March Beekeeping in Vermont: A Day of Hope and Loss

The First Check of the Season

Today was one of those glorious March days in Vermont—almost 60 degrees and sunny. I suited up and headed out to the hives, already sweating in my bee suit before I even got there. March in Vermont is a tricky time for beekeepers—the snow is melting, the days are getting longer, but we're never quite sure what we'll find when we open those hives that have been silent and still for months.

I had a glimmer of hope going into today's inspection. A few weeks back, I'd spotted bee poop on the snow—those telltale yellow and brown spots that mean at least one hive had survivors taking cleansing flights on a warm winter day. It's one of the most beautiful sights a beekeeper can see in late winter. But I still didn't know which hive it was, or if both had made it.

The first hive showed promising signs. I could hear the gentle hum before I even got close—that beautiful sound that tells you life is stirring inside. When I carefully opened it up, there they were: my girls, clustered together, moving slowly but definitely alive. Relief washed over me.

But the second hive was silent. No movement, no sound. As I opened it, my heart sank. They hadn't made it past the deep winter. It's a loss that every beekeeper in the Northeast knows too well, but it never gets easier.

The Reality of March Beekeeping in the Northeast

This is the reality of keeping bees in Vermont and throughout the Northeast. March is when we discover which colonies survived and which ones didn't. It's a month of mixed emotions—hope and heartbreak often arriving on the same day.

What to Do in March for Your Bees

Watch for Signs Before You Open the Hives

Even before you do your first official inspection, keep an eye out for clues. Bee poop on the snow is one of the best signs that your bees are alive and taking cleansing flights on warmer days. Those yellow and brown spots might not look like much, but they're a beacon of hope in late winter.

Choose a Warm Day for Your First Check

Wait for a day when temperatures reach at least 50°F, ideally higher. Today's near-60 degree weather was perfect for a thorough inspection. You don't want to break the cluster on a cold day and risk chilling the bees. And yes, you'll probably sweat in your bee suit on these warmer March days—but that's a good problem to have!

Look for Signs of Life

Before you even open the hive, watch and listen. Are bees flying in and out? Can you hear buzzing? These are good signs. Check the entrance for dead bees—a few are normal, but piles of them might indicate a problem.

Do a Quick Visual Inspection

You don't need to pull every frame in March. Just lift the lid and take a quick look. Are the bees clustered? Do you see the queen or evidence of her (eggs or young larvae)? Are there adequate food stores?

Check Food Stores and Feed if Necessary

This is critical. Even though spring is coming, there's not much blooming yet in Vermont. Your bees can still starve in March and April—it's called spring dwindling, and it's a real threat. Heft your hive from the back to gauge weight. If it feels light, your bees need food.

Emergency feeding options for March include:

• Sugar fondant or candy boards: Place these directly on top of the frames where the cluster can access them easily
• 1:1 sugar syrup: On warmer days (above 50°F), you can feed syrup, but be careful not to feed when it's too cold or the bees won't be able to take it
• Frames of honey: If you have stored frames from last season, this is the perfect time to give them to your bees

Consider Early Mite Treatment

March is also a good time to think about mite management. If you're planning to use treatments that require certain temperatures or need to be applied before honey supers go on, now is the time to plan.

Early spring treatment options include:

• Oxalic acid vapor: Works well when there's little to no brood, which is often the case in early March
• Formic acid: Can be applied when temperatures are consistently in the right range (check product guidelines)
• Monitoring: Sugar roll to check mite levels and determine if treatment is necessary

Getting ahead of mites in spring can make a huge difference in your colony's health throughout the season.

Assess Winter Losses

If you've lost a hive, take time to investigate why. Was it starvation? Disease? Moisture? Mites? Understanding what happened helps you prepare better for next winter. And don't beat yourself up—even experienced beekeepers lose hives.

What to Do with a Dead Hive Full of Honey

If you've lost a hive but the frames are still full of honey, you have a valuable resource that shouldn't go to waste. Here's how to handle it:

First, determine if it's safe to use:

• Look for signs of disease, especially American Foulbrood (ropy, foul-smelling brood cells). If you suspect AFB, do NOT use the frames—contact your state bee inspector
• Check for mold or fermentation. A little surface mold can be scraped off, but heavily moldy frames should be discarded
• If the honey looks and smells good and there's no sign of disease, it's safe to use

How to use the honey frames:

• Feed your surviving colonies: Place frames of honey directly into your living hives. Put them next to the cluster so the bees can access them easily. This is the best use—it's exactly what your bees need in late winter and early spring
• Store for later: Freeze frames for 48 hours to kill any wax moth eggs, then store in sealed containers for use later in the season if your bees need emergency feeding
• Extract for yourself: If you have more than your bees need, you can extract the honey for your own use (as long as there's no sign of disease)

Those frames of honey represent your lost colony's hard work. Using them to help your surviving bees makes their loss a little more bearable.

Clean Up Dead Hives

After you've salvaged usable honey frames, remove the dead bees and assess the equipment. Clean and store boxes and frames properly for reuse. This is also a good time to scrape off excess propolis and wax.

Plan for Spring

March is also the time to order package bees or nucs if you need to replace lost colonies or expand your apiary. Spring deliveries fill up fast, so don't wait.

Prepare Equipment

Start getting your equipment ready. Clean and repair boxes, assemble new frames, and make sure you have everything you'll need when the nectar flow starts in a few weeks.

The Bittersweet Nature of Beekeeping

As I walked back to the house today, peeling off my sweaty bee suit, I felt both joy and sadness. One hive made it—those tough little survivors fought through months of cold and came out the other side. I'll give them extra attention, make sure they have enough food, check their mite levels, and watch them build their numbers as spring progresses.

The hive that didn't make it? I'll salvage those frames of honey for my surviving colony, learn from the loss, clean up the equipment, and order a new package to start fresh. That's the cycle of beekeeping in Vermont—loss and renewal, heartbreak and hope, all wrapped up in the changing seasons.

Looking Ahead

March in the Northeast is just the beginning. Soon the maples will bloom, then the dandelions, and before we know it, the apple blossoms will arrive. The surviving hive will build up, and the new bees will settle in. By summer, both hives will be buzzing with activity, and today's sadness will be tempered by the sweet reward of honey and the satisfaction of keeping these incredible creatures.

If you're a beekeeper in Vermont or anywhere in the Northeast, I hope your March check brought you good news. And if it didn't, know that you're not alone. We'll try again, learn from our losses, and keep working to give our bees the best chance we can.

Here's to the survivors, and to the hope that spring brings.