how to do a winter check?

[pistolpete]

I understand that it's best not to bother the hives at all until the grass starts poking up.   However, around here suppliers sell out of Nucs by the end of february, so there is a need to assess winter losses and place orders this time of year. 

It was 3 degrees C., so I peeked at two of my hives today.  Just cracked the lid about a 1/2" and had a quick look.  The bees were all over the tops of the frames, pretty much everywhere I could see.   Some bees were on top of the inner cover too, poking around. 

My question is: is there a proper way to do this kind of check.  I'd really like to assess the cluster size and store reserves, but I dare not open the lid all the way.  Also the minute I crack the lid, the hive starts to boil over as bees rush to take a peek at the scenery.

[kingd]

Have the same problem here too with one of my hives,I have been sliding sugar blocks in but would love to know what is really going on.

[LazyBkpr]

I was adamantly told NOT to open the hives when it got below 45 ish..   I have always tried to stick by that, until this year..   A LACK of fall flow has me in the hives about every three to four weeks..  The bees are UP ON the sugar. All of them, in every hive..  so, HOW, do you put more sugar on, without squishing bees, and without disturbing the cluster?

   The hard answer is, you dont.   I smoke them down, and that disturbs the heck out of them, then put the sugar cakes on and close them up. I have fingers crossed, toes crossed, and things that shouldnt be crossed crossed as I whisper prayers and apologies to the bees..
   So far so good.....

[Ray4852]

First thing I look for when I check my hives,  tap on the side and listen to see if they are still alive. I make sure both entrances are open. The bottom entrance is usually plugged with snow. I clean it out. Next I lift up the back end of hive to feel how heavy it is. If it feels light I feed fondant. I wont open it till I get a nice day with light wind with temp close to 50 degrees. I look under the hive on top of cinder blocks. Sometimes I find a mouse nest under the screen bottom board. I clean it out. The bee cluster will be very small this time of year. If your hives are still alive, There’s a very good chance they will still be alive come spring. Order your bees now. If you don’t need them. You can sell them. If you live up north you wont be able to open your hive till April. If you try opening your hive now. You wont have any bees in the spring.   

[camero7]

I was adamantly told NOT to open the hives when it got below 45 ish..   I have always tried to stick by that, until this year..   A LACK of fall flow has me in the hives about every three to four weeks..  The bees are UP ON the sugar. All of them, in every hive..  so, HOW, do you put more sugar on, without squishing bees, and without disturbing the cluster?

   The hard answer is, you dont.   I smoke them down, and that disturbs the heck out of them, then put the sugar cakes on and close them up. I have fingers crossed, toes crossed, and things that shouldnt be crossed crossed as I whisper prayers and apologies to the bees..
   So far so good.....

I open mine at 20°F to check the sugar on my nucs. Haven't had a problem yet. Been doing it for several years... I don't use smoke in the winter, just push the bees over with the new sugar block. Lose a few to the cold when they fly but starvation will kill many more.

[apisbees]

Lift the back of the hive and check the weight. Be concerned about the light hives. if they are supper light and are going to starve if you do nothing with, them then throw the rules and what you should and shouldn't do out the window. Open the top and place fondant on top.
Hefting the hive should get a buzz out of the bees that you should hear to tell if they are still alive.

[riverbee]

i order nucs to cover winter losses in the fall and as late as december, not at this time of year, but some can be available. if i don't i lose out. whether i lose hives or not, or i don't need all of the nucs, my supplier has a plenty good list of waiters if i back out.  this is a crap shoot with hives.  many times hives i thought would make it didn't, and ones i thought were on the edge of not making it, made it.  you never know with all the variables thrown into wintering honey bees.  you do all the right things and come late winter to late spring, you lose them.

i know what's in my hives for stores going into winter. i also place 2 inch shims on just in case i need to feed later, like now and going forward. i heft the hives regularly. i listen with a good stethoscope to figure out approximately where they are, not a cheap one. my hearing is not good against a hive.  i have opened hives quickly below  40DF to shove winter feed in, and i don't use any smoke. i only open long enough to slide/shove feed in and  if i think the hive is in danger of starvation. IMHO there is no reason to unnecessarily open a hive to determine cluster size or reserves left pete, just to prepare and order for winter losses.  if you think they are in danger of starvation, add feed. it won't hurt, even if they have reserves. it will be consumed.

like apis said, and jack has said the same thing, throw the rules out if you think they are in danger of starvation.

[tefer2]

We run the 2 inch feed shim like Riverbee does too.
It does give the option of looking into the inner cover hole to check on the emergency feed brick.
Only takes a minute to add more if they are up there already and its almost gone.
Using smoke in winter will break up the cluster below.
Better to be as fast as you can, plan your actions before you begin .
Have your beejacket on before opening that top.
They hate cold weather and head right for your eyeball!