Every beekeeper has that one hive.
The one that won’t build up. The one that won’t draw comb. The one with the queen who just won’t get it in gear. Maybe it swarmed early, maybe it never really took off, maybe it’s just… off.
It’s easy to obsess over it — checking again and again, hoping something will change.
But here’s a truth seasoned beekeepers learn fast: fixating on your weakest hive is often a waste of time.
The better question is:
“What’s working in my best hive?”
And how can I replicate that?
Strong colonies are the ones that teach you the most. They’re the ones you split from, the ones that pack supers with honey, the ones that bounce back from setbacks. Those are your builders — and your blueprint.
If you’ve got a weak hive right now, here are a few things to consider:
- Queen quality. Is she laying well? Spotty brood may be the problem.
- Resources. Does the colony have enough bees, food, and drawn comb to grow?
- Mite load. A hidden varroa issue will drag a colony down fast.
- Equalizing. Strong hives can share — a frame of brood or bees can give a weak one a boost.
- Letting go. Sometimes, it’s smarter to combine than to coddle.
And most importantly — don’t let that one hive throw off your whole game. Focus on what’s thriving. Learn from it. And build more like it.