This yearly calendar is meant as a guideline. Exact dates may vary by up to 2 weeks
depending on the weather
Lift test for stores, feed dry sugar if light.
Feb 15 - Open the colony and feed on pollen patty per 5 frames of bees.
If the colony is near starvation feed dry sugar or honey frames until March 15.
Feed sugar syrup with Fumagillin to treat for Nosema.
Continue to feed pollen patties per instructions until abundant pollen is being collected.
Apr 7 - first nectar flow (dandelions).
Apr 10 - Equalize and centre the brood nests.
When all colonies are at 7 frames of brood, add a honey super. Place two frames of capped brood,
without the queen, directly above the centre of the brood nest, in the honey super.
Test for Varroa mites using natural drop test prior to adding honey supers; treat with formic acid
if greater than 8 mites per day.
Test and retreat if necessary.
10-day checks - Continue to pull 2 frames of capped brood up into the honey super every time there
are 7 frames of brood in the bottom box.
May 1 - Honey flow is on and lasts until July 12 (two and a half months)
Under super when the honey super above the queen excluder is 60 - 80% full.
10-day checks - Vigilance for AFB/EFB required.
July 15 - Test for Varroa Mites; treat with formic acid if required.
Replace all queens.
Aug 15 - Remove honey and treat, test, treat for Varroa; cannot enter winter with > 2 mites per day.
Reduce bees down to one box.
Feed 1-2 lbs pollen substitute, depending on stores.
Feed 2-1 sugar syrup up to 6 gallons or until the bees stop taking it in.
During the first and third feeds, add Fumagillin to treat for Nosema.
Elevate colonies off the ground.
Insulate and wrap colonies ensuring that no wind or rain can get in.
Ensure there are top and bottom entrances, approximately 1cm x 3cm.
Treat with Oxalic Acid for Varroa mites, dribble or vapour method.
Lift test for stores, feed dry sugar if light.
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