In April, beekeepers in Indiana should focus on getting their hives ready for the active season ahead. Here’s a checklist of tasks for April:

1. Spring Inspection: Conduct a thorough inspection of your hives as the weather warms up. Check for signs of brood, a healthy queen, and the overall condition of the colony. Look for any signs of disease or pests that may have developed over the winter.

2. Assess Winter Stores: Check the remaining honey stores to ensure the bees have enough food. If stores are low, continue feeding with sugar syrup until natural forage is abundant.

3. Clean and Repair Equipment: Take advantage of the early season to clean and repair any beekeeping equipment. Replace damaged frames, boxes, or other components as needed to ensure your hives are in good shape for the season.

4. Requeen if Necessary: If your queen is weak, old, or failing, consider requeening in April. A strong, healthy queen is essential for building up the colony’s population in the spring.

5. Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Begin monitoring for common pests like Varroa mites and small hive beetles. Early detection and treatment are key to preventing issues later in the season.

6. Manage Swarming: As the colony population starts to grow rapidly, swarming can become a concern. Check for signs of swarming, such as the presence of queen cells, and take steps to manage it, like providing adequate space or performing splits.

7. Feed and Stimulate Brood Production: If the weather is still cool or forage is limited, continue feeding sugar syrup to stimulate brood production. You can also provide pollen patties if natural pollen is scarce.

8. Add Space as Needed: As the colony expands, be prepared to add additional brood boxes or supers to provide adequate space for brood rearing and honey storage.

9. Monitor Weather Patterns: Indiana’s weather can be unpredictable in April. Keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to protect your hives from cold snaps or heavy rains.

10. Plan for Spring Nectar Flow: Start planning for the upcoming spring nectar flow by ensuring your hives are strong and ready to take advantage of the abundant forage that will soon be available.

By focusing on these tasks in April, beekeepers in Indiana can help ensure that their hives are healthy, well-prepared, and ready for the active beekeeping season ahead.