A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF A BEEKEEPER
This guide outlines a typical year for beekeepers, offering a month-by-month look at hive activity and tasks. Keep in mind that weather, local climate, your neighborhood, and even your bees’ temperament can shift the timing or nature of these activities. Use this as a general roadmap to understand what’s happening in the hive and what you might need to do, along with rough estimates of time commitment.
January
The Hive: The queen is nestled at the heart of a winter cluster, surrounded by thousands of workers. Activity is minimal—unless a warm day (45-50°F) prompts cleansing flights. No drones are present, but worker brood may start to emerge. The bees will eat about 25 pounds of stored honey this month.
Your Role:Hive work is light. After heavy snow, clear the entrance for ventilation. Otherwise, use this downtime to read up on beekeeping, attend club meetings, repair gear, or order package bees from a trusted supplier if needed.
Time Estimate: Less than 1 hour
February
The Hive: The queen remains snug in the cluster, laying a few more eggs daily. It’s still an all-female hive, with workers taking cleansing flights on mild days. Honey consumption holds steady at around 25 pounds.
Your Role: Not much to do—focus on prepping for spring. Read, attend meetings, and tinker with equipment.
Time Estimate: Less than 1 hour
March
The Hive: Starvation risks peak this month, though ample fall sugar syrup feeding should prevent it. Longer days spur the queen to ramp up egg laying, increasing brood and food demand. Drones start to appear as honey stores dwindle.
Your Role: On a mild, windless day early in the month, sneak a quick peek under the hive cover (no frame pulling). If sealed honey is scarce in the top frames, start emergency feeding—and don’t stop until they’re self-sufficient. Add mite treatment, checking temperature suitability per instructions.
Time Estimate: 2 hours
April
The Hive: Warmer weather brings early blooms, and bees start hauling in pollen. The queen’s egg laying accelerates, boosting the population. Drones become more common.
Your Role: On a warm, still day, conduct your first thorough inspection. Look for queen signs: brood, and a tidy laying pattern. Later, on a calm day, reverse the hive deeps to spread brood evenly and encourage growth. Start feeding medicated syrup.
Time Estimate: 3 hours
May
The Hive: Things get lively! Nectar and pollen pour in, and the queen hits peak egg laying. The hive buzzes with energy.
Your Role: Remove mite strips (if used). Add a queen excluder and honey supers above the top deep. Watch for swarm signs and inspect weekly. Keep up with bee club events.
Time Estimate: 4-5 hours
June
The Hive: Unswarmed hives teem with bees. The queen’s egg laying may slow slightly, and the main honey flow typically kicks in.
Your Role: Weekly inspections ensure hive health and queen presence. Add honey supers as needed and monitor for swarming. Stay active in bee club meetings.
Time Estimate: 4-5 hours
July
The Hive: Good weather might extend the nectar flow. On hot, humid nights, bees may fan out across the hive exterior to cool off.
Your Role: Keep inspecting to confirm colony health. Add honey supers if space runs low. Hope for a bountiful harvest!
Time Estimate: 2-3 hours
August
The Hive: Colony growth slows. Drones linger, but activity dips as nectar sources taper off.
Your Role: Swarming’s no longer a worry. Guard against robbing by wasps or other bees. Take it easy this month—maybe even a short break!
Time Estimate: 1-2 hours
September
The Hive: Drones start vanishing, and the population shrinks. The queen sharply reduces egg laying.
Your Role: Harvest honey, leaving at least 60 pounds for winter. Verify the queen’s presence. Start feeding (first 2 gallons medicated) and add Apistan strips (leave in for 42 days). Keep feeding until they refuse syrup. Join bee club meetups.
Time Estimate: 2-3 hours
October
The Hive: Bees slow down, prepping for winter hibernation.
Your Role: Prevent robbing. Add inner cover wedges for ventilation, install mouse guards, and place insulation boards under the cover to keep things dry. Set up a windbreak if needed. Wrap up winter feeding and remove Apistan strips after 42 days. Attend meetings.
Time Estimate: 2 hours
November
The Hive: Activity nearly halts as cold drives the bees into a tight cluster.
Your Role: Stow equipment for winter and connect with your bee club.
Time Estimate: About 1 hour
December
The Hive: Bees stay clustered tight. No peeking allowed!
Your Role: Nothing to do hive-side. Curl up with a beekeeping book and enjoy the holidays.
Time Estimate: None
Resource:
http://www.michiganbees.org/beekeeping/beekeeping-year/
