March Beekeeping Chores
/
March Beekeeping Chores
One of the biggest jobs beekeepers do in March is - well, get excited. Where I live in USDA Hardiness zone 5b, the weather is starting to warm up, which means bees are getting busy. Not busy enough, though, to qualify for full hive inspections so as a beekeeper we have to wait for the right conditions before checking how our colonies pulled through winter.
Some of the other things beekeepers can do in March:
Air out wax frames stored in plastic containers with Paramoth crystals before they are placed in a hive.
Add sticks and rocks to “bee bar” birdbaths to make sure bees have easy access to water within a quarter mile of their home hives.
Monitor colonies for supplemental food needs; feed as necessary.
Order extra queens if planning to split colonies.
If you want to catch swarms, register on swarm-catching lists.
And put on your roller skates because next month should be even busier!
