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February in Northwest Arkansas can be all over the place—one day it’s freezing, the next day it feels like spring is knocking on the door. For us beekeepers, this is a transition month. The bees are thinking about coming out of winter mode, bringing in pollen and stretching their wings. Then the next week its 10 degrees and there is snow blocking the entrance.
Early Pollen Means Brood is Growing
If you’ve been out watching your hives on the warm days, you might’ve noticed bees bringing in bright yellow or orange pollen. That’s a good sign! It means trees like red maple, willow, and elm are starting to bloom, and the bees are using that pollen to feed their brood. The queen is getting back to business, and before long, the hive will start building up fast.
I saw my bees hauling in light yellow pollen the week of February 6th, which tells me they’re ramping up. This is great, but it also means food stores are gonna start disappearing quicker, so now’s the time to keep an eye on things.
February To-Do List
We’re not quite to full hive inspection season yet, but there are still a few things to stay on top of:
✅ Check Food Stores – This is crunch time. With brood rearing starting up, food reserves can drop fast. If your hives feel light, slap on some dry sugar, fondant, or a candy board. No liquid syrup yet unless we’re consistently above 50°F. (Nobody wants cold, wet bees!)
✅ Peek Inside on Warm Days – If we get a day in the 50s with little wind, pop the lid real quick to check food levels and where the cluster is. Look for signs of starvation (like bees head-down in empty combs) and give ‘em a boost if needed. Don’t linger—just a quick look.
✅ Check for Deadouts – Unfortunately, not every hive makes it through winter. If you’ve got a deadout, figure out why. Starvation? Too much moisture? Mite overload from fall? Clean up the equipment and get ready for new bees. (And yeah, it’s okay to feel a little sad about it but it happens to all of us.)
✅ Pollen Check – If bees are already bringing in plenty, great! If not, and your hives seem weak, you might think about adding a pollen patty to help out. Just don’t overdo it—too much early brood can backfire if we get another cold snap.
Come to Our Monthly Meeting!
Beekeeping is a lot easier when you’ve got a good group to talk things through with. Our monthly meetings at the Washington County Extension Office are a great way to get advice, meet other beekeepers, and just talk bees. If you’re not already coming, you should! There’s always something new to learn, and we’d love to see you there.
February is all about getting ready for the rush of spring. Keep an eye on food stores, watch for pollen, and get your equipment ready. Before long, things will be buzzing like crazy!
Happy Beekeeping! 🐝
— Jay Davidson
President, NW Arkansas Beekeepers Association
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