Beehive Record Keeping: How They Help Beekeepers

Why would anyone need to keep a notebook about their beehives?  Does it really matter? Are beehive records really important?  Yes, I think so. While even experienced beekeepers can learn from hive notes, it is an even more important part of beekeeping for beginners. Good hive notes promote a better understanding of the dynamics of the hive.

Beekeeping Records Promote Successful Beekeeping

Many beekeepers do take the time to record colony conditions and weather conditions throughout their years in beekeeping. I have booklets with records of hive inspections dating back over 13 years. Occasionally, I take them out and thumb through the pages.

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They have become a type of beekeeping scrapbook for me. A written account of hive inspections and beekeeping techniques that worked! As well as, plans that failed miserably.

While you may think you will be able to keep track of the date when you last inspected your hive- LOL, I can say that you probably will not!

It is important to have an inspection plan before opening the hive. This is difficult to do if you are not 100% certain of colony conditions from the last visit.

Anytime you see something that concerns you, make a note to recheck soon. A quick glance at your notes will prepare you for today’s inspection.

Good Hive Notes Reduce Colony Stress with Organized Inspections

Every good beekeeper, knows that there will be times you need to open the hive. While we can learn from observing the colony entrance, we still need to look inside the hive periodically.

How often should you inspect your hives? That depends on several factors. From weekly for new or trouble hives to monthly or less for established ones, the inspection timing varies.

Does the colony have a good queen?  Do you see honey and pollen?  Any signs of disease? We must look inside to access these conditions.

However, any time that we open a beehive, it causes stress to the colony. Honey bees are not very fond of having the roof of their home removed.

Resisting the urge to look inside the hive every day is difficult for new beekeepers. But resist you should! 

As your experience grows, a good hive inspection log will help you determine when to open the hive. Your chart is a definite notation of when you last inspected the hive and the conditions inside.

Beekeeper Diary or Journal

Sometimes, we just need to take a quick look inside.  A strong healthy colony does not need a deep inspection often.

These colonies can have a minimal “quick peek” to verify queen status and food stores. I use notes from my Beekeeping Journal every time before going to the bee yard.

Access to former hive inspection notes gives us an idea of what to expect.  Did this bee colony have a possible problem during the last inspection?

Those of us with many hives often find it difficult to remember which hive needs what. “ i.e. Was the yellow hive queenless or was it the green one – Who knows.”

Your journal can also become a type of beekeeper’s diary. I make notes on many things other than inspections. Any weather conditions, forage available and even notes on projects I tried and do not want to repeat!

Hive Inspection Sheets Help New Beekeepers

Taking the time to fill out inspection notes are especially helpful for new beekeepers during their first few years. 

In my early years of beekeeping, it really helped me learn and retain beekeeping knowledge.  Repetition is good for retaining information. As I grow older it seems that they are helping me even more.. LOL

By looking back at your records from previous new colonies, you will better understand hive development. 

How long did it take your last colonies to fill out a hive box?  What time of year did you first notice capped brood , etc. 

My hive inspection notes from the early years were more detailed than current ones. I’ve gotten lazy as I get older.

Use Bricks for Hive Status

Bricks? Yes, bricks. Have you ever been to someone’s bee yard and seen bricks on top of the hive? Yea ?

Maybe they are there to hold on the hive top during windy weather. But for most of us, they serve another function. Some beekeepers have elaborate methods of using bricks to indicate hive status.

One brick laying down flat all is good. One brick laying on its side, this colony has a problem that needs monitoring. A brick standing on end, this colony is queen-less and requires immediate attention.

Every beekeeper has a different brick system. If you really want to make a beekeeper angry, move around the rocks (or bricks). This is the limitation of the brick system. If someone or something moves your bricks, your data is lost.

This is a great method of keeping records if you can keep up with it.  I tried this method but its just not for me.

I have great fun putting in the information during the Winter when I am not working bees. However once bee season starts, I never seemed to have time to input the inspection information.

Paper Beehive Records

After trying every beekeeping system out there, I have come back to a notebook or journal. I have notebooks dating back over many years.

And each one tells a story of my beekeeping journey for that year. I like to take a digital voice recorder with me to the bee yard. This allows me to record digital notes that I will then transcribe into my journal.

Your Beekeeping Journal

If you are a bit unsure of what conditions are most important to track – don’t worry. I have the answer. Using my notebooks as a guide, I have created a beekeeping journal . Includes: *a beekeeper’s calendar *hive inspection sheets *monthly notes and more .

My notebook or beekeeping journal notes will contain the 5 Key Factors of Good Beekeeping mentioned above.

I also include other information. I make notation of weather conditions, forage and anything that could affect my colonies.