Spring has arrived in the bee yard. After some timely rains across Central Texas, things are starting to bloom and the bees are responding. Colonies that were quiet just a few weeks ago are now bringing in pollen, raising brood, and beginning the rapid build-up that defines spring beekeeping.
In this week’s video, we take a walk through a hive and look at what a healthy colony should look like during spring build-up.
This is the time of year when inspections start to matter again. Through winter we mostly leave the bees alone, but in spring the colony is shifting gears fast. When I open a hive right now, there are a few key things I’m looking for.
First is brood. A healthy brood pattern tells us the queen is laying and the colony population is about to increase. Spring growth starts with that expanding brood nest.
Second is pollen coming into the hive. Pollen is protein for raising young bees, and when you see workers returning with full pollen baskets it usually means brood rearing is well underway.
Third is nectar. The recent rains have helped kick off bloom across the landscape, and when nectar starts coming in the colony has the fuel it needs to expand quickly.
The flip side of all this good news is that strong colonies can also start preparing to swarm. As populations grow and the brood nest fills out, congestion inside the hive can trigger swarm behavior.
That’s why this time of year beekeepers start thinking about management options like providing more space or making splits. One technique that can help relieve swarm pressure while keeping a colony productive is the DeMaree split, which separates brood and flying bees in a way that helps the colony stay focused on growth instead of swarming.
Spring is one of the most exciting times in the bee yard. Everything is building toward the season’s peak, and a careful inspection now can tell you a lot about where a colony is headed in the weeks ahead.