Bee Keeping: Top Five Things You Need to Do to Prepare for Spring

In this post, I cover the steps you need to take to get ready for bee keeping season.

Here in Northern California, we are seeing daytime temperatures in the upper 50 to mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit.  Some flowers are beginning to bloom and the bees are beginning to emerge from the hive to gather nectar and pollen.  In short, it's the start of bee keeping season. 

Here are some things local bee keepers should do to get ready for the season.  Timing for those living in the South (except Florida and southern Texas) and in the coastal area in California,  Oregon and Washington have roughly similar weather to me and, therefore, should be on a fairly similar schedule.

1. Order Woodenware & Foundation - If you are planning on adding an additional hive, now is the time to place an order for woodenware and foundation.  This year, I plan to add one additional hive.  To keep things easier to manage, I've decided to use medium hive bodies for the lower two boxes and for any supers I place on them.
2. Order Bee Packages - Bee packages for our area are normally delivered in early April and suppliers can sell out.  Place your order now.
3. Clean Entrance - Clean off the entrance area of the hive of any dead bees and debris.
4. Repairs - Replace any damaged frames and reinstall foundation if required in supers you stored over the winter. 
5. First Inspection - Get ready for your first inspection of the season.  I'll probably do mine the first or second week of February.  If everything is looking good, I'll add a queen excluder and  honey super.