A beekeeping calendar provides the beekeeper with a planning and information tool: activities to consider in an effort to maintain a thriving apiary and when to watch for pests and diseases plus blooming plants and trees. Those of us lucky enough to live in Oklahoma understand our weather is another factor that must be considered: be prepared and plan accordingly.
While this calendar is tailored for Oklahoma, most of the activities are applicable anywhere realizing the seasonal and temperate zone differences which would affect monthly adjustments. If interested, the US Climate Data provides useful temperature and precipitation information, and historical weather data by date and by location here.
In Oklahoma, we must also be mindful of the variety of temperate zones in our state, each requiring the appropriate adjustment in planning for these zones. For example, southeast Oklahoma will have a different planning calendar than the northwest Oklahoma, where rainfall and average temperature vary enough that the beekeepers in those areas should be aware of the local environment and adjust apiary planning accordingly. A tool unique to Oklahoma and providing invaluable weather data and information is the Oklahoma Mesonet. Note: In the calendar (below), weather data is for north central Oklahoma.
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 49ºF; average low: 23ºF; average precipitation: 1.35 inches.
Bees will stay clustered most of this month but when the hive is protected from wind, on sunny days and when the temperature hovers around 50ºF or greater, the bees will leave the hive to perform a cleansing flight, and, perhaps, venture a bit beyond the apiary.
“Bees take a cleansing flight when the weather permits to void their intestines and prevent pathogen and parasite transmission in the colony”
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-81051-8
If our winter is mild with higher than average temperatures, the queen may lay a few eggs, creating a small brood nest. Any brood requires nurse bees to keep the brood warm and nourished. We don’t get too concerned about seeing bee bodies scattered outside the hive’s entrance as undertaker bees will remove dead bees from the hive.
To judge the amount of honey and food stores of your colony, you can gently tilt the hive forward to check hive weight. If you want to check on a colony you can tap the hive box then place your ear up to the hive (or use a stethoscope) to listen for a hum. Avoid opening the hive in cold weather – when the temperature is less than 50ºF and the wind is not howling. If there is concern about a lack of food for the bees it may be necessary to crack the top open and do a quick look. It is better to quickly add a candy board, dry sugar or fondant than to let the colony starve.
If you open the hive, look for condensation around the top cover. If you see evidence of moisture, such as mold, plan to introduce a quilt box or other moisture reducing method. Do not remove frames or cause the cluster to break until the temperature consistently increases. If the cluster is far to one side of the food stores, you can carefully move it closer, keeping it together while you do so, or move frames of honey closer to it.
Make sure the hive top is secure and the boxes are aligned with no air leaks. Look at the hive entrance: a large amount of dead bees or evidence of rodents could require more, extensive evaluation. If there is an accumulation of snow or dead bees, clear the entrance for ventilation and as a bee exit.
It’s a good time to start your annual log book! Make note of your apiary, hive and beekeeping equipment. On each visit include comments about what you see in your hives, the temperament of the colony, weather conditions, and items or issues you may need to watch on your next visit.
Make necessary repairs, clean and sanitize equipment and order replacement equipment. If you plan to grow your apiary, evaluate your plan, inventory and make appropriate equipment and bee orders. Improve your knowledge by reading a beekeeping book or article in the American Bee Journal or Bee Culture. If you haven’t already done so, consider renewing your membership to your state beekeepers group. In Oklahoma, this is the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association.
February
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 53ºF; average low: 27ºF; average precipitation: 1.70 inches.
The bee cluster has moved closer to the top of the hive. At this point in winter, bee colonies are especially vulnerable and at a higher risk of starvation due to their food supply running low. Cold weather causes them to stay clustered. They must generate heat which requires energy from food consumption. Check the hive weight by gently tilting the hive forward. If you suspect the hive needs an emergency feeding, provide a dried sugar cube, small candy board, dry sugar (“mountain camp feeding“) or fondant.
On warm days bees will perform a cleansing flight. These are opportunities to quickly and quietly open up the top to peer inside, looking for pest and moisture problems. Excessive moisture could indicate ventilation is inadequate and needs further examination and action, or a moisture board should be added. The cluster has moved closer to the top and may be visible if opening the top; watch and listen for a bee presence.
