BEEHIVE COLONIZATION
BEEHIVE COLONIZATION
There are two ways of colonization
1. Natural Colonization
Beehives get colonized naturally with bees.
2. Assisted colonization
- One method is done by placing a comb, propolis, lemon leaves or sugar in a hive and the bees get attracted.
- Another method is by trapping a colony using a bag etc.
What hinders beehive colonization
- Hanging of beehives in unfavorable places, without a shade
- Placing beehive doors or entrance on prevailing wind direction
- Installing beehives wrongly and at unfavorable time and weather
- Installing damaged beehives
- Preying wild animals and flies
- Making beehives with smelly timbers like pines.
Two ways on how to hung a beehive
- A beehive can be hung between two trees
- Or can be placed on a bench.
1. On two trees
- Choose two strong trees / poles that are 4-5 meters apart to support the hive
- Make sure the hive is placed at a clean and clear place for ease of access by the bees. Thus, cut surrounding grass and other tree branches shielding the hive
- Using a piece of wire, suspend the bee hives between the two trees to a height of one meter, this is to protect the hive from the preying animals such as honey badgers
- Make sure that it hangs in a horizontal position
- Smear the hive with bee wax on the top bar to attract bees
- Grease the wire used to hang the beehive to avoid ants and termite into the beehive
- Label the beehives with a number or name and hanging date, then record the labels into the record book.
Hive hanged between two trees
2. Placing on the bench
Construct a bench of less than one-meter-high, make sure that all sides are equal / flat and all protective measures to flies, wild animals etc are adhered to.
