Starvation

Starvation, this happened last June about a week before the nectar flow started. There was no food left in the colony and no nectar available.

Many over wintered colonies are full of bees. With all the brood in the hive there is a demand on the honey stores. We are entering a time when there is a dearth in nectar coming in. Beekeepers need to look at their colonies during their 7 - 10 day inspection intervals for swarm cells. Lifting the hives will give a good idea how the food stores are doing. Ample honey stores will get the bees to the nectar flow which may be early this year. Feed if necessary for overwintered colonies on drawn comb.