MANAGEMENT OF NEW COLONIES 2019 HCBA SHORT COURSE February 27, 2019 Jim Fraser, Master Beekeeper

QUESTION? HOW MUCH HONEY SHOULD I EXPECT TO HARVEST MY FIRST YEAR OF BEEKEEPING?

ANSWER Zero Nil None Naught Zilch Zip Nada

FIRST COLONY INSPECTION

BE PREPARED When? Weather Conditions Proper Protective Gear Five to Seven Days after Install Weather Conditions Proper Protective Gear Always Wear A Veil (Bee Inside Veil) Full Bee Suit, Inspectors Jacket Whatever makes you comfortable Odors

SUPPLIES Smoker Hive Tool Tool Box or Bucket Sugar Syrup Cell Phone Duct Tape Extra Hive Tool, Etc. Sugar Syrup Cell Phone

INSPECTION Watch the entrance Smoking the Hive Work from the sides or back of hive Remove the top and feeder Nice Slow Movements Place things out of the way Remove the inner cover

Carefully manipulate the frames Work from the outside to the middle Slow Movements Don’t Drop the Frame Use a Frame Perch or Extra Box Take some Pictures

Remove the queen cage Look for Queen Look for Eggs

WHAT TO LOOK FOR New Comb Being Built Sugar Water Consumption Pollen Nectar Eggs

EGGS

HOW LONG Carefully Replace the Frames Replace in same order as they were removed Reinstall Inner Cover, Feeder and Top Fill Your Feeder Fifteen to Twenty Minutes

ENJOY BEEKEEPING THANK YOU Jim Fraser marylandhoneycompany2011@gmail.com