Lecture 3: APIARY MANAGEMENT
Pre-requisites to start beekeeping
a. Knowledge/Training on beekeeping
b. Knowledge on local bee flora
c. Sufficient on local bee flora
d. If necessary practice migratory beekeeping
Apiary site requirements
a. The site should be dry without dampness. High RH will affect bee flight and
ripening of nectar.
b. Water - Natural source/Artificial provision
c. Wind breaks - Trees serve as wind belts in cool areas
d. Shade - Hives can be kept under shade of trees. Artificial structures can also be
constructed
e. Bee pasturage/Florage - Plants that yield pollen/nectar to bees are called bee
pasturage/florage
General apiary management practices
i. Hive inspection - Opening the hive atleast twice a week and inspecting for
following details.
- Presence of queen
- Presence of eggs and brood
- Honey and pollen storage
- Hive record to be maintained for each hive
- Presence of bee enemies like wax moth, mite, disease
ii. Expanding brood net
- Done by providing comb foundation sheet in empty frame during honey flow
period.
iii. Sugar syrup feeding
- Sugar dissolved in water at 1:1 dilution
- Used to feed bees during dearth period
iv. Supering (Addition of frames in super chamber)
- This is done when brood chamber is filled with bees on all frames are covered
- Comb foundation sheet or constructed comb provided in super chamber
v. Honey extraction
- Bee escape board - Kept between brood and super chamber
- Bees bushed away using brush
Pre-requisites to start beekeeping
a. Knowledge/Training on beekeeping
b. Knowledge on local bee flora
c. Sufficient on local bee flora
d. If necessary practice migratory beekeeping
Apiary site requirements
a. The site should be dry without dampness. High RH will affect bee flight and
ripening of nectar.
b. Water - Natural source/Artificial provision
c. Wind breaks - Trees serve as wind belts in cool areas
d. Shade - Hives can be kept under shade of trees. Artificial structures can also be
constructed
e. Bee pasturage/Florage - Plants that yield pollen/nectar to bees are called bee
pasturage/florage
General apiary management practices
i. Hive inspection - Opening the hive atleast twice a week and inspecting for
following details.
- Presence of queen
- Presence of eggs and brood
- Honey and pollen storage
- Hive record to be maintained for each hive
- Presence of bee enemies like wax moth, mite, disease
ii. Expanding brood net
- Done by providing comb foundation sheet in empty frame during honey flow
period.
iii. Sugar syrup feeding
- Sugar dissolved in water at 1:1 dilution
- Used to feed bees during dearth period
iv. Supering (Addition of frames in super chamber)
- This is done when brood chamber is filled with bees on all frames are covered
- Comb foundation sheet or constructed comb provided in super chamber
v. Honey extraction
- Bee escape board - Kept between brood and super chamber
- Bees bushed away using brush
