The equipment required for maintenance of Apis mellifera
is :
Bee hive box with stand.
Hiza tool, Smoker
Bee veil (For protection of face from bees stinging).
Bee brush
Rubber gloves 12 ” length
Crystal knife (For removing brood frames).
Queen excluden sheet
Aluminium plates of 1” depth and 4”
to 5” diameter to keep the legs of the stand immersed in water,
to prevent from ants and provide water for bees.
For colonies on Apis mellifera contact, Horticulturist,
ARS, Vijayarai – 534 475, West Godavari . The best time for introduction
of Apis mellifera in the state is from middle of December to middle
of January. The cost of each transport hive with five frame bee strength
colony is about Rs.730/-.
For successful maintenance of Aple mellifera colonies,
there should be profuse forage, rich in nectar/pollen within a radius
of 2 to 5km for a period of 9 to 10months. Sunflower, cotton, mustard,
peas and all cucumber family plants possess flowers with high nector
content. Among plantations, mango, guava, coconut, tamarind, ber, cashewnut,
banana, citrus, neem and soapnut are also the source of nector. Availability
of fresh water and formation of Drone congregation centres (5-6) for
queen mating may also play an important role in success of bee keeping.
Mites infesting the colonies can be controlled
by dusting sulphur @1.5g per frame on the top bar.
