One of the key parts of a healthy, productive hive involves inspecting a beehive. They are secretive creatures and can’t tell most of what is happening by the look on the outside of the colony. As a new beekeeper, it is easy to over-inspect a hive. Be aware that whenever you open a hive to inspect, you break the propolis seals, chill the brood, and risk accidentally killing the bees. 

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Do you have to check bees every day?

Inspecting a beehive needs to be done regularly but not every day or so often. Inspecting daily will disrupt the bee’s activities. For new hives, an inspection once 7-10 days is enough in spring and summer. You can inspect too often if there is an issue of concern. In winter, when they are less active, you can leave them even for two months and open them briefly to check for food stores when the weather is warm.  Inspecting is intruding on the bee’s paradise. It sets them back. A single inspection sets them back by a day. 

When is the best time to carry out a hive inspection?

You should conduct a hive inspection on a warm, dry day at around midday. At this time, most foragers are away in the field; hence you will deal with a less population of bees. Again, the sun is high in the sky, making it easier for you to see the hive well. You should avoid inspecting on rainy and windy days. 

What are you to check in an inspection?

The Queen

 She is easier to find if she is marked.  If unmarked, look for her long slender abdomen and a circle of attendees around her. 

Eggs and brood

Eggs and brood pattern shows the productivity of the queen. There should be one egg per cell placed in the center.  If you can’t spot the queen but can find eggs, know she has been around for 1-3 days. An irregular brood pattern shows an unproductive queen that may need to be replaced. 

Presence of parasites and pests

These can be wax moths, mites, small hive beetle, and diseases such as foul brood. Some of the indicators may be tiny mites on the bees, the presence of a web, sunken, patchy, or discolored brood. If you spot any trouble, you should treat it as soon as possible. 

The number of drawn frames

When the 7-8 out of 10 frames are drawn in the brood chamber and are full of brood and food stores, it is time to add the honey super. If a honey super is almost full, you should add another one. 

Be sure to record the notes

Notes will help you to track changes in the hive. It is good to record right away to remember everything. 

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How do you prepare for an inspection?

Ensure you have all the equipment you need. These include a bee smoker, protective gear( bee suit, hat, veil, gloves), hive tool, bee brush, and a notebook. The protective clothing protects you from bee stings, a bee smoker helps to calm the bees, and a bee brush helps gently remove the bees on the surfaces you don’t want them to be. Bee seals all openings and cracks with sticky propolis; a hive tool will help you pry the hive boxes and frames.