Mid March and Early April are critical times for beekeepers. It is important to manage the space that the bees were in during the winter, so they stay healthy, have ready access to their food stores, and do not have to guard and heat more space than they are using.
Understanding how bees move in the winter
Bees naturally work best and most efficiently in a space just larger than they need. Not something that only allows them to have the space they are currently using (this triggers their swarm instincts) and not so much room that they have much more than they need. Beyond this, as the cluster moves throughout the hive in the winter, they most often will tunnel upward, not side to side. As a result, if you have a cluster that covers five frames, there are two to three frames on the edges that are not filled with bees. In the colder climates, the bees do not move from side to side, they move vertically, and so the honey in these frames is not eaten.
When to inspect
It is important to take stock of your colonies on one of the first few 60 degree days. This way, you will know if they are rapidly expanding and need more room, or if they are smaller than expected.
How to reverse boxes in spring
If the bees are filling out one or two boxes, then take the box where the bees currently are (usually the top box) and rearrange the boxes so that this box is on the bottom board. Then remove any empty frames that exceed a full box. For example, if you see twelve empty frames, and are using ten frame equipment, remove ten of them, and leave the two remaining ones (on the outside, leave the food and resources in the middle) so that they do not have too much extra space. Bees work their way up, not down. Because of this, it is important to have the cluster on the bottom, so the broodiest is also on the bottom, as soon as the bees begin raising brood.
When to reduce bees to a nuc in spring
If the bees are smaller than five frames, you should seriously consider reducing them to a nuc box. This allows the bees to have a smaller space to heat, and guard. The bigger the hive, the more bees it takes to keep it functioning properly.
How to reduce bees to a nuc
Transfer the bees one frame at a time, and keep them in the same order they are in currently. Check the bottom of the hive for the queen, if you do not spot her during the transfer. There will be stragglers, so just lean the old box close to the nuc, and the bees will follow the queen pheromone so that they all enter the nuclear box.
Why manage the boxes?
By reducing the space they have to manage, you give the bees the best chance at building up quickly. And by reordering the boxes, you allow the bees to be able to readily access the resources that they will need as they raise their brood.
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