>  Like, why would anyone open up all their colonies in February in  
> Pennsylvania?

In February, I like to check for 
sufficient stores and cluster 
contact with stores.

The middle states; Maryland, 
New Jersey,  Pennsylvania
and perhaps southern New York,
may experience wide fluctuations
in daily winter temperatures which 
are known to greatly influence cluster 
movements and may contribute towards 
several causes of starvation.

Typically, a shift in frames is
all that is needed to prevent 
several types of starvation.

Best Wishes
Joe Waggle
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/

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