In March, beekeepers in Pueblo, Colorado must focus on preventing late-winter starvation, monitoring weather closely before opening hives, and following local city rules.
Essential March Beekeeping Tasks
- Check Food Stores: March is a high-risk month for starvation because the queen increases her egg-laying rate while natural forage is still scarce. Provide winter patties, fondant, or a 1:1 sugar syrup via top feeders if honey reserves are low.
- Feed Pollen Substitutes: Offer pollen patties to stimulate and sustain brood rearing as early spring foraging begins.
- Inspect on Warm Days Only: Do not open the hive unless daytime temperatures reach 50°F to 65°F with calm, low-wind conditions to avoid chilling the brood. Keep brief surface checks under 30 seconds if it is on the cooler side.
- Manage Entrances and Ventilation: Clear away any dead bees from the bottom board, and remove or adjust entrance reducers and mouse guards as traffic picks up. Ensure top ventilation is clear to prevent condensation from dripping onto the cluster.
- Local Group & Education: Connect with the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association (PCBA) to attend their annual spring bee school and local mentorship workshops.
Local Regulations in Pueblo
- Hive Limit: If you live within Pueblo city limits, local ordinances restrict properties to a maximum of two honeybee hives per lot.