hive covers

[mamapoppybee]

When do you or what do you use as a general rule of thumb for knowing when it is safe to remove your covers with out risk to the colony for spring?

[Perry]

Different folks will have different answers for this. I have popped covers with snow on the ground to quickly slide in patties in March. I would say for any type of inspection I would want 10 C (50 F) or above.

[iddee]

If you mean for an inspection, Perry said it.

If you mean remove the winter wrap, Oklahoma should be able to do it the last of Feb. or first of March.

[mamapoppybee]

Is it sad that I read remove the winter crap not wrap lol and yes that is what I mean end of Feb got it.

[Riverrat]

You can remove it at anytime.  Not many in Kansas or Oklahoma wrap  hives.  There is not much advantage to wrapping unless you have a prolonged deep cold spell which we just don't get this far south

[brooksbeefarm]

If the temp is 60F or above and no, or very little wind, i have many times looked in the hive to see whats going on inside by looking at a few frames. If it has been in the 60's f, for 3 or 4 days before i look in, i will clean the bottom board off. But that's just me, haven't had any problems doing so. Jack

[Lburou]

FWIW, I read the info below in an article by Jerry Freeman, recommended by tec:

Temperature   (These are general guidelines and not necessarily exact facts.) 

Below 30 F
Open the hive only in emergency, such as to feed or remove chemicals. If feeding is necessary below 30 F, we must use dry sugar so the feed won’t freeze.

Below 40 F
Open the hive only in emergency, such as to feed or remove chemicals. Bees cannot get far from the warmth of the cluster at below 40 F so feed must be placed directly above the cluster.

Below 50 F
At 50 F, the bees are loosely clustered. The hive can be opened but brood combs should NOT be removed. Side combs can be removed to look at brood combs, but must be replaced quickly to avoid letting the brood get chilled.

55 F
Bees begin to fly at 55 F, especially for cleansing flights. Honey bees will not defecate inside the hive unless they have Nosema – Honey Bee diarrhea. They will also begin flying to collect nectar and pollen if it is available. Hives can be opened, but care must be taken to avoid chilling the brood.

60 F Complete hive inspection can be made, but brood combs should be returned to the hive quickly.

70 F is warm enough to completely disassemble the hive and frames for a thorough inspection.   ..."

[capt44]

Here in central Arkansas I go into my hives at 70 degrees F but I will open the top and inner cover to add syrup or candy at 50 degrees F on a sunny day with little wind.
I went into some of my hives yesterday, it was 73 degrees F and sunny.
They have larva and capped brood already.