Snowdrops and hazel catkins are appearing. Monitor for Asian hornet queens
It has been a stormy winter but spring is on its way so queens will start laying. It is a critical time for bees. Heft your hives to check that there is enough food, and supplement with fondant if there is any doubt. Equipment in store should have been cleaned and mended by now, to reduce the risk of infections. Check your plan for the coming season, and start to make up frames for replacing old comb, but don’t add foundation just yet. Put monitoring traps up for Asian Hornets NOW where you will see them every day, and remember to check for and release any other insects. If there are foundress queens, they will be coming out of hibernation now. Keep checking the NBU (National Bee Unit) website for latest news