BeeKeepers Calendar

A beekeepers calendar is divided into a total of 12 months. For a beekeeper, he/she can’t go easy on any month. Beehives need continuous care and protection all around the year. Here is how beekeepers plan their months:

1. January

One of the interesting facts is that winter bees live longer than summer bees. Most of the bees die in winter just because of old age. During January, bees usually take a cleansing flight when the temperature is mildly hot. They consume very less food during the period. Since bees do not go toilet inside their hives, they fly out during comfortable temperatures and it is called a cleansing flight. Beekeepers should check on the hives to see if that winter winds didn’t’t kill the bees.

2. February

Since February introduces warmth, the queen of the beehive starts laying eggs on different days. The bees fly out more often. You should keep a check on the feeding levels of your bees. If they have enough honey stored for them to consume, then you can relax, but if not, then consider a method for feeding them sugar.

3. March

Keep on feeding the bees if it is necessary. Make sure that along with sugar, you are also feeding them a little water with it. Check on the dead bees, there will be a lot of them during this month. Clean out the dead bees with a brush to keep the wax moth from spreading inside the beehives.

4. April

A beekeeper does not have to do anything different during this month. Just feeding the bees will do the job. None of the sugar consumed by bees will go into the honey.

5. May

The bees are in full operation during this period of the year. BeeKeepers can relax from feeding the bees like they were during the past months. There is a lot of nectar and pollen during this period.

6. June

Keeping an eye out for swarms during this month is very important. There is also the presence of mites during this period. BeeKeepers just have to keep their hives safe.

7. July

There is not even a subtle change in the behavior of bees. Just keep on checking if the bees are safe or not.

8. August

If there are a lot of hives, then beekeepers must ensure that the stronger and bigger hives do not rob off smaller hives. If there are two or three hives only, then there is no need to check on anything.

9. September

Removing of excess supers is a good option and also September is considered as the best month to re-queen the hive. Also, this is the best time to weigh the beehive

10. October

Bees get themselves ready for the winter and it is important to ensure that the smaller beehives are not dying from winter winds. Larger hives will generally keep themselves warmer.

11. November

If the sugar is not freezing, then the lighter weight hives should be kept feeding. Bees need to eat during this period since they don’t fly out much often during winters for food.

12. December

This is the month to reap awards. A lot of bees will die because of winter. Just ensure that snow doesn’t enter the beehive. Keep the equipment ready for the honey out.