As the honey harvesting season starting in April approaches, the beekeeping staff is progressing with the inspection of the beehives!
This time, we conducted "beehive exchange" and "encouragement feeding" in the Mashiki area of Kumamoto Prefecture.
~Exchange of Nest Boxes~
(Moving the nest from an old hive to a clean hive↑)
Hives that have been used for over a year gradually get dirty with leftover food and droppings.
Therefore, to create a healthy environment for the bees, we replace them with new hives around this time once a year.
The new birdhouse will be used after undergoing sterilization treatment with a burner and measures against pests such as mites.
An empty beehive box may look light at first glance, but in reality, even one box is heavy and difficult to lift.
However, the beekeeping staff were carrying 3 to 4 boxes!
In addition, the temperature was high on the day of the inspection.
When I opened the hive, I could see the energetic bees taking off, and I felt the arrival of spring.
~Incentive Feeding~
Encouragement feeding (しょうれいきゅうじ) is an initiative to invigorate bees by providing them with sugar water or pollen dough.
By doing this, egg-laying is promoted.
It has become quite warm, but the blooming of flowers is still not sufficient.
Therefore, we will supplement the feed by hand as needed.
The feed given to the bees consists of two types: "sugar water" and "pollen patties."
(※Pollen balls... a special bee feed made by kneading pollen by the beekeeping club↑)
If all the pollen balls have been consumed, it is a sign of food shortage, so be sure to replenish them.
On the other hand, when there is enough honey stored, pollen balls are intentionally not given, and the bees are allowed to manage with the stored honey.
Year by year, the number of honeybees has been decreasing, but during this inspection, we were able to confirm that eggs have been laid all over the frames!
The beekeeping staff exclaimed, "It's been a long time since I've seen a hive producing so many eggs!" with voices of joy.
This year, I will do my best to ensure that many healthy bees grow and that we can harvest high-quality honey!