It is not warm enough to remove frames; perform a deep hive inspection would create a significant, if not deadly, heat loss. Remember the bees must generate their own heat, so any heat lost as a result of opening the hive must be restored which requires energy through food consumption. As the colony’s nutritional needs increase, the risk of starvation rises.
Pollen provides protein and is used by nurse bees to create royal jelly for brood production. For the colony, pollen is available in the form of bee bread – compacted pollen stored in honeycomb. Later in February we will see the first spring flowers begin to bloom and bees will gather and bring in pollen. Fresh pollen will stimulate the queen to begin some limited egg-laying activity. Substitute pollen can be made available to the colony with pollen patties. Feeding the colony a pollen patty will support the colony’s brood rearing and promote early brood production. However, if the worker bee population is not large enough to keep the brood area warm, brood will die and the food stores wasted in the process. For this reason, you should use descretion.
At the hive, look at the entrance and clean away dead bees that may be blocking the entrance. In Oklahoma we do not receive a lot of snow, but make sure any snow accumulation does not block the hive entrance. Check the hive top to insure it remains secure; check the hive bodies to make sure they are aligned and no cracks have formed at the seams. If you use exterior insulation, make sure it remains secure.
Soon the population of your colony will quickly grow and your responsibilities in the apiary will require attention. Finalize and complete any new hive assemblies and maintenance, equipment sterilization and inventory chores, and use this time to continue learning about honey bees and bee management by reading books and journal articles. Stay connected with other beekeepers by attending local beekeeper association and club meetings.
March
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 62ºF; average low: 36ºF; average precipitation: 3.19 inches.
Spring has sprung! Daylight hours grow longer and our average temperatures in Oklahoma grow warmer; with this, hive activity, including pollen-collection and the queen’s egg-laying, increases. Due to the possibility of weather causing a delayed tree and flower budding or causing foragers to stay in the hive due to rain or cold, the bees can risk starvation and may require feeding.
While a freeze is still possible in March, we will have warm days when hive inspections are possible. Plan accordingly and do not keep the hive open any longer than necessary to minimize the threat of brood getting too cold. During these inspections, evaluate the comb and replace old or damaged comb; evaluate the brood pattern to evaluate your queen’s productivity. Look for pests such as wax moths and small hive beetles.
If you used a single deep, consider the addition of a second brood box in preparation for quick brood buildup; if you used a double deep during the winter, consider reversing brood chambers to give the queen sufficient for egg laying. This month’s brood will be next month’s foragers, in time for the honey flow!
You should see drone cells which signals the start of swarm season. Begin watching for swarm cells and be prepared to act. For example: make splits, create nucs, or requeen in hives where the queen is failing.
When weather prevents foragers from gathering pollen, or flowers and trees are late budding, it may be necessary add a pollen substitute to the hive. Pollen provides protein which is needed to stimulate a queen’s egg laying, to fuel the forager’s flight activities, for wax generation used in comb development and for the nurse bees to provide royal jelly as food for the brood.
Stronger hives will have frames of capped brood that may be useful to supplement hives in need of a quick population boost. Be aware that sufficient honey stores and a solid number of nurse bees will be required to support the new brood. (Moving out brood frames and replacing these frames with open honeycomb opens up cells for the queen to lay eggs and could postpone a swarm.) If it’s needed as a food supplement, use a candy board, fondant or a “Mountain Camp method”, or, when available, replace empty combs with combs of capped honey. You will likely need to continue to feed the colony until nectar and pollen are available and accessible.
Along with the colony buildup, Varroa mites begin their population increase. Also, nosema may be present. Make plans to begin monitoring in April and be prepared to act, realizing some treatments must be finished before the honey flow.
In Oklahoma the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association may be holding their spring conference this month. It is an opportunity to hear from noted scientists and professional beekeepers about new discoveries and innovative approaches to honey bee management. Plan to attend the conference!
April
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 72ºF; average low: 45ºF; average precipitation: 3.43 inches.
