1. Best Management Practices (BMPs) for
Beekeepers Pollinating Agricultural Crops
elearning modules

2. Best Management Practices
Module 5:
Best Management Practices
For
Colony Management

3. Successful beekeepers employ practices that are
tested and proven to be profitable.
What are these “Practices”?

4. The answer to that question falls into 5 categories:
Resource Management.
Practice judicious methods.
Monitor colony strength.
Manage stock.
Water availability.
Let’s explore each one.

5. Invest time, money and energy on your healthy colonies.
Resource Management
Invest time, money and energy on your healthy colonies.
i.e., prioritize and economize your moves!

6. Use good judgment in all you do.
Judicious Methods
Use good judgment in all you do.
Also, maintain a reserve of colonies; don’t commit all colonies to contract.
Use a pollination contract whenever possible.

7. How much time and effort should I use on weak or sick colonies?
Monitor
How much time and effort should I use
on weak or sick colonies?
Rule of thumb: Cull weak colonies.

8. Monitor
Use diagnostic services for
objective colony assessment.
Check frames of brood for
intended strength to
coincide with almond bloom.

9. Be mindful of colony placement to minimize stress.
Monitor
Be mindful of colony placement to minimize stress.
True or False:
Combine weak colonies with much stronger
ones to help the weak survive.

10. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, Do not combine weak collapsing
Monitor
False!
Although it may seem counter-intuitive,
Do not combine weak collapsing
colonies with healthy colonies.
Next, let’s discuss the management of our stock.

11. Maintain genetic quality to meet your objectives.
Managing Stock
Maintain genetic quality to meet your objectives.
What exactly does this entail?

12. Managing Stock Maintain stocks that are productive and
disease & pest resistant.
Encourage high drone densities to
provide well-mated queens & genetically diverse
colonies.
Discourage stocks that are excessively defensive.
Select stock by propagating colonies that prosper
when other colonies exhibit symptoms of stress.

13. Requeen colonies, at least annually.
Managing Stock
Requeen colonies, at least annually.
True or False: Package bees aren’t a
particularly effective method of managing stock.

14. Managing Stock
False!
Package bees typically exhibit low Varroa
and virus levels during the year following
installation.
Consider making increases by shaking
package bees from your own colonies.

15. Consider water access when transporting colonies and
when placing colonies orchards.
Place straw or burlap on the water surface to create a landing pad for the bees to stand on.

16. The Beekeeper’s Goal Work towards strong eight-frame colonies
for almond pollination by February 1st.
Invest your energy in the expectation of
future returns and benefits.
Use discretion to avoid waste.
Employ genetics, diagnostic services and
placement of hives to ensure healthy colonies!

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