Beekeeping Year

Find out what beekeepers do throughout the year with this handy beekeeping calendar…

January	Don’t inspect the hive Prepare frames and supers for new season Clean old equipment
February	Don’t inspect the hive
March	On a warm day inspect all colonies Feed any weak colonies Remove dead colonies
April	Check varroa levels and treat if needed Feed any weak colonies Examine all the hives – checking for: Sufficient space Laying queen Any queen cells Signs of disease Sufficient stores Examine the hive every 7-10 days
May	Add a super if the colony is building up fast Check for signs of swarming Examine the hive every 7-10 days
June	Check for signs of swarming Examine the hive every 7-10 days
July	Examine the hive every 7-10 days
August	Beginning August – extract honey from full supers Store extracted honey in buckets Fill jars, label, and distribute or sell honey End August – prepare the colonies for optimum conditions during winter Ensure the bees have sufficient stores by feeding Ensure there is no disease and treat for varroa Ensure the queen is healthy and replace if necessary.
September	Protect the hive against mice with a mouse guard Buy jars for next year
October	Don’t inspect the hive
November	Don’t inspect the hive Prepare frames and supers for new season Clean old equipment
December	Don’t inspect the hive Prepare frames and supers for new season Clean old equipment