A good article on being thoughtful on making inspections. -Sassafrassbeefarm
A successful beehive inspection begins even before a beekeeper opens the colony. Sometimes, if the weather is too cold or otherwise unpleasant, an outside inspection may be all that a conscientious beekeeper will want to do for the day. Not every day is ideal for opening a beehive.
No matter what the conditions, however, an astute beekeeper can learn much about a colony’s health simply by carefully observing the bees outside of the colony and considering . . .
- Given the conditions of weather and bloom, is the level of activity taking place on the entrance greater or lower than what would be expected?
- Are the bees bringing in pollen?
- Are there signs of robbing or defensive behavior?
- Are the bees fighting off invading insects such as wasps or ants?
- Are there dead bees lying in front of the entrance?
Read the full article here: What to Look For In a Beehive Inspection — Wildflower Meadows
Beekeeping365 