Daylight—not temperature—helps guide the colony toward spring. After the solstice, the queen gradually resumes brood, workers begin eating more, and the cluster becomes a bit more active. Keep an eye on food, protect any early brood from cold, and be ready for gentle early buildup—spring is quietly on its way.
It’s spring, which means swarm season is in full swing. One of our biggest concerns this time of year is keeping our bees from swarming. If a hive is packed with bees in every box and swarm cells are showing up, it’s time to take action. Watch as Blake Shook walks us through what to look for and what we should do with what we find!
As beekeepers start to prepare for splitting a hive, it's super helpful to get a visual of what you should be seeing. Join Blake as he goes step-by-step through a hive to determine whether it's ready or not to be split!
Varroa season is here—again. As spring populations grow, so do mite levels, often faster than we realize. Lessons from recent bee losses make one thing clear: testing, timely treatment, and smart rotation of treatments matter more than ever. Don’t overthink it—know your mite load, understand your options, and act early.
As spring approaches, colonies often shift upward in the hive, crowding the brood nest. Reversing brood boxes moves the nest back to the bottom, giving the queen room to expand.
It can help—but only if the brood isn’t already spread across both boxes. Too early? Risk chilled brood. Too late? Risk swarming. Check your colony, read the situation, and reverse only if it truly makes sense.
Varroa mites are considered the leading cause of honey bee mortality worldwide. This may sound alarming, but it's a sobering reality, especially with recent reports showing honey bee colony losses exceeding 50% in some regions. By staying diligent in your testing and treatment practices, you can give your bees the best chance for success in managing Varroa mites and sustaining a thriving, healthy colony.
How to spot visual signs of Varroa mites in a bee hive video
An important part of honey bee colony management is rotating and culling old comb. This simple technique can be done any time of year and helps ensure you’re providing the best housing for your bees.
A common problem in beeyards is for some hives to thrive, while others nearby struggle. One very effective management tool is to equalize the hives. This could include bees, honey, or pollen... or even open comb for a queen to lay. Performing these simple techniques will give each hive the best chance possible to succeed.
One of the easiest ways to boost a weak colony is by giving them a brood frame from a thriving hive. Follow the simple steps that Blake Shook shows you in the quick video to get the best results possible!
Heading into fall or winter with a weak hive is never ideal. Some hives are beyond saving, while others can rebound with the right care. Learn how to identify which colonies are worth rescuing, steps to strengthen them, and when combining hives is the smartest move for a healthy, productive winter.
As temperatures drop and bees form tight winter clusters, their ability to access food becomes limited. Learn how to assess hive stores, and the best feeding methods to keep colonies strong until spring.
When the nectar flow ends, one question always comes up: How much honey should you leave for your bees? While it's tempting to harvest every full super, leaving adequate stores is essential for helping your colony make it through the summer dearth. Knowing when to harvest—and when to start feeding—can make all the difference.
