In this episode of Bee Talks, we focus on what to pay attention to as colonies come out of winter and start building into spring. We talk about when it actually makes sense to feed, what to look for before adding syrup, and how to approach mite treatment and use as colonies expand. We also cover when it’s safe to move hives, how to avoid setbacks when relocating colonies, and how tools like thermal monitoring can help you better understand what’s happening inside the hive. We answer some practical questions on winter losses, reversing deeps, and whether painting a swarm box a different color affects your bees in any way…(spoiler: nope).

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In this episode of Bee Talks, we get into how to keep an eye on your bees when you can’t open the boxes. We talk about using thermal cameras in winter, how to read hot and cold spots on hives, what cluster position really tells you, and why brood nests often restart around the winter solstice even when it still feels cold outside. We discuss broodless colonies, late season drones, and what those clues say about queen status heading into spring. We talk through Norroa™ as a new tool in the varroa toolbox, how it differs from other treatments, where oxalic acid vaporization and dribble fit in, and why insulation and reduced ventilation can change how much honey a colony needs to get through the winter.

00:00:30 - Can I use thermal camera for winter monitoring (and which kind should I use)?

00:08:30 - Can a virgin queen overwinter in a colony, and will there be laying workers in the Spring?

00:14:50 - Why would a colony swarm in September?

00:16:38 - Is it normal to still see drones this late in the season?

00:18:20 - To put a bear fence up, I have to move my hives - What’s the best way to do this?

00:20:30 - Do we have feedback on local (Connecticut) efficacy of Norroa™ treatment?

00:28:21 - Does temperature determine how much oxalic acid should be used in a treatment?

00:31:15 - Are queen deaths associated with oxalic acid treatments?

00:32:45 - Has oxalic acid changed dosage?

00:33:31 - Will workers reseal their chamber if I break the seal?

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Connecticut Beekeepers Association promotes and supports beekeepers and their local organizations. Our goal is to provide a common forum for the beekeepers of Connecticut to come together to share information and ideas.

In this episode of Bee Talks we discuss how to read winter hive temperature data, decide if colonies are broodless, set realistic honey store targets, time oxalic vapor and Norroa™ treatments, and insulate colonies for year-long health.

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