Beekeeper's Calendar
For the first few months let the hive become strong and stable, regularly check the hive for any disease and infection. From about June to September is the harvesting stage. Leave the bottom box for the Colony to survive on. You are able to take the top box to harvest. during the winter elevate the boxes and put them at a slant so no condensation can become a danger.
January
Make visual checks ensuring everything appears OK from the outside. Ensure good ventilation, check the entrance is not blocked by leaves, snow, ect.
February
Continue to make monthly visual checks.
March
Start stimulative feeding with sugar syrup. Put out hornet traps. Note: This is a good time to buy any equipment needed for summer!
April
Spring inspection! Check for the queen and see if their is enough room for brood until the next inspection. Check for any signs of disease. Add a super
May
Add more super (70%) Check on the queen's performance. bait hornet traps.
June
Check for queen cells. Add super if needed. Extract spring honey.
July
Maintain time for honey storage. Add supers as required. Continue to monitor the queen and any signs for disease.
Agust
The nectar flow is over. Remove supers. And extract honey by the end of the month. Make sure their is enough brood chamber for bees. Feed for winter.
September
Requeen if needed. Store away supers for the year. Feed for winter
October
Finish feeding by the end of the month. Restrict entrance for mice. Ensure good ventilation,
November
Start monthly outside checks and leave for winter.
Decmber
Continue outside checks.
Tips!
Sugar Syrup Recipe: 50/50 sugar & water, bring to a boil, allow to cool before serving.
Baby Powder! Bees like the smell of unperfumed baby powder, dash your hands before inspections to keep clean.
Infestations: To avoid Wax Moth Infestation, clean the floor of debris regularly
Your Safety: Honey produced while the bees are on medicine should not be eaten but fed back to the bees.