I have opened the hive to inspect my bees religiously every week (I do it Sundays) since I got them in May. Is there a time of year or weather change when I should stop doing that and leave them alone for the winter? East Midlands.
When to stop weekly inspections.
- Thread starter fenster
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Mid August - from then on just if you think there's a real reason to. you should have finished treating by now - and almost finished feeding.
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Yes mid August for me too. Brood inspection for disease when supers come off. Quick check For stores and to make sure all queenright after varroa treatment then bye bye til April
As others about mid August for regular inspections, then for me it is time for treatment and then only opening the hive a couple of times to gauge their food stores, there after I use the heft method once I have an idea they have 30lbs or more.
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Before I go into a hive I think about why am I doing it. At the start of the season I will be checking to see how they got through the winter, stores, space, brood etc. This might be every 2-3 weeks, depending on what I find. In the summer I will look in weekly, mainly to nip swarming in the bud. After extraction it is to treat, feed if needed and a thorough health check. The next 5-6 months they get left alone except for hefting
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