January in the PNW is a beekeeper’s vacation time. There’s not too much to do.
Still, there are a few things it’s important to keep an eye on.
January beekeeping tasks
- Keep snow clear from the entrances of your hives. Snow accumulation around the rest of the hive is acceptable, since it acts as insulation.
- Ensure the lids are on, and hives haven’t tipped over.
- Lift the hives from the back, to see if they need emergency feeding. For more info about emergency feeding this time of year, see this post about feeding in winter, this post about feeding your bees, and this post about learning if your hives are alive in winter without opening the lids.
- Continue learning! You have more time this time of year, so make a point to learn more about the honey bee! Some of my favorite resources can be found here.
- Compile a list of beekeeping equipment needed for the upcoming season and begin sourcing it. Here is a list of my favorite resources.
- If ordering additional or replacement bees, place the order now, since companies often sell out of live bees.
January is a wonderful time to kick back and relax a bit, and also learn more about the addictive little honey bee. Enjoy the break, and snuggle up with your favorite hot drink and a good beekeeping book.