Many parts of Oklahoma will begin to have its main, spring honey flow. Insulation wraps can be removed and entrance reducers may be opened. If the spring flowers and budding trees are delayed, plan to supplement the colony’s food with a sugar board, dry sugar or a 1:1 sugar syrup mixture. Remove the supplemental feeding when the honey flow starts and the colony’s food stores are replenished.
Weather should allow for regular hive examinations to take place every 8-10 days. During these inspections, pay attention to swarming activity including swarm cells as well as brood patterns. In an effort to prevent swarming and to increase your apiary, you may decide to perform splits of strong colonies. If it is needed, this is a good month to replace queens that are under performing. Consider incorporating Integrated Pest Management into your apiary, such as screened bottom boards and drone comb.
Varroa mite monitoring should be done at least once this month. Monitoring methods include a sugar shake, ether roll or alcohol wash. If your monitoring determines a high mite load (two or more mites per 100 bees), plan to use the treatment method corresponding to your management goals, the condition of the colony, and external conditions. Similarly, monitor for disease such as American Foul Brood, European Foul Brood, Deformed Wing Virus and nosema.
Consider replacing comb in two of your oldest frames per hive body with fresh foundation or newly drawn comb. This reduces the accumulation of pesticides and of diseases such as Nosema spores and American foulbrood spores.
If desired, set up swarm traps and bait hives to allure swarms in your area. Be aware that swarms you catch should be quarantined and not immediately mixed with other colonies so you can inspect them for diseases and for Varroa mites.
When the weather cooperates, active colonies will bring in nectar that could warrant additional supers. Make sure to remove any medications or hive treatments previously added to the hives.
If packages of bees were ordered, expect their arrival this month. Install these according to the producer’s instructions, including supplemental feeding of sugar boards, dry sugar, sugar syrup, and/or pollen patties.
May
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 79ºF; average low: 56ºF; average precipitation: 5.06 inches.
The queen should be an egg laying machine and the brood area is rapidly expanding! Nurse bees will be very busy feeding larvae and cleaning cells. Pre-forager aged bees will be busy moving pollen and nectar from incoming foragers to the comb.
Hive inspections should continue every 8-10 days. During inspections, take note of brood patterns, the queen’s presence either by seeing her or by seeing freshly laid eggs and young larvae. The drone population is growing indicating swarm season is happening too. Watch for swarm cells. Make sure the colony is not honey bound which effectively restricts the area where the queen can lay eggs and could trigger swarm preparations. Watch for diseases such as American Foul Brood and Deformed Wing Virus. Do not limit your inspection to inside the hive: look around your hive’s exterior for signs of pests such as skunks or raccoons and make necessary adjustments that could include raising your hive off the ground. If you have a large apiary or your hives cover a big area that does not allow for individual hive inspections, choose a sampling (for example, 25% of your total apiary); especially choose hives that show little activity at their entrance.
Make sure to use your log book to record your notes and observations. Over time you may begin to see a recurring observation indicating an issue needs to be further examined or addressed. For example, if your inspection reveals an unusual brood pattern or the lack in quantity of eggs and larvae, it may indicate the queen queen is underperforming and should be replaced with a young, new queen, perhaps of a different stock or a queen whose breeding has been shown to be resistant to Varroa. The month of May is a good time to make this switch.
If you use a queen excluder, consider adding it before installing additional honey supers. This would prevent the queen from laying in a new, open-cell super. A general rule of thumb is to add a honey super when the existing super is approximately 75% full of nectar.
In Oklahoma, we could have a late or extended honey flow due to weather conditions that delay or extend the season. Using your log book, track of your hive inventory so you can have a super on hand when it is ready to be installed.
If you created a nuc or split, examine it and make sure it is developing as planned. If necessary, add supplemental food stores. Be ready to upgrade the nuc to a regular hive box before it becomes overcrowded and the colony begins preparing to swarm.
If you want to grow your apiary, make sure you have nucs and extra hive bodies in reserve. Once you confirm you have the necessary nuc equipment, split the strongest colonies. Also, since this is swarming season, watch for swarms you can catch then install into a nuc or empty hive body.
