February at the Sweet Drop Apiary

February is the most difficult time for bees to overwinter. The end of winter. In some families, the first broods occur. The hive needs fresh air and extra heat. At the end of February, especially after St. Matthias (February 24) often thaws, and bees, especially in the south, can try to fly around. It is important to observe the flight of bees – he can say a lot to an observant beekeeper: how the bees overwinter, strong bee family or not, whether there is a mother, and so on.

It is also necessary to check whether there is enough food for the bees. Before flying, it is necessary to give moth dough without pollen, and after flying moth dough with pollen. If the bees have flown, check the bee for ticks. This is easy to do with a hive with a pull-out bottom. About 10% of dead ticks fall out during the winter. Knowing how many bees there are in the nest (there are about 2,500 bees in one enclosed space between frame), it is not difficult to calculate the tick of bees either. If the tick is high, on a warmer day, sprinkle the bees with needle meal, or cure the bees with thymol.