How To Increase Honey Production Without Buying Bees
Introduction
Maximising honey production is a delicate yet rewarding process that requires careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of beekeeping practices. For beekeepers aspiring to maximise their honey yield, a strategic approach that combines knowledge, technology, and sustainable practices is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into various aspects of increased honey production, exploring techniques and tips to help you optimise your beekeeping operations and achieve higher honey yields.
Choosing the Right Bee Species
Selecting the appropriate bee species is the first crucial step in maximising honey production. At Black Mountain Honey we started out with local mongrels or what some people like to call Native or near Native bees. With a high percentage of AMM (Apis Mellifera Mellifera) genetics, the local mongrels did not perform well when it came to collecting honey. They were also very defensive and prone to chalkbrood. This is just our opinion having used them for 3 full seasons.
I decided to try Buckfast Bees as an alternative and I have never looked back. Calm, placid but more importantly – highly productive and prolific. If you are interested in maximising honey production, a simple formula comes into play. More Bees = More Honey. Choose a bee that is prolific and you have a chance of collecting a bumper honey crop. Our F1 Buckfast queens are available for sale between April and September. If you have dark bees and are struggling for a honey crop, try the Buckfast bees and you will see your honey yields dramatically increase. You can buy queen bees on the link below.
Buckfast hybrids are known for their prolific honey production and adaptability to various climates. Consider factors such as local climate, available forage, and your specific beekeeping goals when choosing the right species for your apiary. Adding new mated queens to your colonies allows you increase your honey production without buying bees.
Optimal Hive Management
Effective hive management is the cornerstone of successful maximised honey production. Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to ensure the health and productivity of your bee colonies. Here are some key practices to consider to help maximise honey production.
Regular Hive Inspections: Conduct thorough inspections at least once every week during the active season. Check for signs of disease, the presence of the queen, and the overall population health. Check for signs for swarming at every single inspection.
Swarm Prevention: To maximise honey production, ensure you implement swarm prevention techniques to maintain colony strength and prevent the loss of worker bees. This includes providing sufficient space within the hive, promoting healthy brood patterns, and monitoring colony behaviour. Pre-emptive Demaree vertical splits are as close to a silver bullet as you are likely to get. Check out the video below. It will change the way you manage your bees forever. If you colony swarms, you can say goodbye to at least 50% of your honey crop, often leaving you with little or no honey at the end of the season. If your bees swarm, you have to resort to buying bees to prop up your dwindling honey crop.
Our favourite swarm prevention technique is the pre-emptive demaree vertical split. Sounds daunting but it's super simple and has a wonderful by product of increased honey production.
Disease Management: In order to maximise honey production, be proactive in preventing and managing diseases within the hive. Familiarise yourself with common honeybee diseases and take necessary measures, such as destruction of colonies with foul brood and using an integrated pest management strategies. EFB/AFB colonies can appear ok but they limp through life. You need to eliminate these entirely from your operation if you want to maximise honey production. If that means culling the diseased and buying bees, then it will pay off in the long run. Diseased colonies and increased honey production do not go hand in hand.
Young Mated Queens: Probably my number one tip to maximise honey production is using young mated queens, with a known pedigree for honey production. Young queens lay more eggs in a tighter pattern than older queens. This results in more bees, which in turn is likely to result in more honey. Younger queens are also much less likely to swarm which again, helps to preserve your annual honey harvest.
Pest Management: Whether it’s small hive beetle, varroa or vermin, keeping the colony free from pests, or at least keeping them to an acceptable level, is an important prerequisite to maximising your honey yields. Ensure you treat your bees for varroa at suitable points throughout the season, even if that means sacrificing some honey to keep the bees healthy. It may seem counterproductive, but it the long run, healthy bees will make more honey, even in a condensed honey season. Check out my video that explains a bit more about this HERE.
