Without the right preparation, the hives can be too cold or too moist, which can kill the bees.Winter is the most difficult season for bees, especially if the beekeeper hasn’t prepared the hives correctly. Winter preparation is essential for the health of the hive and the bees. The beekeeper must make sure the hive is the right temperature and humidity, and that there is enough food and water.
Colonies that have been properly prepared for winter and have wintered well are much more likely to be successful in spring and summer honey production. Good preparation for winter includes ensuring that the colony has enough stores to last through the winter, and that the hive is insulated and protected from the elements. A colony that has wintered poorly is likely to be weaker and have less resources, which can impact their ability to produce honey during the spring and summer.
Some beekeepers claim that a 20-40% loss of the colonies is normal during a hard winter. They say that the key is to be proactive rather than reactive in order to avoid disappointment.
In some places, hives are placed on stands to keep them above the snow, while in other places, the hives are placed directly on the ground. The main consideration is to keep the hive entrance clear so the bees can come and go as they please. Some beekeepers wrap their hives in insulating material, while others do not. In preparation for winter, beekeepers must consider the placement of their hives.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to beekeeping, and each region has its own unique set of challenges. The best way to get started is to find a local beekeeping club and attend some meetings. There, you will meet experienced beekeepers who can give you tailored advice based on your region and situation.
1. Check your hives regularly for signs of pests and disease and take action if necessary. 2. Feed your bees regularly, especially in the winter months when there are fewer natural sources of food available. 3. Make sure your hives have plenty of space for the bees to move around and store their honey. 4. Keep an eye on the weather and take steps to protect your hives from extreme temperatures. 5. Check your hives regularly for signs of pests and disease and take action if necessary.
1. transfer our hives to sunny and well drained areas
Honeybees are able to survive the winter by forming a "winter cluster." The bees in the cluster maintain a temperature of 93 degrees by vibrating their wing muscles. The bees on the outside of the cluster rotate to the inside to stay warm. To prevent the hive from cooling too much, the bees eat honey and generate heat by shivering. If a hive does not have enough honey to get them through the winter, the bees will starve.
If you are planning to transfer your bees to a new location, it is important to choose a spot that is at least 3 miles away from their initial location. This is because if you do not apply reorientation measures, the foraging bees can get confused and return to the initial place. By choosing a spot that is far enough away, you can help ensure that the bees will be able to find their way to the new location without any problems.
2. Check for mites
As fall arrives, it's time to check for mites. If the mite numbers are rising, you may have to take drastic measures. Ask a local expert for help if needed.
In winter, Mother Nature intentionally reduces the population of honeybees in a colony. This is because the colony has less energy needs and more chances to survive during this season. By reducing the number of bees, the colony can make it through the winter with enough food and resources to sustain them.
The ratio of mites to bees is an important factor in the health of a beehive. If the ratio is too high, the bees may not be able to survive the winter. However, if the ratio is too low, the mites may take over the hive.
3. Make the standard hive inspection
As part of a standard hive inspection, beekeepers will look for the existence of a new and productive queen in the hive. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, and a productive queen will lay a large number of eggs each day. The eggs hatch into Larvae, which are then fed by the worker bees and develop into adult bees. A colony with a new and productive queen will typically be very productive, and the beekeeper will want to ensure that the queen is healthy and happy.
A young, thriving queen is necessary for good growth during fall and colony survival during winter months. The queen bees are the only bees in the hive that can produce eggs, and she can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day! Eggs are the key to a colony's growth and survival as they provide the workforce for the hive. If a hive doesn't have a strong, healthy queen, the colony will not survive.
During fall, the queen is supposed to lay many eggs, from which thousands of workers will emerge. The workers will then take care of the colony until the next generation of bees is born.
The winter workers are a type of honeybee that is specifically adapted to the colder months. Unlike other workers that emerge during spring and have a lifespan of only six weeks, winter workers will live for 4-5 months. Their main job is to keep the hive warm and the queen bee alive. In order to do this, they huddle together and vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat. They also eat large amounts of honey to give them energy. Winter workers are essential for the survival of the hive during the colder months.
During late fall, the queen is genetically programmed to stop laying eggs. This means that her egg-laying ability during fall is the most important factor for the colony’s survival. If the queen can lay enough eggs during fall, the colony will have a better chance of surviving the winter.
If you see that a queen is not doing her job properly, it is important to replace her as soon as possible. A queen who is not performing her duties correctly can cause problems for the whole colony.
4. Less room
In areas with harsh winters, the general rule of thumb is to have less space in the hive compared to the population of the hive. This allows the bees to stay warm and clustered together, which conserves their energy and help them to survive the winter.
Our purpose is to create less room compared to hive population, so that honeybees will need less energy to heat their place. In the winter, bees cluster together to keep warm. By reducing the size of the hive, we can help the bees stay warm without expending as much energy.
Most beekeepers remove all empty supers from late fall. This allows them to harvest any remaining honey and to check the hives for parasites, diseases, and damage. It also makes it easier to insulate the hives for winter.
