Spotted drone brood early

[Bakersdozen]

3/15/23  66061:  The weather was fantastic yesterday and that meant a great opportunity to get into the hives.  I spotted a lot of drone brood in the purple eyed stage.  It seems really early and this hive was full of bees.  One of my goals was to reverse hive bodies but not this colony but brood was in both boxes.  I ordered a queen that will be here next week.  I hope to get it split before queen cells start popping up.  We still have several weeks of winter yet to come.

[Jen]

Wow Baker! I know the feeling of when the weather takes a turn for a warmer day or two, maybe three. Everything inside the house stops and out the door ya go with hive tool in hand.

We are almost there. Maybe within the next 3 days I may be able to lift some frames to see what the brood situation is. I am down to 2 hives this year, so I could actually keep an eye out for the warmest part of the afternoon and do one hive today, and then do the same tomorrow for the other hive.

[The15thMember]

I saw a lot of drone brood too and even walking drones when I inspected on 3/4, but now we've had some seriously cold weather here, and I think the worker bees bailed on them, as I saw several dead drones out in front of the landing boards.  When it warms up for real, it'll be interesting to see if they aborted the drone brood.   

[Jen]

The minute I see drone brood or walking drones, the spring treatment is Going On!

[Bakersdozen]

The minute I see drone brood or walking drones, the spring treatment is Going On!

What treatment are you using this year, Jen?

[Zweefer]

Still waiting on weather to shape up for me to look at mine and assess…