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) Observe the resumption of activity (without opening)
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Objective
Confirm that the colony is alive and that a resumption of activity (often including egg-laying) is likely.
Concrete actions
- Observe the entrance on mild days (cleansing flights, activity).
- Identify pollen intake (indirect indicator of brood rearing).
- Listen to the hive and feel warmth at the inner cover (internal activity).
- Read the bottom board: capping debris, wax, signs of activity.
Points of attention
Absence of flight does not prove a dead colony (weather, orientation, strength). Avoid prolonged openings: emerging brood is highly sensitive to chilling.
Learn more:
► Observations at the entrance
► Reading debris (bottom board)
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2) Assess and secure stores (priority of the month)
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Objective
Avoid any food shortage as consumption increases with brood rearing.
Concrete actions
- Heft the hive (rear lift) and compare between colonies.
- If in doubt, place fondant as close as possible to the cluster (on the inner cover hole if suitable).
- Check that fondant is accessible and consumable (not too far / no barrier).
Points of attention
Feeding should remain a deliberate intervention with a clear purpose. In February, prefer fondant to syrup (temperatures, uptake, humidity).
Learn more:
► All about feeding
► Late-winter feeding – what to think?
► Making fondant
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3) Anticipate water needs (clean drinker)
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Objective
Facilitate water supply when brood rearing resumes (royal jelly, thermoregulation) while avoiding risky water sources (polluted water, pools, effluents).
Concrete actions
- Install (or reactivate) a stable, shallow drinker with landing points.
- Keep water clean and renewed; avoid direct flight paths.
- Observe whether water carriers use it (indicator of internal activity).
Points of attention
Bees are often attracted to mineral-rich but unsuitable waters (stagnant sources). Poorly designed drinkers can cause drowning and chilling.
Learn more:
► What water for our bees?
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4) Closely monitor weak (but healthy) colonies
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Objective
Reduce late-winter losses by targeting at-risk colonies (low population, low stores).
Concrete actions
- Prioritize these colonies for store monitoring (hefting + fondant if needed).
- Limit the volume to heat (without unnecessary opening): use division boards / reduce space when appropriate.
- Already plan a spring combining strategy if weakness persists.
Points of attention
Combining two weak colonies rarely results in a strong one. Any combining decision requires a health diagnosis and a clear management rationale.
Learn more:
► 10 rules of good beekeeping practice
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5) Identify dead colonies and sanitize equipment
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Objective
Prevent disease spread and reuse equipment only when the situation is under control.
Concrete actions
- If viability is in doubt: briefly open to confirm (no “spring inspection”).
- If death from a contagious disease is suspected, close the hive and notify the inspector.
- Empty the hive; if in doubt, burn all frames. Clean according to inspectorate protocol (HalaApi 898/899); disinfect (Halades 01) all beekeeping equipment.
- In general: use available time to clean/disinfect equipment according to best practices.
Points of attention
If a notifiable disease (foulbrood) is suspected, do not reuse frames or equipment without protocol. Recovering stores is relevant only if the cause of death is identified.
Learn more:
► Infernal cascade: Chronicle of a foretold death
► Maintenance of beekeeping equipment
► Hygiene
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6) Manage humidity and thermoregulation (without over-intervening)
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Objective
Reduce risks linked to humidity and heat loss while respecting the dynamics of the cluster.
Concrete actions
- Check overall condition (roof, inner cover, entrance) and avoid drafts.
- Limit heat loss (avoid unnecessary openings and close bottom boards).
- Reason insulation: useful if it mitigates concrete problems (wind, moisture), not as a systematic reflex.
Points of attention
The colony finely regulates the cluster and its position according to food and hive walls. “More insulation” is not always “better”: stay pragmatic and observe effects.
Learn more:
► Wintering in the honey bee
► Hive insulation tested against collective thermoregulation of bees
► Sense and nonsense of hive thermal insulation
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7) In the workshop
- Clean, disinfect, repair, and prepare equipment (hives, roofs, floors, feeders).
- Prepare frames and foundation; check stock (fondant, syrup for later, consumables).
- Plan the season: monitoring weak colonies, replacing equipment, apiary organization.
8) What we do not do yet
- No full spring inspection (too early, risk of chilling brood).
- No stimulation with syrup (temperatures, risk of poor uptake/humidity).
- No queen rearing (unsuitable period, absence of fertile drones).
- No major frame changes or prolonged brood nest reorganizations.
General remarks: Priorities and timing vary with altitude, exposure, local weather, and colony strength. In case of suspected notifiable disease, contact the inspector before any personal initiative.
AuthorApiSion : Claude Pfefferlé & Serge Imboden
