Join an Upcoming Inspection

April: Spring Hive Inspection

Spring is one of the most exciting times in the apiary! As temperatures warm and flowers begin to bloom across East Tennessee, honeybee colonies rapidly grow and prepare for the busy nectar season ahead.

We currently have spots available for our hive inspections on Saturday, April 4th and April 18th (weather permitting). The cost is $80 per person - children are $60 - (limited to 3 guests in the apiary).

Book Now!

Who is this for?

Curious beginners who want a guided first look under the lid
New beekeepers seeking practical, seasonal checklists
Homesteaders and gardeners adding pollinators to their landscape
Families (No more than 3 guests in the apiary at one time. Children are welcome with a supervising adult; recommended age 10+ for hive-side participation)

What to Expect

Duration: ~2 hours (15–20 minutes intro and suiting up + ~75 minutes in the apiary + Q&A)
Gear: We provide veils/jackets/suits, gloves and tools; no outside hive tools or gloves allowed. You’re welcome to bring your own suit and smoker if you want guidance on lighting it and keeping it lit.
Take-home: Digital photos of your experience will be provided post-inspection, links to useful tools such as inspection checklist/recordkeeping form and mite management tool.

Hands-on skills you’ll practice:

Fire up the Smoker (and Keep It Lit):

Safe fuel choices, lighting techniques, and when/why to use smoke.

Spring Colony Assessment:

Evaluate hive strength after winter by looking at bee population, brood pattern, and overall colony activity.

Brood Identification:

Learn to spot eggs, larvae, and capped brood and understand what each stage tells us about colony growth.

Queen Verification:

Try to spot the queen (fun, not guaranteed!).

If she’s elusive, look for evidence—fresh eggs centered in brood comb and proper larval stages.

Varroa Management:

Our March Inspection included an alcohol wash test and concluded no need for a mite treatment.

Swarm Awareness:

Learn how beekeepers recognize early swarm signals such as queen cups or queen cells during rapid spring buildup.

Space Management:

How beekeepers decide when to add boxes or frames so the colony has room to grow during the spring nectar flow.

Recordkeeping that Matters:

Complete an inspection form (we’ll provide a template) so you can track brood pattern, colony strength, queen status, and seasonal progress over time.