The Complete Beekeeping Schedule

Keeping bees healthy and productive requires timely management throughout the year. Many new beekeepers struggle to understand what needs to be done when, leading to missed opportunities and potential colony issues. A well-planned beekeeping schedule serves as your roadmap to successful hive management, helping you anticipate needs rather than merely react to problems.

What Is a Beekeeping Schedule?

A beekeeping schedule is a flexible framework—not a rigid set of rules—that guides your hive management activities throughout the year. Think of it as a dynamic calendar that helps you anticipate and prepare for the changing needs of your colonies.

While this guide provides a comprehensive foundation, remember that your specific beekeeping schedule will need adaptation based on:

• Your local climate and weather patterns
• Geographic region and plant bloom cycles
• The strength and health of your specific colonies
• Your personal beekeeping goals (honey production, pollination, etc.)

Let's explore how to create and adapt a beekeeping calendar that works for your unique situation.

Varroa Mite Management Schedule

Varroa destructor remains the number one threat to honey bee colonies. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach requires year-round attention:

Early Spring (February-March)

• Conduct initial mite count using sugar shake or alcohol wash method
• Apply treatments if counts exceed 2 mites per 100 bees
• Record baseline data for year-long monitoring

Late Spring (April-May)

• Monitor mite levels monthly as colony population grows
• Consider drone brood removal as a cultural control method
• Maintain detailed records of mite counts and treatments

Summer (June-August)

• Increase monitoring frequency to biweekly during peak brood production
• Apply summer-approved treatments if thresholds are exceeded
• Rotate treatment methods to prevent resistance development

Fall (September-October)

• Critical treatment window after honey harvest
• Aim for near-zero mite counts before winter cluster forms
• Consider oxalic acid vaporization for broodless periods

Winter (November-January)

• Monitor winter clusters on warm days when possible
• Plan next season's IPM strategy based on previous year's data
• Order treatments for early spring application

"Consistent monitoring and timely intervention are the cornerstones of effective varroa management. The beekeeper who measures mite levels regularly will always outperform those who guess." - Dr. Marla Spivak, University of Minnesota

Feeding Strategy Schedule

Providing supplemental nutrition at the right times with proper formulations ensures colony strength and resilience:

Early Spring Feeding (February-March)

• 1:1 sugar syrup to stimulate brood production
• Pollen substitute patties to boost protein intake
• Continue until natural nectar flow begins

Late Spring (April-May)

• Gradually discontinue feeding as nectar becomes available
• Monitor consumption rates to gauge natural resource availability
• Maintain emergency feed reserves for unexpected weather events

Summer (June-July)

• Generally no feeding required during main nectar flow
• Exception: new colonies or areas with summer dearth
• Focus on ensuring adequate super space for honey storage

Late Summer/Early Fall (August-September)

• Begin 2:1 sugar syrup for winter stores after harvest
• Continue heavy feeding until hives reach target weight
• Consider adding essential oils or vitamins to boost winter hardiness

Winter (November-January)

• Place fondant or candy boards above cluster for emergency feeding
• Avoid opening hives for liquid feeding in cold temperatures
• Monitor hive weight to track food consumption

Swarm Prevention & Management Timeline

Preventing swarming maintains colony strength and honey production capacity:

Early Season Preparation (February-March)

• Assess overwintered colonies for population growth indicators
• Open the brood nest with empty frames to provide laying space
• Equalize colonies to prevent some becoming overcrowded

Prime Swarm Season (April-June)

• Inspect for swarm cells weekly during peak swarm season
• Implement checkerboarding or Demaree method for strong colonies
• Create splits from populous hives showing swarming signs

Key Swarm Indicators to Monitor:

• Queen cups along bottom bars of frames
• Reduced queen laying pattern
• Congestion in brood nest area
• Increased drone production
• Worker bees "hanging out" on hive exterior

Post-Swarm Management (June-July)

