Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar¹

J.D. Ellis and C.M. Zettel Nalen²

Florida's warm temperatures are very conducive to beekeeping; however, the climate, ecotype, and floral resources differ significantly between the three main regions in Florida: North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida. North Florida encompasses the panhandle region, down through Alachua, Levy, Putnam, and Flagler counties. Central Florida includes Marion County down through Sarasota County. South Florida encompasses the remaining counties including the Keys.

Several factors influence the flora throughout the state, including annual freezes, average temperature, annual rainfall, and soil composition. Because of these variations, plants that grow well in one region may not grow well in another (Sanford 2003).

While many plants are acceptable pollen producers, very few yield enough nectar to produce a surplus honey crop. Those that do generally are indigenous to Florida and may be in danger of being lost to urbanization. As such, the third column on each chart includes a list of nectar-bearing plants that are present to some degree in each region and the plants' respective bloom times. For more information on Florida bee botany, including a list of major nectar sources, please refer to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA088

The following beekeeper management calendar was created for beekeepers in Florida. It is specific to region (north, central, south Florida), quarter (spring, summer, fall, winter), and month. The calendar includes recommendations for major management considerations like when to treat for parasites or pathogens, and the local flora in bloom at that time. This management calendar is NOT exhaustive. It is meant merely as a reference or starting point for honey bee colony management in Florida. It is important that Florida beekeepers consult their local Cooperative Extension office http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/ or bee inspector http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/apiary/apiary.html should any specific management questions arise.

References

Sanford, M.T. 2003. Beekeeping: Florida Bee Botany. EDIS CIR686/AA088.

Tables

Table 1.

Management Calendar for North Florida

Notes	Month	Management Calendar	Blooming Plants
Nosema can be a problem in N. FL, often in January and February. Monitor closely and treat if needed. Are you moving bees to citrus?	January	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 2) Nosema can be a significant colony problem this time of year. You can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema ceranae. 3) Repair/paint old equipment	Sand Pine^F, Maple^F, Willow^FM
	February	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease as needed using Fumigillin.	Plum^M, Cherry^M, Viburnum^M, Sweet Clover^M, Blueberry^M, Haw^M, Fetterbush^M, Oak^M, Swamp titi^M
	March	1) Colony populations begin to grow! Add supers and/or control swarming as necessary. 2) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan for American foulbrood prevention 3) Make nucs/splits	Orange, Spanish Needle
	April	1) Disease and queen problems should be remedied 2) Make splits/nucs – new queens and packages become available 3) Control Swarming 4) Add supers, the primary nectar flow begins this month!	Sweet clover, Wild Blueberry, Haw, Fetterbush^M, Orange, Spanish Needle^MJ, Galberry^M, Dog Hobble^MJ, Palmetto^MJ, Mexican Clover^MJ, Blackberry^M, Butter Mint^MJ,Tupelo^M, Swamp Galberry
	May	1) Continue to inspect for colony maladies, but don't treat for diseases while producing honey 2) Continue swarm control 3) Super as necessary	Palm^J, Gopher Apple^J, Joint Weed^J, Sandhill Prarie Clover^J, Spiderwort/day Flower^J Partridge Pea^J
	June	1) Remove and process honey - main flow stops 2) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary.	Mangrove, Red Bay, Low Bush Galberry, Chinese Tallow, Palmetto^J, Red Cabbage Palm
	July	1) Remove and process honey - main flow stops 2) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II.	Spanish Needle^AS, Mexican Clover^AS, Buttermint, Palm, Gopher Apple, Joint Weed^A, Redbay^AS, Sandhill Prairie Clover^A, Partridge Pea^A, Mangrove^A, Primrose Willow^AS, Cotton^A, Spiderwort/Dayflower^AS
	August	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Treat with Terramycin dust for American foul brood/European foul brood 3) Feed colonies if light 4) Monitor for and control small hive beetles 5) It's hot! Ensure adequate colony ventilation	Spotted Mint^S, Goldenrod^S, Vine Aster^S, Sumac^S
	September	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Consider treating colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana 3) Continue to feed colonies if light	Smart Weed, Bush Aster
Ensure that colonies have enough food. It can be cold in N. Florida during winter.	October - December	1) Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana 3) Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps) 4) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 5) Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy - not sticky to touch: place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber)	Oct: Spanish Needle, Mexican Clover^N, Primrose Willow^N, Spotted Mint^N, Golden Rod^N, Vine Aster^N, Smart Weed^N, Bush Aster^ND, Wild Mustard^ND Nov: nothing new blooms Dec: nothing new blooms
^FContinues to bloom in February, ^MContinues to bloom in March, ^FMContinues to bloom in Feb and March ^MContinues to bloom in May, ^JContinues to bloom in June, ^MJContinues to bloom in May and June ^AContinues to bloom in August,^SContinues to bloom in September, ^ASContinues to bloom in Aug and Sept ^NContinues to bloom in Nov, ^DContinues to bloom in Dec, ^NDContinues to bloom in Nov and Dec

