Episode 187 – The Bee Buzz (31): Winter Bee Activity and Early Spring Hive Checks 🐝

Spring is getting closer, which means the questions from beekeepers are starting to pour in again. In this Bee Buzz episode, I work through a lightning round of listener questions covering late winter hive activity, feeding decisions, early inspections, and what normal colony behavior looks like as temperatures begin to warm. If you're seeing bees flying on warm days, noticing dead bees in front of the hive, or wondering if it's time to check food stores or add space, this episode walks through the most common questions beekeepers are asking right now.

What’s Inside This Episode:

• Why bees suddenly start flying during warm winter days and what cleansing flights actually mean

• What a pile of dead bees in front of the hive usually indicates during late winter cleanup

• When it makes sense to check food stores and how to do a quick cold weather hive check

• Why one hive may appear active while another seems quiet coming out of winter

• How to estimate food stores and determine if a colony may be running low without pulling frames

• Whether bees bringing in pollen means the queen has already started laying again

• When to perform your first full spring inspection and what to focus on early in the season

Why Listen to This Episode?

Late winter can be one of the most confusing times for beekeepers as colonies begin transitioning toward spring. This episode answers the questions many beekeepers are asking right now and helps you understand what normal behavior looks like as your bees begin ramping up for the season.

More Info:

🌐 https://beekeepingfornewbees.com

🔗 https://bestbeekeepinggear.com

📺 https://youtube.com/@beekeepingfornewbees

💬 https://discord.gg/XzkqFKrjMJ

🫶 https://thehealinghiveproject.org

☕ https://buymeacoffee.com/beekeepingfornewbees

Beekeeping For Newbees is a top 1.5% podcast with over 600,000 downloads, helping new and experienced beekeepers grow stronger colonies and make smarter decisions through every season. Listen weekly for practical guidance, swarm stories, and honest takes on what works and what does not in real-world beekeeping.