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Figure 1 illustrates the steps of spring management. Outdoor winter colonies are unwrapped when appropriate and assessed for pests, strength and feed stores. Either requeen, or unite colonies that are weak and not diseased, feed if required or refer to pest management strategies if required. If treated, evaluate treatment efficacy then either requeen, or unite colonies that are weak and not diseased or split colonies. For colonies in spring yards, ship to fields for honey production or custom pollination.
Figure 1 is a flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of spring management with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 2 follows the operational steps for summer management for honey production. Swarming is reduced by ensuring adequate space is provided. Honey supers are added to the colonies. Best practice includes using a queen excluder. Colonies are assessed for pests and strength over the summer. Requeen, unite, or equalize weak colonies then remove/replace honey supers. Honey harvesting includes: tipping off, blowing bees, fume boards, brushing bees and escape boards. In late summer entrances can be reduced and colonies may be transported to new locations (fields or a fall yard). Some bees remain in the field for fall management.
Figure 2 is a flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of summer management for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 3 follows the operational steps for fall management. If required, feed is supplied for the fall. Colonies are assessed for pests and strength. If required, refer to pest management strategies. If no action is required clean up the apiary, equipment, and remove dead outs. Requeen if required; unite weak colonies with strong healthy colonies. Remove miticide strips if required and evaluate the efficacy of treatments. Ensure there is adequate feed for the winter. Either ship to an indoor wintering facility or wrap the hives for the winter. If necessary, provide winter management strategies including feeding and monitoring.
Figure 3 is a flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of fall management for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 4 follows the operational steps for wintering indoors. Assess the storage facility for cleanliness, and clean if required. Receive the colonies into the facility. Set and monitor temperature, moisture, and air flow frequently. Remove dead bees from the facility frequently. If required, provide feed in the late winter. Move the colonies out of the facility and clean the facility after the bees have been removed.
Figure 4 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of wintering indoors for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 5 follows the operational steps for requeening. Locate and remove the existing queen and assess why the queen has failed. Treat or destroy colonies as required and ensure the queen being introduced is healthy. Introduce a new caged queen to the queenless colony and release the queen after a couple of days. Reassess for queen acceptance. Repeat if necessary.
Figure 5 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of requeening for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 6 follows the operational steps for uniting or equalizing a colony. Inspect and select colonies with the same health status. Choose the best queen and remove the other(s). An alternate method involves stacking 2 colonies, and inserting newspaper with slits cut in the newspaper between them. Consolidate or equalize brood frames and bees and if applicable reassess for queen acceptance. Manage surplus equipment appropriately. If required, refer to the requeening process.
Figure 6 is a flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of uniting or equalizing a colony for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 7 follows the operational process of splitting a colony. Inspect colonies for health status and the presence of pests. Establish 1 or 2 hive boxes. Remove 2 or 3 frames from the colony being split and insert them into the new hive box (es) – leave this box queenless for 1 day. Introduce a new caged queen to the hive box (es) and release the queen from the cage after a couple of days. Reassess for queen acceptance. An alternate method involves taking a 2 box colony and splitting by using the top box – leave queenless for 1 day.
Figure 7 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for splitting a colony for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 8 follows the operational process for honey extraction. Use a queen excluder and observe for brood. Cull the boxes if brood are present. Remove the honey supers from the field. Examine for brood and manage appropriately. Move the honey into a hot house with controlled humidity and temperature. Ensure no bees are in the honey house. Process the honey timely and extract. Clean and sanitize all extraction equipment and the facility. Inspect the honey supers before returning them to the field or storage facility. Either store the honey supers, or return them to the field. Store wax capping and broken frames away from bees and insects.
Figure 8 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for honey extraction for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 9 follows the operational process for transporting bees and equipment (forked). When transporting bees assess the colonies for health or the presence of pests. Prepare the colonies for transport in a manner that limits the bees flying away (using nets over the load). Assess and clean the transport vehicle by removing debris, netting, sweeping and washing or cleaning. Ship the bees preferably at night. Take extra precaution if shipping with colonies from other sources or when shipping to multiple destinations. Clean up all honey spills immediately. When transporting equipment assess the equipment for pests and do not ship if pests are present. Secure the equipment in a manner that limits access to bees. Ensure loading and unloading equipment is free of bees and debris by cleaning, or cleaning and disinfecting between each load. Clean up all honey spills immediately.
