Creating a universal beekeeping calendar proves unattainable due to the diverse climates influenced by factors like region, latitude, and altitude, which affect vegetation behavior. Management practices vary globally, compounded by yearly fluctuations and the disruptive influence of climate change, rendering standardization increasingly difficult annually. Beekeepers must adeptly discern and interpret weather shifts across seasons and their repercussions on flora, thereby influencing the nutrient supply available to bee colonies. Consequently, the provided calendar serves as a rough framework for beekeeping tasks throughout the year.
January
Hive Status: Indicates an absence of brood or, in warmer climates, a small brood patch, with a high dependence on hive food reserves.
Tasks: Tasks involve generally avoiding opening the hive for inspection but, on warm days (>16°C), inspection from the top without removing frames is permissible. Ensuring sufficient food reserves and protection against the cold is essential.
Activities: Activities include feeding and stimulation with concentrated syrup (2 sugar/1 water) at 500 grams/1.1 pounds per week, typically scheduled at least 6 weeks before the start of the season. In regions like the Mediterranean or the southern US, stimulating should commence in mid-January if considering the start of the season in March. When stimulating, adding protein patties or pollen over brood frames is recommended. In colder regions with a later onset, maintenance based on winter patties is preferred.
Apiary: For the apiary, checking hive entrances and ground drainage, securing hive lids in windy conditions, removing snow from the entrance, and avoiding poorly ventilated or excessively windy locations are crucial.
Other tasks: Other tasks involve preparing materials, cleaning boxes and frames with caustic soda (500g/100 liters of water, soaking for 1-2 hours depending on organic matter) or lye, cleaning and disinfecting hives and frames, considering replacing closed hive bottoms with removable grid bottoms, and preparing materials such as wiring frames, cleaning and conditioning feeders, repairing equipment, and painting hives for those using traditional wood frames with wax foundations. For those using plastic frames, keeping all equipment clean and ready for use is necessary. Planning the productive season, including flowerings, apiaries, movements, and contacting farmers to plan schedules if pollinating crops, should also be undertaken during this time.
February
Hive Status: Colonies varies depending on the region. In the Mediterranean, early flowerings such as almond trees lead to some activity, while in the southern US, pollen and nectar are collected from maples and willows. In temperate continental climates, hives continue wintering with a small brood patch, and some cleansing flights may occur.
Tasks: Tasks for this month include inspecting the brood chamber on warm and non-windy days, if pollen entry or activity is observed. Checking hive health involves examining brood frames, capped cells, hive bottom, entrance, and ground for signs of trembling bees or diarrhea.
Needs: The needs of the hive include sugar-based feed, with liquid feed for stimulated hives. If stimulation with syrup has begun, adding a protein patty or pollen from the previous year is recommended. Sugar patties should continue in overwintering hives.
Health Status: Nosemosis prevention with dietary supplements is also important for hive health.
Apiary: In the apiary, checking hive entrances and conditions, inspecting feeders, and observing early flowerings are essential tasks. Additionally, trapping Asian hornet founders with hormones and food using highly specific pheromones should be undertaken, along with checking mandatory bee presence signs.
Other tasks: Other tasks for February include organizing the warehouse, checking equipment for mold or moths, preparing multiplication materials such as nuclei, frames, and queen cell carriers, and sending beeswax for lamination. It’s also a good time to attend fairs, lectures, and stay updated with technical advances in the sector.
March
Hive Status: In March, colonies start showing increased activity as temperatures rise. In warmer regions, there may be a significant brood patch, while in colder areas, hives are still in the wintering phase with minimal activity. Signs of foraging for early pollen and nectar may appear.
Tasks: During March, hives should be inspected on warm, sunny days to assess brood development and overall health. Frames can be checked for signs of disease or pests, and food reserves should be evaluated. If necessary, feeding should continue to ensure adequate reserves as the season progresses.
Needs: Hives require a balanced diet, with sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) for stimulation and protein sources such as patties or pollen. It’s crucial to monitor the brood for any signs of queen health and activity levels, adjusting feeding as needed to support growing populations.
Health Status: Regular monitoring for pests, such as varroa mites, should be conducted, as well as checking for signs of diseases (Bacterial or viral). Preventative measures, including supplements to enhance hive immunity, are advisable.
Apiary: In the apiary, ensure that hive entrances are clear and that ventilation is adequate. Check for moisture buildup within hives and take steps to improve drainage if necessary. Protect hives from wind and extreme weather, ensuring that lids are secure.
Other tasks: out side the apiary, other tasks include preparing for the upcoming honey flow by checking and cleaning supers and organizing equipment for beekeeping activities. Considerations for additional planting to support bee foraging should also be made during this month.
April
Hive Status: Depending on the region, in warmer areas, colonies grow more rapidly than in cooler regions. Signs of spring are evident, and colonies require more space. Frequent hive inspections are crucial, recommended every 7 to 10 days, as colonies expand rapidly.
