Summary of the year.
Fairly
busy with swarm control needed on most colonies leading to almost
doubling the number of colonies at the start of the year and a
captured swarm completing the doubling from six to twelve at one
point. Novices attended sessions from April to May and a few sessions
through the summer. Some saw swarm control, queen marking and the
swarm capture. With the emphasis on teaching it was not always
possible to inspect all the colonies in one session so there were
mid-week inspections through much of the summer to keep things under
control.
We
sold some colonies, initially offering them to novices then to the
wider membership. This brought us back to six colonies, the number we
had at the start of the year. There will possibly be two more
available in the Spring.
Honey
extraction was done on three occasions, one for Spring and two for
Summer. This yielded over three hundred pounds weight which we have
sold in bulk.
Through the year.
We
had six colonies coming through the winter and at the beginning in
January we applied Apibioxal and gave them fondant.
Through
January and February more fondant was given as needed.
March, quick
inspections done to check build up.
April,
full inspections started with novices starting to attend.
An
artificial swarm done near the end of the month and more done in May.
Honey extraction was
done towards the end of May for the Spring OSR crop.
First summer
extraction done in July the second mid-August.
Colonies
all treated with MAQS at the end of August and early
September.
After varroa
treatment, all colonies fed with inverted sugar syrup during
September.
October,
completion of feeding and a tray of Apiguard applied to further
reduce the varroa count.
Apiguard removed and
mouse guards applied.
My
thanks to Andy Bucklitch for all his help through the year and Alan
Woollhead who helped on many occasions. Also to Roger and Caroline
for their help with the spring extraction and use of their unit and
Chris Broad for his help with the two Summer extractions with use of
his facilities. Thanks too to those who have come along to learn and
help in the process.
January 2019. Plan
to apply Apibioxal and fondant.
The year ahead.
A new apiary manager and some experienced beekeepers to run some of the inspection/apiary meetings. Moving colonies to the new/second apiary at Avoncroft.
A new apiary manager and some experienced beekeepers to run some of the inspection/apiary meetings. Moving colonies to the new/second apiary at Avoncroft.