Missouri Beekeeping Calendar

This is meant to be a guide for established hives; variations will occur depending on weather and location.

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All Missouri
Package Bees
Task
Order packages
Prep equipment for installation
Install Packages
Feed 1:1 syrup*
Feed pollen patties
1st health inspectionɸ
2nd health inspection
3rd health inspection
Hive checks (brief inspection)~
Check varroa mite levels & treat if needed
Add 2nd brood box & enlarge entrance
Add honey supers & enlarge entrance
Remove honey supers & reduce entrance
Feed heavy 2:1 syrup
Winterization (wrap hives, remove feeder, mouse guard, etc)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
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Hive Nucleus (aka nucs)
Task
Order Nucs
Prep equipment for installation
Install Nucs
Feed 1:1 syrup*
1st health inspectionɸ
2nd health inspection
3rd health inspection
Hive checks (brief inspection)~
Check varroa mite levels & treat if needed
Add 2nd brood box & enlarge entrance
Add honey supers & enlarge entrance
Remove honey supers & reduce entrance
Feed heavy 2:1 syrup
Winterization (wrap hives, remove feeder, mouse guard, etc)
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
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Established Hives
Task
Order nucs or packages
Prep equipment for installation
Build new equipment
Feed 1:1 syrup, as needed
Remove winter rim, quilt box, or other winter equipment
Reverse colony boxes, as needed
Put out swarm traps/bait boxes
Keep equipment in your truck to pick up swarms
Attend field days/field classes/open apiary sessions
1st health inspectionɸ
Split strong colonies/Swarm prevention
Use weak colonies to make splits or requeen them
Replace old comb with new foundation
Add honey and comb supers
Check swarm traps
2nd health inspection
Raising queens
3rd health inspection
Hive checks (brief inspection)~
Check varroa mite levels & treat if needed (but not with honey supers on)
Re-queen/cull out poor performing colonies.
Small Hive Beetle control may be needed
Aggressive varroa control after removing honey supers
Remove honey supers
Reduce inspections to once a month
Bees may start bearding
Hobbyists will need to control robbing
Feed heavy 2:1 syrup, if needed
Start early winterizing. Add winter rims or quilt boxes
Screened bottom boards should be closed if they were open
Mouse guards should be added if not already in place
Add emergency feed if necessary (fondant, sugar slush, sugar blocks)
Oxalic Vaporization
Order new Equipment
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
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* Candy boards or other winter feeds can be provided as needed (weather permitting)

ɸ Health inspections= queen & brood status, food stores, and mite levels

~ Minimal disturbance to prevent robbing but check queen & population status, add brood boxes as needed