Dearths.... How do you know?

[Hi-Tech]

Are there signs to look for to show that you are in a dearth or is it just based on bloom times? We are currently 8 inches under our average rainfall for this time of the year and it is very dry. I have all new colonies this spring so they have not built up much. The drought has not helped...

They have some capped honey and a little uncapped honey but overall, it looks very poor in each hive...

Feed or no feed?  How can I tell what I need to do?

[Brian D. Bray]

Hi-Tech,
I sent you the answer to your question via Beekeeping from a Wheelchair.  There's always exceptions, dearth and drought are two, if stores are too low then feed if necessary.

[Michael Bush]

If the hives are light and there's not nectar (light, watery, falls out of the frame when you turn it sideways) then you need to feed.  If there's nectar and honey and the hives are heavy and espeically if they are making new white wax, you are in a flow.