Beekeepers Calendar

Disclaimer: these are merely suggestions on what to do each month in the Houston area and will depend on location, weather, health of the colony and beekeeping philosophy.

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 OverĀ 
– 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