The first visit to the hives in spring is always a mixture of excitement and apprehension about their condition after a long winter. Even if we observe bees emerging from the hive, only opening the hive allows us to truly understand the state of the colony and its needs.
When do we inspect?
We're all eager to see our bees, but we have to be patient! The first thorough inspection is done when the weather forecast indicates 15°C or higher to avoid chilling the brood. Ideally, choose a sunny day with no strong winds. If it's colder, simply open the attic space quickly to check the condition of our bees, but don't remove any frames from the hive.
What are we watching?
Are there still bees?
As soon as the attic is removed, we can see if our colony is still alive and estimate the size of the cluster of bees on top of the frames. In general, a colony will develop normally if it has a minimum of 4-5 frames that are covered with bees. If there are fewer than 4 frames covered with bees, we must act quickly. Such a small colony can quickly deteriorate if it has to expend all its energy warming up a complete super. We have two choices: either we insert a piece of Styrofoam into the hive as a separator to reduce the number of frames to which the colony has access, or we transfer the bees to a nucleus that can contain 4 or 5 frames. This will have the effect of reducing heat loss and facilitating the development of the colony.
Does the colony have a queen?
The presence of bees doesn't necessarily mean the presence of a queen! The easiest way to tell if the colony actually has a laying queen is by observing the eggs. During the first inspection, you should also see some capped worker brood, which confirms that the eggs are from a mated queen, not from laying workers! And even if you're dying to see the queen, you should avoid leaving the hive open for too long at the beginning of the season given the cooler temperatures.
Is there any food left?
The few weeks leading up to the first honey flow can be fatal for a colony that appears strong if it lacks the food reserves (honey and pollen) necessary for its development. Ideally, there should be at least two frames of syrup or honey in the hive, and the presence of pollen.
The hive is fine, what do we do now?
During the inspection, we can take the opportunity to sweep the hive floor to remove dead bees and debris. This will give a helping hand to the colony which already has so much to do! Then, according to our observations, we can supplement the bees with a pollen cake or simple syrup (1 part sugar to 1 part water) using a feeder frame or an entrance feeder. Finally, we take the opportunity to turn the attic to have the opening upwards and install the entrance reducer to limit drafts in the hive.
It will also be necessary to plan the first varroa screening, especially if spring arrives early. You can do a natural fall screening as soon as possible, or wait until the population is large enough to do an alcohol wash.
At the end of the first spring inspection, it's best to replace the insulation (if possible!) and wait until nights are above 0°C most of the time before removing it for good. If in doubt, it's better to leave it on a little longer than to remove it too soon. The next inspection can be done in about two weeks, when the colony has had time to develop.
What if our colony died in the spring?
Losing a colony during the winter is unfortunately a necessary step for all beekeepers. Even if you properly prepare your colony in the fall by feeding it, treating it against varroa, and insulating it, it can die for several reasons during the winter. We learn from our experience, roll up our sleeves, and start again! But first, you have to take care of the empty hive:
- Close the entrance as soon as possible or remove the hive from the apiary to prevent invaders from taking it as a home;
- Remove dead bees from the tray and frames;
- Scrape and clean the supers to remove excess wax and excrement. They can also be disinfected with a soldering torch;
- Set aside the frames built with wax and those with reserves of honey and syrup, they will be very useful to accelerate the development of your other colonies or your future nuclei;
- Store the equipment in a dry place or in a plastic bag to prevent mold.