In this episode of Bee Talks, we cover a wide range of spring management questions, from handling newly caught swarms and treating broodless colonies to feeding packages and timing supers. We talk about simple approaches to splitting hives for newer beekeepers, how long it takes queens to begin laying after a split, and practical ways to spot your queen during inspections. The discussion also touches on nectar flow tracking, hive entrances, swarming behavior, and how weather affects nectar availability, along with a few real-world troubleshooting questions from the bee yard.

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In this episode of Bee Talks, we focus on early spring hive management and how to respond coming out of winter. We talk through what to do after losing a colony, including cleanup, frame, and equipment reuse. We cover adding supers, whether to reverse deeps, and how to think about equalizing or splitting colonies as populations build. We also discuss considerations like dysentery and Nosema, common causes of sudden colony loss, and how to set up new hives for success. The episode also touches on greenhouse beekeeping, winter heating questions, and practical ways to reduce drifting between colonies…

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In this episode of Bee Talks, we focus on what to pay attention to as colonies come out of winter and start building into spring. We talk about when it actually makes sense to feed, what to look for before adding syrup, and how to approach mite treatment and use as colonies expand. We also cover when it’s safe to move hives, how to avoid setbacks when relocating colonies, and how tools like thermal monitoring can help you better understand what’s happening inside the hive. We answer some practical questions on winter losses, reversing deeps, and whether painting a swarm box a different color affects your bees in any way…(spoiler: nope).

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