Topical Tips
For March 2002
Above all else - make sure that colonies have enough food. See tips for February on feeding.
Monitor varroa levels and make a decision whether or not spring treatment is necessary. Bayvarol or Apistan can be used at any time and thymol can be used as soon as we get some warm weather.
Do not be in too much of a hurry to remove mouse guards - the bees will cluster on cold nights and mice will certainly take advantage and move in!
Woodpeckers may also attack hives if we have any very cold weather, so leave the defences in place where they may be a problem.
Add a super to strong colonies towards the end of the month so that they do not become too crowded. Lack of space at this stage is thought to be a factor in early swarming.
Some fields of oilseed rape already have significant patches of flower, but this is not a signal to pile on empty supers! Over supering early will cause the bees to store small amounts up through the supers - usually vertically above the brood nest (known as chimneying) - and they will then desert this on cold nights, triggering early granulation. Better to add space as required so that the honey is stored in a compact area and is kept warm.
Peter Edwards 01/03/2002
