JP, you go!!! Wow, it is the weirdest thing when I hear of the colonies already getting busy, as in your state. Soon we will have pictures of you and your swarm catching work, yeah!!! Missed that all this wintertime.....We don't have to worry about any swarmy stuff until about the end of April, moreso, into May, so we have a long ways to go yet. The bees haven't yet even ventured out for any cleansing flights. This has been an extraordinarily cold winter. I will be feeding pollen patties in a couple of weeks to give that kick start of brood rearing. I will check the colonies soon, on the next nice day, smiling, whenever that will be. It will be just a short 1 minute inspection to see how their supplies in the top box are (2 deep boxes for winter here) and to give a pollen patty that will cover about 6 frames, it will be a big one, one that will hold them over for a while, it also helps to keep the warmth in the hive, and it smells so nice, the bees will love me, smiling. have that wonderful day, awesome life, attract great health. Cindi