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Beekeeping in March: Hive Inspection & Colony Health

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Spring is just around the corner, and for beekeepers, that means it’s time to start thinking about hive inspection and colony health. In the month of March, it’s important to check on your bee colonies and ensure that they are healthy, strong, and ready for the upcoming season. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what beekeepers can do to prepare their hives for the spring and summer months.

Hive Inspection

The first step in preparing your bee colonies for the upcoming season is to conduct a thorough hive inspection. During this inspection, you should look for signs of disease, pests, and other issues that could affect the health of your bees. Here are a few things to keep in mind during a hive inspection:

  1. Look for signs of disease: Check for any signs of disease in the brood and adult bees. Look for discoloration or deformities in the brood, and check for mites, wax moths, or other pests.

  2. Check for adequate food stores: Make sure your bees have enough food stored to get them through the winter and into the spring. If necessary, add sugar water or pollen patties to supplement their diet.

  3. Evaluate hive strength: Evaluate the overall strength of your hive by assessing the number of bees, the amount of brood, and the amount of honey stores. A strong, healthy hive will have a large number of bees and plenty of food stores.

  4. Inspect the frames: Check the frames in your hive for any signs of damage or disease. Look for mold, fungus, or other signs of rot that could indicate a problem with the hive.

Colony Health

In addition to conducting a thorough hive inspection, it’s important to ensure that your bee colonies are healthy and strong. Here are a few things you can do to promote colony health:

  1. Feed your bees: As mentioned above, it’s important to ensure that your bees have adequate food stores. Consider feeding your bees sugar water or pollen patties to supplement their diet and provide them with the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

  2. Provide shelter: Make sure your bees have adequate shelter to protect them from the elements. Check the roof, walls, and floor of your hive to ensure that there are no leaks or drafts that could cause problems for your bees.

  3. Manage pests: Keep an eye out for pests such as mites, wax moths, and beetles. Consider using natural pest control methods such as diatomaceous earth or essential oils to keep these pests under control.

  4. Monitor hive activity: Keep a close eye on your bees and monitor their activity. Look for signs of stress or disease, and take action if necessary to address any issues that arise.

In conclusion, the month of March is an important time for beekeepers are concerned about hive inspection and colony health. By taking the time to assess the strength and health of your hives, as well as implementing strategies to promote colony health, you can help ensure that your bees are healthy, strong, and ready for the upcoming season.


Kids beekeeping
Rocco & Charlise inspecting hives

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