⭐ U.S. BEEKEEPING SEASONAL CALENDAR

Every region in America moves on a different rhythm. This guide shows what you should be doing each month, no matter where you live.

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🌱 JANUARY

North / Midwest / Northeast:
• Bees stay clustered
• Check for moisture
• Add dry sugar or winter patties
• Do NOT break the cluster

South / Southeast:
• Brood starts early
• Light inspections possible
• Watch pollen intake
• Check hive weight

West / Southwest:
• Provide water
• Prevent overheating on warm spikes

Mountain West:
• Deep freeze continues
• Moisture control is critical

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🌱 FEBRUARY

North:
• Add more sugar if needed
• Quick peek only on warm day
• Prepare equipment for spring

South:
• Flow may begin
• Feed 1:1 syrup if queen is ramping up
• Watch for early swarms

West:
• Check food stores
• Expect brood buildup

PNW:
• Moisture still biggest threat
• Mold is common — clean as needed

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🌸 MARCH

North:
• First real inspections
• Feed 1:1 syrup
• Replace deadouts

South:
• Peak brood buildup
• Add supers early
• Heavy swarm season begins

West:
• Intense brood expansion
• Add space before heat arrives

Mountain:
• Still cold — don’t overinspect
• Watch for starvation

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🌼 APRIL

North:
• Swarm season begins
• Add supers
• Equalize hive strength

South:
• Major honey flow
• Add supers continuously
• Watch for hive beetles

West:
• Heat starts rising
• Add ventilation
• Provide water source

PNW:
• Nectar depends on rainfall
• Add supers only if population strong

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🌞 MAY

North:
• Strong nectar flow
• Mark, clip, or replace queens
• Catch swarms

South:
• Flow can slow depending on heat
• Watch for dearth and robbing

West:
• Prepare for extreme heat
• Provide afternoon shade

Mountain:
• Finally stable temperatures
• Brood expansion begins

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☀️ JUNE

North:
• Main honey flow continues
• Keep supers on

South:
• Heavy heat stress
• Beetles thrive — traps required

West / Southwest:
• Drought forage weak
• Feed if necessary

PNW:
• Blackberry flow huge this month

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🔥 JULY

North:
• End of main flow
• Watch for mites — critical testing time

South:
• Strong dearth
• Robbing season
• Reduce entrances

West:
• Brutal heat
• Provide shade + water nonstop

Mountain:
• Prepare for short, intense flow

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🌻 AUGUST

North:
• Mite treatments begin
• Prepare fall feeding plans

South:
• Dearth continues
• Monitor beetles
• Feed 1:1 syrup if brood dropping

West:
• Late-season flow possible (sunflowers, alfalfa)

PNW:
• Dearth begins
• Robbing common

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🍂 SEPTEMBER

North:
• Heavy fall feeding
• Get hives to winter weight
• Requeen if needed

South:
• Fall flow begins
• Goldenrod everywhere
• Hive beetles peak

West:
• Late-season robbing
• Reduce entrances

Mountain:
• Prepare insulation
• Stop syrup around 50°F nights

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🍁 OCTOBER

North:
• Last inspections
• Install moisture quilts
• Pack hives for winter

South:
• Winter is mild — brood may continue
• Reduce beetle traps as temps drop

West:
• Heat finally drops
• Clean bottom boards

PNW:
• Heavy rains begin
• Moisture control critical

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❄️ NOVEMBER

North:
• Bees cluster
• Do NOT disturb
• Add sugar bricks if needed

South:
• Occasional brood
• Quick checks only

West:
• Minimal inspections
• Watch for chilly nights

Mountain:
• Strong cold
• Hives must be fully insulated

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🎄 DECEMBER

North:
• Total winter mode
• Oxalic acid dribble approved for broodless period

South:
• Brood slows or stops
• Bees cluster lightly at night

West:
• Protect from wind
• Keep water available

PNW:
• Heavy moisture
• Control mold with ventilation

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⭐ REGIONAL SURVIVAL CHECKLIST (QUICK VIEW)

NORTH

• Two deep boxes
• Moisture quilts
• Dry sugar mid-winter

SOUTH

• One deep OK
• Year-round beetle pressure
• Heat management

WEST

• Shade and water
• Short nectar windows
• Quick hive growth

MOUNTAIN

• Insulation
• Early frost risk
• Long brood breaks

PNW

• Moisture control
• Mold prevention
• Late spring flow