BIG COUNTRY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
JANUARY
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Perform a quick inspection when the temperature is above 60°F
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If the colony is small, weak, or looks to be too low on honey reserves, continue feeding sugar syrup (syrup slabs (fondant) if in-hive feeding) Why + how to make syrup slabs: HERE
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If necessary, feed winter patties (not to be confused with pollen substitute patties) Read HERE for more information.
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On warm days bees may take flight and gather pollen for future bee bread - pollen is usually evident mid/late January in the Big Country (Texas Sage, Dandelion, Henbit, elm, Winter Honeysuckle)
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Test for Varroa mites late January, when temps are above 60°F. If high, treat before the nectar (honey) flow. There is little to no brood at this time. How to test: HERE
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Order bees and queens if necessary: if not already, join the BCBA removal team to obtain bees from upcoming spring swarms and/or established colony removals.
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Many winter bees begin to die at this time, and will be replaced by the next generation, so expect to see 30+ dead bees in front of your hive.
FEBRUARY
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Undertake a short, but in-depth inspection when the temperature is above 60°F - look for evidence of disease, pollen and brood.
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The queen can start laying eggs in February and pollen will be needed as a brood food source. Avoid feeding pollen substitute patties until the nectar flow has started, and only if the colony need extra help. Feeding too early may cause a variety of problems; pollen stimulates brood production and cannot only exhaust food supplies prematurely but also causes the queen to lay eggs beyond the cluster. Bees outside the cluster will die when the temps drop. In addition, pollen causes bees to defecate, and late winter weather may not allow for cleansing flights, increasing the likelihood of dysentery which can quickly lead to a nosema infection. Read more on reviewing the efficiency of feeding pollen substitutes here: HERE
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Continue feeding Syrup slabs for in-hive feeding, or external sugar syrup on warm days. Often early blooming plants have pollen, but little nectar to sustain a colony.
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When temps are above 60°F, treat for Varroa mites, if the hive has more than 2 mites per 100 bees (if not tested/treated in January)
MARCH
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Continue monitoring food stores, and continue feeding if needed.
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