This is an overview of what is going on each month in the hive and suggests timely tasks for the beekeeper.
January
The queen is surrounded by thousand of her workers in their winter cluster. There is little activity unless we get an exceptioinally warm day , when the workers will take the opportunity to make cleansing flights. There are no drones and probably no brood in the hive this month. The bees will consume as much as 25 pounds of stored honey this month.
If there is heavy snow, the entrance to the hive should be cleared to allow for proper ventilation. This is a great time to catch up on reading about bees and build and repair equipment for next season. This is a good time to order package bees from a reputable supplier.
February
The queen is still cozy in the winter cluster, but she may begin to lay a few eggs. It is still "females only" in the hive - there are no drones yet. Workers will take cleansing flights if there are any mild days when the temperature reaches 45-50 degrees. The bees will consume as much as 25 pounds of honey this month.
Little work is required of the beekeeper. If there is heavy snow, the entrance to the hive should be cleared to allow for proper ventilation. This is a great time to catch up on reading about bees and build and repair equipment for next season. This is a good time to order package bees from a reputable supplier.
March
This is the month when bee colonies die of starvation unless they have had plenty of honey or sugar syrup from autumn until now. With the days growing longer, the queen steadily increases her rate of egg laying. Drones begin to appear. Drones and brood means there will be more bees consuming more food.
On a nice mild day 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 peek. If you do not see any capped honey in the top frames, you need to begin some emergency feeding. But remember, once you start feeding, you should not stop until they are bringing in plenty of food on their own. Unless you practice natural (organic) beekeeping, you may want to add Apistan strips and leave them in the hive for 45 days.
April
As the weather begins to improve and early blossoms begin to appear, the bees begin to bring pollen into the hive. The queen is busy laying eggs and the population is growing fast. The drones appear.
On a warm, still day do your first comprehensive inspection. It's important to make sure the colony has a queen. Are there plenty of eggs and brood? Is there a nice pattern to her egg laying?
Late in the month, on a warm and windless day, reverse the hive bodies to allow for a better distribution of brood and stimulate growth of the colony. Unless you practice natural (organic) beekeeping, you can begin to feed medicated syrup and add Menthol as mite control.
May
The hive is really getting busy. Nectar and pollen are coming into the hive thick and fast. The queen is reaching her greatest rate of egg laying. The hive is practically bursting with activity.
If you placed Apistan strips in the hive during March, remove them when they have been in the hive for 45 days. Remove menthol after it has been in the hive a month. Add queen excluders if you use them, and place honey supers on top of the brood boxes. Inspect the hive weekly and watch out for swarming. Attend your local bee club meeting.
June
The colonies should 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.
Inspect the hive weekly to make certain the hive is healthy and the queen is present. Add more honey supers as needed. Keep watching for signs of swarming.
July
If the weather is good and there is enough moisture, the nectar flow will continue. Add more honey supers if needed. Keep your fingers crossed in anticipation of a great honey harvest. On hot and humid nights bees will be cooling themselves on the exterior of the hive.
Continue inspections to assure the health of the colonies.
August
The colony's growth begins to diminish. Outside activity begins to slow down as the nectar flow slows. Drones are still around. No more chance of swarming. Watch for honey robbing by wasps or other bees.
Little work is required of the beekeeper. Attend your local bee club meeting.
September
The hive population is dropping. The queen's egg laying is dramatically reduced.The drones begin to disappear.
It is time to harvest the honey crop. Remember to leave the colony enough honey for winter. Check for the queen's presence. Begin feeding the colony toward the end of the month until the bees will take no more syrup. Unless you practice natural (organic) beekeeping, you might want to medicate the first 2 gallons. This is the time to place Apistan strips in the hive for 42 days and add menthol for mite control.
October
Not much activity around the hive - the bees are hunkering’ down for the winter.
Watch out for robbing. Install inner cover wedges for ventilation and mouse guards at entrance of each hive. Place insulation under the hive cover to help keep colony warm and dry. Setup wind breaks around the hives if necessary. Finish winter feeding. Don’t forget to remove menthol after 30 days and Apistan strips when they have been in for 42 days. Attend bee club meetings.
November
Very little activity this month. Cold weather is sending the bees into their winter cluster.
Store equipment away for the winter.
December
The bees are in a tight cluster in the middle of the hive. No peeking into the hives.
There is nothing the beekeeper can do with the bees this month. Read a good book on beekeeping, and enjoy the holidays!
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