April Beekeeping Guide 2025
🐝 April Beekeeping Guide – Growing Colonies, Swarm Watch & Spring Prep
📋 April Checklist for Beekeepers
✅ Start regular brood inspections of larger colonies around mid-April (weather permitting).
✅ Keep clear records of what you observe.
✅ Watch for signs of swarming intentions—now’s the time they start!
✅ Add a queen excluder and super when the brood box is full of bees.
✅ Plant bee-friendly flowers to boost forage. (Check out our Bee Meadow Seed Mix →)
✅ Clean your hive tools between inspections using:
- 1 part soda crystals (Sodium Carbonate)
- 5 parts warm water
- A squeeze of washing-up liquid
- Use a wired brush to scrub tools clean while immersed in the solution.
✅ Inspect colonies every 7–9 days:
- Check for disease
- Look for signs of swarming
- Assess brood pattern and Queen status
- Check stores
♻️ Replace any old, broodless comb with frames of foundation. (See Frames & Foundation →)
🍯 Feed syrup (1:1 sugar:water) if needed to support comb building and colony strength.
🐝 Feeding & Nutrition – Weather Can Still Be Tricky
April can bring wind, rain, and cold spells. If foraging is poor and stores are low, feed early and consistently.
✔ Check for carbs and protein:
- 🧁 For protein: a pollen patty or a frame of stored pollen
- 🍬 For carbohydrates: sugar boards, syrup, or frames of honey
🧽 Spring Cleaning & Brood Box Management
Weather permitting, April is the time for full spring inspections and cleaning:
🧼 Clean the bottom board thoroughly.
🔁 Reverse brood boxes only if the colony is weak and brood is limited to one box. If the colony is strong and brood spans both boxes—do not reverse, as this will split the brood nest.
🐝 Swarm Season Begins – Be Ready
April is when swarm prevention and control becomes key. Here's what to do:
🚨 Look for swarm cells every 7–9 days.
🪜 Add supers to give space before the hive feels crowded.
🐝 Have your swarm-catching kit ready and consider setting up a bait hive nearby to catch potential swarms. (Explore Hive Packs→)
✂️ Removing queen cells doesn’t always prevent swarming—monitor closely and consider splitting the hive if needed.
📦 For Beginners – Getting Started in April
If this is your first season, now is the time to:
🧰 Ensure all equipment is ready:
- 1 deep brood box
- Frames with foundation
- Bottom board
- Inner cover & outer cover
- Feeder
- Mouse guard (can now be removed)
🍯 Feed with light syrup (1:1) until the colony is well established.
📦 Add a Queen Excluder & Super once the brood box is full.
🚨 Be vigilant – swarming can start in late April.
🎯 Beginner Tip: Set up one or more empty bait hives in your apiary to catch swarms naturally.
📚 Beginner’s Tip – Join a Beekeeping Association
📍Federation of Irish Beekeepers Association – Visit Site
📍 Irish Beekeepers Association CLG – Visit Site
📍 Native Irish Honey Bee Society – Visit Site
🧰 Essential Equipment for April
✔ Record book
✔ Hive straps, blocks/bricks, mouse guards
✔ Fondant or syrup supplies
✔ Frames & foundation
✔ Books & tutorial videos
🌿 Looking Ahead to May
May is peak swarming season, and colonies will be expanding rapidly. In next month’s guide, we’ll cover:
- 🐝 Splitting hives
- 🔍 Queen rearing
- 🌸 Forage updates
- 🧹 Ongoing inspections & disease checks
Until then—stay warm, stay observant, and enjoy the busy buzz of spring!
NEED HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS?
We're here to help with everything you need, whether it's sourcing bees, selecting equipment, or deciding which book to read next. If you can't find what you're looking for, contact us directly - we're more than happy to help!
🐝 Míle Buíochas from Donegal Bees - Happy Beekeeping! 🐝