When do we know they made it through winter?

[oblib]

As the title says, assuming we are then able to check at least every couple of weeks on stores so they don't strarve, when can we count a hive as made it through?

[DBeeCooper]

JMO- but I'd say if they're raising drones they've completed the cycle.

[Maryland Beekeeper]

Never ?

[Michael Palmer]

Here in Vermont...when the Dandelion flow starts.

[oblib]

Dandelion.......... I should have thought of that..

[mac]

Red maple in Fl.

[westernbeekeeper]

I relax when my bees start their February brood cycle.

[Vance G]

Bees can and do starve out regularly in late spring when they are brooding up big and you get a week of cold and rain. This can be during and after Dandelions!

[hilreal]

Swarm cells!

[beedeetee]

April 1 is when I count hives to determine loses from the past year and the number that I am starting with in the current year. For my area March is a great starvation month. I have to keep my eye on them. They seem to want to raise brood but can't get out because of the rain.

[Mr.Beeman]

I'm thinking when July hits. lol

April sounds about right.

[Acebird]

If there is still open brood a week after I touched the hive in the spring.

[AstroBee]

This is very location specific. For us we have dandelions in December through May, without a real massive flow from them. Our maples start in February, but everything shuts down again for a while after the maples and you can certainly lose colonies during this mini-dearth. I've lost hives during this period and have only beekeeper neglect to blame. So allowing for "neglect", I'd say the first real flow after the maples (typically fruit trees). However, assuming you're a good beekeeper, then if your bees make it to the maples, then you're probably in good shape, but watch them carefully - especially your biggest colonies.

[TheBuzz]

Everyone knows there is only one season in Florida ! You know they've survived because you can see cleansing flights. Don't keep opening the hive either, your letting their little bit of heat out.

[wadehump]

for me it is when the dandelions have started to pop.

[squarepeg]

not sure here. i guess it would be when they start gaining instead of losing weight.

[BattenkillJB]

Being sick and tired of losing perfectly good hives during winter I am putting my ear against the hive bodies this year from time to time to hear them buzzing. If I don't hear anything I am not waiting until spring to see if they can be saved with some intervention. At least I can plan rather than get disappointed when the dandelions are in bloom and I have no bees.
Listening allows me to hear if they are moving up or down also. Some people use this movement to see if they have used up their stores.
If so, they need to be fed sugar syrup.

[jdmidwest]

It warmed up here enough today for them to break cluster and get out. Unfortunately, about 30 chilled on the top cover and died. I did take a peek inside thru the inside cover and saw some activity when I added some sugar for them to munch on. Temps are going to be in the 50 and 60 degree range the next few days, then cold again. Thought they might need a snack.

[BGhoney]

Once it stops raining for more than an hour. Mid april.

[oblib]

The reason I asked was because I know I need to sell off some of my over wintered nucs. Was hoping for an earlier date so I could decide how many I need to sell without leaving myself short on bees. I guess I'm just going to have to make a decision and advertise them now and just HOPE I don't leave myself with less than I wanted.