Northeast Ohio Beekeeping Calendar

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Catch up on reading

Check for activity on warm winter days, remove dead

Get equipment ready

Check food reserves

Feed if low on capped honey

Check for eggs and queen

Reverse hive bodies and clean bottom board

Install new bees

First comprehensive inspection of season

Check for capped brood and brood pattern

Feed a pollen substitute

Look for swarm cells

Add and check honey supers

Harvest honey

Check ventilation

Medicate for nosema

Check for small hive beetle and put traps in

Treat tracheal mites with grease patty or menthol

Test for varroa mites treat with powdered sugar,drone comb, or other

Prepare hives for winter

Add mouse guard

Check entrance for blockage

Order new bees

Split strong colonies

Requeen

Repace old comb