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Depiction:
In March, the apiary comes back to life: the queen gradually increases her egg-laying, foragers fly as soon as temperatures allow, and food consumption rises to support brood development. This is a pivotal period in which the beekeeper must observe each colony calmly, as a lack of resources or an undetected disease can compromise recovery after winter.
April marks a decisive phase in the development of colonies. After winter, the population grows rapidly and activity in the apiary intensifies. Space management, observing the first signs of swarming, and health monitoring become priorities. Interventions must remain measured and be based above all on observation of the actual dynamics of the colony and the environment.
May is an intense period in the apiary. Colonies gain strength quickly, honey supers need to be added at the right time, swarming pressure often increases, and sound colony health management remains essential. Depending on the region, altitude, and weather, this month may already allow for a first spring honey harvest.
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In June, the apiary remains highly active, but the logic of the season is already beginning to shift. Between nectar flows, lack of space, swarming, colony splitting, transhumance, and Varroa monitoring, the beekeeper must both manage still very strong colonies and prepare for the rest of the summer. This article outlines the main issues and tasks for the month of June in a way that is suited to the realities of beekeeping in Switzerland.
July is a pivotal month at the apiary. Between harvesting, the first summer treatment, establishing new colonies, and gradually preparing for winter, beekeepers must already be thinking well beyond this season’s honey. This month therefore calls for calm, well-organized decisions that are directly tied to the health of the colonies for fall and winter.
August marks a turning point at the apiary: the harvest is coming to an end, while decisions regarding varroa mites, food stores, and colony selection are already setting the stage for winter. This article summarizes the month’s practical priorities, common mistakes to avoid, and key considerations that determine the quality of the winter bees.
In September, the apiary enters a critical phase: the health of the hives, their food stores, the quality of the queens, and the culling of colonies now take precedence over honey production. This month lays the groundwork for wintering: effective varroa treatment, replenishing food stores in a timely manner, and not artificially prolonging the life of colonies with no future are decisions that will directly impact the following spring.
October marks the transition to wintering: major tasks are complete, but a few checks remain crucial. These mainly involve verifying food stores, colony strength, varroa mite infestation, and apiary protection, and then minimizing disturbances. The goal is simple: to enter winter with healthy, compact, and well-prepared colonies.
In November, the apiary gradually enters its winter dormancy, but not all colonies are necessarily brood-free yet. The key is to observe without disturbing the bees, secure the hives, and check the food stores. The decision to treat for varroa mites in winter is not based on a fixed date, but rather when the absence of capped brood is confirmed.
In December, the apiary enters a quieter phase in which the undisturbed overwintering of the colonies takes priority. The beekeeper mainly observes from outside, checks the hives after severe weather, and carefully chooses the right window for the winter treatment against varroa without assuming broodlessness from the calendar alone. This quieter period is also useful for monitoring food stores, maintaining equipment, and preparing the next season.
Robbing is a complex behaviour that involves more than the visible loss of a colony’s food stores. It should not be underestimated, as its consequences can be serious for the affected colony and for the health of the apiary as a whole. This article explains how robbing develops, how foreign bees are recognised, and which measures can help prevent or stop it.
Our bee populations are not able to defend themselves against varroa on their own. They therefore rely on you, beekeepers, to help them. To this end, the varroa management concept developed by the Swiss Bee Health Service (SBHS) can be a valuable aid. All aide-memoires available at: www.ApiService.ch
Swarming is a natural reproductive behaviour of the honey bee colony, but in beekeeping it often leads to losses, extra work and uncertainty. This article explains why swarming tendency should not be interpreted too quickly as a genetic problem of the queen, but as the result of interactions between genetics, queen age, nectar flow, available space and colony management.
Le traitement estival contre le varroa constitue un élément essentiel du concept de lutte contre le varroa. Il vise à réduire efficacement l’infestation après la récolte du miel afin de protéger l’élevage des abeilles d’hiver. L’aide-mémoire donne une vue d’ensemble des méthodes autorisées et de leurs conditions d’application. Les informations suivantes sont basées sur l’aide-mémoire officiel 1.2 du Service sanitaire apicole suisse.
Summer treatment is a central component of varroa control in Switzerland. The Liebig dispenser is a widely used method for the application of formic acid (Formivar) and requires correct handling to ensure both efficacy and tolerability. The summary below is based exclusively on the official practical guide (BGD/SSA) and refers to the complete instructions.
The Nassenheider evaporator is an approved system for the controlled application of formic acid in varroa control. Correct handling as well as consideration of temperature, dosage, and safety measures are essential for the efficacy and tolerability of the treatment. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.2 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
This official factsheet describes the use of the FAM dispenser with Formivar 70% and focuses on protective measures, required equipment, key points, and a clearly structured procedure. It specifically emphasizes that formic acid (Formivar) is highly corrosive and must be handled with great care. For details and the complete instructions, the factsheet is considered the authoritative reference.
The FAM dispenser is an approved device for the treatment of honey bee colonies with formic acid and is primarily used for varroa control. Correct application is essential, as formic acid is highly corrosive and improper handling poses risks to both humans and bees. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.3 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
The Apidea dispenser is an approved evaporation system for the application of formic acid in small mating units and nucleus colonies. Due to the high sensitivity of these units, strict adherence to the prescribed procedure is particularly important. The following information is based exclusively on the official Practical Guide 1.2.4 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Treatment with formic acid strips (Formicpro®) is an approved method for controlling the varroa mite during the brood-rearing phase of the honey bee colony. It enables controlled release of the active substance over a defined period. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.2.5 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.
Spray treatment is a biotechnical method for varroa control, primarily applied to broodless or nearly broodless honey bee colonies. It is based on the direct wetting of the bees with an approved solution and requires precise and careful handling. The following information is based on the official Practical Guide 1.3.1 of the Swiss Bee Health Service.