Observe what happens
Here are some tips for beekeepers for the month of March. This is a crucial time for bee colonies, as they begin to increase production for the coming season. One of the most important things a beekeeper can do during this time is to inspect at least one colony and take detailed notes on their observations. These notes will help provide an overall picture of the colony’s progress and any problems that may arise.
March is also a time when all hives start producing on a large scale, so it is important to keep a close eye on weaker colonies. If you find a weak colony at the end of the month, it may be due to poor treatment against Varroa destructor, or overwintering of a weak colony. It is crucial to address these issues as soon as possible to prevent future problems.
What are bees doing during March?
During March, the queen will start laying 1000s of eggs, which will hatch into the second generation of new bees. On a nice, sunny day with temperatures above 9°C, beekeepers can check the size of the larval surface. It is important to carefully put the frame back into the hive in exactly the same direction as it was taken out to avoid damaging the bees or brood.
While it may be tempting to pair up a strong bee colony in March, it is important to wait until April. This is because there are not enough drones in the hive to fertilize new princesses, and introducing new bees too early can weaken the hives and slow their development.
There are also some things that beekeepers should avoid doing during March. These include adding brood frames or honey frames, removing additions, feeding or stimulating bees with sugar solution, dividing even a strong bee colony, and adding building frames. These actions can do more harm than good and should be avoided until later in the season.
Beezum sensors give you more insight into temperatures and activity in your bee colonies.
Beezum eHive Heart Sensor to monitor bee hive
Information gathering and monitoring from inside your hive. Measures temperature, and humidity and listens to and analyses the sounds of bees.
The hive heart is small enough to be placed on the frames inside the hive. Install the battery. Then you download the mobile application, scan the QR code included in the package, and the application automatically connects to your eHeart. You don’t need to configure anything.
In summary, March is an exciting time for beekeepers as they begin to see their colonies flourish. By following these tips and paying attention to their bees, beekeepers can ensure a successful season.