Montana Beekeeping Calendar

Long, hard winter — leave the cluster alone.

• •Do not open the hive; monitor from the outside.
• •Ensure heavy stores and upper ventilation before this window.
• •Clear entrances of snow and dead bees on mild days.

Late, sudden build-up as the snow clears.

• •First inspection once daytime temps are reliably mild; confirm the queen.
• •Feed 1:1 syrup and pollen to jump-start build-up.
• •Take an early varroa count and treat if needed.

Race to build strength before the short flow.

• •Add space and super early — the season is short.
• •Watch for swarm cells; split strong colonies.
• •Requeen or make nucs while there is time to build up.

Compressed, intense main flow — the whole crop comes now.

• •Keep supers ahead of a fast, heavy flow.
• •Provide water in dry, high country.
• •Monitor mites through the flow.

Harvest, then treat mites and start winter feeding early.

• •Pull and extract honey as the flow ends.
• •Do your critical mite treatment immediately after supers come off.
• •Begin 2:1 fall feeding early — colonies need to be heavy before the cold.

Wrap and insulate for a severe winter.

• •Confirm heavy winter stores (often 80–100+ lb in cold regions).
• •Add wind protection, insulation, and upper ventilation.
• •Reduce entrances, add mouse guards, and combine weak colonies.