keep animals out of the apiary. Conclusion The following summarises the main points in preparing bees for the winter: ’ . : (a) Have a young queen in each hive to provide an ample force of young bees. (b) Sufficient stores of good quality. (c) Suitable shelter. (d) Sound equipment. (e) Protection from stock Attention to the successful wintering of all colonies will determine to a very large extent the crop secured next season.

—C. R. PATERSON,

Apiary

Instructor, Hamilton.