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.
A nutritionally starved hive can show up in several ways, and it doesn’t always happen when you expect it. That’s why learning to recognize the signs is so important. When you pay attention to what your colony is telling you—and step in with timely feeding when needed—you give your bees the support they need to stay healthy, strong, and growing all spring long.
