Finally some warmer weather--but hold on, as it will be up and down for awhile! I hope your bees are doing well and starting to raise brood. Brood may be not as far along this year because of the cold in January and February. While the length of day (winter solstice) does trigger the queen to lay, weather can reverse that as a colony cannibalizes its brood due to extreme temperatures. Here are a couple of thoughts and updates:
- Put out your yellowjacket traps! This is the time of year to put them out and bait them every week, so that you can catch queen yellowjackets as they emerge (much more effective than trying to reduce the population later in the year).
- Check your colonies for life, if you have not yet done so. There is a longstanding myth that pollen being brought in the entrance means everything is fine and a queen is in there laying. This simply is not true. It may OR MAY NOT mean this. Foragers do what they do regardless of a healthy laying queen, and robber bees can even have pollen on them when they stop by to steal some honey or wax.
- If you treat your colonies for Varroa mites, now would be a good time to do so. Oxalic acid, Formic, and Apiguard are all good spring treatments if done early enough.
- Keep an eye on your existing colonies between now and when the nectar starts to flow and temperatures regulate to make sure they are not starving.
- Reversing your brood boxes is sometimes done in the spring (if you're running two brood boxes) to encourage the bees to move up (as they're often at the top this time of the year. This is not mandatory, and if you do it, make sure you're not separating them from food (in case we get some cold days and nights).
- We are stocked up on most BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES, so stop by if there is anything you need for the upcoming season. If you're near northeastern PA and need us to bring something for pickup in Nicholson, PA, just let us know. We have the new Varroxsan, Hive Beetle bait oil, and the SuperNectar product now in stock.
- For those who may want to do some April splits of existing colonies, we will be bringing in a limited number of MATED QUEENS FOR APRIL AND EARLY MAY. Anything in early to mid April will be pickup only (Carlisle or Nicholson), but late April and on will also have the option for shipping. Watch for updates on our website and Facebook or contact us with any special requests.
- NUCS AND CARNIOLAN PACKAGES (all sold out) will be ready throughout the month of May (no schedule changes at this point). Because of the way our colonies look now, there is a possibility that we will have some extra for late May, but if so, this will be posted in early May.
- WAX DIPPING of new woodenware here at the Carlisle Farm Shop started last week, and we'll try to schedule another day for mid-late April.
- Our LOCAL PENNSYLVANIA MATED QUEENS are usually available no later than the beginning of June, and sometimes mid-late May, depending on weather. We will have a choice between Carniolan and Pol-line this year once the season is underway. Those can be picked up in Carlisle or Nicholson (ask us for pickup days in Nicholson), or shipped to your location.
- Happy spring!