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THE
BEEKEEPER'S YEAR
This is a suggested checklist
of activities for the beekeeper. Note that weather, climate,
neighborhood and even the type of bees you have will influence
such activities. The list gives you an overview of what's going
on each month in the hive. It also suggests some important tasks
for the beekeeper, and provides a rough estimate of the amount
of time you might spend with your bees during a given month.
Check this site frequently for additional detail and special
notes.
January
The Bees. The queen is surrounded
by thousand of her workers. She is in the midst of their winter
cluster. There is little activity except on a warm day (about
45-50 degrees) when the workers will take the opportunity to
make cleansing flights. There are no drones in the hive, but
some worker brood will begin to appear in the hive. The bees
will consume about 25 pounds of stored honey this month.
The Beekeeper. Little work
is required from you at the hives. If there is heavy snow, make
certain the entrance to the hive is cleared to allow for proper
ventilation. If a January thaw presents itself (in January or February) you provide supplemental, emergency food for the bees such as fondant (on the top bars) or granulated sugar (on the inner cover). This is a great time to catch up on your reading
about bees, attend bee club meetings, and build and repair equipment
for next season. Order package bees (if needed) from a reputable
supplier.
Time Spent. Estimate less
than an hour.
February
The Bees. The queen, still
cozy in the cluster, will begin to lay a few more eggs each day.
It is still "females only" in the hive. Workers will
take cleansing flights on mild days. The bees will consume about
25 pounds of honey this month.
The Beekeeper. There is not
too much to do this month. Attend those bee club meetings. Read.
Attend bee club meetings, and get your equipment ready for spring.
Time Spent. Estimate less
than one hour.
March
The Bees. This is the month
when colonies can die of starvation. However, if you fed them
plenty of sugar syrup in the autumn this should not happen. With
the days growing longer, the queen steadily increases her rate
of egg laying. More brood means more food consumed. The drones
begin to appear. The bees will continue to consume honey stores.
The Beekeeper. Early in the
month, on a nice mild day, and when there is no wind and bees
are flying, you can have a quick peek inside your hive. It's
best not to remove the frames. Just have a look-see under the
cover. If you do not see any sealed honey in the top frames,
you may need to provide some emergency food (fondant or granulated sugar if cold temps prevail, syrup if the weather is mild). But remember, once
you start, you should not stop until they are bringing in their
own food supplies. If you are going to do a spring Varroa mite treatment, now (or soon) is the time to start its application.
Time Spent. Estimate 2 hours
this month.
April
The Bees. The weather begins
to improve, and the early blossoms begin to appear. The bees
begin to bring pollen into the hive. The queen is busily laying
eggs, and the population is growing fast. The drones will begin
to appear.
The Beekeeper. On a warm
and still day do your first comprehensive inspection. Can you
find evidence of the queen? Are there plenty of eggs and brood?
Is there a nice pattern to her egg laying? Later in the month, on a very mild
and windless day, you should consider reversing the hive bodies.
This will allow for a better distribution of brood, and stimulate
the growth of the colony. You can begin to feed the hive medicated
syrup.
Time Spent. Estimate 3 hours.
May
The Bees. Now the activity
really starts hopping. The nectar and pollen should begin to
come into the hive thick and fast. The queen will be reaching
her greatest rate of egg laying. The hive should be bursting
with activity.
The Beekeeper. Spring mite treatments should be completed, and removed prior to adding any honey supers. Add a queen excluder, and place honey
supers on top of the top deep. Watch out for swarming. Inspect
the hive weekly. Attend bee club meetings and workshops.
Time Spent. Estimate 4-5
hours this month.
June
The Bees. Unswarmed colonies
will be boiling with bees. The queen's rate of egg laying may
drop a bit this month. The main honey flow should happen this
month.
The Beekeeper. Inspect the
hive weekly to make certain the hive is healthy and the queen
is present. Add honey supers as needed. Keep up swarm inspections.
Attend bee club meetings and workshops.
Time Spent. Estimate 4-5
hours.
July
The Bees. If the weather is good, the nectar flow may continue this
month. On hot and humid nights, you may see a huge curtain of
bees cooling themselves on the exterior of the hive.
The Beekeeper. Continue inspections
to assure the health of your colony. Add more honey supers if
needed. Keep your fingers crossed in anticipation of a great
honey harvest.
Time Spent. Estimate 2-3
hours.
August
The Bees. The colony's growth
is diminishing. Drones are still around, but outside activity
begins to slow down as the nectar flow slows.
The Beekeeper. No more chance
of swarming. Watch for honey robbing by wasps or other bees.
There is not too much for you to do this month. Have a little
holiday.
Time Spent. Estimate
about an hour or two.
September
The Bees. The drones may
begin to disappear this month. The hive population is dropping.
The queen's her egg laying is dramatically reduced.
The Beekeeper. Harvest your
honey crop. Remember to leave the colony with at least 60 pounds
of honey for winter. Check for the queen's presence. Feed and
medicate towards the end of the month (the first 2 gallons
is medicated). Apply mite treatment. Continue feeding
until the bees will take no more syrup. Attend bee club meetings.
Time Spent. Estimate 2-3
hours.
October
The Bees. Not much activity
from the bees. They are hunkering' down for the winter.
The Beekeeper. Watch out
for robbing. Configure the hive for winter, with attention to ventilation and moisture control. Install
mouse guard at entrance of hive. Setup a wind break if necessary.
Finish winter feeding. Attend bee club meetings.
Time Spent. Estimate 2 hours.
November
The Bees. Even less activity
this month. The cold weather will send them into a cluster.
The Beekeeper. Store your
equipment away for the winter. Attend bee club meetings.
Time Spent. About one hour
this month.
December
The Bees. The bees are in
a tight cluster. No peeking.
The Beekeeper.
There's nothing you can do with the bees. Read a good book on beekeeping,
and enjoy the holidays!
Time Spent. None
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