Needs: In April, it’s important to provide additional space by adding supers or half supers and equalizing the apiary. New colonies in nuclei should be supported with patties.
Health Status: Monitoring varroa mites is essential for hive health. To control varroa populations, directed drone brood should be removed 28 days after capping. Other control treatments should be applied if the mite rate is around 3% in nurse bees. Beekeepers managing hives in pollination should also watch for symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
Apiary: In the apiary, it’s important to monitor upcoming flowerings, mark new queens, and place pollen traps in alternate hives. Pollen should be removed daily at dusk and transferred to adjacent hives. Beekeepers should also pay attention to swarms, which typically occur at midday on sunny days.
Other tasks: Other tasks for April include inspecting extraction and honey packaging equipment and processing pollen through drying or freezing.
May
Hive Status: Strong colonies are prone to swarming. To prevent swarming, beekeepers should place empty hives next to trees in the apiary containing old frames to capture swarms. Colonies typically have maximum population, a full brood chamber, and nectar entering supers.
Needs: The needs of the hive in May include giving ample space by adding supers and frames where necessary. It’s important to check egg-laying and replace queens if needed. Beekeepers should also evaluate signs of swarming and manage accordingly.
Health Status: For hive health, monitoring varroa mites closely is crucial. Some biotechnical methods can be applied, beekeepers can induce drone brood production, cage queens, and multiply the apiary as needed.
Apiary: It’s essential to keep the area clean, maintain water sources, and consider providing shade for beehives. Supers containing spring honey can be removed if at least ¾ of the cells of each frame are capped. Keeping some old empty hives in the apiary helps capture flown swarms.
Other tasks: Other tasks for may include harvesting spring honey, transferring it to maturation ripeners, and updating production and traceability records.
June
Hive Status: In June, colonies are at their maximum population, but flowers may begin to dwindle in warm and dry areas. In humid continental climates, hives continue working and may require more space. It’s important to check the vigor of nuclei colonies and move them to full-size hives if necessary.
Needs: The needs of the hive in June include providing space by adding a second super. Beekeepers should also consider moving hives to cooler areas with late blooms, providing shade if exposed to direct sun, checking hives’ thermal isolation, and preventing heat stroke.
Health Status: For hive health, monitoring varroa mite population closely is crucial. Beekeepers should monitor hive bottoms for mite fall and the effectiveness of treatments. They should also watch for symptoms of mite parasitic syndrome in brood frames and the appearance of bees with damaged wings due to Deformed Wing Virus (DWV).
Apiary: In the apiary, beekeepers should be vigilant for hornet predation, trap hornets, and report nest locations for destruction. It’s essential to prepare a trough to supply water, considering that each hive can consume 200 ml of water per day in summer, and schedule sufficient supply based on the size of the apiary.
Other tasks: Other tasks for June include spring honey extraction, scheduling transhumance, communicating migrations, and checking vehicles for transporting the hives. Visiting the destination apiaries and checking access and terrain conditions are also important preparations.
July
Hive Status: In July, colonies typically reach maximum development. In warm climates, there may be a pause in flora growth and breeding decreases, while in cooler and more humid climates, hives continue working. Visits to the hives may be less frequent during this time.
Needs: The needs of the hive in July include providing space by adding supers and frames as needed and monitoring pollen diversity.
Health Status: For hive health, beekeepers should evaluate pollen entry and colony vigor. Assessing pollen variety and quantity is important; at least 15-20 bees should enter with corbicular pollen when inspecting the hive, and there should be 4-5 different colors of pollen indicating sufficient variety. If any deficiencies are detected, corrective feeding may be necessary if bees are not in a nectar flow. Limiting the time that hives are open helps prevent robbing.
Regarding health status, varroa mites may become problematic in July. Enforcing the treatment plan is crucial and caging the queen for 24 days can be appropriate. Applying acaricide with the least amount of brood possible is recommended.
Hornet predation may also increase during this time, so using selective traps for hornets in the apiary is advised. Beekeepers should look for hornet nests and report their location for proper destruction.
Apiary: In the apiary, there is a substantial risk of fire, so alternatives to smoke are recommended. Continuing to fill water sources is essential.
Other tasks: Other tasks for July include processing summer honey.
August
Hive Status: In August, colonies generally remain populous, but some areas may experience a decline in forage. Less populated hives can be susceptible to robbing.
Needs: The needs of the hive in August include monitoring reserves, especially if honey has been harvested, and supplementing if necessary.
Health Status: For hive health, it’s important to continue monitoring varroa mites and the effectiveness of treatments. Colonies may also be vulnerable to wax moth attacks during this time. Beekeepers should also monitor depopulation and gather hives that need attention. Checking for the effects of predators and pests is essential. If varroa has not been treated until now, it’s a good time to consider caging the queen and applying an acaricide.
