Episode 187 – The Bee Buzz (31): Winter Bee Activity and Early Spring Hive Checks 🐝
Beekeeping For Newbees®Show Notes
Spring is getting closer, which means the questions from beekeepers are starting to pour in again. In this Bee Buzz episode, I work through a lightning round of listener questions covering late winter hive activity, feeding decisions, early inspections, and what normal colony behavior looks like as temperatures begin to warm. If you're seeing bees flying on warm days, noticing dead bees in front of the hive, or wondering if it's time to check food stores or add space, this episode walks through the most common questions beekeepers are asking right now. What’s Inside This Episode: • Why bees suddenly start flying during warm winter days and what cleansing flights actually mean • What a pile of dead bees in front of the hive usually indicates during late winter cleanup • When it makes sense to check food stores and how to do a quick cold weather hive check • Why one hive may appear active while another seems quiet coming out of winter • How to estimate food stores and determine if a colony may be running low without pulling frames • Whether bees bringing in pollen means the queen has already started laying again • When to perform your first full spring inspection and what to focus on early in the season Why Listen to This Episode? Late winter can be one of the most confusing times for beekeepers as colonies begin transitioning toward spring. This episode answers the questions many beekeepers are asking right now and helps you understand what normal behavior looks like as your bees begin ramping up for the season. More Info: 🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com 🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com 📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees 💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ 🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org ☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.
Pre-Inspection Checklist: https://beekeepingfornewbees.com/pre-inspection-checklist/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More from Beekeeping For Newbees®
Good record keeping sits right behind your IPM strategy as one of the most important things you can do as a beekeeper. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Kyle, a web developer and beekeeper from the far north, to talk about APiLOG, a hive inspection tracking app built by a beekeeper for beekeepers. The full interview including a live demo is available on YouTube -- link in the description. What's Inside This Episode: Why hive record keeping belongs right behind your IPM strategy in terms of importance How pen and paper notes fall short as your apiary grows The problem with bricks, wax markers, and other hive-top reminder systems How APiLOG uses voice recording to capture inspection notes naturally Swarm risk calculation and how weather patterns factor into the algorithm Automated regional task suggestions for new beekeepers Customizable inspection interval notifications by email How the built-in AI assistant uses your inspection history and local forecast Free tier available for up to two hives with full pro features Works across all devices including as a home screen app for push notifications
Last week wrapped up Varroa Week, and two listeners took us up on the offer to submit topics for further elaboration. This episode honors both of them. We also have a hive report on Colony 61, a packed four-frame nuc that needed immediate expansion, plus a quick tip about prepping your gear before you actually need it. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper
In this final episode of Varroa Week, we cover Norroa, a newer treatment approach designed to disrupt mite reproduction rather than kill mites directly. We also recap the week, talk through real-world cost and use considerations, and look ahead to the next round of spring episodes. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper
In this episode we continue Varroa Week by breaking down the most common mite treatment options on the market. We cover how they work, when they are used, key limitations, and how to think through building a treatment strategy that fits your own apiary. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper
In this episode we continue Varroa Week by getting practical with mite testing. We cover alcohol washes, dish soap washes, sticky boards, sugar shakes, and how to build a monthly testing routine that helps you stay ahead of trouble before colonies begin to fail. The new app is officially live: https://studio.com/beekeeper