She stops laying eggs during this period in general with very little resources around she reserves her energy and that of the colony to a minimum.

It's a natural process during dearth periods especially in the cold winter months of June and July.

This photo is courtesy of one of our beginner bee courses from April

Observation Notes:

• The honey store at the top of the top bar is what the nurse bees use for the brood on that side of the frame

• The brood cells are declining to nothing with very few other eggs surrounding the brood pattern

• Worker population dwindles as the colony contracts during the winter.

• Feeding may be necessary to assist the bees with getting through black frost/cold spells.

• Refrain from opening too frequently and breaking their propolis seal around the hive which maintains their internal climate control measures

#propolis #broodpattern #dearthperiod #wintermonths