|
|
Paul Brown’s
Beekeepers's Yearly Management Calendar
(1998 version)
This calendar was written for use in western North
Carolina and the mountains in South Carolina. Mr.
Paul Brown was a "Beekeeper of the Year" for both
North and South Carolina
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
The beekeeper’s year actually begins in August.
August 20th through September 20th
Re-queen all hives with good quality queens
Take out Apistan® strips which were put in about July 1 – strips should remain
in hives for approximately 56 days, but no more.
September 15th
Treat all hives with Tra-Kill® (Menthol) for Tracheal Mites. Split 2 ½ oz.
package into two nylon screen packets (4”x5”) and place two packets per hive
on the top of the frames.
September (after honey supers are removed)
Medicate with Terramycin® to treat for Foul Brood. Mix 1 lb. of TM-10 with
2 lb. of powdered sugar (or use Terra-Brood®, a ready mixed product). Apply
two teaspoons per hive three times at three to four day intervals. Do not rely
on grease patties to be effective against AFB. They may be a deterrent to
tracheal mites.
September and October
Combine weak hives. Use newspaper method – make two or three slits in the
paper and be sure to remove the weaker of the two queens.
October 1st
Reduce the hive entrance to 3/8” to prevent mice from getting into the hive.
October 15th (after the first frost)
Medicate with Fumidil-B® for Nosema control. Mix two parts sugar to one
part water for syrup, then mix level teaspoon of Fumidil-B® per gallon of
water, or one 0.5 gram (500 mg) bottle of Fumidil-B® to 44 lbs. of granulated
sugar with enough water to make six gallons of syrup. (Note spring treatment
in March). Feed two gallons per hive.
November and December
Make repairs on your equipment, assemble new equipment, and make some of
those time saver gadgets.
Ventilate the hives with a 1/8th inch crack at the front of the inner cover to
prevent condensation and mold.
December to February
Just after Christmas when the temperature is above 50 degrees, feed pollen
substitute – 1 to 1 ½ lbs per hive. Recipe: three parts soybean meal, one part
dried brewers yeast, and one part powdered milk.
January 15th to February 1st
Population starts increasing as you continue feeding artificial pollen.
Treat for Varroa mites – 2 Apistan® strips per hive body – remember to write
down the date you put them in!
February 1st until sufficient nectar is available
Check honey supply on each hive and feed with sugar syrup if hive has less
than half a super of honey. Recipe: ten pounds of cane sugar to one gallon of
water. Suggest top feeders: either double chamber or pail feeder.
Remind all area peach growers to use caution with pesticides, especially
Pencap-M®, to avoid killing honeybees.
Repeat treatment for foulbrood February 1-15 (see September). Recipe: 2
parts powdered sugar to 1 part TM®. Use 2 tsp per hive, 3 times, at 3-4 day
intervals.
March 1-15th (Temperature above 60 degrees)
Exchange brood boxes if two exist or add 2nd if only one exists. If you add a
brood box, place it above existing brood box. (Some beekeepers may prefer
one brood box only.)
Check the brood comb and replace frames that have excessive drone cells and
excessively small (old) worker cells.
Medicate with Fumidil-B® for Nosema control (mix as directed) one gallon
unless bees need feed. (Be sure to remove at least two weeks before installing
supers.)
Place bait hives to catch new swarms. Bait hive should have one vial each of
pheromone bee attractant and should be positioned 8-9 feet above ground level.
Take out Apistan® strips – strips should be in hives approximately 56 days, but
no more.
March 20th
Check for queen cells and cut them out. Repeat every ten days for about four
times.
April 1st
Install supers on all hives. On strong hives, install four supers if frames have
drawn comb or two supers if frames have foundation comb. Weak or medium
hives should receive less supers accordingly. Periodic checks should be made
during the honey flow to see if additional supers are needed.
June 1-15th
Harvest honey crop.
Replace wet supers on hives for the bees to clean up – place one empty super
(with no frames) between wet supers and hive.
June 15th
Sourwood season starts in the mountains!
July 1st
Remove dry supers for storage. Supers should be stacked tightly with
paradichlorobenzene crystals on a paper plate or piece of newspaper between
each 5 supers. (Remember fumes from the moth crystals move down as they
evaporate.) DO NOT USE COMMERCIAL MOTH BALLS! They are a
different formula and not approved for use on beekeeping equipment!
Treat for Varroa mites – 2 Apistan® strips per hive body – and remember to
write down the date you put them in!
Good luck and have a great year!