In Colorado, May is a critical month of rapid hive expansion and peak swarming season.
Beekeepers should inspect hives every seven to ten days on clear days above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent overcrowding, provide ample super space, and carefully manage Varroa mite populations.
May is a peak growth and swarming period for honeybees in Pueblo, Colorado, requiring active weekly management.
Weekly Inspections and Swarm Control
- Inspect every 7 days: Check hives regularly to track expansion and manage congestion in the brood nest, which is the main trigger for swarming.
- Watch for swarm signals: Look for charged queen cells, lack of room (backfilling with nectar), or bees “hitting the roof”.
- Make splits: If your colony is bursting with bees, perform a 1- or 2-frame split (moving a frame of brood, a frame of stores, and a queen or queen cell into a nucleus hive) to prevent them from swarming away.
- Handle swarms: May is prime swarm season. If you spot a swarm, do not spray them—call the Pueblo County Extension Office at 719-583-6566 or local swarmer collectors listed with the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association (PCBA).
Supers and Space
- Add honey supers early: Put on honey supers ahead of time rather than waiting for congestion. Strong colonies may need 2 or 3 supers added in May as the spring nectar flow ramps up.
- Provide water: Set up a clean, reliable water source near your apiary so bees do not flock to neighbor pools or pet bowls.
Pests, Mites, and Local Rules
- Monitor Varroa mites: Check mite levels using an alcohol wash or sugar roll, as populations climb fast in warm spring weather.
- Check local limits: Remember that Pueblo city ordinances limit properties to a maximum of two honeybee hives per lot.
- Connect with local resources: Tap into mentorship and local supplier networks through the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association.
MORE ABOUT BEEKEEPING IN MAY IN PUEBLO, COLORADO
In Colorado, May is a critical month of rapid hive expansion and peak swarming season. Beekeepers should inspect hives every seven to ten days on clear days above 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent overcrowding, provide ample super space, and carefully manage Varroa mite populations.
Hive Management
- Space & Supering: The queen is rapidly laying, and the hive population is booming. Add empty honey supers or empty deep frames proactively before the brood nest becomes congested, which is the primary trigger for swarming.
- Swarm Control: May and June are the busiest months for bee swarms in Colorado. Assume your bees will attempt to swarm and inspect regularly for charged queen cells.
- Feeding: Hives use a massive amount of energy expanding comb and raising brood. Keep a feeder with a 1:1 sugar solution on newly established colonies until there is a consistent natural nectar flow.
- Weather Fluctuations: Colorado often experiences late spring frosts and big temperature swings. If daytime temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, leave the hives closed.
- Mite Treatments: Early spring is an ideal time to assess and treat for Varroa mites before the main honey flow begins.
Local Resources & Guidelines
- Swarm Reporting: If you spot a swarm or need to remove one, local swarms are managed through the Colorado Beekeepers Association Swarm Hotline 1-844-SPY-BEES.
- Local Ordinances: Backyard beekeeping regulations, including requirements for a 6-foot flyaway barrier, vary widely between Colorado counties and cities. Always verify local zoning and HOA rules before installing new hives.
- Educational Materials: Need help planning your maintenance? Use resources like the Rocky Mountain Bee Supply Beekeepers Calendar or the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association to track exactly what your hive needs on a month-by-month basis.