Along with the colony population growing, the Varroa mite population is also building. Using your preferred method – sugar shake, ether roll or alcohol wash – perform a monthly Varroa mite check to test mite levels. Two or more mites per 100 bees indicate a treatment is needed using a method that matches your management goals, the condition of the colony, and external conditions. You can break a Varroa mite reproduction cycle by making a split, using drone comb or by caging the queen.
June
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 87ºF; average low: 65ºF; average precipitation: 4.98 inches.
In Oklahoma, the end of May through mid-July will be very busy times in the hive and, subsequently, for the beekeeper! The colonies will be at their maximum population (assuming they have not been previously split or swarmed). As long as the weather cooperates, foragers will be busy bringing in nectar and pollen from daybreak to dusk.
Swarm season continues. Stay vigilant about your hives and their needs. Check them every 8-10 days and keep a log of your visits and observations made during the visit. Checks include the brood – its quantity and pattern – and the honey and bee bread quantity. Monitor pests – small hive beetle, moths, and, most importantly, Varroa mite – and diseases. If pests or diseases are seen, treat according to your management plan and treatment guidelines.
Most of Oklahoma’s spring honey flow has finished but nectar and pollen should still be plentiful. You may want to extract honey. Check your colony’s brood area to verify that sufficient space is available for the queen to lay eggs. Monitor supers and add a super when 75% of the frames are full of nectar.
Since they continue to build up, monitor Varroa mites using a mite test. If you find 2 or more mites per 100 bees, use your treatment of choice according to the treatment’s guidelines.
As you perform inspections, watch for swarm cells and take appropriate action according to your management plan. You may want to set up bait hives, or swarm traps, to capture swarms.
National Pollinator Week is in June. Consider generating interest through Facebook posts and offering to provide a presentation to a non-profit group.
July
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 93; average low: 69ºF; average precipitation: 3.14 inches.
In Oklahoma, the months of July and August are hot months when temperatures hover around 100ºF with little precipitation. Bearding will be a common scene, especially in the evenings as foragers return to the hive. On humid nights, bees may spread across the front of the hive in an effort to cool themselves. It is important the colonies have adequate ventilation and a water source. Not only does the hive use water for nourishment and honey production but they can use it to cool the hive.
Hive inspections should continue once a month. During inspections be careful to not keep frames of honey in the open as it will be an attractant and could trigger a robbing session. Capped honey can be harvested but, again, take precautions when removing frames to reduce opportunities for scouts looking for vulnerable hives to take advantage of the situation and initiate a robbing session.
During inspections notice the brood pattern and confirm the queen’s presence with visual confirmation of young larvae or by seeing the queen. Watch for pests and diseases and be ready to apply the proper treatment. Either during or soon after your inspection, record your notes, observations and activity in your recordbook.
Monitor for Varroa mites using your preferred method. The Varroa population will be hitting a peak and could consume a colony if they are left unchecked. Finding two or more mites per 100 bees should trigger a treatment plan. The Varroa reproduction cycle can be interrupted and broken by caging the queen and by performing a split. Note, however, performing splits late in the season may not give the hive time to build up before cold weather and winter sets.
In Oklahoma we normally experience a dearth (drought) and nectar will not be as prevalent. If a honey super is needed, be cautious that it does not create an unnecessary amount of open space in which the population of small hive beetles can begin to grow. Rather than unnecessarily add a super, you may consider removing a capped honey frame from your super and replace it with an open comb frame.
Watch for your county’s fair guide that will provide information about honey entries. Submit an entry!
August
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 93ºF; average low: 68ºF; average precipitation: 3.19 inches.
Similar to July, August will be a very hot and dry month. As foragers return to the hive at the end of the day, we will see bearding on the outside of the hive. To help bees stay cool, make sure the colony has access to fresh, clean water and their hive has sufficient ventilation to allow for air flow and an escape for hot air. Robbing behaviors and tendencies should be monitored. Weak hives are especially vulnerable and the beekeeper should be prepared to act quickly when robbing begins.
In times of dearth, bees may be more irritable and prone to stinging. This is especially true if their guard bees are constantly warding off robbers.
While the bee population will begin a slow decline toward the end of August, the Varroa mite populations will be reaching their annual peak numbers. Monitor for Varroa mites using your preferred monitoring test – sugar shake, ether roll or alcohol wash – and plan to apply a treatment when there are 3 or more mites per 100 bees.
