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.
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.
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.
Even in late fall, it’s important to take a quick look inside your hives. With just a few simple steps, you can safely check food stores and population without stressing the bees—even on chilly days. A fast 30-second inspection can reveal exactly how your colony is doing heading into winter.
When temperatures drop and nectar dries up, some colonies turn on their neighbors. If one hive is buzzing louder and flying more frantically than the rest, it’s not extra healthy—it’s likely under attack. Learn how to recognize robbing behavior, what to do if it happens, and how to prevent it next time.
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.
