How do I check a beekeeper’s mite treatment and hive inspection records?

Good records show a routine. Look for regular mite checks, a record of what was applied and when, and a follow-up check afterward. Ask why the seller picked each treatment and what they would change. Gaps in the notes are worth a question, because they may mean a missed step or only a missed entry.

Hive inspection notes tell a second story. Look for queen status, brood pattern, stores, any sign of disease and the actions that followed. Ask how the records are kept, whether in a notebook, on labels or in a spreadsheet, and whether the seller can find the history of a single hive. Sampling a few hives with an experienced beekeeper helps you judge whether the notes are reliable.

Finish by asking how the seller manages the work across many yards. Who carries it out, and how is it recorded? If the work depends on one person’s memory, plan for a handover and ask them to stay on for a season. Your accountant can help you see what treatments cost each year. Ask also how the seller decides when a colony is too weak to treat or to keep, since that choice shapes the yard counts you inherit.

Key takeaways

• Look for regular mite checks, a record of treatments and a follow-up check.
• Open several hives with an experienced beekeeper and compare them with the notes.
• Plan a handover if the records live in one person’s memory.