With temperatures still low, the queen bee should be deep in the cluster, surrounded by workers. These workers will consume a considerable amount of honey to generate the heat needed to survive the winter. There is little other activity in the hive unless outside temperatures reach about 50°F, when some workers may take advantage of the weather for a cleansing flight. Winter bees are longer-lived than summer bees, but many will die of old age during the cold months. It is normal to see some dead bees on the ground around the hive entrance. A strong hive will normally remove their dead.

Check the food supply of the hive periodically by tilting the hive forward to judge whether the bees have sufficient honey stores. If not, they may require feeding. In very cold weather, the bees may not be able to leave their cluster for long periods to feed. Avoid opening the hive in very cold weather. If there has been snow or ice, make sure the hive entrances are cleared to allow for ventilation. Also remove dead bees that may be blocking the entrance.

The queen will be spending a lot of time in the cluster, but a few warm days will lure some workers outside to investigate. When the first spring flowers begin to bloom, they will return with pollen. Fresh pollen will stimulate the queen to begin some limited egg-laying activity. Workers will take cleansing flights on warm days. The bees will still consume a substantial amount of honey this month unless an unusually warm and early spring promotes early nectar flow.

Check the bees' food supply, and provide emergency feeding if needed. Continue to read up on bees. Attend your local beekeeping association meetings. Finish your workshop chores so that all your hives are ready for spring. On a mild, sunny day with little wind, it may be possible to have a look inside the hive. Don't remove any frames, which may risk chilling the brood, but you can estimate the size of the cluster between the frames. Patties of pollen or artificial pollen substitute can be provided to promote earlier brood production. However, in periods of extended cold temperatures the worker population may not be large enough to incubate a large brood nest. If weather permits inspection, weak colonies (those with less than 2 full frames of bees) will probably not recover adequately and can be united with other colonies. Medicate with Fumidil-B for Nosema, if necessary. Excessive condensation on the inside of the lid may mean ventilation is inadequate.
 

As the days grow longer and warmer, hive activity increases. As pollen-collection increases, the queen's egg-laying will increase. Bees will require more food to care for all the brood and to fuel flight activities. In years with a late spring, sufficient flowers may not be available. The bees can risk starvation and may require feeding. Drones will begin to appear in the hive. If conditions are good, early swarms are possible.

You may inspect the hive on warm days to estimate food stores and see how much brood is present. Evaluate the brood pattern and decide if requeening may be in order. Terramycin can be applied to prevent foulbrood. If you plan to medicate the hive for varroa mites, time treatments according to label recommendations, so they are finished before the honey flow begins. Reverse brood chambers to provide the queen adequate space to lay eggs. If hives were overwintered in a single hive body, consider adding another brood chamber to accommodate the spring population. Remove entrance reducers. Replace any old or damaged combs before the workers turn them all into drone comb. Keep an eye out for queen cells, which you can use to divide a rapidly increasing colony. Pollen patties can help boost the population in advance of the nectar flow. You can equalize hives by moving frames of capped brood from strong colonies into weaker ones before the major nectar flow begins. This may also delay swarming by strong colonies.
 

Spring is in full swing. Foraging activity and brood production should be in high gear. Crowded hives are likely to swarm. In untreated hives, Varroa mite populations may begin to increase. Newly emerged queens will begin mating flights. However, excessively cool and wet weather can keep bees in the hive, depleting their honey stores. Eggs laid during this month will be by the bees that bring in much of the spring honey crop.

Feeding should cease as the main spring honey flow begins. Examine the hive every 8-10 days for queen cells and swarming activities. If weather is poor for flying, some feeding may still be required to sustain the bees. If weather is good, and flowers are available, you may need to begin adding supers for honey. Remove all mite strips as directed before honey supers are added. Mail-order package bees and queens will begin to arrive, and should be promptly installed. Nucs can be made from strong colonies.
 

