Q: What do your bees need in February?

A: Food! and planning for the year ahead

• On a warm day, check to make sure your bees are flying
• Confirm honey stores: lift the hive and peek into the top (ideally you can get used to just lifting the hive to gauge the stores)
• Feed if needed (sugar candy, fondant, granulated sugar)
• Repair and paint equipment
• Hurry up and order bees (packages, nucs, queens)—you are late and supplies are limited
• Plan for spring splits
• Plan out the year's mite treatments and other interventions

January

• Make sure your bees are alive, and confirm honey stores
• Feed if needed (sugar candy, fondant, granulated sugar)
• Repair and paint equipment
• Order bees (packages, nucs, queens)
• Plan for spring splits
• Plan out the year's mite treatments and other interventions
• Design honey labels!