Table 2.

Management Calendar for Central Florida

Notes	Month	Management Calendar	Blooming Plants
Citrus blooms in March. Make sure your colonies are ready. Talk with your growers about their pesticide use habits.	January	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) – also supply pollen supplements if necessary. 2) Nosema can be a significant colony problem this time of year. You can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema ceranae. 3) Repair/paint old equipment	Sand Pine^F, Maple^F, Willow^FM
	February	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. 3) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan for American foulbrood prevention	Plum^M, Cherry^M, Oak^M, Walther Viburnum^M, Sweet Clover^M, Blueberry^M, Haw^M, Fetterbush^M
	March	1) Colony populations begin to grow! Add supers and/or control swarming as necessary. 2) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan dust for American foulbrood/European foulbrood prevention 3) Make nucs/splits	Orange, Spanish Needle
	April	1) Disease and queen problems should be remedied 2) Make splits/nucs – new queens available 3) Control Swarming 4) Add supers, the nectar flow began in late March	Orange, Sweet clover, Wild Blueberry, Haw, Fetterbush^M, Spanish Needle^MJ, Galberry^M, Dog Hobble^MJ, Palmetto^MJ, Mexican Clover^MJ, Butter Mint^MJ
	May	1) Continue to inspect for colony maladies but don't treat for diseases while producing honey 2) Continue swarm control 3) Super as necessary	Palm^J, Gopher Apple^J, Joint Weed^J, Sandhill Prarie Clover^J, Spiderwort/day Flower^J
	June	1) Remove and process honey - main flow stops 2) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary.	Mangrove, Red Bay, Cabbage Palm
	July	1) Remove and process honey - main flow stops 2) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II.	Spanish Needle^AS, Palmetto, Mexican Clover^AS, Buttermint, Palm, Gopher Apple, Joint Weed^A, Redbay^AS, Sandhill Prairie Clover^A, Partridge Pea^A, Mangrove^A, Primrose Willow^AS Spiderwort/Dayflower^AS,
	August	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Treat with Terramycin dust for American foul brood/European foul brood 3) Feed colonies if light 4) Monitor for and control small hive beetles 5) It's hot! Ensure adequate colony ventilation	Spotted Mint^S, Goldenrod^S, Vine Aster^S, Sumac^S
	September	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Super colonies if strong B. Pepper flow 3) Consider treating colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin (see N. FL Sept above) 4) If no nectar flow, feed colonies if light	Smart Weed, Brazilian Pepper, Bush Aster
Varroa remain an issue through winter due to warmer temps	October - December	1) Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana 3) Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps) 4) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 5) Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy (not sticky to touch): place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber)	Oct: Spanish Needle, Mexican Clover^N, Primrose Willow^N, Spotted Mint^N, Golden Rod^N, Vine Aster^N, Smart Weed^N, Bush Aster^ND Nov: nothing new blooms Dec: nothing new blooms ^*Brazilian Pepper blooms from September through October and is a significant Fall source of nectar for bees.
^FContinues to bloom in February, ^MContinues to bloom in March, ^FMContinues to bloom in Feb and March ^MContinues to bloom in May, ^JContinues to bloom in June, ^MJContinues to bloom in May and June ^AContinues to bloom in August,^SContinues to bloom in September, ^ASContinues to bloom in Aug and Sept ^NContinues to bloom in Nov, ^DContinues to bloom in Dec,^NDContinues to bloom in Nov and Dec

Table 3.

