The short answer: spring, with planning in winter
For most beginners, the best time to put bees into a hive is spring, shortly after the weather warms and flowers begin to bloom. Planning, though, starts months earlier. In many regions, the late-winter months are when you order bees, finish learning and assemble equipment.
Exact dates depend heavily on where you live, so treat any calendar here as a pattern rather than a rule. Your local beekeeping association is the best source for dates that fit your climate.
Why spring works
A new colony needs time to grow. If bees arrive when nectar and pollen are increasing, the colony can build comb, raise brood and store food before the cold returns. The longer the growing season ahead, the stronger the colony is likely to be going into winter.
Experienced beekeepers often point out that getting a colony through its first winter is one of the hardest parts of beekeeping. A UK beekeeping supplier, for example, advises beginners to start as early in the season as they can, and warns that colonies installed very late in summer will probably need help to establish themselves before winter.
A planning calendar
This is a general pattern for a temperate climate in the northern hemisphere. Shift it to suit your area, and flip the seasons in the southern hemisphere.
- Autumn to winter: Read, attend meetings and take a course. Decide on your hive type (see the best beehive for beginners) and choose your site.
- Late winter: Order bees. Popular suppliers often sell out, and many take orders well before delivery. Order or assemble your equipment.
- Early spring: Set the hive up on its stand in its final location. Check the site, and have feed and tools ready.
- Spring: Collect and install your bees when your supplier says they are ready and the weather allows.
- Following weeks: Check that the queen is laying, feed if advised, and add space as the colony grows.
Timing by climate
In warmer regions, the season starts earlier and may be longer, and there may be shorter or different dearth periods in summer. In colder regions, bees may not be available until later in spring, and the window for establishing a colony is shorter. Local suppliers will normally know when bees become available in your area, which is a helpful guide.
Package vs nuc vs swarm timing
- Packages are typically delivered in spring in North America. They start with no comb, so an early arrival gives them the most time to grow.
- Nucleus colonies are small established colonies and may be available in spring or, in some regions, in early summer. Some suppliers also sell overwintered nucs, which have already survived a winter and can start strongly in spring.
- Swarms appear in the swarm season, which varies by climate. Catching one is unpredictable and is often not a good first step for a beginner.
Can you start in summer or fall?
It is possible but riskier for a beginner. A colony started in midsummer has less time to build up, and may need feeding and close monitoring to be strong enough for winter. Starting in autumn is generally not recommended, because there is little time or forage for the colony to grow. If you cannot start in spring, use the time to learn, visit hives and prepare equipment so you are ready for the next spring.
An old rhyme quoted by beekeepers puts it neatly: a swarm in May is worth a load of hay, and a swarm in July is not worth a fly. It is a rule of thumb from the UK, but the principle of starting early applies in many places.
Do you buy bees for a hive?
Usually, yes. Most beginners buy a package or nucleus colony from a reputable supplier, which gives them a known queen and a predictable start. Hives left empty rarely attract bees at the right time, and relying on a swarm to move in is hit or miss. See starting a bee hive for the full overview of the options.
When should you move a hive?
Moving a hive is easiest when the colony is small, and the bees are not foraging heavily, such as in cold weather or at night with the entrance closed securely. A common guideline is to move a hive either a very short distance gradually, or several miles away, so that foragers do not return to the old spot. Because rules of thumb differ, ask a mentor before moving a colony. Choosing the right spot first avoids the issue; see where to place a bee hive.
Checklist before your bees arrive
- Hive assembled and set on a level stand in its final position
- Protective gear, smoker, hive tool and feeder ready
- Water source nearby
- Local rules and neighbors considered (see keeping a hive at home)
- A mentor or association contact you can call with questions