Whether you’re a beginner or have been caring for bees for years, understanding the natural cycle of bees throughout the year is essential for any beekeeper. Following a bee calendar helps you stay on top of essential tasks throughout the year, ensuring your colonies remain strong and healthy.
This guide offers a month-by-month breakdown of the bee seasons, providing valuable hive management advice for each stage. Going beyond the basics, we offer in-depth tips to help you maintain your hives year-round.
Spring
Spring marks the revival of the hive after months of inactivity. As temperatures rise, the queen resumes egg-laying, and worker bees venture out to collect pollen and nectar. After a long winter, colonies often face near-starvation, having consumed most, if not all, of their honey stores. This makes early spring crucial for feeding, hive inspections, and ensuring the bees have enough resources to rebuild their strength.
March
In March, colonies emerge from winter with significantly depleted energy reserves. Worker bees begin foraging for the earliest flowers, like dandelions, but this may not be enough to sustain the growing brood.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Inspect hives for signs of disease or mould that may have developed during the winter.
- Ensure the queen is healthy and laying eggs to allow for rapid colony growth.
- Begin supplemental feeding with sugar syrup if nectar sources are still limited.
- If you’re new to beekeeping, ensure you have the right equipment to prepare you for the upcoming season, such as a Polycotton Bee suit for protection during hive inspections in warmer months.
April
In this month, there is a rapid increase in the colony’s activity as the weather warms. The queen starts laying eggs at a faster rate, and worker bees take advantage of early blossoms, such as fruit trees, to collect nectar and pollen. However, colonies may still struggle to find enough food, as the natural nectar flow has not yet fully peaked.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Expand the brood box if needed to accommodate the growing colony and prevent overcrowding.
- Monitor for signs of early swarming behaviour, especially if you notice the queen laying rapidly. Adding additional hives can help catch potential swarms.
- If nectar sources remain scarce, continue feeding sugar syrup to support brood rearing.
- Remove winter protections, such as mouse guards, and ensure the hive is well-ventilated.
May
In May, the hive reaches its peak productivity. The queen’s egg-laying intensifies, and the workers are out collecting nectar and pollen at full capacity.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Watch for swarming, and split the hive if necessary to prevent losing bees.
- If needed, add supers to give bees enough space to store honey.
- Inspect the hive weekly for any signs of disease or overcrowding.
Summer
Summer is the busiest time of year for both bees and beekeepers. Colonies are at full strength, and bees are focused on gathering nectar and producing honey. The queen continues laying eggs, but the hive starts preparing for the end of the nectar flow later in the summer. This is an important time to monitor hive health and harvest honey.
June
In June, the colony reaches its peak population. Worker bees are foraging extensively as the nectar flow is strong, and the queen is laying eggs at full capacity. The hive is active, and honey production properly begins.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- If needed, add supers to provide additional space for honey storage as the nectar flow starts to peak.
- Swarming may still be an issue early in the month. Conduct weekly inspections to monitor for swarming early warning signs and disease.
- Begin preparing for the honey harvest by the end of June, ensuring you have the necessary equipment.
- Keep an eye out for varroa mites and if needed, treat it early to avoid colony decline later in the season.
July
In this month, honey production is at its peak, and the bees are focused on gathering as much nectar as possible before the flow begins to taper off. Swarming usually ceases by early July, allowing the colony to focus on building up honey stores for the winter.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Harvest honey from supers once the frames are filled and capped. Be sure to leave enough honey for the bees.
- Provide great ventilation to prevent the hive from overheating during hot weather.
- Continue monitoring for pests, particularly varroa mites, which can threaten hive health as the summer progresses.
- Regularly check and manage the colony’s space to prevent overcrowding.
August
By August, the nectar flow starts to slow, and the bees shift their focus from honey production to winter preparation. The queen’s egg-laying slows down, and the colony becomes less active as they begin to store resources for the colder months.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Harvest the final batch of honey for the season and reduce the size of the hive if necessary.
- Treat for pests like varroa mites and monitor for any signs of disease.
- Start reducing the entrance to prevent robbing by other bees or pests.
- Start planning for autumn feeding if honey stores are low.
Autumn
As autumn arrives, bees escalate their preparations for winter, shifting their focus from honey production to survival. The colony reduces its size, and the queen slows down her egg-laying as temperatures drop. This season is critical for ensuring that the bees have enough resources to last through the winter months.
September
In September, the bees are focused on gathering the last of the nectar and pollen to bolster their winter stores. Brood production slows, and the colony begins clustering to stay warm at night.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Harvest the last of the honey (if not already done so) and begin feeding the bees with sugar syrup to ensure they have sufficient stores for winter.
- Reduce the size of the hive entrance to protect against robbing bees or pests.
- Conduct a final health inspection and treat for varroa mites if necessary.
October
By October, the hive is focused on maintaining warmth and preserving their honey stores. The queen’s egg-laying has nearly stopped, and the colony clusters more tightly as the days get shorter and colder.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Add insulation around the hive to help the bees maintain their internal temperature.
- Secure the hive to prevent damage from winter winds or animals.
- Monitor the hive entrance for any signs of blockage, such as dead bees, which could disrupt airflow.
- Avoid opening the hive unless necessary as this can disturb the bees’ winter preparations.
November
As November comes around, the hive enters full winter mode. The bees form a tight cluster, relying on their stored honey to survive the colder temperatures.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Ensure the hive is properly insulated and protected from moisture buildup, which can be more dangerous than the cold itself.
- Keep an eye on the hive entrance to ensure it’s free from debris and snow, allowing for proper ventilation.
- Consider adding a food source, like a candy board, if honey stores seem insufficient to last throughout the winter.
Winter
Winter is a quiet time for the hive. Bees remain clustered inside, consuming stored honey to generate enough warmth to keep the colony alive. Beekeepers should aim to keep the hive insulated and disturbance-free during these months.
December
In December, the bees are fully clustered inside the hive, conserving energy and consuming their honey stores. There is little activity during this month as the bees focus on survival.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Avoid opening the hive or disturbing the bees. Keep an eye on the hive’s external conditions, ensuring no snow or debris is blocking the entrance.
- Ensure the hive is well-insulated and protected from moisture.
January
In January, the bees remain clustered but may venture out on warmer days to cleanse themselves. The queen may begin laying a few eggs to replace bees that have died over the winter.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Continue monitoring the hive from the outside, ensuring proper ventilation and no blockages.
- On warmer days, check for any dead bees at the entrance and remove them to maintain airflow.
- Be prepared to feed the bees with bee syrup, sugar water, or a candy board if the hive feels light.
February
As temperatures begin to rise slightly in February, the queen resumes more consistent egg-laying, and the hive slowly prepares for the coming spring. Forager bees may begin venturing out on warmer days to collect pollen from early-blooming plants.
What Beekeepers Should Do:
- Ensure the hive remains dry and insulated as winter is not over yet.
- Prepare for early spring by checking your equipment and supplies for the coming season.
- Consider feeding the bees if necessary, especially if honey stores are running low.
Summary
By following this bee calendar, you can ensure your hives are well-prepared for each season, from early spring expansion to winter survival. Great planning and high-quality beehives are crucial to a successful beekeeping experience. With the right approach, you will enjoy healthy, thriving colonies and plentiful honey harvests year after year.
Shop now for your Hiveology beehive and bee suit to get the best beekeeping gear to take your hive management to the next level.
For more detailed guidance, you can explore our blog to find out how much time is needed for beekeeping, the cost of beekeeping, and the best time to start beekeeping, along with other useful insights. For all our helpful resources, visit our blog.