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February at the apiary

February is a pivotal month for the colony. Day length increases, and the queen gradually resumes laying. This resumption remains fragile: stores can become critical, temperatures are unstable, and any prolonged opening can chill the brood. The beekeeper acts mainly through observation, anticipation, and preparation, keeping interventions to a minimum.

1. Monthly priorities

  • Observe the resumption of activity without unnecessarily opening hives.
  • Quickly assess food stores and secure doubtful colonies with fondant if needed.
  • Make clean, easily accessible water available.
  • Monitor weak colonies closely and identify winter losses promptly.
  • Avoid premature interventions that chill the brood or disrupt the recovery.

2. February at the apiary : the guiding idea for the month

Objective
To understand that February remains a transitional month: the colony still appears to be in overwintering mode, but the resumption of internal activity is often already under way.

In February, the essential task is not to "inspect", but to read the signs of recovery correctly while protecting the colony's internal warmth. Brood rearing often restarts quietly, which increases consumption and makes food stores more critical than they may appear. The useful decisions of the month are therefore measured and targeted: observe, secure, anticipate. As always, the calendar must be adjusted according to altitude, aspect, local weather conditions, and the actual strength of the colonies.

Further reading

3. Priority tasks for the month

3.1 Observing the resumption of activity (without opening)

Objective
To confirm that the colony is alive and that a resumption of activity, and often of laying, is likely.

What to look for
The alighting board on mild days, cleansing flights, general activity, pollen collection as an indirect sign of resumed brood rearing, the sound and warmth perceptible at the crown board, and the varroa insert board: capping debris, wax, and traces of activity.

Concrete actions

  • Observe the alighting board on mild days.
  • Look for pollen collection.
  • Listen to the hive and feel for warmth at the crown board.
  • Read the varroa insert board: capping debris, wax, traces of activity.

Points to watch
The absence of flight does not prove a colony is dead: weather conditions, orientation, or colony strength may account for it. Avoid any prolonged opening: emerging brood is highly sensitive to chilling.

Further reading

3.2 Assessing and securing food stores (priority for the month)

Objective
To prevent any food shortage at the moment when consumption increases with brood rearing.

What to look for
The overall weight of the hive compared with other colonies, and any doubt about whether the food is genuinely accessible to the winter cluster.

Concrete actions

  • Heft the hive from the rear and compare between colonies.
  • If in doubt, place fondant as close to the winter cluster as possible, for example over the crown board hole if the equipment allows.
  • Check that the fondant is genuinely accessible and consumable, with no excessive distance or barrier for the bees.

Points to watch
Feeding must remain a considered intervention with a clear purpose. In February, fondant is preferable to syrup because of the temperatures, uptake, and humidity.

Further reading

3.3 Monitoring weak (but healthy) colonies closely

Objective
To reduce late-winter losses by targeting at-risk colonies, particularly those with low population or low food stores.

What to look for
Low population, food store levels, the colony's ability to sustain itself, and, later on, the actual progression of weakness into spring.

Concrete actions

  • Prioritise these colonies for food store monitoring, with hefting and fondant where necessary.
  • Limit the volume to be heated, without unnecessary opening, by using a division board or reducing where appropriate.
  • Begin planning a uniting strategy for spring now if weakness persists.

Points to watch
Uniting two weak colonies does not generally produce a strong colony. Any decision to unite requires a health assessment and a clear management rationale.

Further reading

4. Bee health

Objective
To prevent the spread of disease, identify problematic winter losses promptly, and reuse equipment only when the situation is under control.

The best prevention is strong, healthy colonies
It is not necessary to know every disease. The essential skill is knowing how to recognise a healthy colony, and then identifying what deviates from that picture. When in doubt, it is better to seek help promptly and contact the bee inspector.
Useful practical guide: 4.7.3. Recognising healthy colonies

What to look for
Colonies whose viability appears doubtful, signs consistent with abnormal mortality, and any indication of a contagious or regulated disease.

