How do I know if I have hives in the winter?

What you can do to check on your hive during winter?

  1. PROVIDE FOOD. An average size colony has the same nutritional needs of a medium size dog.
  2. WIND BLOCK.
  3. STABILITY.
  4. KEEP MICE OUT.
  5. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR CRACKS.
  6. PUT YOUR EAR ON THE HIVE AND TAP.
  7. KEEP THE ENTRANCE CLEARED.

How cold is too cold to check bees?

​Don’t work bees when temperatures are very low such as below 50°F (10°C). Keep any inspections very brief to avoid chilling the hive.

When should you do your first hive inspection after winter?

Hive inspections As soon as the weather warms up in early spring the beekeeper should begin inspections. Ideally we should be looking to do this on days that reach at least 15 C and with no significant wind.

What temperature should you inspect bees?

For the colony’s benefit and for the beekeeper’s maximum enjoyment of the bees, check-ups and more thorough inspections are best done when temperatures are over 60°F and it is not raining. Inevitably, there is going to come a time when the hives need inspecting but the weather is not cooperating.

Can I open my hive in winter?

Opening the hive to check on it is risky when temperatures are below 40 degrees. Every time the hive is opened, warm air escapes and cold air enters. Most beekeepers don’t peek inside their hives during the winter but there is still a way to check to see if the bees are still alive.

How do you know if a beehive is active?

The most obvious way to tell if a hive is still being is if there are any bees flying in or around the hive. When the bees are still using a hive, the worker bees will fly in and out of the hive all day. If a person sees any bees at all near the hive, it is a good indication that it is still being used and is active.

When should I start checking my bees Springs?

Spring checks should be completed by late February or early March. You must not wait until April. This is the period of the year when many colonies are lost and feeding a starving colony in February or March can be a miracle cure enabling it to survive and become productive.

When should you inspect bees?

For beginning beekeepers, an inspection every seven to 10 days during spring and summer is a good target. Inspecting more than weekly will make your bees unhappy by disrupting hive activity and setting them back a day. Inspection is best conducted on a moderately warm, dry day—above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you open a beehive at night?

Night working on hives is fine, but be aware that you will probably have several bees on your suit when you leave the hive. They will hang on and when you go into a lit area they fly up to the lights.

Can you check beehive at night?

It is difficult to really see whats going on at night, but it can be done. You need to use a red lens flashlight as they will come after a white light pretty hard.