Seasonal Beekeeping Guide for Idaho

Spring (March - May)

Spring is the most critical and exciting time in beekeeping. As temperatures warm into the 50s, colonies break their winter cluster and the queen resumes laying.

March

On warm days (above 50F), do a quick external check. Look for bees flying, bringing in pollen, and clearing out dead bees. Heft the hive from the back to gauge remaining honey stores -- if it feels light, emergency feed with sugar syrup or a candy board. Don't open the hive for full inspections until temperatures consistently reach the mid-50s.

April

First full inspection of the year. Confirm the queen is laying, assess colony strength, and check food stores. Clean out any dead bees or debris from the bottom board. If stores are low, feed 1:1 sugar syrup. This is also when package bees and nucs typically arrive in the Moscow area.

May

Colony growth accelerates rapidly. Watch for signs of swarming (queen cells, backfilling the brood nest with honey). Add supers as needed. The first nectar flows from dandelions and fruit trees begin. Consider splitting strong colonies to prevent swarming and increase your hive count.

Summer (June - August)

Summer is peak production time. The main nectar flow on the Palouse typically runs from late May through July.

June

The colony is at or near peak population. Ensure honey supers are in place -- a strong flow can fill a super in a week. Continue monitoring for swarming. Do your first varroa mite count of the season using an alcohol wash.

July

The main flow may start to taper off. Continue adding supers as needed. Toward the end of the month, you can begin harvesting capped honey from full supers. Keep monitoring mite levels -- this is when mite populations start building rapidly.

August

Harvest remaining honey supers. A secondary flow from knapweed and goldenrod may provide additional stores. Begin varroa treatment after pulling honey supers -- this is the most important treatment window of the year, as it protects the "winter bees" that will carry the colony through to spring.

Fall (September - November)

Fall is all about preparing colonies to survive winter.

September

Complete varroa treatments if not already done. Assess honey stores -- each colony needs 60-90 pounds of honey to survive an Idaho winter. If stores are light, feed 2:1 sugar syrup heavily. Reduce entrances to help guard bees prevent robbing from yellowjackets and other colonies.

October

Install mouse guards on entrances. Apply winter insulation wraps or move hives into insulated configurations. Ensure upper ventilation is adequate to prevent moisture buildup (the top killer of overwintering colonies). Remove queen excluders so the cluster can move freely to honey stores.

November

The colony has formed its winter cluster. Leave them alone. On warm days you might see cleansing flights (bees briefly leaving to relieve themselves). Don't open the hive -- you'll break the propolis seal and chill the cluster.

Winter (December - February)

The quiet season. Bees cluster tightly around the queen, vibrating their flight muscles to generate heat. The cluster slowly moves through their honey stores over the winter months.

Your job is minimal: keep the entrance clear of snow and dead bees, check that the hive hasn't been disturbed by wind or animals, and monitor the weight if possible (a hive that feels very light in February may need emergency feeding). This is a great time to maintain and build equipment, order supplies, and plan for the coming season.

In late February, on the first warm days, you may see bees taking cleansing flights. The queen will begin slowly increasing her laying rate as daylight hours grow, setting the stage for spring buildup.