Food demands are increasing as brood production is picking up. It is now advisable to switch to a lighter 1 : 1 syrup. All medications and mite treatments should be completed no later than the end of February. Colonies may be preparing to swarm by the beginning of March, or even earlier in south Georgia. One of the primary goals of beekeeping is to keep this from happening. At this point the best preventive measure is to equalize colonies, taking brood from stronger colonies and giving it to weaker ones. Cutting queen cells, every 10 days at maximum, is another way to reduce swarming. Now is the time to note poorly-performing queens, those with little brood or brood with a patchy pattern, and to target them for replacement. Floral sources: red maple, spring titi, canola, blueberry, orchard plants.

Synopsis of Bee Management / UGA Honey Bee Program / UGA Entomology Department