🐝 Bee Alert May 🐝

Swarms are being reported, so let’s keep ahead of our bees to keep them at home! 

Oil seed rape is in full bloom and likely to flower for another month or so. Cooler-than-usual temperatures have limited the yield from many spring-flowering trees, meaning colonies are relying more heavily on OSR as a primary nectar source.

Strong hives are less affected by temperature fluctuations and will be building rapidly. These colonies require supers without delay – and perhaps a second super already.

We are entering peak spring swarm season. Older queens will be the most likely to swarm, and even younger queens may do so if their brood boxes become congested. Providing adequate space is essential to reduce this risk.

If your brood box is becoming honey-bound, immediate action should be taken. As well as adding supers, fresh brood comb or foundation will give the colony space to expand, while removing a frame or two of brood can relieve pressure. Frames of stores may be frozen for later use or used to support weaker colonies.

Honey-bound hives tend to underperform and are more prone to swarming. Additionally, if brood boxes are full of fondant or sugar syrup stores, there is a risk bees will move this into supers, contaminating what should be a pure spring honey crop.

Justin Lanyon Olver