These hives have been dug out of the snow, ready for inspection , pollen supplements, and mite treatments which begins in early March. May. This is a strong over-wintered colony ready for splitting. Queens for new splits are imported from Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia. Over 50,000 queens are imported annually to replace winter losses, requeen or improve genetic stock and control swarming. In late May the new splits are moved onto canola, alfalfa, clover and borage crops in advance of the nectar producing season.
Many overwintered hives remain in protected locations year round in the vicinity of crop land.
Bees forage up to 2 miles but will work most heavily on the crops nearest to the yard site. Nature's Pollinator Bees forage for both nectar and pollen. Pollen provides the colony with the protein, minerals, and vitamins important for the production of brood in a growing colony. The yellow and orange colored pollen pellets are clearly visible on these bees which have landed on a truck deck that was blocking the flight path to the hives. A great deal of cross pollination occurs while bees forage.