March in the apiary

Objective
Carry out an early assessment of the colony (queen presence, brood, food reserves) as soon as a mild day allows it. The general inspection helps plan the season and detect potential problems (absent or failing queen, weak brood, lack of food, signs of disease).

Practical actions

• Organise the inspection on a sunny, warm day (ideally >14 °C).
• Apply gentle smoke at the entrance to calm the bees, then open the hive quickly.
• Examine the brood (compact and even), check for the queen (or fresh eggs), and assess the distribution of bees on the frames.
• Check that sufficient food remains in the combs.

Points of attention
Avoid inspections in cold or rainy weather (risk of chilling brood). Work calmly and efficiently to limit stress. Start with the strongest colonies and finish with weaker ones to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Be alert to unusual odours, which may indicate European or American foulbrood (notifiable diseases). In case of serious health suspicion, contact the apiary inspector before moving or destroying the colony.

Learn more:

► Good practices for inspecting a colony
► Ten tips for a proper hive inspection
► Inspections: key points
► Hive installation and inspection

Objective: Ensure that each colony has enough food to support egg laying and brood rearing until the first nectar flows.

Practical actions

• Check food frames (honey and pollen) during the inspection.
• A colony raising brood may consume 1–2 kg of honey per week in March.
• If the hive feels light or frames are empty, feed cautiously with fondant (candy), which is consumed according to needs.
• Use warm 50/50 sugar syrup to stimulate brood rearing while avoiding deficiencies; avoid excessive stimulation that could lead to swarming in April.
• Feed only if weather forecasts are poor or natural intake is insufficient.

Points of attention

Do not feed royal jelly or uncontrolled honey (disease risk). Avoid syrup below 10–12 °C, as it will not be used and may ferment. Introduce feed in a way that limits excess humidity and avoid opening several hives simultaneously in cold conditions.

Learn more:

► All about feeding
► Late-winter feeding: what should we think?
► 4.2 Feeding

Objective
Provide a nearby water source for honey dilution and brood humidity regulation.

Practical actions

• Install a bee waterer from the end of winter.
• Place it in a sunny, sheltered location to attract foragers.
• Add floating supports (moss, twigs, stones, corks) to prevent drowning.
• Keep water clean; adding a pinch of salt or minerals may encourage use.

Points of attention
Check regularly that the water does not freeze. Do not use stagnant or chemically treated water. Poorly maintained water sources may divert bees to polluted sites or favour disease transmission.

Learn more:

► Which water for our bees?
► Water collection and storage

Objective
Optimise hive space to maintain brood temperature and support colony expansion without unnecessary energy loss.

Practical actions

• Tighten occupied brood frames if the colony is still small.
• Remove empty or darkened frames and gradually replace them with clean foundation.
• Prepare extra frames for strong colonies; never expand weak ones.
• Ensure regular spacing between frames to avoid burr comb.
• Reduce the hive entrance to facilitate defence.

Points of attention

Remove empty frames gently while keeping brood frames grouped. Store removed frames properly, protected from light and wax moths. Avoid adding supers too early if the colony cannot occupy them quickly, as this may encourage robbing or disease development.

Learn more:

► 4.4 Frame renewal
► Frame construction
► Drone frame

Objective
Clean, repair and prepare all equipment needed for the season, with disease prevention in mind.

Practical actions

• During the first inspection, clean the bottom board: remove debris, cocoons and excess propolis.
• Flame disinfection; Halades 01 may be used; alcohol or bleach are not recommended.
• Replace heavily corroded or damaged floors.
• Renew at least 3–4 brood frames per year to improve hygiene and reduce pesticide exposure.
• Prepare a stock of waxed frames and spare floors.

Points of attention

To limit disturbance and brood chilling, the colony is quickly transferred with its frames into a clean, disinfected hive. The emptied hive is then cleaned and disinfected at the workshop according to the protocol recommended by the SSA.

Learn more:

► 4.1 Hygiene
► 4.4.1 Melting frames
► Propolis

Objective
Assess Varroa infestation and limit the impact of parasites and diseases before they spread.

Practical actions

• Install a monitoring board to measure natural mite fall (should not exceed 3 mites per day).
• Carry out a diagnostic test (sugar shake, CO₂ or alcohol wash).
• Observe bees for deformities or abnormal mortality.
• Start Varroa control strategies early, such as regular removal of capped drone brood.
• Plan an authorised treatment if infestation pressure is high.

Points of attention

An undetected Varroa infestation can escalate rapidly later in the season. Use only approved treatments and follow instructions carefully. Watch for brood disease symptoms and contact the inspector if in doubt.

Learn more:

► 1. Varroa control
► Natural Varroa drop
► Drone frame