Things to consider in March

Please remember the geographic diversity of Canterbury, from the warmth of Christchurch and the coast to the chills of the foothills, whether there is irrigation or not and what you are trying to achieve with your hives, means 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 hives found to be infected with + 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.

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

Check mite levels and treatment options/dates, this is the time an ineffective spring treatment will show and 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.
Remember to read the packets for verroa treatment, many require the removal of honey supers as they taint the honey, wax or both.
Use a sticky board to check for varroa drop or pull out several capped drone brood and if there are lots of mites treatment will be needed.
 
    - Read about MAF's Review of Verroa Treatment Options here.
    - Read the Federated Farmers Verroa Resistance Brochure here.

Its robbing season, close down entrances to reduce attacks from wasps, bumblebees and mice.
 
Removing surplus honey carefully, ensuring there is plenty on the brood chambers.

What the bees are doing.

- Queen's egg production decreasing with shorter days
- Reducing brood nest, replenishing bee numbers.
- Robbing possible in try conditions
- Low possibility of some small swarms, unlikely to survive
- Workers start forcing drones from the hives.
 

Nectar producing plants for March

Unfortunately the dry weather means they wont be producing as much nectar unless irrigation has been provided.

Autumn flowering Lacebarks/Ribbonwood and Eucalyptus
Fuchsias
Dandilions, Cat's Ear and similar weeds.
Escallonias
Michaelmas Daisies.
Dahlias
Herbs such as Thyme, Basil, Rosemary, Catmint and other Mints
Wild Fennel