🐝 Annual Beekeeping Calendar
Walker County, Texas
Specific to Southeast Texas Climate
January ❄️
Average Temp: 40-60°F | Minimal forage available
Colony Status:
- Bees clustered, minimal activity
- Queen not laying or very limited laying
Tasks:
- Minimal hive disturbance - don't open hives in cold weather
- Check food stores by hefting hive (should feel heavy)
- Emergency feed if hive feels light
- Ensure entrance is clear of debris
- Order bees and equipment for spring
- Attend WCBA monthly meeting for education
February 🌼
Average Temp: 45-65°F | Early bloomers: elm, maple, henbit
Colony Status:
- Queen begins laying as days lengthen
- Colony begins consuming more stores
Tasks:
- Quick inspection on warm days (>55°F)
- Check food stores - starvation risk high
- Feed if stores low (sugar water 1:1 or fondant)
- Clean bottom boards on warm days
- Prepare equipment for spring buildup
- Paint and repair hive bodies
March 🌸
Average Temp: 55-75°F | Flowering: redbud, fruit trees, clover
Colony Status:
- Rapid brood expansion
- Foragers bringing in pollen and nectar
Tasks:
- Install package bees or nucs
- Regular inspections (every 7-10 days)
- Add second brood box when first is 80% full
- Monitor for swarm preparations
- Begin varroa mite monitoring
- Reverse brood boxes for congestion relief
- Continue feeding if needed
April 🌻
Average Temp: 60-80°F | Peak spring flow begins
Colony Status:
- Peak brood rearing
- Highest swarm tendency
- Strong nectar flow from wildflowers
Tasks:
- Weekly inspections for swarm prevention
- Add honey supers (use queen excluder)
- Remove and destroy swarm cells
- Make splits to prevent swarming
- Monitor mite levels
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Join WCBA Swarm Chasers team
May 🍯
Average Temp: 70-85°F | Main honey flow continues
Colony Status:
- Peak population (40,000-60,000 bees)
- Honey production in full swing
Tasks:
- Add honey supers as needed (stay ahead of bees)
- Continue swarm prevention
- Monitor for adequate space
- Check for pest problems
- Plan for summer dearth preparation
- First honey harvest possible late May
June ☀️
Average Temp: 75-90°F | Summer dearth begins
Colony Status:
- Nectar flow declining
- Brood rearing slowing
- High temperatures stress colony
Tasks:
- Main honey harvest
- Extract honey and return wet supers for cleaning
- Reduce hive inspections (every 2-3 weeks)
- Ensure adequate ventilation
- Provide water source
- Monitor for small hive beetles
- Begin varroa mite treatment if needed
July 🌡️
Average Temp: 80-95°F | Hot and dry - dearth period
Colony Status:
- Minimal forage available
- Bees may beard on front of hive
- Robbing behavior possible
Tasks:
- Minimal inspections during heat
- Monitor food stores
- Feed if stores critically low
- Ensure water availability
- Continue mite treatment
- Reduce entrance if robbing observed
- Maintain shade and ventilation
August 🌾
Average Temp: 80-95°F | Continued heat and drought
Colony Status:
- Population declining naturally
- Bees conserving resources
Tasks:
- Monitor varroa mite levels
- Treat for mites if above threshold
- Remove honey supers
- Check queen performance
- Requeen weak or queenless hives
- Monitor food stores
- Watch for yellow jackets and robbing
September 🍂
Average Temp: 70-85°F | Early fall bloom begins
Colony Status:
- Fall nectar flow from goldenrod, asters
- Queen increases laying for winter bees
Tasks:
- Complete mite treatments
- Ensure adequate honey stores for winter (60-80 lbs)
- Combine weak colonies
- Reduce hive to appropriate size
- Install mouse guards
- Feed if stores inadequate (2:1 sugar syrup)
October 🎃
Average Temp: 60-80°F | Pleasant fall weather
Colony Status:
- Winter bee population building
- Brood rearing decreasing
Tasks:
- Final fall inspection
- Confirm adequate food stores
- Finish feeding by month end
- Check equipment integrity
- Ensure hive is weather-tight
- Reduce entrance for winter
November 🍁
Average Temp: 50-70°F | Cooling temperatures
Colony Status:
- Brood rearing nearly stopped
- Bees begin clustering on cold days
Tasks:
- NO hive inspections - don't open hives
- Heft hives to check weight
- Emergency feed only if very light
- Check entrances are clear
- Ensure hive has winter protection from wind
- Clean and store equipment
December 🎄
Average Temp: 40-60°F | Winter conditions
Colony Status:
- Bees clustered
- Living on stored honey
- No brood present
Tasks:
- Leave bees alone - don't open hives
- Heft hives to check food stores
- Emergency feed if critically light
- Monitor for pests (mice, skunks)
- Plan for next year
- Order supplies and bees for spring
- Study and learn over winter
Walker County Specific Notes:
- Climate: Southeast Texas has mild winters and hot, humid summers
- Main Honey Flows: March-May (spring wildflowers), September (fall flowers)
- Summer Dearth: June-August can be brutal - monitor food stores
- Varroa Mites: Major concern year-round due to warm climate
- Small Hive Beetles: Common pest in humid Southeast Texas
- Winter: Mild - bees rarely cluster for extended periods
