A Year of Beekeeping Tasks

There really isn't much time off when it comes to beekeeping! This list of monthly beekeeping tasks will help keep you on track and out of the panic zone.

Note: This guide is based on a Northern BC winter and exact timing of different events will vary based on your location. I recommend using this as a guide this year and noting when things actually happen in your location so that you can maintain your own beekeeping calendar in future years.

For a full ready-to-print version of the calendar, click on the link below. This calendar may be printed for personal use.

2023 Bee Calendar

.pdf

Download PDF • 8.94MB

If you'd rather skip the calendar, here's the list of monthly bee tasks that would be handy to add to your calendar of choice:

January

Check hives with a stethoscope, thermometer gun, or infrared camera
Pre-order nucs
Inventory and order additional equipment
Fix broken equipment
Learn something new to practice/implement next season

February

Build new equipment
Oxalic acid treatment before spring brood-up
Watch for cleansing flights on sunny afternoons
Plan your garden

March

Add fondant if you are worried about food stores
Add pollen for quick spring build-up
Watch for pollen pants on sunny afternoons as alder, willow, and crocuses start to bloom
Start to feed 1:1 late in the month to stimulate growth

April

Do first thorough inspections on hives (should see brood)
Scrape bottom boards and top boards if moldy
Remove leftover honey from the middle of the nest
Watch for orientation flights
Stop feeding when dandelions bloom

May

Split hives when the dandelions start to bloom (if you are aiming for growth)
Beware of the dearth that follows the dandelion flow; you may need to feed again if hives are light
Start to watch for swarm cells!

June

Do frequent inspections, watching for swarm cells
Make sure the queen always has space to lay
Have gear on hand for emergency splits or swarm catching
Add honey supers as peak flow begins (when clover blooms)
Invite a friend over! This is when your bees are happiest!

July

Relax! You survived swarm season!
Continue to add honey supers as needed
Continue with regular inspections
Replace old or failing queens
Allow supercedure for queen replacement and brood breaks
Troubleshoot if your hive is not productive

August

Pull honey in mid-August before the dearth begins
Set hives up for winter in one or two brood boxes
Don't expect any more comb building - remove blank frames
Test and treat for mites
Feed after removing honey and once dearth begins

September

Continue to feed 1:1 to boost population or 2:1 to increase food stores
Put on entrance reducers and tape up cracks to guard against wasps and robbing
Keep your yard free of attractants for wasps and bears (no spills, no frames laying around)
Do your final hive inspections of the year

October

Remove liquid feed once daytime highs are less than 10ºC (50ºF)
Add fondant or sugar board if you are worried about food stores
Treat with oxalic acid late in the month
Don't be alarmed if you are seeing a lot of dead bees out front - your summer bees are dying off
Wrap hives when daytime highs are consistently below 5ºC (40ºF)

November

Enjoy the sweet rewards of your labour!
Check on your hives after any major wind event
Make a wish list of gear for next season
Know that you've done everything you could to help your bees survive the coming winter
Cross your fingers and toes!

December

Gift your neighbours some honey to keep them loving the bees
Keep hive entrances clear of snow
Resist the urge to disturb your hive
Read a good bee book

And repeat!

We keep a running calendar of beekeeping tasks and events so that each year, we can compare the timing of each task to previous years. Setting up a similar calendar for yourself will help you fine-tune your beekeeping tasks so that you always know what to expect and you aren't faced with too many surprises.