Things to consider in January.

Please remember the geographic diversity of Canterbury, from the warmth of Christchurch and the coast to the chills of the foothills, giving specific info here for each area is difficult.
Getting to know your local climate is very important as what one person does this month, may need to happen next month for you even though there is only a few KM's between you.


Destroy AFB infected hives + stored frames and supers that came from infected hives, put an apiary quarantine in place for 18 months where you can’t identify individual supers.
Burn only if fire restrictions not in place, apply for permits to burn from fire brigade, or permits to store from the management agency.

Check entrance ways and weed accordingly.

Super up as needed or extract honey and return boxes.

Feed Nuc's to build them up, they may struggle to over winter depending on the rest of season.

Check mite levels and treatment options/dates, remember to alternate treatment chemical families in order to reduce the chance of resistance.
Watch out for Deformed Wing Syndrome and treat straight away if you see signs.

Check for the formation of swarm cells.

Make splits from strong hives and graft queens only if necessary.

What the bees are doing.

- Queen's egg production at peak.
- Maintaining large brood, maintaining high bee numbers.
- Gathering nectar quickly
- Possibility of swarm cells being raised

Nectar producing plants for January

Pohutukawa
Rata
Kanuka
Bottle Brush
Cabbage tree (finishing)
Fuschias
Hebe's
Summer flowering eucalypts
Summer red hot pokers
Abutilon
Queen Annes lace
Borage (Borago officinalis) English Borage (finishing)
Alcanet/Vipers buglos (Echium vulgare) - NZ Blue Borage
Anchusa
Thistle - weed, Nodding Thistle is a Control Weed!
Mignonette
Teucreum
Escallonia
Citrus
Grevillea
Honeysuckle - Japanese var is a weed
Echinops (finishing)
Flax (some varieties)
Sunflower
Golden Rod
Hawkweed/Oxtongue and other dandilion like weeds
Clover
Pumpkins
Chickory
Michaelmas Daisey (Aster)
Buckwheat
Garlic, Onions, Leeks and Ornamental Alliums
Scabious

Herbs,
Mint and Catmint
Thyme
Marjoram
Chives
Rosemary
Parsley
Fennel - control weed!
Hyssop
Chamomile
Echinacea/cone flowers
Basil
Lavender