You’ve taken the classes, bought/built the hive components, and now it’s time to pick up your bees! Nucleus hives (nucs) are a great way to start your first hive. The nuc contains 3 to 5 frames of bees with a proven queen, lots of bees, and frames filled with brood, […]
Santa Clara Valley Beekeepers Guild member Vince Endter has created some “how to” videos for making bee equipment. This one explains how to make beehive body handles with a table saw and dado blade.
How to build your own quilt box for your hive. Quilt boxes help reduce moisture in the hive and provide insulation.
Beekeepers who maintain hives within the city limits of Ashland are required to register the hives with the city. Registration is FREE and very easy. Information about hive registration can be found on the City of Ashland website under Departments->Community Development->Planning Division->Keeping of Animals->Beekeeping.
In October, drones are often gone from the hive, and brood rearing is reduced. It is a quiet month for beekeeping. Supplementing with protein patties and 2:1 syrup is still OK, but only if necessary. The window is closing for getting your hive ready for winter. If it is is a […]
September is the first month in the beekeeper’s year. It is the last chance to prepare for winter and ensure that there are lots of young healthy mite-free bees on the way. Make sure that each hive has at least 70 lbs. of honey stores, and continue protein supplements if […]
In January, the bees continue to cluster, flying only on sunny days when it is 50 degrees or warmer. The queen begins to lay eggs, and brood rearing begins in the largest, healthiest hives. In warm years, the foragers may be able to collect some pollen. If you want to push […]
In our area, February brings increasingly warm weather and signals the end of the quiescent time in the bees’ yearly cycle. If you need new bees, NOW is the time to order. Locally grown NUCs are your best option. Andrew Watson at Applegate Apiaries and John Jacob at Old Sol […]
In good weather, the bees can begin to bring nectar and pollen to the hive from early blooms. Strong, successful hives may begin to think about swarming late in the month. Pick a nice sunny day to perform a thorough inspection for eggs, brood pattern, disease, and stores. John talked […]
April can be a tricky month. In wet years, starvation is a risk, and in warm dry years, swarming can be an issue. Strong hives can be divided with natural queen cells or purchased queens. If the hives have decent stores and splitting them is not desired, many beekeepers begin […]
Swarm season is in full swing and buildup should be strong. This is a great month to make divide hives and raise queens. If large hives are not going to be split, make sure to maintain an open brood nest by ‘checkerboarding’ empty combs in the brood nest. Super early […]
Blackberries are in full bloom this month; nectar flow will be at its zenith. Super ahead of the need for space — it increases honey production and reduces swarming. You may want to walk through your apiary and reshuffle the supers away from hives that are lagging behind and give […]
