Beekeeping is a hobby that combines art and science. Whether you’re a seasoned beekeeper or just starting out with your first hive, understanding the intricacies of beehive management is crucial for the health and productivity of your colonies. This means learning how each part of the beehive works, conducting regular hive inspections, and knowing what to do for your hive each part of the year. Learn how to properly manage your beehives and handle the bees safely with this comprehensive beekeeping guide.
Know Your Hive Inside and Out
Before you can manage beehives, you need to know the several parts that make them tick. At the base of the beehive is the stand. It provides stability and keeps the hive above the ground to protect it from moisture and help keep pests out.
Next is the bottom board that acts as the foundation of the hive. This is also where bees enter and exit. Many beekeepers choose screened bottom boards to provide better ventilation and help minimize pests like Varroa mites.
The supers make up the body of the hive. Deep supers are the traditional choice for the brood chamber. In the brood chamber, the queen lays her eggs and the nurse bees raise the brood.
You can also use medium supers as brood chambers if you want a small, light option. Medium supers can work as honey supers, too. You can use the smaller and lighter shallow super for honey. Because bees instinctively make and store honey at the top of the hive, the honey super goes above the brood super in the hive.
The inner and outer covers are on the top of the hive’s structure. The outer cover protects the hive from the elements while the inner cover provides ventilation to ensure the bees don’t build on the outer cover. Both covers make it easy for beekeepers to lift the outer cover without disrupting hive activity or harming the bees.
Hive accessories can also enhance functionality. A queen excluder is a popular tool that keeps the queen confined to the brood area. This prevents her from laying eggs in honey supers and makes honey harvesting simple. Entrance reducers control traffic and protect against robbing. Mouse guards can be useful during colder months to prevent unwanted intruders. Knowing how your bees behave and what environmental factors threaten the hive will help you choose the right accessories to keep your hive safe and productive.
The Importance of Routine Hive Inspections
Routine inspections are the backbone of effective beehive management. They help you monitor the health and productivity of your colony. From diseases to pest infestations, you can spot problems early. Aim to inspect your hive every seven to ten days during peak seasons.
Before you start the inspection ensure you have the right tools: a smoker, hive tool, bee brush, and protective gear. Conduct the examination on sunny days. Be gentle as you work around the hive to avoid disrupting or imposing stress on the bees.
Look for signs of a healthy queen, such as a consistent pattern of brood. Check for signs of diseases or pests. Finally, make sure the hive has adequate food stores and space for expansion.
Best Practices for Handling Bees
Learning how to safely handle your bees is a huge part of properly managing your beehives. Always wear protective gear, including a veil, gloves, and a suit, to prevent stings.
Use the smoker wisely. A few gentle puffs at the entrance and under the cover will calm the bees by masking alarm pheromones.
Start your inspection at the bottom box and work your way up. You’ll need to carefully disassemble the hive to access the bottom super. Remove and inspect the frames one by one in each super. Handle the frames carefully to avoid hurting bees or dislodging parts of the hive. As you reassemble, keep the frames in the same order so you don’t disrupt the hive’s pattern.
Seasonal Care for Beehives
Beehive management isn’t static; it changes with the seasons. Understanding seasonal shifts ensures your colony remains healthy year-round.
Spring
Spring is a time of renewal and growth for bees. As temperatures rise, bees become more active. It’s crucial to assess colony strength and food stores at the start of the season. You might need to feed the bees with pollen patties or supplementary food to support brood rearing.
Check for signs of a laying queen and ample brood to make sure the hive grows properly. If you want to reduce the risk of swarming, make sure the hive has plenty of room to grow. This will prevent the bees from splitting the colony.
Summer
Summer hive inspections should focus on the health of the queen. A healthy queen means a healthy brood; a healthy brood is necessary to support the population and ensure the colony can keep up with the busy summer season. Keep an eye out for signs that the queen is slowing down or not laying correctly. Requeen the hive if necessary.
The warmer weather also leads to an increased risk of pests, especially Varroa mites. Monitor the hive infestations. Provide prompt treatments to make sure the bees are in good health as you head into the fall.
Fall
Fall beehive maintenance is about preparation. The bees are busy ensuring they have enough honey stored for winter. During this time, the bees are more likely to feel stressed. If they’re more aggressive than usual, act carefully whenever you inspect the hive.
The colony’s population will drop as it kicks out the drones and prepares for winter. You might have to remove a super or two to reduce the hive’s size. A smaller hive helps the bees stay warm and better protect the colony during winter.
Autumn is also the time to winterize your hive. Help the bees prepare for the cold by giving them winter patties. Continue to watch for pests and parasites. You can also relocate the hive to a part of the yard that offers more sunlight or protection from wind to increase protection from the elements.
Winter
Bees hunker down for the winter, making beehive management a little more hands-off than in other seasons. If your colony has everything it needs going into the winter, the bees will keep themselves warm and fed without intervention. However, you still want to watch the hive’s food stores to make sure the bees have enough to eat throughout the season. Supplement with winter feed if you notice the bees’ natural stores getting low.
Winter is also the time to start preparing for spring. Make any repairs or replacements for your beekeeping equipment, safely store any tools you aren’t using, and start making checklists for what your hives will need in the spring.
The Best Tools for Hive Management
Dadant & Sons is proud to provide beekeepers with tools and resources to support the bees and keep hives safe all year round. Check out our supers, frames, and other supplies for small beehives by visiting our online store today.