Appendix B
Use this simple checklist every time you inspect your bees. It’s okay to photocopy it. Be sure to date copies and keep them in a binder for future reference and comparison. Use one form for each of your hives. For more details on what to look for during inspections, be sure to read Chapters 8 through 13. Happy beekeeping!
Hive number/location ______________________
Date of this inspection ______________________
Date queen/hive was established ______________
Observations |
Notations |
BEFORE OPENING THE HIVE ❑ Observe bees on the ground in front of the hive. Do they appear to be staggering or crawling up grass blades and then falling off? If yes, this may be an indication of a virus or tracheal mites. Take steps accordingly. |
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❑ Observe bees at entrance. (Look for dead bees or abnormal behavior and appearance.) ❑ During the spring and early summer, watch the bees flying in and out. Are they bringing in lots of pollen? It’s a reassuring hint (but not necessarily conclusive) that there is brood being fed. |
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❑ What is the condition of your equipment? (Note any needed repairs that have to be made or replacement parts to order.) ❑ Have you provided the bees with a water dispenser of some kind? Do you need to add water to it? AFTER OPENING THE HIVE |
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❑ As you remove the outer and inner cover, look for evidence of excess moisture buildup (This can be the result of poor ventilation.) ❑ Looking through the frames, how’s the brood pattern? (It should be compact and plentiful during the brood-rearing season.) |
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❑ Check appearance of brood cappings. (Cappings should be slightly convex and free of perforations.) |
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❑ Evaluate your queen based on her egg-laying ability. (Do you need to replace her with a new queen?) |
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❑ How do the larvae look? (Larvae should be a glistening, snowy white.) |
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❑ Do you see eggs? (You should find only one egg per cell.) |
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❑ Can you find the queen? (Is she the same “marked” one you introduced?) |
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❑ Check for swarm cells. (Take swarm prevention steps, if needed.) |
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❑ Check for supercedure cells. (May be an indication that your queen is underperforming and needs to be replaced.) |
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❑ Do you see evidence of varroa mites (on bees or on sticky board)? If yes, take corrective action accordingly. ❑ Is the colony healthy? (You should find lots of active bees, healthy-looking brood, a clean hive, and a nice sweet smell.) |
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❑ Do the bees have food? (They need honey, pollen, and nectar.) |
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❑ How much capped honey is there? (Is it time to add a queen excluder and honey supers to your Langstroth hive?) |
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❑ Is it time to feed? (This usually is done in spring and autumn, depending on where you live.) |
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❑ Check ventilation. (Adjust based on weather conditions.) |
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❑ Clean off propolis and burr comb that make manipulation difficult. |
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❑ Did you do any hive manipulations? Make a note of it. |
Action Items (What to do between now and the next inspection):
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