Assessing the space needed for the growing colony
Assessing the space needed by a growing colony is important to avoid or delay swarming and not to give too much space to a colony that does not need it, reducing its thermoregulatory efficiency.
Assess whether the bees abundantly cover all available frames. If this is the case, a new wax sheet or an already built frame should be given to expand the colony. At the next visit assess whether the wax sheet has been built and is being filled, or whether it has been filled with honey or brood. In case of the latter and if the bees cover all the available frames, a new wax sheet or a new built frame can be added.
Warnings: May depend on the regulations in force in the given country.
Please check out the B-THENET Platform for the Best Beekeeping Practices tailored to each country, co-developed with practicing beekeepers in the National B-THENET Centres of those countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden).
BEST PRACTICES AND INNOVATIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING
Ongoing | 2022-2026
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden