Month-by-Month Beekeeping Calendar (2026)

Tasks

• ☐Order bees NOW — January is the deadline
• ☐Order all equipment
• ☐Monthly heft test
• ☐Check for entrance ice blockage

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Heft test every 2 weeks
• ☐Add candy board if light
• ☐Assemble all equipment and install foundation
• ☐Complete beginner course

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐First inspection on 55°F+ sunny day
• ☐Confirm queen laying (look for eggs)
• ☐Check honey stores
• ☐Begin 1:1 syrup + pollen patties

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Install package bees
• ☐Day 7 post-install inspection
• ☐Begin weekly swarm cell checks

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Inspect every 5–7 days — check all frame bottoms for queen cells
• ☐Add honey super + queen excluder when 7/10 frames covered
• ☐First varroa alcohol wash test

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Weekly inspections — add supers when 80% full
• ☐Monitor varroa — treat if ≥2/100 bees
• ☐Provide water source within 200 feet

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐CRITICAL: Alcohol wash varroa test
• ☐Treat varroa if threshold exceeded (remove supers for Apivar)
• ☐Begin harvest when 80%+ capped
• ☐Reduce entrance

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Complete honey harvest
• ☐Remove and seal all honey supers
• ☐Begin 2:1 fall feeding if stores low
• ☐Weekly hive weight check

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐CRITICAL: Final varroa test — treat if ≥1/100 bees
• ☐Remove all supers by Sept 15 (northern states)
• ☐Confirm 60–80 lbs honey stores
• ☐Feed 2:1 syrup if short

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Reduce entrance + install mouse guard
• ☐Insert solid bottom board tray
• ☐Add upper moisture exit
• ☐Last liquid feeding before temps drop below 50°F
• ☐Final queen confirmation inspection
• ☐Wrap hive (cold climates)

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Final heft test — confirm heavy stores
• ☐Stop liquid feeding (below 50°F)
• ☐No more inspections until spring
• ☐Position candy boards for emergency access

Have Ready

Tasks

• ☐Monthly heft test only — no opening the hive
• ☐Clear snow from entrances after storms
• ☐Order next season equipment during sales

Have Ready