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The 3 Influences that Influence EVERYTHING Inside Your Hives
Environment Trumps Inspections
Jonathan Hargus
February 01, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Today’s Thought-TrailThere all along…There are three environmental drivers that we are all aware of but most never correlate to being the direct influence of internal, colony conditions. And these three things influence: Biological Production, Population & Structure, Reproductive & Expressive Signals, which determine the Expressive Outcome of the hive in their Behavioral Tone. So what are they? |  Although my pup cannot write, he gets credit as co-author. Meet Ryker! (Named after a Star Trek character, not the prison). |
Hey there!
You’re reading The Hive Doctor’s Newsletter — a newsletter about slowing down and observing a little differently. Every issue brings stories and signals from the hive on their own terms — quietly, intentionally, and off the beaten path. Let’s dive in.
THE INTERVIEW
The 3 Environmental Drivers
Weather- If the weather is not ideal, the temperature not right, honey bees cannot forage. No forage = a change in how they reallocate internal resources.
Rainfall- Too much rainfall and honey bees cannot forage, resulting in steady or lowered egg presence, brood production, and brood area. Not enough rainfall results in low nectar production however.
Forage Availability- If there is forage available, and the two other drivers align, then the brood production inside the colony will reflect that. If there is forage available but weather and rainfall prevent forage ability, then there may as well be nothing available as far as the bees are concerned.
What do these 3 drivers affect?
Everything.
When the three drivers align in the colony’s favor, then everything in the colony will reflect that. When they do not align, then everything in the colony will reflect that as well AND THAT, is what we see the result of during inspections.
Below is a list of everything these drivers influence:
Work should fit into your life, not the other way around.
Internal Colony Results
Biological Production. These elements are either decreasing, remaining steady, or increasing: Egg Presence, Brood Production (velocity), and Brood Area (volume).
Population & Structure. These elements are a direct downstream effect of Biological Production conditions: Adult Population Pressure (density), Comb Building, Space Adequacy, and Resource Placement.
Reproductive & Expressive Signals. These are the expressive results of the upstream conditions: Drone Production and Queen Cell Activity. (are they satisfied with their queen? Replacing her? Or preparing for Swarming?)
Expressive Outcome. This is the ultimate outcome based on everything before it: Colony Behavioral Tone (their attitude is directly related to everything prior to this).
There’s always something new to learn. But it cannot be heard except for in the quiet space.
The Revelation
Now Think of This…
The Honey bee colony is adjusting to these three environmental drivers EVERY SINGLE DAY.
By the time that you perform an inspection, you’re seeing a time lag result of weeks ago; a colony expression of what was.
AND, today is what determines what the colony will look like weeks from now.
 |  Volume IV of signal-based series |
More resources for you…
The Hive Doctor’s Favorites (not just his own books 😉)
▶ The Seasonal Roadmap to Keeping bees Anywhere: What to do & When to do it. books.by/the-hive-doctor
▶ American Honey Plants by Frank C. Pellet, an in-depth and highly valuable resource on understanding the Major and Minor nectar sources in your area.
▶ At the Hive Entrance by Storch, an tabled-guide of diagnosing a honey bee colony based upon observed entrance activity.
▶ Apis Tactical, the highest quality protective gear on the market: Gloves, Suits, jackets and veils.
Message from Ryker
Thanks for reading effrybody!
Ava with Milo in their van
Ryker secretly runs the entire operation here at The Hive Doctor 😉
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