They Joy of Beekeeping

Registration

Each beekeeper having honey bee colonies with the state must register with the department using application form FDACS-08176, which will be completed at the time of the initial inspection. Upon approval of the application, the department will issue to the beekeeper a Certificate of Beekeeping Registration. This certificate must be renewed annually on or prior to the anniversary date of the certificate (Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

Refer to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for further details on registering your bee hive.

Link: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Beekeeper Registration

Honey Labeling

Honey Processors Covered by the Cottage Food Laws

In 2011, the Florida Legislature enacted HB 7209 (now Section 500.80, Florida Statutes) (http://leg.state.fl.us/statutes/) allowing individuals to manufacture, sell, and store certain types of “cottage foods” (including honey) in an unlicensed kitchen. “Cottage food operations,” as they are called, require no licensing or permitting from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and are not inspected by any other state government entity. 

Beekeepers now qualify for this exemption (and may bottle at their residence) provided the beekeeper: 

• does not exceed $15,000 in annual gross sales;
• sells his/her honey direct to the consumer from his/her home, roadside stand, farmers market, or flea market; 
• upon request provides the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services with written documentation to verify the operation’s annual gross sales; and 
• does not engage in internet, mail order, consignment, or “wholesale” sales.
  

(Source: EDIS)

For further details on honey labeling regulation in Florida, pls refer to the UF publication available though the below link:

Link: Bottling, Labeling and Selling Honey in Florida Publication

Below is the beekeeper calendar for Central Florida published by EDIS University of Florida IFAS Extension. For the entire Florida calendar please refer to the below link.

​Link: Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar

​
January

1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) – also supply pollen supplements if necessary.

2) Nosema can be a significant colony problem this time of year. You can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema ceranae.

3) Repair/paint old equipment.

Blooming: Maple, Willow, Spanish NeedleFM, Mexican CloverFM, Primrose WillowFM

February

1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!).

2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin.

3) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan dust for American foulbrood/European foulbrood.

4) Make nucs/splits.

Blooming: OrangeM, Sweet cloverM, OakM

March

1) Colony populations begin to grow! Add supers and/or control swarming as necessary.

2) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan for American foulbrood prevention

Blooming: Same as above, Mangrove, Seagrape, Buttonwood

April

1) Disease and queen problems should be remedied.

2) Make splits/nucs – new queens available.

3) Control swarming.

4) Flow began in March – continue to add supers as necessary.

5) Orange blossom honey can be extracted (late Apr).

Blooming: Orange, Spanish Needle, Galberry, Mexican Clover, Primrose Willow, Smart Weed, Mangrove, Seagrape, Buttonwood Wild Coffee, Shrubby False Buttonweed 

May

1) Continue to remedy colony maladies, especially queen problems.

2) Continue swarm control.

3) Super as necessary.

4) Move bees from orange to other locations.

Blooming: Palmetto, Mangrove, Seagrape, Buttonwood, Dahoon holly

June

1) Super as necessary for late flows.

2) If flow is over, remove and process honey.

3) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary.

Blooming: Palm, Melaleuca, Shrubby False Buttonweed

July

1) Remove and process honey—main flow stops.

2)   Verroa populations begin to grow—monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include:  : , Api life VAR, Apistan, Mite Away II, Hopguard and Apivar.

Blooming: Spanish Needle, Palm, Mexican Clover, Primrose Willow, Smart Weed, Melaleuca

August

1) Monitor colonies for Varroa (see July)!

2) Treat with Terramycin dust for American foulbrood/European foulbrood.

3) Feed colonies if light.

4) Monitor for and control small hive beetles.

5) It's hot! Ensure adequate colony ventilation

Blooming: Same as above

September

1) Monitor colonies for Varroa (see July)!

2) Super colonies if strong for B. Pepper flow. 

3) Consider treating colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. (see north Florida Sept above).

4) If no nectar flow, feed colonies if light.

Blooming: Same as above + Brazilian Pepper*, Shrubby False Buttonweed

Varroa are an important issue in S. Florida in winter because colonies are rarely broodless.

October - December

1) Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor Varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, Api life VAR, Apistan, Mite Away II, Hopguard, and Apivar.

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, West Beetle traps, beetle blasters and more). 

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: Oct: Spanish Needle Mexican Clover, Brazilian Pepper* Primrose Willow, Smart Weed, Melaleuca,

Nov: nothing new blooms

Dec: Maple, Willow

*Brazilian Pepper blooms from September through October and is a significant fall source of nectar for bees.