Is it Spring yet?

Well, we have made it. March has arrived. We have made it through what every beekeeper considers the worst month ever....February. With a bit of luck our bees made it too. 

March is when cabin fever can set in and we all tend to get a little batty or anxious to get going on outdoor projects. The tomato plants need to be started and you get the urge to work in your garden. But then reality sets in as you look outside to the thick blanket of snow still lying on the ground. And the only sign of your garden is the 10in of fence posts sticking out of the snow.

For us beekeepers...we want to open the hives and check to see if we left our girls enough food to keep them going until the pollen arrives. But sadly, the thermometer says its only 5C and there's a cool wind blowing. But for me...i just have to believe that i gave them enough food to take them through until the warmer temperatures arrive.

But if you really really need to do something, there are a few things you can do to get ready for the upcoming beekeeping season. Here are a few things that may help you get through the cabin fever:

1.    Start putting together new frames and foundation.

2.    Repair old woodenware or if need be, pick up new boxes and assemble and paint them

3.    Swarm season (in June) comes up fast, so why not prepare some swarm traps.

4.    If you make your own pollen sub patties, now is the time to do that.

5.    Prepare candy boards or syrup. To have on hand when it warms up enough to add them in.

6.    Read over last years notes.

7.    Repair any tears in your veil, wash your bee jacket, clean up your tools.

8.    Remove the entrances and clean out any debris and dead bees that died over the winter

Wow....i have a lot to do. Enough rambling on...i better go build some new boxes and get them painted. 

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