Bee Talks Recap | April 2026
Updated: Aug 26
In this episode of Bee Talks, we focus on early spring hive management and how to respond coming out of winter. We talk through what to do after losing a colony, including cleanup, frame, and equipment reuse. We cover adding supers, whether to reverse deeps, and how to think about equalizing or splitting colonies as populations build. We also discuss considerations like dysentery and Nosema, common causes of sudden colony loss, and how to set up new hives for success. The episode also touches on greenhouse beekeeping, winter heating questions, and practical ways to reduce drifting between colonies…
In this episode:
00:00:00 - Intro & Bloom Calendar
00:10:55 - Any advice for setting up hives inside greenhouses?
00:12:33 - When is the ideal time to add supers to overwintered colonies?
00:15:05 - How should I clean up my hives if they died due to dysentery or diagnosed Nosema?
00:21:44 - Is there a protocol for what to do if you lose a hive over the winter? (continued at 47:40)
00:24:37 - Has anyone else experienced sudden colony loss this March?
00:33:34 - Is it too early to equalize colonies? Should I wait for swarm cells before splitting hives?
00:44:04 - Which frames from a dead colony should I reuse with a new package?
00:45:29 - My hives were two deeps over winter. Most of the bees are in the top hive. Should I switch the deeps around?
00:47:40 - I was a beginner beekeeper last year; one of my hives did not make it over the winter. I've cleaned their boxes and treated them with bleach/water. Am I okay to start a new package with new frames/foundation?
00:50:00 - We are in the process of setting up our hives for the first time, and are wondering if we need to add a heat source for the winter?
00:51:50 - How can I stop drifting between my two colonies?
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Bring your questions, ideas, and observations to the next Bee Talks, held the second Thursday of each month.
Each session includes a Q&A period and a discussion on a seasonally-appropriate topic, guiding beekeepers through the year. Open to all, regardless of experience or equipment, these sessions support your practice and provide essential information for success.
Bee Talks are led by Bill Hesbach, an Eastern Apicultural Society Certified Master Beekeeper and University of Montana Master Beekeeping Program graduate. He teaches bee biology and beekeeping methods at regional events and national seminars. Bill is on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Apicultural Society and is President of the Connecticut Beekeepers Association. His articles appear in Bee Culture, Bee Craft, and The American Bee Journal.
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