Late Winter and Early Spring Colony Behavior

1 . Are dead bees at the entrance of the colony normal during the warm days of winter or early spring?

Yes, however, be aware, if too many bees block the entrance of the hive, this can cause bees to suffocate while trying to exit.

2 . What is a simple way to test whether your bees are alive in the late winter/early spring without opening the hive?

Thump on the hive body and listen for the bees to respond (roar)

3 . Why should the hive lean 10 degrees forward during the winter and early spring?

To drain excess water from the bees’ respirations and condensation out of the front of the hive

4 . How do honey bees determine when to start brood production in the late winter?

They monitor day length and start brood rearing in January and February when the daylight hours lengthen

5 . What are the dangers of early spring brood production?

When brood rearing starts in late winter or early spring, the food needs within the hive explode and starvation is a real threat to early brood rearing- too many mouths to feed and too little honey