January
Inside the hive:
● Check food stores by lifting from the back – please don’t open unless it is warm (above 55 degrees)
● As necessary – can emergency feed damp sugar at the top of the hive – inside the inner cover
● Can put an inch frame on top of honey super and use space for sugar or pollen patty feeding
● If it snows, clear the entrance so there is still air circulation
● Can do one treatment with oxalic acid since broodless
Other things of note:
● Bees go on cleansing flights on warm days
Outside the hive:
● Order bees – local nucs 🙂
● Read and learn about what new strategies you could try
● Call bee inspector to set an appointment to have apiary inspected, especially if you are selling nucs/hives/queens.
● Inventory on equipment – what do you need to order or clean up? – Rotate out old comb that bees are NOT using
February
Inside the hive:
● Check hives weight – emergency feed (2 to 1 sugar to water) or plain sugar
● Watch bees for bringing in pollen on warm days – sources: willow, maple, dead nettle, witch hazel
● Put on pollen patties if needed
Outside the hive:
● Build swarm traps
● Order equipment, supplies, Swarm Commander, building frames, painting equipment – when working with beeswax foundation, if working in cold temps, it will shatter
● Bees go on cleansing flights on warm days
● Treat w/ Diatomaceous Earth outside of hives for SHB
● Nectar sources:
March
Inside the hive:
● Warm day (above 60) start inspections of hives to see what is happening
● Rotate boxes – take bottom box to the top because the bees have moved out of it
● Look for drones – indicator of when to start making splits
Other things of note:
● Packages typically come in mid-March
Outside the hive:
● Set up swarm traps in late March/early April
● Treat soil for SHB (small hive beetles) with nematodes – late March
● Pick up dead outs – otherwise they will fill up with wax moths
April
Inside the hive:
● Make splits as needed – if doing walk-away splits check a week later to know where the queen is – brood, food (honey and pollen), and bees/eggs – feed if using foundation in your split
● Add honey supers as needed – usually when box only has 2 to 3 empty frames left and the nectar flow is on heavily
● Can be putting on foundation which they will have to draw out
● Can add queen excluders
● Can be making nucs or queen castles
● Check your mite levels
● Inspect hives almost weekly
Other things of note:
● Local nucs start to be ready in April/May
Outside the hive:
● Have your swarm stuff ready! You’ll be getting calls.
● If haven’t set out swarm traps put them out- early April – If they’ve been out since March, renew scents in swarm boxes.
May
Inside the hive:
● Add supers
● Not feeding because of the strength of the nectar flow in our area
● Check your queen’s laying pattern
● Inspect hives almost weekly
Outside the hive:
● Check trap hives every week
● Have your swarm stuff ready! You’ll be getting calls.
● Nectar sources: tulip poplar, locust, clover, autumn olive
● Local nucs start to be ready in April/May.
June
Inside the hive:
● Mid-June (summer solstice)-if hasn’t swarmed, you can give your bees a brood break by removing the queen – It won’t adversely affect your honey collection.
● Some people collect honey at this time because they can put the boxes back on to collect throughout the summer.
● Mite treatments – If using oxalic acid 3 treatments spaced a week a part can start depending on nectar flow and when you pull honey – can use formic acid pads but are very dependent on temps – read all labels/directions carefully and follow them.
● Can reduce weekly inspections
Other things of note:
● Nectar sources: basswood, sumac, holly
Outside the hive:
● Check calendar to see if you’re available to volunteer in late July for the Augusta County Fair or the 3rd week of August for the Rockingham County Fair. All experience levels welcome.
July
Inside the hive:
● Hive inspections every two weeks or fewer.
● Requeen any swarms or hives as needed.
● Monitor mite levels and consider treatment options
Outside the hive:
● Check calendar to see if you’re available to volunteer in late July for the Augusta County Fair or the 3rd week of August for the Rockingham County Fair. All experience levels welcome.
● Nectar sources: Thistle, mints, milkweed, knapweed, perennials, buttonbush, annuals – lobelias/salvias that haven’t been treated with insecticide ● Pollen sources: Crepe myrtle, nandina (deep pink)
August
Inside the hive:
● Start prepping for winter – replacing any foundation with drawn comb – looking at strength of hives to know what to combine.
● Check for mites again – read instructions to know temp thresholds and if you can use something with honey on.
Other things of note:
● Nectar source: goldenrod, asters, wingstem
Outside the hive:
● Put your swarm trap hives away after cleaning them up.
● Check calendar to see if you’re available to volunteer in late July for the Augusta County Fair or the 3rd week of August for the Rockingham County Fair. All experience levels welcome.
September
Inside the hive:
● Formic acid treatments for mites if within temperature threshold
● Extract honey if haven’t already and plan to.
● Start feeding if a hive is light (2:1)
Other things of note:
● Nectar sources: aster, ironweed
October
Inside the hive:
● Consolidate hives down – no foundation – reduce boxes on hives within reason
● Combine weak hives and take your losses in the fall
Outside the hive:
● Plan on coming to the bee picnic
● Always be prepared for bears
November
Inside the hive:
● Can put on Quiltboard (3” frame with woodchips that helps to control moisture).
● Can put sugar or fondant on top.
● If you use screened bottom boards, close them up.
Outside the hive:
● Make sure hive is tilted forward slightly.
● Can wrap with roofing felt, but not necessary in our region typically
● Make sure you have a windbreak on the northwest side or whichever wind comes from in your apiary.
December
Inside the hive:
● Treat for varroa with Oxalic acid when its broodless (also can be done in November)
Outside the hive:
● Check your seed catalogs for what you’d like to plant for you bees
● Burn your wildflower meadow
● Ask for new equipment for Christmas