Timing is off

[BearNBee]

Background: 2-3yr beekeeper in Central West. Pa Zone 5. My timing is off. In a typical year when are basic beekeeping chores done. I am not yet knowable about bloom dates in my area and with unusually warm temps in Dec/Jan I am confused. Last year I got started to late and I want to avoid that this year.

[blueskybeesupply]

What type of chores are you looking to accomplish? Are you looking to set up new packages on undrawn foundation or prepare wintered hives for spring and the first flow? We are just one county across from Mercer County, PA. So, I may be able to offer some suggestions.

[BearNBee]

First to prepare established winter hives for spring and then applying supers. I started this to late last year. When do you typically remove spring supers and reapply for fall harvest in this area?

[Hobie]

Last year was my first year, so I can't say I do anything "typically." But I pulled spring honey supers off in July. Why? Because that is when they were full. In retrospect, if I had known the summer was going to be so dry, I may have left more honey on the hive. I will be interested in what others do.

[jdpro5010]

I generally put my supers on around fruit tree bloom ( 1st week of May generally). I know this may be early for some but I like to provide the extra room in the hive. I generally pull my supers the 1st of July and extract. Then I immediately put supers back on. I pull the supers for fall harvest about the last week of Sept and immediately treat for mites. This is just what my mentor did and it worked for him. I do wonder though if maybe it would be better to treat for mites in late July or early August to provide healthier bees for winter survival. I know that some say it would I just haven't tried it yet.:)

[beehoppers]

BearNBee...welcome to Bee Source!