Our Honeybees Are Waking Up for Spring!
This is the point in the year when the colony slowly shifts from conserving energy to rebuilding strength for spring. Over winter, only a small cluster of bees remains active inside the hives at Altham. They huddle tightly around the queen to keep her warm, generating heat by vibrating their bodies. The queen releases pheromones that help keep the colony settled while the beekeepers monitor the hives and add insulation during cold spells.
Once daytime temperatures reach around ten degrees Celsius, the bees begin to venture outside in search of early nectar and pollen. The first blossoms of the season, such as dandelions and fruit trees, play an important role in helping the colony recover its energy reserves and support the queen as she increases her egg laying.
By April, if the weather is mild, our beekeepers can carry out the first full inspections of the year. They check the health of the queen, look for signs of disease and make sure the hive has enough food to support early growth. Natural nectar can still be limited at this stage, so every warm day counts. We’re looking forward to checking on their progress soon!