Management Calendar for South Florida

Notes	Month	Management Calendar	Blooming plants
Varroa numbers begin to grow in S. Florida in February. Monitor closely. Are you ready for the Feb citrus bloom? Talk with your growers!	January	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) – also supply pollen supplements if necessary. 2) Nosema can be a significant colony problem this time of year. You can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema ceranae. 3) Repair/paint old equipment	Maple, Willow, Spanish Needle^FM, Mexican Clover^FM, Primrose Willow^FM
	February	1) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. 3) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan dust for American foulbrood/European foulbrood 4) Make nucs/splits	Orange^M, Sweet clover^M, Oak^M
	March	1) Colony populations begin to grow! Add supers and/or control swarming as necessary. 2) Can treat with Terramycin or Tylan for American foulbrood prevention	Same as above, Mangrove, Seagrape, Buttonwood
	April	1) Disease and queen problems should be remedied 2) Make splits/nucs – new queens available 3) Control Swarming 4) Flow began in March – continue to add supers as necessary 5) Orange blossom honey can be extracted (late Apr)	Orange^M, Spanish Needle^MJ, Galberry^MJ, Mexican Clover^MJ, Primrose Willow^MJ, Smart Weed^MJ, Mangrove^M, Seagrape^M, Buttonwood^M
	May	1) Continue to remedy colony maladies, especially queen problems 2) Continue swarm control 3) Super as necessary 4) Move bees from orange to other locations	Palmetto^J, Mangrove^J, Seagrape, Buttonwood
	June	1) Super as necessary for late flows 2) If flow is over, remove and process honey 3) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary.	Palm, Melaleuca
	July	1) Remove and process honey - main flow stops 2) Varroa populations begin to grow – monitor colonies closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II.	Spanish Needle^AS, Palm^AS, Mexican Clover^AS, Primrose Willow^AS, Smart Weed^AS, Melaleuca^AS
	August	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Treat with Terramycin dust for AFB/EFB 3) Feed colonies if light 4) Monitor for and control small hive beetles 5) It's hot! Ensure adequate colony ventilation	Same as above
	September	1) Monitor colonies for varroa (see July)! 2) Super colonies if strong B. Pepper flow 3) Consider treating colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. (see N. FL Sept above) 4) If no nectar flow, feed colonies if light	Same as above + Brazilian Pepper
Varroa are an important issue in S. Florida in winter because colonies rarely are broodless	October - December	1) Varroa populations peaked in Aug/Sept. Monitor varroa populations closely and treat if necessary. Treatment options include: Apiguard, ApilifeVAR, Mite Away II 2) Can treat colonies for Nosema disease using Fumigillin. Colonies may need as much as 4 gallons of medicated syrup to control Nosema cerana 3) Monitor for and control small hive beetles (options include Checkmite+, GardStar, Hood traps and West Beetle traps) 4) Feed colonies if light (colonies can starve!) 5) Can treat for tracheal mites (mix vegetable oil and powdered sugar until doughy (not sticky to touch): place a pancake-sized patty on top bars of brood chamber)	Oct: Spanish Needle^ND, Mexican Clover^ND, Primrose Willow^ND, Smart Weed, Melaleuca^ND, Nov: nothing new blooms Dec: Maple, Willow ^*Brazilian Pepper blooms from September through October and is a significant Fall source of nectar for bees.
^FContinues to bloom in February, ^MContinues to bloom in March, ^FMContinues to bloom in Feb and March ^MContinues to bloom in May, ^JContinues to bloom in June, ^MJContinues to bloom in May and June ^AContinues to bloom in August,^SContinues to bloom in September, ^ASContinues to bloom in Aug and Sept ^NContinues to bloom in Nov, ^DContinues to bloom in Dec, ^NDContinues to bloom in Nov and Dec

Footnotes

This document is ENY156, one of a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date: May 2010. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

James D. Ellis, assistant professor, and C. M. Zettel Nalen, Extension assistant, Entomology & Nematology Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar1

References

Tables

Footnotes

Florida Beekeeping Management Calendar¹