After our brief Freeze in early January, the temps have fluctuated between the low forties and the low eighties. Yesterday, it was rainy with a high in the 60's. Today it is bright sunshine and is 84F.
The bees are out looking for anything still alive, and are finding some pollen. We've put a quart of sugar water on the inner cover. Two days ago, they had barely touched it. Today it is gone. Last week, during one of the 70+ days without rain we peeked into the top deep (two deeps for each hive). It looked like they both had about 7 or 8 full frames of capped honey.
We will drop to the mid 70's tomorrow, with a steady decline until next Saturday when the high is expected to be 53. Lows consistently in the 40's.
I think the girls should be using up their stores like crazy on these sunny and warmer days. I don't know when the flowering plants will decide winter is over and start pushing out blossoms. It is too early to think we won't drop back into the 30's before true Spring gets here.
So, I'm wondering, do I just hold tight and keep feeding sugar water?
Should I be adding anything for their health?
Since I see pollen coming in, I'm not worried about pollen cakes, and I really don't want to add anything that will encourage small hive beetles.
I've now had the two hives for 9 months, and don't really know what to expect between now and Spring.
At what point do I add a medium super? I had been told initially to add when they super below is 80% full, but that's also what we went into winter with.
When do I worry about swarming.
I guess this is what Winter is for ... worrying.
Anyway, this nervous nelly would love to hear from any of you.