Adequate Forage and Pollinator-Friendly Plants
The availability of abundant and diverse forage is essential for maximum honey production. Bees require a variety of nectar and pollen sources to thrive and produce high-quality honey. Consider the following tips to ensure optimal forage conditions:
Plant Bee-Friendly Gardens: Cultivate gardens with a mix of flowering plants that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Choose native plants that are well-adapted to your region and focus on plants that will provide nectar, but more importantly pollen at times where bees there is generally a dearth. The late flowering BEE TREE is a perfect example of a unique late source of pollen. Small scale planting like this will have a negligible effect on honey yields but the drip feeding of nectar and pollen during dearth can help maintain strong colonies and ensure they are at their strongest when the flows commence.
Location Planning: You cannot maximise honey production unless you choose apiary locations strategically, taking into account the availability of natural forage, water sources, and minimal exposure to pesticides and pollutants. This is easiest way to maximise honey production.
By targeting heavy yielding arable crops such as oil seed rape, field beans, borage and then tagging on a heather apiary at the end of the season. The bees are constantly collecting nectar throughout the active season. I know bee farmers who achieve 300lbs per hive per season using this approach – weather depending. The only note of caution here is that you can tire colonies very quickly using this approach and you will need to ensure you stay on top of varroa and replace your queens more regularly.
Our F1 Buckfast queens are up to this job. Try them out here - https://www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk/product-page/f1-buckfast-mated-queen-2024
Climate Considerations
Understanding and adapting to your local climate is crucial for maximising honey production. Bees are sensitive to environmental conditions, and their productivity can be affected by factors such as temperature, humidity, and seasonal variations.
Insulation: Provide proper insulation for beehives, especially in colder climates. Insulated hives help maintain a stable temperature, ensuring that bees can continue their activities even in cooler weather. Bees in insulated beehives require less energy to evaporate the honey to correct level of hydration, resulting in increased yields. Bees also build up quicker in insulated beehives which mean they reach peak numbers more quickly, to align to the flowering season of plants.
Water Management: Ensure that bees have access to clean water, especially during hot and dry periods. Consider placing water sources near the hives to prevent dehydration and boost honey production. Having easy access to water does help reduce the administrative burden on the bees in term of collecting water but being close to major water sources plays an even bigger role.
Around rivers, deep rooted trees have access to water all year round, even when there is major drought. This ever present water source means that the trees can always provide a copious nectar source, even when the rest of country is experiencing dry conditions. Plan your apiaries close to rivers but outside of flood plains. It’s the perfect spot to place your bees!
Seasonal Hive Adjustments: Be aware of seasonal changes and adjust your beekeeping practices accordingly. During periods of nectar flow, colonies are more likely to be productive, so plan your honey extraction schedule accordingly and ensure your bees have sufficient space to store wet nectar. There is nothing more frustrating than coming back after a flow and seeing that your bees have swarmed because they didn’t have enough space to store honey. Bees can collect 3-4 supers of honey in a SINGLE week in optimum conditions. Make sure they have enough space to collect that bumper honey crop.
Honey Extraction Techniques
Efficient honey extraction is critical for maximising yield while maintaining the quality of the final product. Employing proper extraction techniques can minimise stress on the bees and preserve your honey crop.
Timing: Choose the right time for honey extraction, typically when the honey is capped and ready for harvest. Avoid extracting honey during unfavourable weather conditions or when bees are agitated.
Gentle Handling: Handle frames and combs with care during extraction to minimise disturbance to the colony. Use bee brushes and other gentle tools to remove bees from frames without causing harm or consider using clearing boards.
Quality Control: Implement rigorous quality control measures during the extraction process to ensure that the harvested honey meets high standards. Properly filtered and stored honey retains its flavour and nutritional value and wont ferment.
Conclusion
Maximising honey production requires a holistic approach that encompasses various aspects of beekeeping, from hive management to sustainable practices. By selecting the right bee species, optimising hive conditions, providing ample forage, adapting to climate variations, embracing modern technology, and implementing sustainable practices, beekeepers can enhance their honey yield while contributing to the well-being of honeybee populations and the environment.
By combining knowledge, dedication, and a passion for beekeeping, you can embark on a rewarding journey towards maximising honey production and cultivating a thriving apiary.
