My Beekeeping Calendar

🐝 My Beekeeping Calendar

Southern Highlands NSW

This guide maps out what to check, when to treat for Varroa, the best time to split colonies, and how to prepare for each stage of the beekeeping year in the cooler tablelands and high country of the Southern Highlands where I keep my apiaries . It works well for those producing both honey and nuc colonies.

📊 Varroa Mite “Action Levels”

• Spring/Summer (strong brood & population): Treat if 3%+ (≈ 9+ mites per 300 bees).

• Autumn & Late Winter: Treat if 2–3% (≈ 6–9 mites).

• Winter (low brood): Treat if 1%+ (≈ 3–5 mites).

📝 Check monthly — or fortnightly if mite levels are rising or you’ve had a recent infestation nearby.

🧪 Treatment Timing Cheat Sheet

Bayvarol (flumethrine) Spring OR late summer after harvest Strips in for 6–8 weeks. No honey supers during use.

Apitraz (amitraz) Early–mid autumn Only once a year. Course runs 6 weeks. No supers on hives.

Oxalic AcidWinter (broodless) OR after brood break Works best with no capped brood. Max twice a year. Ideal for knock-down in cold months.

Rotate products each year to avoid resistance. Don’t use Bayvarol and Apitraz back‑to‑back. Ensure you follow manufacturers instructions and use the relevant PPE.

📅 Month‑by‑Month Plan

August – Late Winter

• Quick outside checks — clear entrances of grass/debris.

• Prep gear: clean/repair boxes, assemble frames.

• Mite test: If >1–2%, plan Bayvarol for September.

• Only inspect inside if sunny/warm (17°C+).

September – Spring Build‑Up

• First big inspection: brood pattern, disease check (AFB, EFB, Chalkbrood).

• Rotate out 2–4 old brood frames.

• If mites >3%: Start Bayvarol (remove all honey supers before fitting strips).

• Add a super if 80% of brood frames are covered with bees and comb is drawn.

October–November – Spring in Full Swing

• Inspect every 10–14 days — monitor swarm cells.

• Continue adding supers to match nectar flow.

• Remove Bayvarol strips when their 6–8 week course ends.

• Harvest capped honey frames.

• Split colonies: Best time for making nucs and divisions. Colonies are strong, nectar is plentiful, and queens are available. Look for over‑crowding, swarm cells or booming populations as cues. After splitting, move new hives at least 1–2 km away or control drift, and feed if flows slow down.

December–January – Summer Flow

• Inspections every 3–6 weeks (swarming risk is much lower).

• Keep mite checking but avoid treatments unless >3%.

• Watch for small hive beetle in warm humid spells.

• Store surplus drawn comb for autumn.

February – Late Summer Transition

• Assess strength and stores of all hives.

• Remove surplus honey.

• If mites ≥2–3%, plan for Apitraz in March (no supers allowed).

• Last chance to requeen before winter build‑up slows.

March – Autumn Decline

• Full inspection for health, brood, stores.

• If mites 2–3%+: Start Apitraz course (6 weeks, once/year).

• Combine weak colonies and reduce box numbers.

April – Winter Prep

• Do final mite monitoring after autumn treatments are done.

• Reduce entrances to prevent robbing and pests.

• If broodless, a late Oxalic acid hit can help before cold weather fully sets in.

May–July – Deep Winter

• External checks only — don’t open hives.

• Tilt or lift hives to judge stores — feed if light.

• If broodless & mites >1%, Oxalic acid treatment can be applied.

• Repair, clean and prepare equipment for spring run‑up.

🌦 Regional Weather Tips

• Cooler Highlands: Expect an earlier autumn shut‑down and longer brood breaks — perfect for winter Oxalic acid timing.

• Lower, milder parts of the region: Brood lasts later into autumn, so monitor mites longer after the last honey harvest.

🔍 Mite Testing Method

• Use sugar shake or alcohol wash — 300 bees per test is standard.

• For small yards: test all hives monthly.

• For large yards: test a spread from centre & edge hives.

• Keep good records for biosecurity and tracking trends.

📜 Disclaimer

This calendar is provided for general information and learning purposes. It’s based on management approaches that have worked in my own hives in the Southern Highlands NSW region, but every apiary is different.

Before doing any hive work or applying treatments, always check the product label in full, follow all safety instructions, and confirm current recommendations from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (or your local authority).

Weather patterns, nectar flow, pest levels, and bee genetics can all change the best time to carry out each step — so please adapt these ideas to suit your bees and location. By using this guide, you agree that you’re responsible for any actions you take and the outcomes that follow.

If you want, I can also format this into a one‑page printable PDF “season planner” with colour‑coded treatment and split windows — perfect for the shed wall or to hand out when selling nucs.
Do you want me to make that next?