Beekeepers Calendar
Annual Management for Backyard Beekeepers
The Houston Beekeepers Association and its members are here to help you get started. Getting involved with your local beekeeping club and asking questions to beekeepers in your area is an important first step to becoming a beekeeper. Beekeepers love to share information and are never short on good advice.
February
– Freezes are Over
– 1st Inspection of the Year
– Volunteer for Rodeo
– Feed Pollen
– Swarm Prevention
– Reverse Bottom Boxes
– Expand Entrance
– Monitor for Varroa
– Control for Varroa
February - March (Pre-Bee)
– Assemble/ Paint Hives
– Central Texas Bee School
– Set Up Bee Yard
– Consult w/ Lawn Care
– Discuss w/ Neighbors
– Swarm Traps
– Practice Smoker
– Plant Bee Buffet
March / April / May
– Honey Flow!
– Swarm Prevention/ Splits
– Add Brood/ Supers as Needed
– Comb Management (TBH)
– Drone Culling
– Small Hive Beetle Traps
– Central Texas Bee School
– Visit Another Bee Club
April/ May
– Honey Flow!
– Install Package or Nucs
– Feed 1:1 Syrup
– Feed Pollen Substitute
– Check for New Eggs
– Healthy Brood Pattern
– Add Brood Box/ Supers as Needed
– Comb Management (TBH)
– Screened Inner Covers
– Small Hive Beetle Traps
June / July / August
– Dearth!
– Attend TBA Summer Clinic
– Feed 1:1 Syrup (emergency)
– Add Brood/Supers as Needed
– Provide Water Source
– Small Hive Beetle Traps
– Monitor for Varroa
– Control for Varroa
September / October
– Fall Honey Flow!
– Add Super if Ready
– Brazos Vailey Bee School
– Small Hive Beetle Traps
– Mite-a-thon
– Control for Varroa
– Prepare for Harvest:
– Order Jars/labels
– Necessary Equipment
– Sign up for Extractor
November / December / January
– Harvest/Jar
– TBA/ ABF Convention
– SBB to Solid/ Reduce
– Store/ Clean Equipment
– Read Books/ Periodicals
– Test/ Treat if Necessary
– Feed 2:1 Syrup if Needed
– Only Open if Warm Enough
– Prepare for Next Year
– Donate your Time
– Pay HBA Dues