Here is a basic
beekeeper time table to assist with managing your hive and bee colonies. The University of Arkansas Beekeeping Calendar is much more detailed.
January
Repair old equipment
Order
new equipment
Assemble new equipment
Critique last years
production
Plan this years schedule
February
Order bees/queens
Check
colonies
Feed Pollen substitute and 1:1 sugar water
Reverse the brood boxes
Check for dead/weak colonies
March
Inspect colonies
Apply medications
Put out swarm boxes
April
Inspect colonies
Divide colonies or requeen
Prepare
supers
Remove all medications
Prepare for swarming
Prepare
supers for honey flow
May
Inspect colonies
Add all drawn supers for
Spring honey flow
Watch for swarming
June
Inspect colonies
Watch for swarming
Spring
honey flow
Put on more supers if needed
July
Inspect colonies
Put on more supers if
needed
Process
Spring honey
Check for robbing - Add Robber Screen
August
Inspect colonies
Check mite levels and
medicate if needed
Requeen if needed
Process Fall honey
Remove
queen excluders
Reduce entrances Check for robbing - Add Robber Screen
September
Requeen if necessary
Medicate if needed
Provide
upper ventilation
Inspect for honey stores (need 35 to 50 pounds of feed for
each colony)
Feed 2:1 sugar water if necessary
October
Package all hive products
Feed 2:1 sugar water if necessary Add medicated grease patties to your hives (Varroa & Tracheal) See Bee Food.