• Verify queen presence in parent colonies that swarmed
• Introduce new queens to hopelessly queenless colonies
• Combine weak post-swarm colonies when necessary

Honey Harvest Guide

Properly timed honey harvest ensures quality product and adequate winter stores:

Spring Harvest (May-June in many regions)

• Light, often floral honeys from early blooming sources
• Harvest when frames are 80%+ capped
• Leave adequate stores for colony maintenance

Summer Harvest (July-August)

• Often the main harvest period with darker, stronger honeys
• Use escape boards placed 24 hours before harvest
• Check moisture content (<18.5%) before extracting

Fall Flow (September in some regions)

• Regional specialty flows like goldenrod or aster
• Balance harvest against winter store requirements
• Final extraction before winter preparation begins

Best Practices for Any Harvest:

• Harvest only fully capped honey
• Use cleared supers within 2 days to prevent wax moth damage
• Extract in a clean environment with proper equipment
• Allow proper curing before bottling

Basic Hive Inspection Checklist

For every inspection throughout the season, follow this systematic approach:

1. Queen Assessment

   • Locate queen or verify presence through eggs
   • Evaluate laying pattern quality
   • Note any supersedure cells

2. Brood Evaluation

   • Check brood pattern for gaps or irregularities
   • Identify all stages (eggs, larvae, capped brood)
   • Look for signs of disease or pests

3. Resource Check

   • Quantify honey and pollen stores
   • Note position relative to brood nest
   • Determine if feeding is necessary

4. Population Assessment

   • Estimate adult bee population
   • Evaluate balance between house bees and foragers
   • Compare to previous inspection records

5. Health Indicators

   • Check for unusual odors
   • Look for deformed wings or abnormal bee behavior
   • Conduct mite count if scheduled

Regional Adaptation Hub

The timing of beekeeping activities varies significantly by region. Adjust your schedule based on these general guidelines:

Northeast Region

• Later spring buildup (April-May)
• Concentrated nectar flow (late May-July)
• Earlier winter preparation (August-September)
• Extended indoor cluster period (November-March)

Southeast Region

• Early spring buildup (February-March)
• Multiple nectar flows possible
• Extended brood rearing season
• Shorter, milder winter period
• Higher small hive beetle pressure

Midwest Region

• Variable spring timing based on latitude
• Strong summer flows from agricultural sources
• Significant temperature fluctuations requiring monitoring
• Winter preparation begins by early September

Southwest Region

• Early spring activity (January-February in some areas)
• Potential for summer dearth requiring feeding
• Heat management critical during summer
• Extended foraging season in many areas

Pacific Northwest

• Later spring due to rain patterns
• Unique regional flows (blackberry, fireweed)
• Moisture management critical year-round
• Variable winter severity requiring adaptable strategies

Troubleshooting Common Issues by Season

Spring Challenges:

• Queenless colony: Introduce new queen promptly or combine with queenright colony
• Slow spring buildup: Check for disease, consider pollen supplement, protect from temperature swings
• Spring dwindling: Evaluate for nosema, consider antibiotic treatment if confirmed

Summer Issues:

• Robbing behavior: Reduce entrances, install robbing screens, avoid open feeding
• Overheating: Provide shade, adequate ventilation, consider screened bottom boards
• Honey bound nest: Add supers earlier, manage for proper bee space

Fall Problems:

• Inadequate winter stores: Feed heavy syrup (2:1) until target weight reached
• High fall mite loads: Treat immediately with appropriate miticide for season
• Late queen failure: Combine with strong colony rather than requeening

Winter Concerns:

• Starvation despite stored honey: Position candy board directly above cluster
• Excess moisture: Improve ventilation, consider moisture quilts or absorption boards
• Mouse damage: Install entrance reducers with mouse guards by early fall

Remember that successful beekeeping relies on observation, adaptation, and timely action. The most valuable beekeeping calendar is the one you develop through experience and careful record-keeping tailored to your local conditions.