After you have removed the last honey harvest you will need to turn your attention to the nutritional needs of your bees over the winter.
The winter period starts at the end of August and continues until the end of December. Preparing the colony for winter is most important.There is much to consider. It can’t all be done in a single visit to the apiary.
- A colony will need to be checked for disease – particularly the presence of varroa. If the varroa mite count is high then the colony needs to be treated.
- The beekeeper wants each colony to be producing the majority of its winter bees when the varroa count is as low as possible to ensure that mites do not damage these long lived winter bees.
- Bees die from damp and lack of food.They can usually withstand the cold.The colony needs through ventilation.
- If you have a hive with a large brood chamber then it is possible to overwinter with just the brood box. With a National box it is better to have a super on the colony full of feed (ideally honey).
- Preparing the colony for winter will include feeding to ensure there are enough stores. and also removing the queen excluder.
- Mouse guards are put in place before any frosts to prevent mice and other small mammals hibernating in the colony.
- Plastic bags or wire screens are needed where there are woodpecker problems.
Online advice: The Beekeeping Year by Lynfa Davies
Next time: DOC talks about winter feeding.