Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association

Monthly Meeting: August 18, 2022

OBBA Announcements

What's the buzz?

Apiary Update

Workshop

Topic: Lionberry Hive Inspection

Date: August 20, 2022 at 9am

Location:

Florida Conference United Church of Christ, 9300 University Blvd, Orlando, FL 32817

Volunteers for Secretary Position

Gardening for Native Pollinators and Honey Bee Nutrition

Sunday, August 21, 2022

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Instructor: Chris Stalder

Aug/Sep Bee Management

Current UF Management Recommendations (Aug)

Feed colonies if light
Monitor for and control small hive beetles
Monitor colonies for varroa
Treat for AFB/EFB if needed

What is blooming in Central Florida (Aug)

Goldenrod
Joint Weed
Mexican Clover
Partridge Pea
Primrose Willow
Red Bay
Sandhill Prarie Clover
Spanish Needle

Spiderwort/Dayflower
Spotted Mint
Sumac
Vine Aster
Red Mangrove
Black Mangrove
White Mangrove

Current UF Management Recommendations (Sep)

Super colonies if strong Brazilian Pepper Flow
Monitor colonies for varroa
Feed colonies if light
Consider treating colonies for Nosema if needed

What is blooming in Central Florida (Sep)

Bush Aster
Goldenrod
Mexican Clover
Primrose Willow
Red Bay
Smart Weed

Spanish Needle
Spiderwort/Dayflower
Spotted Mint
Sumac
Vine Aster

Hive Inspections

Queen, eggs, larva, and signs of pests

Required by FL

"Beekeepers must visually inspect all honey bee colonies a minimum of once a month to assure reasonable colony health including adequate food and colony strength."

Beekeeper Compliance Agreement - Chapter 586.10 (1), F.S. / Rule 5B-54.0105, F.A.C.

How often?

"as often as necessary, but as seldom as possible"

At least monthly (FL)
More frequently if:
- New install
- Swarm season
- Less experienced beekeeper
Not too often
- Stress on the hive
- Can become aggressive
- Might abscond

What is your purpose?

Review notes from previous visits
The purpose of this inspection is …
- to see if the queen is laying
- to evaluate honey stores
- to look for signs of swarming
- to look for brood disease

Getting Ready: Collect tools/equipment

At a minimum (generally)

Beekeeping Suit, Jacket, or Veil
Beekeeping Gloves
Smoker
Smoker Fuel & Lighter
Hive Tool

Additional equipment

Notebook/pen/pencil
Frame Grips
Brush/Feather
Queen Cage(s)
Queen Marker

Outside Inspection

Are the bees coming and going regularly?
Do you see any foragers returning to the hive with pollen on their back legs?
Guard bees inspecting or fighting?
Signs of robbing?
Ants or other threats in the area?

Opening the hive

Best time to open:
- Late morning or Early afternoon
Only open if temp is >60 F
Use a small puff of smoke under lid
Gently remove lid and inner cover

Space

How many frames in each box are full?
How many frames are covered in bees?
- "Seams of bees"
Once about 70% of the frames are full => give the hive more space

Queen Status

Do you see your queen?
Are there eggs (<3d)?
Queen cells present?

Brood

Eggs, Larvae, Capped brood
- 1 egg/larvae per cell?
Pattern
- Brood of same age close together
- Good: Solid
  - Brood of all stages with few empty cells
- Mediocre: Slightly spotty
- Poor: Spotty
Drone brood

Nutrition

Feed necessary or given?
Nectar flow?
Honey and pollen status
- Ready to harvest?

Pests or Disease?

Small hive beetles
Wax moths
Varroa mites
Ants
Nosema
AFB/EFB
Odor of the hive
- Should smell like honey and beeswax

Comb

Building good comb appropriately?
Burr comb?
Old comb?

Other

Hive temperament: Calm when you open hive?
Population: Heavy, Moderate, Low
Any treatments

Tips

Have a plan
Have a checklist
Wear all protective gear
Use as little smoke as you must
Be smooth, purposeful, and brief (<15 min)
Keep records

Here is a simple inspection checklist:

Queen present or evidence of a queen (eggs, larva)
All stages of brood/brood pattern
Honey and pollen in the comb
Bees are busy working – not lethargic
Brood (larva) is white and healthy
No obvious sign of disease
Few or no obvious pest problems

Records to keep

Hive identification/Inspection date
Does the colony have a visible queen or evidence of the queen?
Brood Pattern – Is the queen laying a good pattern of worker brood?
Is the colony bringing in pollen and nectar?
Any there signs of pests or disease?
Has the colony been tested and/or treated for mites? When? With What?