Stingless Bee Keeping: Introduction & Practice | Colony & Food Sources Management
Content
1) The objective of colony management.
2) Period of Inspections.
3) Sign and examples of colony degradation.
4) How to manage your hive when the wooden surface is decayed and during hot seasons.
5) Resin, nectar, pollen, and other resources.
6) Important plants and vegetation ratios.
The objective of colony management.
Stingless bee colony management is the process of taking care of a colony of stingless bees to ensure that it remains healthy, strong, and active. The main objective of stingless colony management is to prevent the colony from becoming weak, as a weak colony is more vulnerable to predators and illnesses.
There are several steps involved in stingless colony management. These include:
➤ Providing a suitable habitat: Stingless bees require a suitable habitat to build their nest and rear their young. The nest should be sheltered from the elements and predators, and should provide the bees with easy access to food and water.
➤ Feeding the bees: Stingless bees require a consistent supply of food to thrive. The colony should be provided with a variety of floral resources, such as nectar and pollen, throughout the year. In some cases, supplementary feeding may be necessary, especially during times of drought or when food sources are scarce.
➤ Monitoring the colony: Regular monitoring of the colony is essential to detect any signs of illness or weakness. This may involve inspecting the nest, observing the behavior of the bees, and keeping track of the amount of honey and brood in the nest.
➤ Controlling pests and diseases: Stingless bees are vulnerable to a variety of pests and diseases, such as mites, wax moths, and fungal infections. Regular inspections and preventative measures, such as using natural remedies or introducing beneficial insects, can help to control these threats.
➤ Swarm management: When a stingless bee colony outgrows its nest, it may swarm and form a new colony. Swarm management involves capturing the swarm and relocating it to a new nest, in order to prevent the loss of bees and honey production.
Successful stingless colony administration requires striking a balance between the bees’ requirements and their surrounding environment. Stingless bee colonies can be kept healthy and productive with the right environment, reliable food supplies, and close attention.
*Please watch the video below for further explanation of this section*
Period of Inspections.
At the very least once per week, you should examine and maintain your colony to keep it healthy and secure. Signs of intrusion, such as lizard poop, ants crawling around, or termite tunnels, should be on your radar during the examination. More frequent inspections are required if indicators of attacks are found.
By counting the number of bees that fly in and out of the hive every minute, a measure known as Fly In Fly Out can be used to detect population decline (FIFO). There should be at least 40 FIFO and no more than 70 FIFO in a healthy colony. It’s also important to inspect the tube’s finish and hue. A non-pliable and dry tube may be an indication that the population is dormant. Monitoring these parameters can help guarantee a strong and healthy hive of stingless bees.
*Please watch the video below for further explanation of this section*
Sign and examples of colony degradation.
To identify signs of a degradation in the stingless bee colony population, there are several factors to consider:
- Fly In Fly Out (FIFO): Record the number of bees entering and exiting the nest per minute. A strong colony typically has 40 to 70 FIFO.
- Tube texture and color: Check the texture and color of the nest tube. If it is not soft and moist, it may indicate that the colony is not active.
- Honey topping: Check the honey topping for signs of intrusion, such as ants or other pests.
- Nest condition: Check the condition of the log hive. If it is decayed or has many cracks, it may be time to transfer the colony into a new box.
- Temperature: If the weather is too hot, consider adding more shroud or moving the colony to a better location.
- Yield: Monitor the honey yield. If it is reducing as compared to the previous harvest, it may be time to transfer the colony to a better location with more food sources.
By keeping track of these factors and addressing any issues promptly, it is possible to maintain a healthy and productive stingless bee colony.
*Please watch the video below for further explanation of this section*
How to manage your hive when the wooden surface is decayed and during hot seasons.
If the hive log has been decayed and there are many cracks observed during the condition check of the wood surface. It is easily worn off, indicating the need to transfer the colony into a new box. In addition, if the weather is too hot, more shroud can be put up using netting, such as the black netting canvas used in agriculture. Moreover, it has been observed that the yield of honey becomes lesser after 40 days, indicating the need for action, such as hive swapping or transferring the colony to a location with a better surrounding environment. During harvesting, it is important to leave some for the bees, especially since they are only active during the morning. It is also recommended not to harvest during the monsoon season. In case of insufficient canopy, more shroud and modification can be done, and damped clothes can be used.
*Please watch the video below for further explanation of this section*
Resin, nectar, pollen, and other resources.
Resin is one of the main resources collected by stingless bees. It is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants and can be produced by many types of trees. Resin can be converted into varnish, adhesive, or food glazing agents. The stingless bees collect resin as a mixture for their propolis. Enough resin in the surrounding environment needs to be identified. The Itamaa species in Malaysia is very suitable, especially if kept in a rubber plantation. Nectar is a source used by stingless bees to make honey. It comes from plants, including flowers and tree buds, especially acacia trees. In the morning, they will excrete nectar. It is an important component to produce bee bread, which is high in protein and good for people who want to gain weight. It is a by-product that is processed, dried, turned into powder, and consumed in the morning with bread and toast. Stingless bees have a complex body with three stomachs, comparable to a sugar refinery. Water is also essential for the hive, and the environment needs to have enough water.
*Please watch the video below for further explanation of this section*
Important plants and vegetation ratios.
This is a list of plants in Malaysia. For example, the tall tree known as acacia, which was not originally native to Malaysia, was brought here for team matches but has now been discovered to be a good source of nectar, pollen, and resin for honey farming. Other plants, such as billygoat weed and spiny amaranth, are shrubs and provide a good source of pollen. Pineapple is a source of nectar and pollen. Mexican creeper, a climbing shrub, is also a good source of nectar, pollen, and resin, and can be planted. The rule of thumb is to have 15 to 20 colonies per hectare or 10,000 square meters with consistent distance between the hives. The placement of hives also depends on the condition of the area. Ten big acacia trees are enough to provide a good source for one stingless bee hive. Acacia trees grow very fast and are easy to plant. Mexican creeper usually takes two to three months to reach maturity, so it is recommended to plant the tree first, let it settle down and flourish for two to three months before bringing in the hive if setting up a farm.