While the nectar flow has declined due to the dearth, honey will continue to be produced and capped albeit at a slower rate. Capped honey can be removed but do not keep capped honey frames out in the open while you perform the inspection since this could set off a robbing frenzy and you would lose your harvest of honey as well as, possibly, a colony.
Perform an inspection at least once this month. Look at the brood to insure the queen has ample space to lay eggs. If necessary, add a second deep. Take note of signs of disease, especially indications of American Foulbrood, and pests such as the small hive beetle. Watch for swarm cells and be prepared to act if they are found. A colony split is possible but would require a supplemental amount of bees and food sources. Alternatively, weak colonies can be merged with stronger colonies.
This month take stock of capped (or nearly capped) honey in both the brood chambers and the supers. Begin to think about your winter bees and how much honey they will need. While it depends on several factors, including bee population and number of brood boxes, 60-80 pounds of honey per colony should be left as winter stores. You can get an idea of the weight by picking up one end of the hive. Hives that are light should have a supplemental source of 1:1 sugar syrup. Take note of the bee bread (stored pollen) available in the frames. The bees will need at least two double-sided frames of pollen/bee bread by late winter/early spring. Supply bees with pollen or pollen substitute if their pollen stores are light.
Most county fairs happen this month. Plan to submit a honey or honeycomb fair entry, then attend the fair to see other entries! Watch for information from the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association about volunteering at their State Fair booth, then plan to sign up for a time slot.
September
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 85ºF; average low: 59ºF; average precipitation: 3.85 inches.
While our hottest months are typically past us, September will remain warm. Bees may be seen bearding on the outside of the hive during hot days and warm evenings. The colony will need access to fresh, clean water and hive ventilation. During this hot time, and especially during a dearth, bees may be more defensive and prone to stinging, so be prepared as you observe the hive and do inspections.
Depending upon the size of the colony and number of boxes left over winter, plan to leave 60-80 pounds of honey as their winter food source. Any extra frames of capped honey over this amount can be removed and harvested or stored and frozen for use later. If you harvest honey, temporarily place the frame back into the hive so the bees can clean it up. When they finish, securely store the frame and protect it from wax moths, ants and other pests.
Perform a test for Varroa mites. We can expect their population to be high unless a treatment was previously applied. If you find 3 or more mites per 100 bees, a treatment is needed. Honey should be removed and stored or harvested before beginning a treatment. With this treatment, we are setting our winter bees up for better chance of overwintering.
The bee population begins to diminish faster than it is growing; the brood area may contract. Many of the bees born from the end of September through next January are called “winter bees” and live longer than their summer sisters. Note the incoming pollen from foragers. In a dearth you may need to supplement pollen with a substitute.
Perform a hive inspection, noting the brood pattern, looking for pests, and make sure the colony is queenright. As you open the hive, be aware that a dearth and an open hive with honey stores can trigger a robbing frenzy. Take precautions, be efficient in your inspection process and do not lay honey frames in the open. We will have a second, smaller swarm season in August and September, so watch for swarm cells during your hive inspection. Prepare for the fall flow with a super; if necessary, add more.
The queen’s egg laying will begin to decrease. As a result, you may notice less brood. This is typical. Still, monitor the brood pattern. If you notice problems and if you have access to another queen, you can requeen the colony; alternatively, you could combine and merge colonies in an effort to insure the viability of overwintering.
Look back at your recordkeeping log. Do you notice any patterns or behavior that should be evaluated and corrected? This month will be a last opportunity to make adjustments heading into our fall season as weather becomes less predictable and our options for opening the hive become fewer. Estimate and record hive weights, colony populations, brood patterns, and pest treatments and observations. This information will be valuable next year as you plan your beekeeping year.
October
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 74ºF; average low: 47ºF; average precipitation: 3.27 inches.
Our average temperatures in Oklahoma are falling and our daytime becomes shorter. Fall is in the air! Foragers will take advantage of warm days to gather pollen, but nectar will be in short supply. You may see a lot of activity around hive entrances on warm days as the bees are performing their cleansing flights after being shut up and clustered during cold weather.
