The recent flowering of the dandelion has given a boost to the honeybee and other bee populations. The swathes of this flower – or from the perspective of some, a weed – are a bountiful producer of nectar and pollen.

All bee species need nectar and pollen for sustenance. The rearing of brood [eggs and larvae] is linked to the supply of these foods. Since dandelion is one of the earlier-flowering plants, being able to produce nectar and pollen at lower daytime temperatures is of great benefit.

These flowers are keenly worked by the honeybee. The rapid onset of volumes of food coming into the beehives at a time when the queens have already been laying will accelerate the rate of brood production.

Inspections

Beekeepers, when carrying out inspections on hives during a nectar flow from dandelions, are very aware of the yellow hue across the honeycombs. This arises from bees, whose body hair contains trapped pollen grains as well as that contained within the pollen baskets, traversing honeycombs while they offload their booty.

Beekeepers may find that apart from dandelions, oilseed rape may be growing nearby.

While watching pollen-laden bees entering the hive with their pollen baskets full of yellow pollen, it may be difficult to determine if it is coming from oilseed or dandelion.

A glance across the countryside will soon indicate if such a crop is in bloom within reach of the bees.

The honey resulting from oilseed requires special management since it granulates rapidly.

While busy bees will work their backs off for either of these crops, the beekeeper has to consider how to deal with the rapidly expanding brood nest within the hive and also the collection of the nectar from oilseed.

The honey resultingfrom oilseed requires special management since it granulates rapidly. Removal from the hive must be timed and the honey extracted from the combs without delay.

Peak production

Now that honeybee colonies are reaching their peak brood production, beekeepers need to ensure that swarm control measures are attended to.

Adding supers [piece of equipment to collect honey] for nectar storage can also give room for the bees and therefore take the pressure off overcrowding, which of itself can lead to swarming preparations.

Beekeepers with unclipped queens need to do their weekly checks for queen cells, while those with clipped queens can push these checks to 10 days. The loss of a swarm of bees puts paid to getting any real crop of honey from that hive.

The swarming season begins in May and ends in late June or early July. It is a busy time for beekeepers.

Apart from honey production, beekeepers produce nuclei and queens for replacements during this time. The main aim of the beekeeper will be to keep colonies in peak condition, so that when the main nectar flow arrives, bees will be there to collect it.

Whether it is a dandelion or oilseed crop, honeybees will benefit and their colonies will be strengthened. The bumblebee and solitary bees are also beneficiaries.