What should a beekeeper be doing in February?
What should a beekeeper be doing in February?
Your bees have survived Small Hive Beetles, nectar dearth’s, and the cold temperatures of late Fall and Winter. As a beekeeper you already have your sights focused on the Spring months just ahead and you have all your beekeeping supplies.
What many beekeepers forget, is that your colony of honey bees have slowly eaten through their honey stores inside of the hive. Normally, the honey depletion will happen in early February. The easy way to find out about the honey stores is to go to the rear of the hive and slide your hand under the bottom board and lift gently. If it is really heavy, then the hive has honey stores remaining in the hive.
If the hive weight is light, then you must start feeding immediately. This is your S.O.S. call from your bee colony. The colony must stay hydrated with sugar water. If not, they will die of starvation. We get so many calls in early March and April stating there was no honey in the hive and their bees died. Do not be one of these beekeepers!
There are many ways to feed your bees with positives and negatives:
- Top feeder that sets above the brood box. Easy access to the sugar water. 1+ gallon of sugar water can be held in this feeder.
- Frame feeder – A frame feeder allows easy access to the sugar water. Holds 1 gallon of sugar water. Negative- You have to open up the hive and that could chill your colony of bees.
- Bucket feeder – A bucket feeder allows easy access for the bees as it sets above the inner cover. Holds 1 gallon of sugar water. Positive – Quick refill and will not allow the bees to be chilled.
- Boardman feeder – A boardman feeder set on the outside of the hive and is placed at the entry way of the hive. Hold up to a 5 lbs jar. Negative – it is not near the clustered bee colony. Positive – The beekeeper will not have to disturb the colony or lose the warmth of the inner hive.
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