In the hill areas of Arkansas, the spring honey flow will be near its peak toward the end of May. Bees will be foraging constantly and the queen can be laying in excess of 1500 eggs per day. Swarms are still possible if hives become too crowded or honey-bound.

Some beekeepers will add a queen excluder to prevent brood in the honey supers. Be sure that the queen has sufficient comb for egg-laying. Super all hives as needed. If a honey super is half full, you may want to add another. Supers full of capped honey can be left on the hive. Many beekeepers will add new supers below those that are capped, so that bees don't have to travel through to add honey to empty combs. Top-supering is more convenient for the beekeeper, however. While opinions differ, there is no evidence that either method impacts the amount of honey stored.
 

The bee populations are high, and hive activity is bustling. If the weather is favorable, nectar and pollen will continue to be brought in vigorously.

Hives should be checked weekly to ensure the colonies are healthy and the queen is laying. Provide adequate room for both brood and honey. Monitor pest populations but avoid chemical treatments before the honey harvest.
 

As the weather gets hotter and drier, the nectar flow may taper off in the hill areas. The queen's egg production may also slow somewhat. In heavy agricultural areas, nectar flow from soybeans and cotton will be strong. Bees may be seen spread across the front of the hive cooling themselves on humid nights.
 

Continue to regularly check hives for colony health and activity, monitor for pests, and ensure adequate room for honey stores. Ensure that bees have access to fresh water during dry periods. Some beekeepers harvest honey in July, before the dearth causes bees to begin consuming part of their stores.

Colony growth rate slows as the nectar flow dries up in hill areas; bees will still forage for clean water. During times of summer dearth, bees can actually consume more honey than they are storing. There is little chance of swarming during this period. In the delta regions, nectar flow from agricultural crops is still strong.

Ensure that bees have access to clean water. Watch out for robbing activities, which may indicate a weak colony. In some locations, honey should be harvested before bitterweeds bloom and ruin the flavor of the entire crop. Bees may tend to be cranky and more prone to stinging during times of dearth, so be careful opening hives. Varroa mite levels will be reaching peak numbers.
 

Cooler wet weather may produce a fall nectar flow, allowing bees to collect more winter stores. Drones may begin to be pushed out of hives. Egg production will be reduced as the days get shorter and cooler.

Any remaining honey is harvested. Each colony will need about 50-60 pounds of honey for winter. After honey is removed, medications for colony pests can be made. Some beekeepers will requeen colonies now, to ensure good egg-laying by young queens in the early spring. Clean and safely store all empty supers away from rodents and wax moths.
 

The queen's egg-laying continues to decrease, and the colony population will also decline. No more drones will be produced, and those remaining will be sent from the hive soon. Workers continue to forage for winter food stores where they can.

Colonies may require some feeding to ready them for winter. Mite strips should be removed at the appropriate time. Mouse-guards can be installed. Watch for robbing activities. When you are done readying your hives for winter, don't open them again unless necessary. Each time a hive is opened, the bees must re-seal the cracks with propolis to keep out winter drafts.
 

As the weather turns cold, bee activity will be reduced outside the hive. The temperature will send bees into a loose cluster as necessary.

Install entrance reducers. Finish winter feeding. Don't open hives is cold weather. In windy areas, secure hive lids with a brick or rock. Now enjoy some honey. Review your records and evaluate colony performance. Consider what you might do differently next year. Attend your local beekeeper meetings and compare notes. Place your orders for spring package bees and queens early to ensure you are at the top of the list.
 

The bees are in a tight cluster, alternating between generating heat with their wing muscles and resting and eating on the outside of the cluster. The queen is taking a much-needed break form egg production.

Leave your bees alone. Periodically test winter stores by gently lifting the hive, but do not open the lid. Order new tools and supplies for spring and get all of your equipment in order. Consider expanding your apiary. Enjoy a few books and drink some tea with honey in it. Turn your excess wax into candles and give away a few jars of your finest honey as Christmas gifts.