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Beekeeping Tips for March

This is a critical time for starvation. The young bees are hatching daily and the size of the colony increases by hundreds if not thousands per day. The worker bees are beginning to forage and drones begin to appear.

As the days grow longer, the Queen increases her rate of egg production and colonies wishing to swarm may start to raise swarm cells and colonies with failing queens may start supersedure cells. These will hatch in 16 days.

Weather permitting, a few early swarms could occur in March.   Food stores are being consumed at a rapid rate. Natural Pollen is coming in rapidly but cold, windy weather can affect nectar sources so a close watch on food stores is critical.

March Tips

• Check honey stores
• Re-queen failing Queens
• Make sure all medications are removed as specified on label
• When hive body is full of bees add Honey super
• Attend Bee Meetings
• Update “Bloom Calendar”