 A close up of a blue marked queen with tattered wings spotted this week during inspections. Photo by Eric Malcolm, March 26, 2026 | Time in the Yard: 4 hours 10 minutes Avg Time per Colony: 17 minutes Time in Barn: 8 hours 15 minutes Total Colonies: 23 Temperature (°F): Hi: 80° Low: 32° Avg: 53.2° Total Precipitation: 0.24” |
Actions:
In the yard: Performed full inspections (n=15) to get an idea of colony strength and when they will be ready to split. Added space to strong hives. Consolidated brood into bottom box of smaller colonies.
In the barn: Gathered deep boxes with drawn comb and foundation. Cleaned old frames, put in new foundation, and applied wax.
Observations:
Not much pollen sub was consumed after last week’s feeding. Lots of drones have emerged. Saw signs of swarm preparation including very few swarm cells with eggs and swarm cups containing very small amounts of honey.
Reflections:
Seeing the variation of swarm preparation in our colonies really emphasizes the importance to monitor colony growth and population in the early spring to help avoid losing colonies and resources to swarms.
Things in bloom: Silver Maple, Red Maple, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Apricot, Saucer Magnolia, Oriental Paperbush, Forsythia, Bradford Pear, Common Stork’s bill, European Field Pansy, Dandelion, Hellebore, Weeping Cherry, Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow, Lesser Celandine, Garlic Penny-cress, Star Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Grape Hyacinth, Japanese Andromeda
In the yard: Performed full inspections (n=15) to get an idea of colony strength and when they will be ready to split. Added space to strong hives. Consolidated brood into bottom box of smaller colonies.
In the barn: Gathered deep boxes with drawn comb and foundation. Cleaned old frames, put in new foundation, and applied wax.
Observations:
Not much pollen sub was consumed after last week’s feeding. Lots of drones have emerged. Saw signs of swarm preparation including very few swarm cells with eggs and swarm cups containing very small amounts of honey.
Reflections:
Seeing the variation of swarm preparation in our colonies really emphasizes the importance to monitor colony growth and population in the early spring to help avoid losing colonies and resources to swarms.
Things in bloom: Silver Maple, Red Maple, Purple Deadnettle, Wild Daffodil, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Apricot, Saucer Magnolia, Oriental Paperbush, Forsythia, Bradford Pear, Common Stork’s bill, European Field Pansy, Dandelion, Hellebore, Weeping Cherry, Weeping Willow, Pussy Willow, Lesser Celandine, Garlic Penny-cress, Star Magnolia, Saucer Magnolia, Grape Hyacinth, Japanese Andromeda