Beekeeper’s To-Do List January & February
Never stop monitoring!
“Bees require more time than a cat but less than a dog.” (Kim Flottum).
Remember: Tasks depend on the bees’ calendar, not the human calendar!
Check:
Inner cover for increasing moisture that tells you broodrearing is starting. If you did not have an upper entrance/vent open, now may be the time to open it, or increase ventilation by a small increase in opening at top or bottom.
Honey stores by hefting or weighing the hives. Decide if dry feed needs to be added.
Dry sugar on inner cover is easy to add without disturbing hive, until weather is warm enough to enter the hive.
Entrances are clear, both top and bottom. Pull out as many dead bees as possible to clear an exit for cleansing flights and ventilation.
Dead bees for deformed wings, K wings, greasy black bodies and other signs of disease.
Mite counts on slideout board of screened bottom board. Treat for mites if you detect more than a few per day. Treat now before the colony starts capping large numbers of brood cells, where overwintered Varroa will breed.
Order bees and equipment as needed. 2022 Nucs & Package Suppliers List is available on Facebook and at www.snokingbka.org.
Assemble and paint new equipment.
Scrape and repair used equipment.
Autopsy, clean, & store deadout equipment & stores. Take photos, photos, photos!
Review notes from last year, catch up your journaling if necessary, and plan next year.
Set yellow jacket traps to catch emerging queens.
Hope for cleansing flight weather.
