Let's get ready to get back to beekeeping!

 

Spring will be here before you know it!

 

The days are starting to get longer and the queen is starting to lay again. So it's time to get ready for spring! Some dead bees out front are NORMAL, however, a PILE of dead bees may be of concern... but other than making sure they have enough food there is not much to do at this point but learn from the experience. When checking your hives do not tear apart the hive, this breaks propolis seals on the boxes. You can simply lift the top off of the hive and check if there are bees in the inner cover hole. Don't forget your veil! Even in winter, there can be a grumpy bee or two. If they are already up to the inner cover hole they are running out of food stores (as they move vertically through the hive) and need to be fed as soon as possible (see sugar brick recipe below). 

 

If you're worried about your bees here is a noninvasive check: put your ear to the hive and lightly tap on the hive body, the bees will respond with a buzz if they are still alive. 

What should you be doing now?

  1. check hive weight and add sugar cake if needed (see recipe below)
  2. clean up any dead outs  (for help on figuring out why did they die watch this video)  
  3. clear entrances of the hives if they've gotten blocked and tilt hives forward (slightly) if they are collecting water
  4. pick something new to try and set goals for the year
  5. plan any plantings you want to do for the year
  6. repair or cull old equipment, build and paint new equipment 
  7. read some bee books or subscriptions, and renew your bee club memberships 
  8. order your bees for spring  (we are taking limited queen and nuc pre-orders on our website) 

Sugar brick recipe :

  • 2 cups white granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water

 

Mix ingredients thoroughly and press into a wax paper-lined pie pan or another shallow container. Once the brick has hardened, place it directly on top of the uppermost frames and then place feeder shim, followed by the (quilt board if using and then) outer lid on top. Or place brick over top of the hole on the inner cover, and then place the (quilt board if using and then) outer cover on top.

What are we up to: 

  1. buying and building (A LOT OF) equipment for the coming year (we'll have some extra equipment for sale too) 
  2. painting and repairing our older equipment
  3. making our plans and goals for the year
  4. once a month check on the bees for food stores and dead outs
  5. Zoom attending a few conferences and a whole lot of bee club meetings
  6. trying a few new hive related crafts
  7. trying to remember to take some time off to recharge for the new year

 

 

New items in the store:

  • Pre-order 2021 Queens 
  • Pre-order 2021 Spring Nucs 

 

Coming soon to the store:

  • Beeswax 
  • Assembled supers and frames
 
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Upcoming bee club meetings:

 

  • Maryland State Beekeepers Feb 13th, 8:30am- 4pm,  keynote speaker: Dr. Thomas Seeley (Limited to 500 participants. Admission is Free) 

 

  • Central Maryland Beekeepers Association- 1st Tuesdays 
  • Susquehanna Beekeepers Association 2nd Wednesdays 
  • Carroll County Beekeepers Association - 3rd Wednesdays 
  • Baltimore Beekeepers Network  3rd Thursdays 

 

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