A brief hive inspection on a warm late winter day showed promising signs. 

Honey stores continue to grow; there are now seven full frames of honey in the super and the bees are in the process of sealing it up. As spring approaches and the average low temperature increases, the purple henbit is in full bloom again. It is a winter weed, but extreme cold can slow it down. I let it take over the garden in the off-season and hundreds of bees forage there daily. This is a major source of pollen and nectar right now, along with red maples and redbuds.

The brood pattern was solid with very few patches. Population is continuing to increase and will do so rapidly as the seven frames of capped brood begin to hatch.

I set out my swarm trap in another location on the property in hopes of catching at least two this spring. It's still early in the swarm season, so for now it's at ground level on some bricks. I will mount it up in a tree within the next few weeks, potentially at a relative's property that has more foraging sources than mine.

Early spring goals: 

• Continue monitoring this hive for indications of a swarm; split in late March, if necessary and appropriate.

• Establish a new colony on March 21; package of bees ordered.

• Catch a swarm and establish a third colony.

I quickly inspected my colony on the second 70°F day of the year in Western North Carolina (Zone 8a). 

This was also my first inspection since October 2025, when I treated the colony for varroa mites before sealing them up for their first winter in a deep brood box and a medium super (with five frames of capped honey). 

Honey stores looked great; the bees have already produced a large amount this year. There were six full frames of honey in the super, mostly uncapped, with the bees in the process of waxing it over. Red maples and redbud trees are just beginning to bloom and are the primary source of nectar for honeybees in the spring. The colony is also working on drawing comb on the two outer frames that they didn't finish in 2025.

Brood was patchy but fair overall, with lots of eggs in a consistent laying pattern as well as a good number of healthy larvae. Expecting a population boom soon and watching for signs of swarming. 

Early spring goals: 

• Prevent this hive from swarming; split in March, if necessary and appropriate.

• Establish a new colony, either by catching a swarm or installing a package.