Concrete actions

  • If serious doubt persists about a colony's viability, open briefly to confirm, without conducting a full spring inspection.
  • If a colony death from a contagious disease is suspected, close the hive and notify the bee inspector.
  • Empty the hive; if in doubt, incinerate all frames.
  • Clean according to the inspectorate protocol (HalaApi 898/899) and disinfect all affected beekeeping equipment with Halades 01.
  • Use the available time to clean and disinfect equipment in accordance with good practice.

Points to watch
If a regulated disease is suspected, particularly foulbrood, do not reuse frames or equipment without a protocol in place. Recovering food stores is only appropriate if the cause of mortality has been identified.

Dysentery diseases (nosema / dysentery)
In February, dysentery diseases — especially once the first cleansing flights make the signs more visible — remain relevant. Faecal spotting, bees crawling or unable to fly, and a colony losing population warrant close attention.
Practical Guide: 2.5. Dysentery diseases (Nosema/dysentery)

Asian hornet
In February, the Asian hornet remains inactive at the apiary, but secondary nests may still be spotted more easily in leafless trees or on buildings. Even an apparently empty nest is worth reporting, as it helps document the spread of the species. If in doubt, do not intervene personally and report the case at frelonasiatique.ch.

Further reading

5. Food stores and current resources

5.1 Anticipating water needs (clean watering point)

Objective
To facilitate water supply when brood rearing resumes — for royal jelly production and thermoregulation — while avoiding risky water sources.

What to look for
The presence of a stable water source, its cleanliness, safe access, and whether water foragers are actually using it — which is also an indicator of internal activity.

Concrete actions

  • Install or reactivate a stable, shallow watering point with landing supports.
  • Keep the water clean and refreshed, avoiding locations in the direct flight path.
  • Observe whether water foragers are actually using the watering point.

Points to watch
Bees are often attracted to water rich in minerals but unsuitable for consumption, such as polluted or stagnant water. A poorly designed watering point can cause drowning and chilling.

Further reading

5.2 Managing humidity and thermoregulation (without over-intervening)

Objective
To reduce risks associated with moisture and heat loss, while respecting the dynamics of the winter cluster.

What to look for
The general condition of the roof, crown board, and entrance; any draughts; and specific situations where insulation can genuinely improve conditions.

Concrete actions

  • Check the general condition of the equipment and avoid draughts.
  • Limit heat loss by avoiding unnecessary openings and keeping the insert boards closed.
  • Think carefully about insulation: it is useful when it addresses concrete problems of wind or moisture, but must not become a reflexive habit.

Points to watch
The colony regulates the winter cluster and its position finely according to available food and the surrounding walls. "More insulation" does not always mean "better": a pragmatic approach and observation of actual effects are essential.

Further reading

6. Workshop / organisation

Objective
To make good use of the available time to prepare equipment, check stocks, and organise the rest of the season.
  • Clean, disinfect, repair, and prepare equipment: hives, roofs, floors, feeders.
  • Prepare frames and foundation, and check stocks of fondant, syrup for later use, and other consumables.
  • Plan the season: monitoring of weak colonies, replacement of equipment, apiary organisation.
  • Use the time for training and further learning.
    ⇒ www.ApiSavoir.ch
    ⇒ Test your knowledge (quiz)

7. What we do not do now

Objective
To avoid timing errors that disrupt recovery or expose emerging brood to cold and moisture.
  • No full spring inspection: it is too early and risks chilling the brood.
  • No syrup stimulation: risk of poor uptake, increased humidity, and undesirable effects on spring management.
  • No queen rearing: the period is unsuitable and fertile drones are absent.
  • No opening of hives, to avoid chilling the brood.

General remarks
Priorities and timing vary according to altitude, aspect, local weather conditions, and colony strength. If a notifiable disease is suspected, contact the bee inspector before taking any personal initiative.

Further reading

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Author
ApiSion : Claude Pfefferlé & Serge Imboden
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