Managing honey bee colonies
HONEY BEES convert nectar from flowers intohoney using the enzyme, invertase.
They store it in honey cells for future use during lean or dearth period.
As we extract this honey from the hives, bees face shortage of food during the lean season.
Artificial feed
The shortage of natural food i.e., honey and pollen is compensated by giving artificial feed to colony.
About 200-250 ml of sugar syrup should be fed to Apis cerana indica (Indian bees) colony and about 750 ml for A. mellifera (Italian bees).
. The syrup should be placed over the brood chamber frames carefully, avoiding the chances of spilling out.
Feeding at fortnightly intervals is found to be effective during the lean season. Feed should begiven preferably in the evening, depending on climatic conditions.
The shortage of pollen can be overcome by supplementing with pollen substitute.
Pollen substitute is prepared by mixing 40 gms of powdered sugar, 25gm of soybean powder together with honey and kneaded well after adding 10gms of yeast.
Pests and diseases
Lean season coincides with reduction in bee population and weakening of the colony leading to unoccupied or under occupied combs.
This situation can be managed by removing the unwanted empty combs and if needed, a division board can be used so that bees can easily clean the combs and maintain a healthy condition.
Another factor is that bees remain inside the hive during lean period and hence humidity increases which favours mould growth.
Sulphur dusting can be practised once or twice a month for controlling mite infestation .
T. SIVAKUMAR
P. ANITHAKUMARI
& V.I. BEENA
Krishi Vigyan Kendra
Central Plantation and Crops Research Institute
Kollam- 691 013
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