PROTECT HONEY BEE COLONIES FROM SUMMER HEAT: PAU

LUDHIANA, JUNE 13:



The entomology experts of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) emphasized on the protection of honey bee colonies from harsh summer heat. Imparting tips for the honey bee management in this month, they advised to make suitable arrangements to place honey bee colonies under thick shade of trees or alternate arrangements to provide some artificial shade.



The Head of Department of Entomology, Dr Balwinder Singh suggested, "To meet the increased water requirement, put a few sticks/bushes, etc. in the water tanks of tube wells, for the bees to sit on while lapping the water. This requirement can also be met by providing water in earthen pots and keeping these under the legs of hive stand. He added that this will also keep the ants away from the colonies.



Elaborating, the beekeeping expert, Dr P.K. Chhuneja, said that colonies should be made more ventilated by placing thin twig pieces (splinters) between bottom board and brood chamber and between brood chamber and super chamber. It is necessary to ensure bee tightness of such created spaces, he stressed, telling that even staggering brood chamber on bottom board and super chamber on brood chamber facilitate increase in ventilation by creating bee-tight space. The entrance gate can be enlarged if need be. Dr Chhuneja advised, "Extract sealed (ripe) honey from sunflower flow from broodless combs preferably from honey supers. During the nectar flow, these honey supers should be separated from brood chamber by placing horizontal queen excluder in between the two chambers." The PAU entomologists emphasized on following all precautions to avoid robbing during honey extraction.
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