Kentucky Beekeepers’ Calendar

September
Current Month

  • Colonies in starvation can appear queenless.
  • Flow restarts with appearance of wingstem. Yellow and White Wingstem bloom, along with Boneset, Goldenrod, and finally Aster. Flow quality can be erratic.
  • Culling, combining, requeening and mite treatments should be close to completion if not already done.
    • If not yet addressed, immediately assess and control mite population.
  • The importance of a healthy thriving colony is paramount.
    • “Fat Bees” or ”Winter Bees” are going to be reared beginning in late September.
    • Without Healthy “Fat Bees” the odds of colony survival through Winter are very low, and Spring build up will be negatively affected.
    • The long lived “Fat Bees” provide the protein needed during winter for the colony to start brood production when protein sources are all but non- existent. They are also more efficient at heating the Winter cluster.
  • New colonies started late, or slow builders that finally started growing, often need to be fed syrup and/or brood builder patties.
    • Pollen patties rapidly become SHB problems. Small strips. Monitor for infestation.
  • Mouse guards installed while temps are still over 55F.
  • Address ventilation needs as Winter approaches. Moisture kills bees. Using top entrances advised, in case bottom entrance clogs over winter.
  • Low drone population makes queen mating difficult.

Jake Barker originally adapted this calendar from John Benham’s The Bee Calendar 4th ed. A great deal of the following content is John’s. Jake has modified the content into a bullet-point format, and has added and removed material where he saw fit. 2/2025 Edition.

This calendar is somewhat regionally specific, and reflects the seasonal experiences of its authors. John Benham is off of the I-65 corridor in south central Kentucky, between Glasgow and Bowling Green. Jake Barker operates apiaries ranging from Louisville to Carrollton in north central Kentucky. Our apiaries are ~120 miles apart, but in areas with seemingly similar conditions. Beeks operating in different locales may still find this calendar useful, but may find parts of it inaccurate to their local conditions. Your mileage may vary.