Which management technique can help maintain a productive hive?

Maintaining a productive hive largely hinges on the health of the queen, as she is the primary reproductive member of the colony. Regularly checking queen health is crucial because a healthy queen can lay a substantial number of eggs, ensuring that the hive's population remains robust, which is essential for foraging, hive maintenance, and overall colony productivity. By monitoring the queen, beekeepers can identify issues such as poor egg-laying patterns, signs of disease, or the need for re-queening, all of which directly impact the success of the hive.

In contrast, eliminating all drones would be counterproductive, as drones play a vital role in mating and genetic diversity. Limiting worker bee presence could severely hinder the hive's ability to gather resources and maintain its structure. Lastly, feeding bees exclusively sugar water does not provide the range of nutrients that bees require; a diverse diet is essential for their health and productivity. Therefore, focusing on the queen's health ensures that the hive remains strong and operational.