Spring Management | Class 7

Our beehives in the Pacific Northwest emerge from winter slowly due to elongated low temperatures, so ensure early inspections in March are quickly done to avoid chilling the first brood.

Dry sugar is recommended during February and early March, and spring sugar syrup feeding can begin in mid to late March when daytime temperatures are above 50 degrees. Many of the dates given in these lessons are for Port Townsend. Areas of Jefferson County, only 15 miles away, might have average temperatures 10 degrees higher during the spring and summer.

New beekeepers should order their bees early from a dealer who will guarantee that queens will be replaced if they are shown to be defective.

Summer and Swarms | Class 8

Bees in our area can swarm in April, but this is rare. A swarm in late August or early September is rare but not unknown. Summertime in the Pacific Northwest offers moderate temperatures, and honey flows from about March 1 till August 1. Active Varroa eradication efforts should start about August 10th after the honey supers come off and continue until at least November 1.