Our efforts should now be concentrated on preparing the colonies for winter: supplemental feeding would include 2:1 sugar syrup, remove mite treatments previously applied and reduce the hive entrance. Even though it is fall, watch for robbing frenzies and be prepared to act quickly.
If not already completed, wrap your hives (tar paper with or without extra insulation) and secure them. At the top of your hive consider adding a quilt box, wood chips or other insulating, absorbent material that can act as both insulation and to absorb condensation. Provide a wind break. Evaluate how best to provide full sunlight to the hives. An upper entrance may be needed as an exhaust for moisture. Tilt the hives forward a few degrees so that any moisture that does accumulate can drain out the bottom entrance.
Our opportunities for opening the hive will be minimal. If the weather forecast looks promising, take advantage and perform quick inspections. Remove extra supers and, if present, the queen excluder. Bees tend to form their winter cluster at around 50ºF, so leaving a queen excluder in place jeopardizes your queen’s health as the cluster moves up in the winter.
You may see dead bees around the entrance. Upon closer inspection, these are probably drones which are kicked out of the hive by their hive mates.
Take stock of the colonies food source by estimating the hive weight: slightly tip the hive. If you believe additional honey is needed, supply a 2:1 sugar syrup as the bees can evaporate the excess moisture from the hive faster from this thicker syrup. During warm weather, the bees will use it and convert it to honey. If you have reserved any honey frames, you could place these in hives of colonies needing more resources. The bees will need at least two double-sided frames of pollen/bee bread. Feeding a pollen substitute late in the season (fall and winter) may be necessary but is discouraged because it tends to activate a brood cycle which could not be properly attended during winter.
You may be able to make a final test for mites. If you find 3 or more mites per 100 bees, initiate a treatment that matches your management goals, the condition of the colony, and external conditions. With little brood, treatments are most effective now. Also, check for American Foulbrood.
With leftover wax you may decide to render and either use it on frames, to make crafts such as candles and store it for later use.
November
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 61ºF; average low: 36ºF; average precipitation: 2.42 inches.
Hive preparations for the winter should be completed: hive wraps and insulation are installed on the exterior and an absorbent material, such as a quilt box, is added to the top, wind breaks are in place, the hive is secured and the hive entrance has been reduced to a small opening. If needed, the hive is elevated off the ground to protect from pests such as skunks and raccoons and from snow accumulation that could block the entrance.
Tilt hives forward to estimate their weight. If it feels light, add a sugar or candy board or fondant to supplement food resources.
There will be little bee activity inside the hive, except to cluster and keep warm. On warm days, the bees will leave the hive to perform a cleansing flight, possibly to forage for pollen. Do not open the hive during cold weather. When the hive is opened, the cluster’s heat is evacuated and must be restored by the bees (which takes energy); cracks previously sealed with propolis are broken, allowing heat loss out of the hive and cold air into the hive.
If you stored equipment, check to insure hive moths are not present and creating a problem.
Make year end observations of your hives and overall apiary needs, then record these in your logbook.
December
Climate data: Temperature: average high: 50ºF; average low: 26ºF; average precipitation: 1.73 inches.
The bees should be clustered, only breaking cluster and leaving the hive on warm, sunny days to perform their cleansing flight. The queen is taking a much deserved break from egg laying. Do not disturb the bees which would cause them to break cluster.
You can periodically test their winter stores by gently tilting the hive. If necessary, add supplemental food in the form of a candy board, but opening the hive top should be done quickly and carefully so as not to disturb the cluster. If necessary, remove any ice or snow that blocks the hive entrance.
Clean and sanitize your equipment. Order tools and supplies to replenish or add to your inventory. Assemble new hive boxes and frames.
Review your records, evaluate colony performance and reflect on your year. Using your log book and records, consider what you might do differently next year. If necessary, order queens and replacement packages. Learn something new, or dive into a subject of interest, by reading articles from the American Bee Journal and Bee Culture.
If you have sufficient inventory, consider gifting honey or homemade candles. For urban beekeepers, neighbors enjoy the honey and it allows them to feel they have contributed to the success of the hive.