[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Italian bees” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:46|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/5″][vc_single_image image=”2935″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_single_image image=”3051″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/5″][vc_column_text]Italian bees (Apis Mellifera Ligustica) are one of the most popular types of honeybees. They are suitable for professional beekeepers as well as beginner hobbyists because they are calm, rather than aggressive, in their nature.

Italian bees also show a low tendency to swarm. This does not mean that they don’t swarm at all, but they do so considerably less than many other bee species. Swarming cannot be prevented completely, because it’s one of the biologically characteristic survival methods of bees, but a beekeeper can reduce swarming considerably with the correct methods. Italian bees are more likely to swarm in the second year, and they tend to do so in late spring or early summer.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner gap=”2″][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1557255333808{border-radius: 2px !important;}”][vc_btn title=”Press HERE and order mated queens already today!” color=”black” size=”sm” align=”center” button_block=”true” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fligustica.ee%2Fproduct%2Fmated-queen%2F%3Flang%3Den|title:Mated%20queen|” css=”.vc_custom_1557255421812{border-radius: 4px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Colonies consisting of Italian bees start developing early in spring and may grow very large. They are excellent honey producers when kept near good foraging areas. It’s important to keep in mind that the colonies need extra food during cooler summers; otherwise, the colony may consume all of the honey they’ve collected and the beekeeper will be left empty handed. The colonies also tend to steal honey from other, weaker colonies. Therefore, it’s necessary to support weaker colonies with broom combs from stronger colonies. This makes honey production even across the colonies and the bees will not feel the need to steal. Reducing the entrances to the hives of weaker colonies also helps stop stealing.

Italian bees keep their hives very clean and produce minimal amounts of propolis. They are also strong wax producers and comb builders. In our climate, it’s important to give bees enough additional food for wintering; otherwise, they will not survive the winter and will die of feed shortage. On average, a colony needs 2.5 kg of food per wintering frame – the food may be honey left in the hive for winter or sugar/sugar syrup additionally given to the bees.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]