This is part of an ongoing series-Beekeeping Season-A month to month guide for beekeepers.

There is so much to learn and worry about with beekeeping. You want to know things like when to feed bees in winter, when to add supers, when should I worry about swarm season?, when to treat for mites, and countless other concerns. And maybe you know these things, but making sure they are done at the right time, in the right order is very important, too.

And, I don’t know about you, but for me, there are so many responsibilities and tasks jammed into my brain at any given moment, the possibility of me missing or forgetting something is high. And I would never want my bees to be negatively affected by a lapse in my memory!

This month by month beekeeping calendar series of posts will teach you just that. And we’ll talk a little about what’s blooming each month of the honey season too.

If you’d like to see it all in one easy place, you can get your copy of this Month-by-Month Beekeeping Guide here.

This series will cover a general beekeeping calendar for the Northeast, with tips for the South and West interspersed. Look in the coming months for more region specific calendars, but this month by month beekeeping calendar series will cover all you need to know for the beekeeping season where ever you are keeping bees.

January

In the Hive

This is generally the coldest month of the year.
Bees will not leave the hive unless it’s warm and sunny, above 50 degrees Farenheit (they may take a cleansing flight for defecation if it’s warm).
Dead bees may be found at the bottom of the hive.
Bees may remove dead bees on warm days and drop them outside–don’t be alarmed at a scattering of dead bees outside the hive.
Some bees will fly away to die.
The queen might lay a few eggs this month.

Inspections and Nutrition

Don’t open the hive this month.
Perform a quick external inspection by listening for the bees right up against the outside of the upper hive. Tap the outside of the hive if necessary to get a response.
If you must open the hive, wait until it is above 50 degrees F outside and a windless day.
Check for food stores by lifting the hive and assessing how heavy it is.
If feeding is necessary, wait until it’s warm enough (above 50 degrees F) and use dry sugar, fondant or candy board.

Equipment

Order replacement bees this month.
Check equipment stores for pests or evidence of pests such as the greater wax moth.
Take inventory, make repairs, clean and sterilize, purchase new equipment, paint and assemble it.

If you want to expand your operation, get the extra hive equipment (like the one pictured below) now to have on hand in case you capture a swarm during swarm season. Here is a link to this beautiful Langstroth Hive:

Bee Yard and Environment

Make sure the hive cover is secured, even a heavy rock will do.
Remove any ice blocking the hive entrance, but leave snow around the hive, it serves as insulation.

Bonus Tip*

It’s a great time to join a local beekeeping association take a class or renew a membership.

Conclusion

January is a month where the bees are hardly active and in their winter cluster within the hive. And while the bees may not be so busy this month, you can be with preparation and planning for a great new season of beekeeping. Be sure to pick up your copy of the month-by-month beekeeping guide where all the information you need each month is collected in one informative and convenient place.

Remember, future you will appreciate the preparation you put into your beekeeping this month, and your work now will help your bees’ work to pay off later!