Creating Your First Inspection
Inspections are the heart of good beekeeping. Record your observations quickly and build a complete history of each colony! 📝
🔍 What is an Inspection?
An inspection is a record of what you observed during a hive visit. CombCensus makes it easy to log key information like queen presence, brood condition, temperament, disease signs, and any actions you took.
Navigate to Your Hive
Go to the specific hive you want to inspect and look for the "Log Inspection" button.
Screenshot: Quick access to inspection logging from your hive page
Fill in Key Observations
Use the intuitive form to record what you saw during your inspection.
📋 Essential Inspection Fields
Colony Status:
- • Queen seen (Yes/No)
- • Eggs present
- • Brood condition
- • Population level
Health & Behaviour:
- • Temperament (Calm/Aggressive)
- • Disease signs
- • Swarm preparations
- • Food stores
Add Photos and Notes
Capture anything unusual with photos and detailed notes for future reference.
📱 Mobile Tip: CombCensus works great on mobile devices - perfect for logging inspections directly in the field!
Save and Review
Save your inspection and view it alongside your historical records.
✅ Great job! Your inspection is now part of your hive's permanent record. Over time, these observations will help you spot patterns and make better management decisions.
🏆 Pro Inspection Tips
Before You Open the Hive
- ✓ Check the weather using CombCensus's BFI score
- ✓ Have your phone/tablet ready for quick logging
- ✓ Review the previous inspection notes
During the Inspection
- ✓ Look for the queen or fresh eggs first
- ✓ Take photos of anything unusual
- ✓ Note the colony's temperament and response
📊 What's Next?
Now that you know how to log inspections, you might have historical records to add from paper logbooks or previous digital records. Let's show you how to enter that data too!