All monthly tasks depend on weather and forage conditions
Most Beekeeping timetables are broadly similar to ours
- Remove Entrance Blocks & Put Mouse Excluder On
Now is the time to get the mouse guard on before the frosts start. While there is never a good time to let mice into the colony now is the prime time to keep them out.
- Check Feed Record & Calculate Total Used
The total amount of liquid feed taken should be around 20Kg.- Insert Varroa Board ONE Week Before Removal of Treatment
This will give an idea if the treatment has been successful in reducing the varroa population. Monitor the Varroa board insert. Use a hand lens if necessary. Do a five-day mite drop count.
- Remove Varroa Medication After Recommended Period
Remove Apistan/Apivar strips after 6 weeks but do not leave them in the hive for longer than 8 weeks. Remove liquid feeders, make sure they are clean before placing in the 'clean' room. Hefting will soon reveal whether the brood chamber contains sufficient stores. The brood chamber and any supers if left in place need to be full of honey and pollen to feed the bees over the winter months. Check your colony is up to weight, and feed fondant if requiredFollow the instructions displayed in the cottage with regard to the cleaning and storage of hive partsAre they weather proof to survive the winter months? Speak with the apiary management team if any hive parts need to be replaced or repaired.If there are two holes use a small piece of wire mesh secured in place with drawing pins or a bee escape in one to aid ventilation and cover the other with a small piece of glass.
As long as the bees have access to honey stores healthy bees can withstand cold but you may want to add some insulation on top of the crown board to help with heat retention but on the rare warm winter day that same insulation could prevent the sun's heat from getting into the hive. Hive straps and concrete blocks/bricks can secure colonies.But only after the varroa management program is complete
