When Does Beekeeping Season Start?

Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Anthony

While it’s common to associate the start of the beekeeping season in temperate climates with springtime, when the bee population in the hive begins to build up, fall is actually the best time for a new beekeeper to start learning and preparing.

My first suggestion is to join a local bee club and begin understanding what’s involved in beekeeping. Many beginner courses are scheduled during the winter months, giving new beekeepers ample time to gain knowledge and gather equipment so they’re ready to start their hives in the spring when conditions are ideal for bees to thrive.

Spring is When Things Start Happening in the Hive

As winter begins, the number of bees in the hive declines rapidly, leaving the colony to survive on its stored honey. Bee behavior during this time is driven by temperature, so a mild winter can cause issues, as it might lead to premature hatching of young bees before there’s sufficient food available. Conversely, a long, harsh winter can also strain the colony’s resources.

In the northern hemisphere, the period between October and March is generally considered the off-season for beekeepers. During this time, hives are not typically inspected. Nevertheless, on a mild day in March, you will want to check your hive to assess the bees’ condition and determine if any intervention is needed. One key aspect to check is the presence of brood, ensuring the queen is laying eggs. It’s also crucial to assess the food stores in the hive, and if necessary, feed the bees with sugar syrup to bolster their strength.

There are two primary reasons for feeding:

1. Ample food strengthens the larvae, promoting healthy development.
2. Since it’s difficult to predict the availability of food outside the hive, it’s better to be cautious and provide extra nourishment.

Timescales

It takes 21 days for a worker bee to emerge from its cell after the egg is laid. Eggs hatch after three days, and the cell is sealed five days later for the worker bee to develop. In winter, a worker bee can live for about six months, while in summer, their lifespan drops to just 36 days.

Although hive conditions vary, the queen typically stops laying eggs by the end of September and resumes in early January. By late March, the queen is laying thousands of eggs each day, continuing through the summer. Consequently, the bee population in a colony rises from under 10,000 to around 60,000 in summer, before sharply declining in September and October.

Implications for the beekeeper

As the hive scales up in spring, the bees prepare to gather nectar, pollen, and other resources, making this a busy time for you as a beekeeper. In early spring, your focus will be on ensuring the hive has a good water supply, is in good condition, and that the queen is healthy. Observing what the bees bring into the hive, such as pollen on their legs, is also crucial.

By May, you’ll be managing your colonies, watching for swarming, potentially adding new hives, and adding supers to store more honey. You’ll also monitor the queen, mark her if possible, and inspect brood combs, destroying any queen cells as needed.

The yearly cycle

By late August, it’s time to harvest honey. You’ll extract honey from the super frames and clean the equipment for reuse. Repairs and maintenance during this time ensure the bees are in good condition for winter.

For experienced beekeepers, this marks the beginning of their beekeeping year. The rationale is that the better condition your bees are in during winter, the stronger they’ll be in spring. Ideally, you want a young queen, as they are likely to lay eggs later into the year, reducing the need for worker bees to survive the winter for extended periods.

Experienced beekeepers often remove two-year-old queens in September. Depending on your confidence, you can either raise new queens or purchase them. If your colonies are small, it’s advisable to unite them and introduce a new queen. This can be challenging but rewarding work.

Finally, consider the food stores in the hive to ensure the bees can successfully overwinter. Providing sugar syrup may be necessary, and securing the hive against pests such as mice and woodpeckers is essential.

Keeping a Record

One often recommended but frequently overlooked practice is keeping detailed records of what happens in each colony and when. A well-maintained journal helps you track actions taken in each hive and schedule necessary follow-up tasks. Check out my log book available from Amazon – click here.

Your records will also provide valuable insights into what methods were successful and what didn’t work, allowing you to refine your approach in future years. Additionally, these records can help you seek informed advice from local experts.

For instance, noting the amount of honey in the hives at the start of winter and how much sugar syrup was added will guide your decisions and preparations for the following year.

When is the Best Time to Start Beekeeping – Seasonal Steps to Conclude

Here’s a brief summary of what to expect during each season:

Spring:
In many parts of the world, the beekeeping season kicks off in spring as the weather begins to warm up. During this time, beekeepers prepare their hives for the season ahead. This involves checking for damage or disease, ensuring the bees have enough food, and possibly feeding them sugar syrup until flowers bloom and nectar becomes available.

Summer:
Summer is the busiest period for beekeepers, as it’s the prime time for honey production. Bees are actively collecting nectar, and beekeepers must regularly inspect their hives to ensure the bees have ample space for honey storage. This often means adding additional honey supers. Summer is also when vigilance against pests and diseases is crucial, as these can significantly impact hive health.

Fall:
As temperatures drop in fall, beekeepers start preparing their hives for winter. This involves checking for hive damage, ensuring sufficient food stores, and treating bees for diseases and pests, which can become more prevalent during this time.

Winter:
In winter, bees remain inside their hives, conserving energy and resources. Beekeepers need to ensure that hives are well-insulated to protect the bees from the cold. Feeding with sugar syrup or fondant may be necessary to sustain the colony until spring.

Year-Round Tasks:
Beyond these seasonal duties, beekeepers have ongoing responsibilities. These include monitoring bee health, regularly inspecting hives, and maintaining a clean environment around the hives. Beekeepers must also stay informed about any local regulations that may affect their beekeeping activities.

Beekeeping Disclaimer:

Beekeeping, like any agricultural activity, involves inherent risks. It is important to understand these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them.

Potential risks associated with beekeeping include:

1. Bee stings: Honey bees are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if they feel threatened or their hive is disturbed. Bee stings can cause allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis in some individuals, which can be life-threatening. It is important to wear protective clothing and follow best practices when handling bees to minimize the risk of stings.
2. Diseases and pests: Bees can be vulnerable to various diseases and pests, including mites, viruses, and bacterial infections. These can have significant impacts on bee colonies, leading to reduced honey production or even colony collapse. It is important to monitor hives regularly and take appropriate measures to prevent and treat diseases and pests.
3. Weather conditions: Extreme weather conditions, such as drought or cold temperatures, can affect the health and productivity of bee colonies. It is important to ensure that hives are appropriately sheltered and provided with adequate food and water.
4. Environmental hazards: Bees can be affected by environmental hazards such as pesticide exposure, pollution, and habitat loss. It is important to be aware of these hazards and take appropriate measures to protect bee colonies and promote healthy environments for bees.
5. Legal requirements: Beekeeping may be subject to local, state, or national regulations, such as registration or inspection requirements. It is important to be aware of these requirements and comply with them.

While beekeeping can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them. By following best practices and staying informed about the latest developments in beekeeping, beekeepers can help ensure the health and productivity of their hives and contribute to the well-being of bee populations worldwide.