Are you ready for spring?  I know some of you might think – really, he’s lost it.  (And you may be right but that’s a topic for another day).  But getting back to my question … are you ready?  By the time you read this it will be right around the corner.  Planning and preparation can save a lot of anxiety and frustration in the coming spring season. What’s your plan for the upcoming season?  It all starts with a plan and your goals.  If you want to produce more honey, do you have all your supers, frames and foundation ready?  You certainly don’t want to be thinking about getting supers on the hives after the flow starts.  If you don’t have them ready with frames and foundation or combs prior to the flow then your springtime plans could change quickly to swarm catching. In our area the nectar flow is fast and furious, and you want to be ahead of the bees to make the most of it.  Having enough supers, frames and foundation can keep you ahead of the flow.

Maybe you want to raise a few queens to have on hand.  It’s easy enough to do, but you need to have the materials and correct timing to pull it off.  My experience has led me to always have a couple extra nuc boxes on hand, for those just-in-case surprises.  The bees typically make some queen cells during the swarming season so why not take advantage of their efforts?  Queens made under the swarming or supersedure impulse are said to be the best queens.  An extra nuc box or two on hand will let you raise a couple queens with those cells.  In my small operation I like to have a nuc in use or at the ready for each production colony.  This provides me with some spares in case a colony declines or loses a queen. I would certainly recommend at least a couple of nuc boxes at the ready for even the smallest apiary.

How about your IPM (integrated pest management) strategy?  Varroa mites, small hive beetles, ants, and a host of other pests can play havoc on a colony.  Varroa needs a plan that will allow for testing and treatment if needed.  This could be a whole blog subject on its own!  Keep in mind that many treatment options for varroa have time and temperature restrictions that need to be followed.  By planning your attack, you can meet those to get the most efficacy out of a treatment.  And most importantly, you don’t want to be treating while honey supers are on.  Small hive beetles normally don’t pose a serious threat to our colonies.  To keep them in check you might need to put a couple beetle traps in the hive.  Inventory your stock and make sure you have a few handy.  Some beekeepers prefer to place some peppermint candy pieces in the corners.  Whatever the plan is, just have the tools available when needed. 

Throughout the winter I’ve been readying my plans and equipment. Dr Tarpy, NCSU professor and extension specialist in apiculture, always reminds us to work (and plan) at least two brood cycles out. If you consider that red maple trees can bloom as early as mid January we are already one to two brood cycles from the next busy bee season. I know I’ll be as prepared as possible. I hope you will too!

-contributed by CCBA Member and Master Beekeeper John Kasprak