Late Fall and Winter Hive Inspections

Even in late fall, when temperatures can still be surprisingly warm, it’s important to check on hives. In November, a sunny 75-degree day might feel more like spring, but the same inspection principles apply as the season cools into December and beyond.

Cold weather inspections can be intimidating. Opening a hive exposes the bees to chilled air, breaks the propolis seal, and can disturb the winter cluster. However, with a few simple techniques, it’s possible to quickly assess a colony’s strength without stressing the hive.

Keep It Quick

The key to a winter inspection is speed. The goal is to be in and out of the hive quickly. At this time of year, your primary focus is checking three things:

• Food stores
• Bee population
• Whether supplemental feeding is necessary (such as sugar bricks or fondant when liquid syrup isn’t an option)

Note: When daytime temperatures drop below about 50–55°F, bees rarely consume liquid syrup. That’s why solid feed placed directly on top of the hive is often a better option for late fall or winter.

A Simple Weight Test

One surprisingly effective way to estimate food stores and hive strength is the tilt test. Gently lift the hive from the bottom to feel its weight. Even a rough estimate can give a clear picture.

For example, a hive that weighs around 100 pounds is likely well-stocked with honey stores, providing both food for the colony and a gauge of its population. This method isn’t an exact science down to the pound, but it’s quick and basically reliable.

Inspecting the Boxes

A closer look can be as simple as separating the boxes and lifting each one briefly. This gives a quick read on honey stores and population:

• Top box: Often heavier and full of honey. By checking the underside, it’s easy to see how many frames are populated with bees.
• Bottom box: Similarly, checking the frames from the side or top can show how many are occupied.

In a typical late fall or winter inspection, finding five frames of bees in the top box and five in the bottom is perfectly healthy.

Note: When it’s cold, the bees cluster tightly, so the hive may look smaller than it really is. Checking the hive on the warmest day available gives the clearest picture of the colony’s population.

Quick and Safe

Winter inspections don’t have to be lengthy or complicated. Even a 30-second check can reveal whether a hive is thriving or needs intervention without putting the bees in jeopardy.

• Open the hive gently.
• Lift boxes to gauge weight.
• Count the frames of bees.
• Close everything back up quickly.

This brief inspection won’t harm the bees, even in colder weather. The goal is simply to get a snapshot of the hive’s food supply and population so you can make informed decisions about the need to supplement feeding or other issues.