From: mailto: Quick update on GDD (Growth Degree Days)

Recall that the “target number” for checker-boarding is 50 GDD According to the GreenCast GDD online monitor https://www greencastonline com/growing-degree-days/home, all areas in Marion and Hamilton Counties are now OVER 50, some considerably over

So what? If you planned to checker-board, we are past the optimal date (See earlier Email for discussion of GDD and Checker-Boarding) You can try, though decreased swarming effects are minimized

Thoughts on Supering:

These comments apply to strong overwintered colonies, which should be well on their way DO add at least one honey super above the brood area Check on it frequently, particularly after the strong nectar flow beging Some beekeepers will put on 3 or 4 supers Monitor: leave full supers Using a Queen-excluder between brood area and honey supers: - Optional Yes… Will keep queen out of supers, BUT, sometimes workers are reluctant to pass the excluder This increases the risk of backfilling (excess honey in the brood area) This can decrease available space for egg-laying and brood, also encourage swarming FYI: Most beekeepers in this area do not use queen excluders (Remember, it is a choice, not a requirement)

What about Packages, Nucs and Weak Overwintered colonies: No supering - Yet Continue feeding for colony to be strengthened Expand brood area as the brood box fills Consider checking for and possibly treating for mites Checking for mites: Use “sugar shake” or “Alcohol Wash” "How To” is another discussion Can use Apivar mite treatment (NOT the same as ApiGuard) Follow instructions Remove Apivar strips BEFORE any honey supers are added (A chart summarizing various Varroa-Treatment options is appended below)

Remember: These are the views of One Beekeeper There are other approaches