Ray Reviews – Things Every Beekeeper Must Check After Winter #beekeeping
Despite a bee sting to the eye, Master Beekeeper Ray shares crucial beekeeping tips for the first hive inspection after winter. He details what to look for to ensure the health and well-being of honeybees, especially after overwintering bees. This hive inspection is vital for successful beekeeping.
Join Ray Hewitt, a University of Florida Certified Master Beekeeper, for the first deep-dive hive inspection of 2026. Winter has finally broken here in South Carolina, with temperatures hitting the low 70s—the perfect time to check our colonies’ progress!
In this video, we walk through a late winter hive inspection:
Queen Status: Are they laying eggs? (Spoiler: One hive might be in trouble!)
Brood Patterns: Checking for early spring larvae and capped brood.
Food Stores: Ensuring they haven’t run out of fondant or honey.
Hive Health: Performing an alcohol wash mite test on our most aggressive colony.
Action Taken: Feeding sugar water and transferring frames to save a potential queenless hive.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your beekeeping journey, see what a Master Beekeeper looks for to ensure a prolific honey season.
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#Beekeeping #MasterBeekeeper #HoneyTopBees #SpringBeekeeping #BeeHiveInspection #MiteTest #HoneyBees #SouthCarolinaBees