In January start feeding pollen patties. Protein is needed for new brood.
Mid-February is generally when willow, oaks, and maples produce pollen and some small nectar flow, however, the temps are usually not warm enough for foraging so feeding pollen patties is necessary.
If you get a warm day, 50 degrees or more, do a quick brood inspection.
Your darker races of bees may have no brood while some Italians and crosses should have a partial frame of brood or more.
January or February is a good time to use HopGuard strips or OAV (oxalic acid vapor) to kill phoretic mites.
Check on honey stores. If there is a warm day (50 degrees or more) you can inspect the hive. If weather does not permit inspecting, check honey stores by lifting on the back of your hive to check weight. If they are heavy, chances are they have honey left. If hive is light they probably don’t have honey left. Add/replenish winter feed if necessary. DO NOT LET YOUR BEES STARVE! Bees can die within a matter of days without a carbohydrate source. Carbs are more critical than protein at this point.
Remove any snow which may have accumulated at the entrance to avoid suffocation.
