Posted April 10, 2025 by Charlie of Charlie Bee
Charlie Do Surf. Spring’s wild — ride it anyway.
#beeboy
We picked up our annual truckload of bulk bees the last week of March, and since then, it’s been a full-tilt sprint here at Charlie Bee.
Splitting hives. Feeding splits. Catching swarms. Requeening. Pinching queen cells (when we have to).
While most folks are pulling weeds and snapping pics of wildflowers, we’re in the trenches—smokers lit, bees buzzing, trying to keep ahead of the most chaotic and beautiful time of the year for any beekeeper. It’s a little wild, a little sticky, and totally worth it.
🐝 Why Spring Splits Matter
Spring is go-time in Central Texas. Colonies are exploding with new bees, flowers are blooming, and that deep, ancient instinct to swarm is in full swing. If we don’t step in and guide that energy, the bees will do their thing—with or without us.
And when they swarm, we lose valuable foraging time during our short spring nectar flow. Even worse? If the colony raises its own replacement queen and she open-mates with whatever local drones are flying around, that sweet little hive could become… let’s say less than friendly. You’ll feel it next time you mow too close.
That’s why we split.
We make proactive moves—splitting strong colonies and giving them fresh, mated queens. That’s how we manage growth and keep temperament in check.
These aren’t random bees tossed in a box. Every split is a careful balance of brood, food, nurse bees, and a queen who’s ready to get to work. Done right, those colonies will be booming by early summer.
🍯 Building Better Bees: Our Spring Nucs
We’re not in the business of “good enough.” Our spring nucs are hand-built, closely monitored, and raised with intention. Here’s a look at what’s happening behind the scenes:
- Queen Introduction – We don’t hand off a nuc until her majesty has been fully accepted and is laying like a champ.
- Feeding Regimen – Drawing comb takes calories. We’re feeding consistently with syrup and watching intake like hawks.
- Colony Health Checks – Every nuc is inspected to make sure brood patterns are strong, queens are right, and bees are on track.
If you're on the list for one of our late April nuc pickups, just know—we’re raising up good bees for you.
🧠 This Saturday’s Workshop:
“Queen Cells: What Now?”
📅 Saturday at 9 AM | 📍 Charlie Bee Company - 694 Smith Falor in Seguin
Queen cells are the hot topic right now, so we’re diving deep this week into what they mean and what to do when you find them. We’ll cover:
- Swarm vs. supersedure vs. emergency cells
- When to pinch, when to split, and when to chill
- What queen cells can teach you about your hive’s health
- Tips for managing requeening during the chaos of spring
Whether you’re new to beekeeping or you’ve been at it for years, queen cells can raise big questions—and we’ve got answers.
Bonus:
🪴 Shenandoah from Patchwork Herb Farm will be there with beautiful pollinator-friendly plants
💬 Hang out after for coffee, community, and a good old swarm story or two
🐝 What We’re Doing in the Bees
✅ Splitting large hives to stay ahead of the swarm urge
✅ Chasing down our own swarms when they do go airborne
✅ Pinching queen cells (case by case—it’s an art, not a science)
✅ Requeening and prepping hives for a strong nectar flow
✅ Admiring the mesquite blooms (they’re popping!) and praying for rain
It’s the most demanding time of the season, but also the most hopeful. These bees are the heart of what we do—and it’s an honor to help them thrive.
🐝 What’s Next?
We’ll be reaching out soon to schedule pickup times for everyone who pre-ordered nucs. Keep an eye on your inbox, and make sure your equipment’s ready—those bees are coming in hot.
Until then, keep your smoker lit, your head cool, and enjoy the ride.
See y’all Saturday.
—Charlie #beeboy
www.CharlieBee.com