March Is Spring Crunch Time for New Beekeepers

One of the keys to successful beekeeping is knowing what needs to be done — and getting it done on schedule. Bees have such short lives that delays of just a few days can result in a significant lapse in meeting their needs. When you get your bees, they will require already-prepared boxes, a carefully chosen location, and a beekeeper ready and equipped to care for them.

It may seem like you have plenty of time before your bees arrive, but sometimes things get away from us and we fall behind. But, don’t worry: There is still time to get everything pulled together, but some of the tasks need to get started right away. Explore our list of beekeeping preparation tasks to complete — in the order that the jobs should be started — so that when your bees arrive, you’ll be all set and ready to enjoy your first days as a beekeeper. 

1. Order your bees.

It may seem obvious, but if you want to have bees this year, you need to order your bees right away. Bee nucs and packages often sell out months before they are available for delivery. You’ll need to order your bees as early as November or December in some locations.

First-time beekeepers need to decide if they’d prefer to start with a package — a queen, attendants, and three pounds of workers — or a scaled-down but established colony called a “nuc” or “nucleus colony.” While either nuc or package will work, there are pros and cons to consider for each; research your options and choose the one that suits your needs. After you’ve decided between the two, place that order early!

2. Assemble and paint your bee hives.

If you’ve purchased unassembled hive bodies, you’ll need to put it all together — and you want plenty of time to paint your hives well ahead of your bees’ arrival, too. The hive assembly process is straightforward, but the painting takes more time than you may expect. After painting, the hive needs a long period of drying in order to cure — shoot for a month; six weeks is even better.

Uncured paint on the box edges results in the boxes sticking together strongly, making it difficult to get them apart for inspections. If you’re really pressed for time, don’t paint the box edges to keep them from sticking together when stacked up. If the weather’s not ideal for painting, you can always read about painting bee equipment as you plan for your own hive preparation.

3. Decide where to set up your apiary.

Give your apiary location some thought because moving hives once the bees are in them is complicated. Check potential hive locations to ensure you find a suitable option, keeping these tips in mind:

• Check that there is a clear flight path for your bees-to-be
• Consider whether there is sufficient sun and shade
• Locate a level area
• Ensure you have a plan, such as installing fences and using hive stands, for discouraging pests and predators
• Keep an eye out for a space with a natural windbreak, or make plans to construct your own

4. Get a smoker and practice lighting it and keeping it lit.

Lighting and using a smoker is a routine task that can be a source of consternation and stress for most beginning beekeepers. But without a smoker giving off cool, white smoke, your beekeeping experience will be more frustrating than necessary. Only repeated practice will give you the skill of running a smoker well — so take the time before the bees arrive to learn how to light it and keep it burning. A good rule is to always have a lit smoker handy whenever you open a hive. And don’t forget to study up on how to clean and maintain your smoker, as well.

5. Assemble your frames and foundations.

Depending on the frames and foundations you choose, fabrication or preparation may be necessary. Store ready-to-use frames in a cool, mouse-proof, location that’s out of the sun. For unassembled frames, spend some time learning how to assemble frames. While frames often come pre-coated with beeswax, you can improve frame acceptance — and even encourage the bees to draw frames out faster — by adding an extra coat of beeswax. This is a great early springtime hive prep activity.

6. Order your protective clothing and bee gear.

When it comes to beekeeping gear, decide what level of protection you want — at a minimum, you will need a net veil and hat to protect your face and eyes from stings. Most people start with a hive jacket or a full suit, and gloves. Beekeeping isn’t much fun when you’re preoccupied with worry over stings.

Select and order your protective clothing and get used to wearing it before bee day arrives. Practice zipping your suit and jacket, holding and gripping tools and everyday items wearing your gloves, and navigating the yard with your bee veil on. The more comfortable you are wearing the gear, the easier it will be to work with your bees.

7. Make a bee feeding plan.

Decide whether you’re going to feed your new bees 1:1 sugar syrup right after they are installed. If you plan to feed, purchase a feeder. It may seem peculiar to give your bees sugar syrup when you are expecting them to make honey. However, sugar syrup helps get the bees off to the best possible start at drawing the combs they need to raise brood and store nectar. It provides a reliable source of calories, no matter what the spring weather throws at them.

8. Prepare your hive location.

After choosing — and, depending on the style you select, assembling — your hive stand, check that it’s level both from side-to-side and front-to-back. Set it up on firm ground, using planks or pavers to create a level area, if necessary. You can also prepare the area around the hives to discourage bee pests — ensure the location offers windbreaks and that the area receives both sun and shade, and if you’re setting up multiple hives, ensure there’s enough space between your hive stands for ease of movement while tending to your colonies.

Hive stand tip: Make sure the hive stand you choose is sturdy enough to support a lot of weight: A well-supered colony full of curing nectar or honey can weigh upwards of 100 pounds!

Set up your hive on the stand a few days before your bees’ arrival. Make sure you have all the essential parts:

• Base
• Entrance reducer
• One hive box (or two if you’re using only mediums)
• Frames for each hive box
• Inner cover
• Outer cover
• Feeder

After setting up the hive, seal up the entrance so no swarms can move in ahead of your bees.

9. Be ready for your Bee Pick-Up Day.

Sometimes bee pick-up happens on short notice — like waiting for a baby to be born. So, prepare for the call that your bee packages or nucs are ready: Fuel your car ahead of time and have your bee jacket, suit, or veil ready. If you’re transporting bees inside your car, consider wearing your protective gear while driving — it’s not unusual for a few bees to get loose in the car. Plan to go straight home after pick-up and get your bees installed in their new hive — late in the afternoon or early evening is the best timing (weather permitting).

Spend winter and early spring researching, planning, and preparing to install your bees. Once bee pick-up day arrives, you’ll be ready to start your beekeeping adventure. For more beekeeping tips for beginners and seasoned apiarists alike, explore our Beekeeper Guide.