First Year Hive Tasks

By: Ann Harman

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2019 issue of BEEKeeping Your First Three Years

• Take advantage of equipment supplier January sales.
• Review all current equipment.
• Order equipment for honey production.
• Make a list of equipment needed for the coming bee year.
• Repair any damaged equipment.
• Clean queen excluders and check carefully for damage.
• Clean and inspect your personal equipment (veil, gloves, smoker, etc.).
• Check hives and beeyard after any winter storms.
• Check colonies once a month but do not break cluster. Wear your veil.
• Block the entrance of any dead colonies until they can be inspected.
• Bees will take cleansing flights if bright sun and over 40°.
• The arrival of Spring depends on climate.
• Be a Weather Watcher and a Plant Watcher.
• Get outside and see what is blooming.
• Check at the entrance for bees bringing in pollen for brood rearing.
• Read bee books.
• Attend your local club meetings.
• Become an apprentice mentor. You will learn a lot.

Cold Climates

• Frames of honey can be moved close to cluster.
• If food is needed, put “wet sugar” bricks on top bars.

Warm Climates

• Feed 1:1 or weaker sugar syrup to encourage egg laying.
• Requeen if necessary.
• Swarms can occur.
• Drones seen at entrance mean swarm season is beginning.
• Strong colonies can be split.