Figure 9 has two linear flow process diagrams (two columns) that illustrate the steps for transporting bees and equipment (forked) for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 10 follows the operational process for receiving bees. Order queens and bees from a trusted source and comply with provincial regulations or licensing. If importing, ensure the proper import permit and tests have been received. Review any tests supplied. Destroy or isolate and treat if pests are present. Establish new bees in a separate yard, and record where they are placed.
Figure 10 is a flow process diagram that illustrates the steps of receiving bees for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 11 follows the operational process for receiving feed. Order syrup and pollen from a trusted source. Where appropriate, review any tests supplied with the feed. Test the feed if required (honey, pollen). Take action if supplies and/or material in infected or infested with pests. This can be done by destroying, treating or returning the material to the supplier.
Figure 11 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for receiving feed for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
The first box is labelled: Order syrup and pollen from a trusted source. Single arrows lead to and from each of the following boxes labelled:
From Take action if pests present, three arrows lead to three boxes labelled:
Figure 12 follows the operational process for receiving supplies. Order supplies and/or materials from a trusted source. Visually inspect supplies on arrival. Take action if supplies and/or materials are diseased or infested with pests by destroying, treating or returning to the supplier.
Figure 12 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for receiving supplies for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 13 follows the operational process for shipping bees. Select healthy bees for shipping (queens and attendants). Prepare any relevant tests. If exporting, obtain the relevant export certificates and tests. Package the bees appropriately and ship.
Figure 13 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for shipping bees for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 14 follows the operational process for queen rearing. Select suitable breeding colonies that exhibit good production and disease resistance. Establish starter colonies (queenless or queen right colonies). Graft cells from selected breeders colonies. Clean and disinfect grafting tool between frames. Introduce queen cups with grafted larvae into the starter colony. Use new cell cups or clean and disinfect after every use. Transfer the accepted queen cups to the finisher colonies. Harvest full-size queen cells. Either store queens in queen banks, or use them to replace old queens within days or establish mating nucs (small hives containing worker bees and frames). Introduce one queen per mating nuc . Harvest queens from mating nucs every 2 weeks, and place them individually in queen cages with attendant workers. Either package and ship the queens to other producers or requeen colonies.
Figure 14 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for queen rearing for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 15 lists items that should be included when recording information about your operation. These include: bee purchases (supplier, date, and number), purchase of bee material, queen sales, apiary locations, honey super placements, honeycomb/super extraction, feeding, treatments, colony manipulations and requeening.
Figure 15 is a linear flow process diagram that lists information that would ideally be recorded for honey production.
Figure 16 follows the operational steps for custom or contract pollination. Be aware that colonies may be moved to consolidation yards (increased drift). Know the source of other bees used on the field or in close proximity to your field. Assess stocking rates and pesticide applications on your field. Move the bees to the field. Increase monitoring of bees in the field due to increased risks from high stocking rates, transportation and limited feed supplies. Feed if necessary. Inspection may be required when moving between provinces.
Figure 16 is a linear flow process diagram that illustrates the steps for custom or contract pollination for honey production with boxes connected by arrows in a series of conditional steps.
Figure 17 lists important considerations for bee operation facilities. It is important to establish: bee-tight facilities, a facility maintenance schedule, a facility cleaning schedule and cold storage for equipment and supplies. Keep bees separate from storage areas that are used for honey processing and equipment storage. Clean up all honey spills immediately.
Figure 17 is a linear flow process diagram that lists information about facility maintenance for honey production.
Figure 18 mentions the operational processes for equipment cleaning, personal sanitation, and storage. For hive parts, frames, supers, and feeders – sort, clean, and store equipment in the fall. Make or order hive parts and have a replacement protocol for frames each year. In the spring, when weather permits, take the hives apart, clean bottom boards, repair and paint if necessary. Cull broken equipment. Destroy or disinfect infected equipment. Store all equipment to limit access to bees. For personal sanitation, clothing and outerwear – clean or replace personal protective equipment and clothing frequently. Clean hands and wash or exchange gloves where appropriate. For Hive tools, and other comb extraction equipment – disinfect hive tools between infected hives, and/or between every yard.
Figure 18 is a linear flow process diagram with three columns that lists information about equipment cleaning, personal sanitation, and storage for honey production.