Mandatory vs Optional
How to use the labels
- Mandatory = core checks you should do on most inspections.
- Optional = do when relevant (season, colony state, your goals).
- Optional can become “effectively mandatory” during swarm season.
Be efficient
Reduce stress + chilling
- Decide your purpose before opening.
- Keep brood frames over the box.
- Short, purposeful inspections beat long “explorations”.
Observe first
The hive tells you a lot
- Entrance behaviour can reveal robbing or weakness.
- Weather matters — adapt frequency and speed.
- Record what you saw, not just what you did.
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Mandatory
Optional