This is the worst time for wintering colonies, the clusters are small because of losses and the winter's bite is closing in on the hives. Now is the time to think about getting replacement packages, if you wait too long they get sold out. If the hives make thru Febuary check for how much honey they have and feed them if in doubt. I've lost more than one hive from late winter starvation. I still advocate slipping a flat birdbath heater/deicer in the hive if possible. If your hives are near power just run an extension cord out to the hives and slip the heater in the entrance. I used hive heaters while in Pennsylvania, the only hive I lost was due to having a heater stop working. Just an idea from outside the envelope.
Right now I'm at three hives, lost a queen in late August and had to combine that hive with the others. Planning to purchase one 3lb package with queen to get back up to four hives and need to requeen two out of the three remaining hives. I would like to try a split but don't have a outyard to move the split to. Does anybody know how to do a split without moving the hives? If so let me know. I've only enough equipment for four or five hives and my beeyard will only hold five hives before getting crowded so I'm limited for growth.
Beekeeping in Florida is totally different from up north. I was able to open up the hives last week, was able to invert two out of three hives all three have brood and are doing well. Still am seeing Small Hive Beetles in the hives but they seem to be at a safe level. Also have spotted Varroa mites below the screened bottom boards but they seem to be at a nonlethal level also. Really do hope everybody's hives are hanging in there. Nothing is worst than planning on a good year but then finding that most of your hives didn't make it. I've lost 3 out of 4 hives a couple times while up north and still remember how PO'ed it got me. Luck with the girls and don't forget to feed them if needed.