How to Record Beekeeping in a Diary

Thanks to a resurgence in organic farming, recent news items concerning the vulnerability of the bee population, and the viability and health benefits of honey as a natural sweetener and food additive, apiary management is experiencing a major resurgence worldwide. Being able to organize your apiary's activity in a diary is one way to organize your domestic bees and their honey production. The following steps will guide you through an example of a single season of beekeeping using a dairy.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 daily personal diary
  • 50 record cards (one for each hive, to be used and replaced weekly; the actual number is variable)
  • 1 reliable writing utensil (something that can be left by your hives, preferably a mechanical pencil)
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Instructions

  1. Spring to Autumn: Recording a Season

    • 1
      Keeping track of your hives using written notes is helpful for staying organized.

      Begin by sketching a simple but concise map of your entire apiary at the beginning of your diary. Carefully take note of the number of hives and the location of each. Make detailed notes regarding your plans for the season including colony management, queen rearing and swarm control.

    • 2
      Bees will chew on paper; ensure your records are safely stowed away.

      Assign each hive a name or number to help organize individual records. Use one record card for each. Store that card either in your diary or in a safe place near your hive (but not so close that the bees will damage it).

    • 3

      Use your daily diary to record any general issues with your apiary (including, but not limited to, health issues, colony strength, estimates of honey production).

    • 4

      Use the record cards to list specific details for each hive as they are needed. These do not need to be kept on a daily basis. Keep the information as simple as possible.

    • 5
      Keep track of honey production even if you don't plan to sell or trade it.

      Record such factors as amount of honey produced and the quality of the queens. Observe the state of the hives and what maintenance they will need. Plan the work you will do over the winter to prepare for the next season. Be specific regarding dates, time required and materials needed.