Where is spring? Asking for the bees...

Beekeepers throughout the United States are eagerly waiting for spring to arrive- real spring, not a few days where the thermometer hovers above freezing, only to plunge into snowstorm territory once again. 

Keepers in many states, especially in the top half of the nation, are reporting ongoing spring hive losses as bees endure the cold weather patterns that have dominated over the past several weeks. For some with a number of hive, winter losses will mean doing more hive splits to repopulate their apiaries. For others, especially hobbyists who have only a few hives, these losses can mean total collapse.

Unfortunately, as weather patterns continue to swing more erratically, beekeepers are likely to continue to experience these difficult conditions in the years ahead. As with any kinds of farming (and yes, bees are livestock), unexpected challenges outside of human control can often make the difference between success and failure.

What percent of you bees survived so far into 2018? Share your story in our poll while we all wait for spring to finally arrive.