MONTHLY HIVE MAINTENANCE TIPS AND MEDICATIONS
HIVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES - WINTER
December
- Be sure that the hive has adequate ventilation, especially in the winter when cold temperatures keep the colony confined.
- Monitor the hive entrance. Brush off any dead bees or snow that block the entrance.
- Repair and assemble hive parts.
- Develop a marketing program for the holiday season.
- Order new equipment for the coming season.
January
- Check honey stores, begin emergency feeding if necessary.
- Frames of honey, sugar candy or dry sugar.
- Clean, paint and repair equipment.
- Check apiary for hive condition.
- Order packages, nucs, queens.
- Read past years’ diary and prepare for the coming year.
February
- Check honey stores.
- Continue emergency feeding.
- Clean up dead colonies.
Credits:
- MAAREC Summary of Management Practices Around the Calendar (From Fundamentals of Beekeeping
- MAAREC Early Spring Management
- Beekeeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston
- Guide to Beekeeping in West Virginia