AABA Newsletter February 2026 volume 27

Winter That Wasn’t: How Unseasonal Warm Spells Affect Our Bees

By Elissa Sexton

Central Texas winters are rarely consistent, but in recent years we’ve experienced longer warm spells, sudden temperature swings, and even spring-like days in January and February. While we may enjoy the break from cold weather, our honeybees respond very differently to these changes. Unseasonal warmth can significantly affect colony behavior, food consumption, brood production, pest pressure, and overall survival.

When daytime temperatures climb into the 70s or 80s during winter months, colonies respond quickly. Warm weather stimulates the queen to increase egg laying, and the colony begins building as though spring has arrived. While this may seem beneficial, expanded brood production comes at a cost. Nurse bees must consume more protein from stored pollen or supplements, and the colony burns through honey reserves more rapidly to maintain brood nest temperatures between 93 and 95 degrees. If a sudden cold snap follows, brood can be chilled if the cluster is unable to adequately cover it.

Warm days also send foragers out in search of nectar and pollen, but floral resources may still be limited. Some early blooms provide pollen but little nectar, and drought conditions can further reduce nectar secretion even when plants are flowering. Bees expend valuable energy flying but may return with minimal resources.

Another consequence of early warmth is a shift in swarm timing. Colonies stimulated by winter warm spells can reach swarm strength weeks earlier than usual. In Central Texas, swarm season begins early, and warm winters can push that timeline forward even more. Beekeepers who traditionally prepare equipment in late March may find themselves scrambling in February. Climate variability is becoming part of modern beekeeping. Central Texas beekeepers already navigate drought, heat, and unpredictable nectar flows, and mild winters add another layer of complexity. Fortunately, strong, well-fed colonies with manageable mite levels are remarkably adaptable. The key is vigilance. Warm winter days are not a signal to relax, but an invitation to observe more closely.

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Preparing Your Beehives for Spring in the Austin Area

From Rachael Lam

Spring arrives early in Central Texas and that means hive preparation begins long before most people start thinking about flowers. By late January and February, our mild winters often allow colonies to resume brood rearing, even while cold snaps still threaten. Proper spring preparation during this transitional period can make the difference between a struggling hive and a booming, productive colony.

The first step is timing your inspections carefully. On a warm, calm day above about 60°F, briefly open each hive to assess overall colony health. Look for signs of an active queen such as eggs or young larvae, evaluate population size, and check food stores. Austin winters are unpredictable, and colonies frequently consume more honey than expected due to intermittent brood cycles. If frames feel light or you see limited capped honey, supplemental feeding may be necessary. Many local beekeepers use sugar syrup or fondant at this stage, especially if redbud and elm blooms haven’t fully kicked off yet. Early feeding helps prevent starvation and supports the queen as she ramps up egg laying.

This is also an ideal time to clean up winter debris. Remove dead bees from bottom boards, scrape away excess propolis if needed, and replace any damaged or moldy frames. Old, dark comb can be rotated out gradually over the season to encourage healthier brood cycles. If you’re running screened bottom boards, verify that they are secure and free of buildup.

Pest management is another critical component of spring readiness. Varroa mites remain active year-round in Central Texas, and early spring is a strategic time to assess mite loads before populations explode. Conducting a mite test and treat if necessary, gives your colonies a stronger start heading into peak brood production. Small hive beetles also become more active as temperatures rise, so maintaining strong colonies and minimizing empty space inside the hive can help keep beetle populations in check.

Preparing your hives for spring in Central Texas is about staying ahead of rapid seasonal changes. A little attention now pays off with stronger colonies, better honey production, and healthier bees throughout the year.

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WHAT’S BLOOMING?

Here’s a visual and seasonal guide to plants and trees that bloom in the Austin, TX area in January and February — including what to look for and photos to help you identify them . Bloom times can vary from year to year depending on weather, but many of these species reliably bloom in late winter or early spring here.

February is transitional — you’ll often see early annuals and wildflowers, the first buzz of nectar plants, and trees just starting to wake up after winter dormancy.

Honey-Sweetened Chocolate Chip Cookies

Honey produces a soft, chewy, cake-like texture but causes more spread, so keeping dough cool is important.

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Out and About In Our Community: Upcoming

Bee & Floral Events

February 23 – April 20, 2026 – Texas Master Beekeeper Program (Apprentice & Advanced)

• Hosted by: Texas A&M AgriLife (statewide, includes field sessions)

• When: Feb 23 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) kickoff; then weekly through April

• What: 10-week structured training for beekeepers at Apprentice and Advanced levels — includes online modules with planned hands-on field days.

February 28, 2026 – Eco Printing Workshop

• What: Plant-based eco printing (art + garden plant uses) Saturday Feb 28, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

• Good for learning plant/pollinator connections and creative uses of garden blooms. February 28, 2026 – Native Plant Society of Texas Spring Symposium

• Hosted by: Native Plant Society of Texas

• What: Spring Symposium in Austin — features talks and education on native plants, which are key for pollinators.

March 4 & March 24, 2026 – Two Hives “Beek Apprenticeship” Sessions

• Hosted by: Two Hives Honey (Austin)

• What: Part of a beekeeping apprenticeship series — classroom + practical sessions in early March focusing on real hive work. March 4 – Grow Together: Pollinator Gardens & Plant Swap

• Where: Windsor Park (Austin)

• What: Pollinator garden conversation + plant swap event. Good for gardeners wanting pollinator plants.

March 7, 2026 – 16th Annual Beekeeping School

• Hosted by: Central Texas Beekeepers Association

• When: Saturday, March 7, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

• What: Full-day beekeeping school with sessions for beginners through advanced beekeepers, live hive demonstration, and vendor area. Registration is open now.

FROM YOUR BOARD

Our newly elected Vice-president, Kellie, is working diligently on a new face for the Austin Area Beekeepers Association. In order to get our WEBSITE updated she is looking for photos to improve our site. Anyone with 3- 4 photos you'd like to share can email them to her with a simple location indicator ie. South Austin, Round Rock, East Austin, you get the idea! If you would like to be recognized for your photos let her know to include your name. You can also remain an anonymous contributor. Not all photos will be used at once so she will keep a file which you can update as spring approaches and you get into your hives. Be sure to include a variety: comb, honey, brood patterns, your apiary, YOU! Another update is our Domain Name. Due to circumstances beyond our control we lost our previous name atxbees.org which allowed internet searches to easily find us. Our new name is Austinareabeekeepers.org. In order to be toward the top of a search page we need to get our club 'known'. You can help by writing a review of the club on Google Reviews. Use this link https://share.google/Yt3qD41MwDw5vcjYn Give us a 5 STAR rating (of course), make a short or long comment and add a picture if you'd like.