Pollination

Overberg Honey CO. delivers pollination services in the Overberg region mostly. We guarantee quality swarms, neat hives and on time delivery.

The provision of bees for pollination of crop plants is a specialized practice, not just a sideline of honey production. We develop and select strong colonies that are able to provide the large force of field bees needed to do the job of transferring pollen. We set minimum standards for colony strength and size to use as a basis for establishing prices and for providing the best possible service. The number of bees, and not the number of hives, is the true unit of measure. There should be four or more frames with brood and sufficient bees to cover them. There should also be a reserve food supply of honey. In the field, the colonies may be examined at intervals to keep them in suitable condition for pollination.

The number of standard colonies that are needed per hectare of crop plants varies in relation to the attractiveness of the crop, the competition from surrounding sources of nectar and pollen, and the percentage of flowers that must produce fruit or seed to provide an economic return. Higher numbers of hives may be needed where other cultivated plants or weeds compete strongly for the attention of the bees.

Bees for pollination should be placed within or beside the crop to be pollinated. In fruit pollination the bees benefit from full sun and shelter from the wind. Later in the year, some afternoon shade is helpful.

Things to be discussed before pollination season:

  • Number of colonies needed;
  • Pesticide usage;
  • Colony standards;
  • The rights of the grower to examine the colonies;
  • Rights of access by the beekeeper;
  • Pollination fees and time of payment;
  • The timing of movements of bees to and from the crop.