5. Make combination of weak colonies with stronger ones.
According to the old beekeepers' slogan, it is better to have two strong colonies in the spring than four dead ones. This is because a strong colony is able to better withstand disease and pests, as well as produce more honey. Therefore, it is better to have two strong colonies than four weak ones.
If you have two weak colonies, it is best to not combine them as they will most likely not survive. However, if you have one weak colony and one strong colony, you may want to consider combining them. This way, the strong colony can help the weak one survive through the winter.
6. Remove the frames with unfinished honey,
Bees are attracted to the sugary substance in syrupy drinks, which can cause dysentery. In addition, the high sugar content in sugary drinks can lead to weight gain in bees.
7. Check regularly for adequate food stocks.
In the winter, bees eat the honey they have produced and stored. This honey is the best food for them because it contains all the nutrients they need to survive.
Some beekeepers argue that as little as 40 pounds of honey per hive is enough to get bees through the winter, while others contend that at least 130 pounds is necessary. This disagreement is likely to continue, as there is no definitive answer. However, it is important to remember that the amount of honey required will vary depending on the specific hive, the location, and the weather conditions. Ultimately, it is up to the beekeeper to determine how much honey is needed to ensure a successful overwintering.
In general, beekeepers will leave anywhere from 44 to 130 pounds (20-60 kg) of honey per hive in mild climates to help the bees survive the winter. The amount of honey they consume is significantly influenced by the length of the winter. If the winter is long and harsh, the bees will need more honey to make it through.
The sugar syrup is a popular way to feed bees, as it is easy to make and provides the bees with the necessary nutrients. The syrup is made by mixing 2 parts sugar and 1 part water, and often thyme essential oils are added to it. This mix is then fed to the bees, who consume it and use it to build their honeycomb.
Fondants are a type of sugar syrup that is used to feed bees. They are made from sugar, water, and sometimes glycerin or corn syrup. Fondants can be bought ready-made, or they can be made at home. Some beekeepers use special fondants that are flavored with honey or lemon. Keep in mind that all these syrups and fondants are carefully put inside the hives, because otherwise they will attract other insects and predators.
Bees are crucial for pollination and play a vital role in the eco-system. Some beekeepers report that in rare cases they add 5 pounds (2,2 kg) of dry granulated sugar inside the hive, as the last line of defense against bee starvation and death. By doing this, the beekeepers hope to give the bees a boost of energy, so that they can forage for food and survive.
In Canada, some beekeepers put a 50 pound quantity of sugar inside the hive as a routine when the temperature outside drops below -22°F (-30°C). The sugar provides the bees with an energy source to keep them warm during the cold winter months.
While sugar is a necessary part of a bee's diet, too much sugar can lead to dysentery. Sugar with additives can be especially dangerous because the additives can further upset the bee's digestive system. If you suspect that your bee has dysentery, remove any sugar sources and provide plenty of fresh water for them to drink.
A weak beehive is one that does not have enough bees to keep the hive warm during the winter. The bees need to eat a lot of honey during the winter to generate heat. If the beehive does not have enough honey, the bees will not be able to generate enough heat and they will die.
Pollen is a crucial element for bees, as it provides them with the necessary nutrients for their development. Because of this, many beekeepers use candy mix with pollen powder if there isn’t sufficient stock in the hive. By doing this, they can ensure that the bees have enough to eat and can continue to develop properly.
8. Block hive entrances
This will ensure that mice and other potential invaders will not be able to enter. However, good ventilation is essential for bees' survival, so you must leave a small window open.
There are many ways to prevent mice from getting into beehives. You can use special wired mice guards. Many apiarists also reduce the upper entrance. This allows the bees to better protect their hive from intruders.
10. Do not open the hive
No matter how anxious you are, do not open the hive during the cold days of winter. The bees will be huddled together in a mass, keeping each other warm. If you open the hive, the cold air will come rushing in and the bees will start to shiver. The shaking causes their metabolism to speed up and they start to burn through their limited stores of honey. Once their stores are gone, they will starve to death.
If the heat escapes rapidly, the bees will need to put in a lot of effort to create the heat again. This could be a problem if the bees are trying to keep the hive warm during the winter.
Winter Hive Tools
Langstroth Hive Wholesale
The Langstroth hive is a type of beehive designed by American entomologist Lorenzo Langstroth in 1852. It consists of a series of vertical frames in a box, with each frame containing a honeycomb. The bees build their comb in the frames, and the honey is stored in the comb. The hive is named after Langstroth, who designed it.
Beeswax Melter With Valve
This wax melter is an economical and easy way to melt your wax in 30-90 minutes. Includes an attached valve for easy removal of wax. The melter is incredibly easy to set up and use.
Honey Bucket Heater, Bee Blanket, Honey Blanket, Honey Bucket Warmer
There is 50L crystalline honey in the barrel.It melted in 16 hours (the melting time varies according to the type of honey, the surrounding temperature and environment), stirring once every hour can speed up the honey melting.
