Hey there fellow Scottish beekeepers! It's February and while the weather outside may still be cold and wet, it's a crucial time for us to start preparing for the upcoming beekeeping season. That's why I wanted to share some tips and tasks that we should be focusing on this month.
First and foremost, it's important to inspect our hives and make sure that our bees are healthy and have enough food stores to last through the winter. If we notice that they're running low on food, we should feed them with sugar syrup to help them out. And while we're in the hives, it's a good idea to treat for Varroa mites, a common pest that can wreak havoc on our colonies. There are various methods we can use, like powdered sugar dusting, essential oil treatments, or chemical treatments. We advocate using Government approved treatments - we have set out more on that in a previous article.
Next up, it's time to focus on our equipment and make sure everything is in tip-top shape for the upcoming season. Check your hives for any damage and repair or replace any broken parts, such as frames or boxes. And don't forget to clean and prepare your beekeeping gear, like your bee suit, smoker, and hive tool.
Another important task for February is ordering any supplies we may need for the upcoming season. Whether it's queens, bees, or new equipment, now's the time to make sure we have everything we need to have a successful season.
Finally, February is a great time to educate ourselves and plan for the upcoming season. Whether it's reading beekeeping books, attending workshops, or talking to other beekeepers, there's always something new to learn and new strategies to try.
So, there you have it, folks! A list of tasks to keep us busy and prepare us for the upcoming beekeeping season. Remember, even though the weather may still be a bit chilly and wet, it's never too early to start thinking about our bees and making sure they're taken care of. Happy beekeeping!
Our home in Renfrewshire is called Ben Seillean. Ben Seillean means hill of the bees in Scots Gaelic. We love bees and are investing in making the perfect garden to nurture our bees through the year. Heather, lavender, wild flower meadows and beautiful bulbs keep the garden in bloom from early spring to late autumn.
We love bees 🐝 everything we plant is selected to attract them and create a vibrant garden full of life and biodiversity.
Check out our range of organic beeswax candles snd soaps. All handmade in Scotland with love ❤️ 🏴
We are proud members of the Scottish Beekeeping Association. Find our more about our organisation and our standards online.
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