January-February Beekeeping Tasks

In January start feeding pollen patties. Protein is needed for new brood. Mid-February is generally when willow, oaks, and maples produce pollen and some small nectar flow, however, the temps are usually not warm enough for foraging so feeding pollen patties is necessary. If you get a warm day, 50 degrees or more, do a quick brood inspection. Your darker races of bees may have no brood while some Italians and crosses should have a partial frame of brood or more. January or February is a good time to use HopGuard strips or OAV (oxalic acid vapor) to kill phoretic mites.

Check on honey stores and add/replenish winter feed if necessary.

Remove any snow which may have accumulated at the entrance to avoid suffocation.