Florida Beekeeping Management for October and December

Florida Beekeeping Management for October-December featuring North, Central and South Florida  

Treat your bees for varroa mites and hive beetles

North Florida Beekeeping Management for October-December 

​1. Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II
2. Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana
3. Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps)
4. Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!)
​5. Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy - not sticky to touch: place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber) ​

Blooming Plants

October -December 
1. Spanish Needle
2. Mexican Clover
3. Primrose Willow
4. Spotted Mint
5. Golden Rod
6. Vine Aster
7. Smart Weed
8. Bush Aster
9. Wild 

Central ​Florida Beekeeping Management for October-December 

​1. Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II
2. Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana
3. Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps)
4. Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!)
​5. Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy (not sticky to touch): place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber) 

​Blooming Plants

October-December
1. Spanish Needle
2. Mexican Clover
3. Primrose Willow
4. Spotted Mint
5. Golden Rod
6. Vine Aster
7. Smart Weed
8. Bush Aster
* Brazilian Pepper blooms from September through October and is a significant Fall source of nectar for bees.

South ​Florida Beekeeping Management for October-December 

1. Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II
2. Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana
3. Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps)
4. Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!)
5. Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy (not sticky to touch): place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber) ​

​Blooming Plants

​October-December
1. Spanish Needle
2. Mexican Clover
3. Primrose Willow
4. Smart Weed
5. Melaleuca   
6. Maple
7. Willow
* Brazilian Pepper blooms from September through October and is a significant Fall source of nectar for bees.