Things to think about in May

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 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.


- Wintering down, check food store levels and feed if necessary.
    Most 2 story hives will need a full box of honey and Top bar hives should have 10 frames with honey at least.
    When the daytime temperature stays below 13deg C, the bees are not active enough to process the sugar syrup into stores
 
- Consider wintering small colonies on top of a strong hive by using a split board
- Check Verroa treatment dates and apply/remove remedies as necessary.
- Check hives for water tightness and how prone they will be to flooding in winter, slope bottom boards to allow rain to run off.
- Fit mouse guards if you haven't already
- Check through extracted honey supers for dark frames and move these to the middle of the box, those that you cannot see light through should be rejected.
- Freeze frames for 24hrs to kill wax moths
- Plan your next season out - increasing hives, equipment needed, calendar timings etc.
 
 
What the bees are doing;
 
- The Queen's egg production is reducing further
- Reducing brood nest size
- Lowering colony numbers.
- Storing honey and pollen in unused brood space

 
Common nectar producing flowers for North Canterbury
Depending on frost levels some of these may have finished.
 
- Winter Eucalyptus
- Banksia
- Wallflowers
- Hellibore
- Camellia Sasanqua (winter flowering camellia)
- Grevillea sp.
- Fuchsias
- Dandilions, Cat's Ear and similar weeds.
- Chrysanthemum's
- Dahlias
- Rosemary