During which season do bees begin their cleaning flights?

Bees begin their cleaning flights primarily in the spring. During this time, the temperatures rise, allowing bees to exit the hive to relieve themselves and clean the area around the entrance. After winter, the bees have been confined inside the hive and have accumulated waste, making these cleaning flights essential for maintaining hive hygiene. The onset of spring not only provides warmer weather but also is the time when bees start to become more active, foraging for food and tending to brood rearing, leading to the need for regular cleaning flights. This behavior signals the hive's transition from winter dormancy to the busier activity of the warmer months, indicating that the colony is preparing for the upcoming season of growth and productivity.