If you’ve just installed a package or a nuc, you’ll want to wait about 5–7 days before doing your first inspection. This gives the bees time to settle in and start building comb. If you check too early, you may disturb the queen before she’s established.

Your goal when doing an inspection is to evaluate the health of the colony. Use a journal or other record keeping method for jotting down what you see each time. This will help you know how your colony is growing and changing.

1. Is the queen present and active?
2. Are the bees building comb?
3. Do you see pollen and nectar?
4. Are there pest problems?
5. Are the bees calm and active?

1. Is the Queen Present and Active?

You might not spot the queen herself on your first inspection—and that’s okay! Instead, look for signs that she’s doing her job, which is laying eggs.

What to look for:

• Fresh eggs (tiny grains of rice in the bottom of cells)
• Larvae (white macaroni shapes in a milky liquid)
• Capped brood (wax-covered cells in the center of the frame)

Arizona-specific note: Queens can sometimes slow down or stop laying in extreme heat. If you see eggs and brood, that’s a good sign your queen is adjusting well.

2. Are the Bees Building Comb?

If you installed foundationless frames or new foundation, check to see how much comb has been built. You want to see straight, centered comb on the frames. If bees are building comb between frames or crossways, gently scrape it off to prevent problems later. We call that burr comb.

3. Do You See Pollen and Nectar?

A healthy hive has a variety of resources. Look for:

• Pollen: Often packed on the edges of brood frames in colors like yellow, orange, or red. This is what the nurse bees eat in order to make brood food. If there is no pollen strores, consider offering substitute pollen.
• Nectar: Glossier and uncapped, or capped in white wax once turned to honey. Uncapped nectar means bees are finding food and making honey. It is not uncommon to feed your bees sugar syrup when installing nucs and packages to help the bees build their home faster. If you aren’t seeing nectar coming in, definitely feed them.

Arizona-specific guidance: During our dry seasons (summer and fall), natural forage can be scarce. Feed sugar syrup if needed, especially in the first few weeks. If we are lucky, we will get a monsoon sometime in July, which can really make a difference for our bees.

Early inspections help you catch issues before they grow. Be on the lookout for:

• Ants: Common in Arizona during the summer and fall—use ant moats, Diatomaceous Earth (DE), or ant baits like Amdro.
• Small hive beetles: Less common in our dry climate but still possible in flood irrigated properties—use Swiffer cloths or beetle traps.
• Varroa mites: You won’t usually see them crawling, but testing for them (sugar roll or alcohol wash) is smart after the first month. I highly recommend using the Easy Check Mite test kit. Directions are right on the box, and it’s simple to use. Make sure you shake the bees from a brood frame to get the most accurate count.—For treatment options, consult the Honeybee Health Coalition Varroa Management Tool.

Arizona pest alert: Wax moths love abandoned comb in hot conditions. If your colony is weak or absconds, be sure to expose your frames to light or place them in the freezer.

Use your first inspection to get a feel for your bees. Are they flying steadily in and out of the entrance? Are they gentle when you open the hive? These are signs of a healthy colony. This will be your gauge for any changes in future inspections.

Arizona tip: Give your hive a few visits to get a true feel for their personality. Keep in mind that there are times when bees are crabby. If it is windy, very hot, cold, or cloudy, bees can bee more defensive. If you can choose a different day that has better conditions, go ahead. Arizona bees can be defensive if stressed by heat, wind, or landscaping tools like mowers, weed eaters and blowers.

Your first hive inspection is about building confidence and getting to know your colony. Take notes or even snap a few photos (without the flash) to document progress. And remember—every inspection is a chance to learn.

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