Apiary: In the apiary, beekeepers should remove supers with capped honey and provide water and shade for the bees.
Other tasks: Other tasks for August include extracting and storing late spring-summer honey. Equipment such as uncapping tables, extractors, and containers should be cleaned thoroughly. Empty supers can be placed near the apiary for bees to clean, and once cleaned, they can be stored for future use.
September
Hive Status: In September, temperatures typically soften, and late summer blossoms may occur.
Needs: The needs of the hive in September include assessing water needs, as temperatures may still be warm and water sources may be essential for the bees.
Health Status: For hive health, beekeepers should be vigilant for late summer pests that may appear. Monitoring for varroa mites is crucial, and considering second Nosema prevention is advisable. Beekeepers who applied measures against varroa in spring usually apply the autumn treatment at the end of this month. It’s common to see bees with damaged wings during this time, likely due to varroa or other factors. The pressure from predators such as hornets and bee-eaters is high in September, which can contribute to hive losses due to predation.
Apiary: In the apiary, beekeepers should remove full supers and consider returning hives to warmer climates if necessary. If there hasn’t been rain yet, maintaining caution for fire risk is important.
Other tasks: Other tasks for September include reporting relocations of hives back to apiaries, recording losses, and keeping track of production per hive and per apiary. Processing honey lots, sending samples for analysis, and maintaining records and traceability of honey batches are also important. With the honey trade beginning to move, it’s advisable to have market price references for sale.
October
Hive Status: In October, as winter approaches, hive populations typically decrease as colonies begin preparations for the colder months ahead. It is essential to assess protein needs in autumn since the bee that does the overwintering will be formed.
Needs: Reduce space; keep colonies in the brood chamber. Check honey and pollen reserves, and avoid empty spaces in the hive; honey, pollen and the cluster of bees must be all close together. Check the good condition of the boxes and the fit of the lids.
Health Status: Apply autumn acaricide and check the fall of varroa mites in the mesh bottoms or doing a sugar or alcohol test. Trap hornet queens with highly selective traps.
With temperature changes, diarrhea spots due to Nosema apis or incidence of fungal diseases due to Ascosphaera apis may appear especially if there’s an imbalance between brood and nurse bees.
Apiary: Gather small colonies and remove unused material. Store honey from these months for winter.
If you are going to feed, it is advisable to add dietary supplements to the syrup in order to prevent Nosema ceranae.
Other tasks: Decrease fieldwork; start focusing on warehouse activities. Package and sell honey. Clean equipment: uncapping tables, extractors, and containers.
November
Hive Status: In November, hive populations are significantly reduced as colonies prepare for winter. Foraging activity diminishes, even on warmer days, and there is typically less brood production.
Needs: The needs of the hive in November include reducing space in the brood chamber and possibly transferring hives to nuclei for wintering. It’s crucial to ensure that there is ample solid food near the winter cluster to sustain the bees through the colder months.
Health Status: In terms of health status, beekeepers can still control the fall of mites if they have mesh bottoms in their hives. It’s important to watch for signs of cold or starvation mortality among the bees.
Apiary: In the apiary, beekeepers should take precautions to prevent weather-related issues such as rain and flooding. Hives should be kept closed and lids securely fastened to prevent them from being blown away by strong winds.
Other tasks: Other tasks for November include organizing and cleaning the warehouse, preventing wax moths in stored supers, renewing old frames with a blackened foundation, and processing beeswax generated throughout the year. Beekeepers should also manage sales and balance production per hive and per apiary to ensure overall efficiency.
December
Hive Status: In December, hives are in a state of overwintering, confined in nuclei or smaller hives. It’s crucial to ensure they have sufficient food reserves to last through the winter months. Beekeepers should avoid opening the hive unnecessarily; instead, they can estimate food reserves by gently lifting one side of the hive.
Needs: The needs of the hive in December include providing energy-rich food and thermal insulation to help the bees survive the cold temperatures.
Health Status: In terms of health status, if varroosis and nosemosis have been effectively controlled, the health status of the hive is likely good. However, beekeepers should still monitor for signs of cold or starvation mortality among the bees.
Apiary: In the apiary, beekeepers should take measures to avoid weather-related issues such as snow accumulation at hive entrances. Hives should be kept separated from the ground and kept dry to prevent moisture-related problems.
Other tasks: Other tasks for December include organizing and cleaning the warehouse, laminating beeswax, and analyzing wax for residues if necessary. Beekeepers should also manage sales and prepare for the next season by adjusting the livestock load and renewing any unrepairable materials.
In conclusion, creating a standardized beekeeping calendar is challenging due to the diverse climates and environmental factors that influence hive management across different regions. The ongoing impact of climate change further complicates beekeeping practices, making it increasingly important for apiarists to stay informed and responsive to their bees’ needs year-round. This calendar provides a useful guideline, flexibility and keen observation of seasonal changes are crucial for maintaining healthy colonies.
