February is one of the most critical months for honey bee survival. As winter drags on, hive food stores are often at their lowest just as the queen begins laying again in many regions. Brood rearing increases the colony’s need for warmth, and warmth requires fuel. Even in mild climates, starvation remains the leading cause of winter hive loss.
Regularly lifting the hive to check weight is one of the simplest and most effective ways to monitor food reserves. If the hive feels light, emergency feed should be added immediately. On warmer days, cleansing flights are a positive sign that the colony is managing winter stress successfully.
Providing supplemental winter feed, including liquid feed and protein patties, can help colonies bridge the gap until natural forage becomes available. Supporting hive nutrition in February can make the difference between a struggling colony and a strong spring build-up.
Explore winter feed and hive nutrition options at Harvest Lane Honey:
https://harvestlane.com/collections/hive-health-nutrition/Feed
