To ensure your colony survives until spring, beekeepers should generally leave between 60 and 90 pounds of honey in the hive following the autumn harvest. This specific amount fluctuates based on the severity of your local winter climate and the population size of the colony.
While 60 to 90 pounds is the standard benchmark, winter survival is not about hitting a bare minimum. The safest strategy is to prioritize the bees' reserves over your harvest, as leaving surplus stores significantly increases the probability of the colony thriving through a harsh season.
Determining the Essential Reserves
The Standard Weight Range
The primary rule for winter preparation is to maintain honey stores between 60 and 90 pounds.
This range is calculated to sustain the bees from the fall harvest until the first nectar flow of the following spring.
Adjusting for Local Climate
The lower end of the spectrum (60 pounds) may suffice for smaller colonies in milder climates.
However, if you experience long, harsh winters, you must aim for the higher end (90 pounds) or more.
Always err on the side of caution; a surplus ensures survival, while a deficit guarantees starvation.
Visualizing Stores by Hive Type
The 1:1 Ratio Principle
It can be difficult to weigh a hive directly. A practical visual guide is to maintain a 1:1 ratio of brood to honey.
For every unit of space dedicated to raising bees (brood), there should be an equal unit of space filled with food stores.
Langstroth Hive Configuration
In a standard Langstroth setup, this 1:1 ratio translates to box management.
You should leave at least one full honey super for every one brood box present in the hive.
Top Bar Hive Configuration
For those using Top Bar hives, the measurement applies to the individual bars.
You should ensure there are at least five bars of honey for every five bars of brood.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Over-Harvesting a Weak Season
If a colony has struggled through a difficult season, the rules of harvesting change.
In these cases, it is safer to harvest minimal or no honey. Prioritizing the bees' survival over a small harvest prevents the collapse of the colony.
Relying on Minimums
A common mistake is treating the 60-pound mark as a target rather than a floor.
Leaving only the minimum estimated amount leaves no margin for error if the winter is unusually long or cold.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To finalize your harvest strategy, assess your specific situation:
- If your primary focus is maximum security: Aim for the upper limit of 90 pounds or more to buffer against unexpected weather extremes.
- If your primary focus is visual inspection: adhere strictly to the 1:1 ratio—one honey super per brood box or five honey bars per five brood bars.
- If your primary focus is supporting a struggling colony: Skip the harvest entirely this season to give the bees the best chance of recovery.
Your restraint during the fall harvest is the single most critical factor in your colony's ability to greet the spring.
Summary Table:
| Factor | Requirement / Recommendation | Visual Guide (Ratio) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Weight Range | 60 - 90 lbs (27 - 40 kg) | 1:1 Honey to Brood ratio |
| Mild Climate | ~60 lbs (Lower end) | 1 full super per brood box |
| Harsh Climate | 90+ lbs (Higher end) | 2+ supers per brood box |
| Top Bar Hives | 5 bars of honey | Per 5 bars of brood |
| Struggling Colonies | Harvest 0 lbs | Prioritize colony recovery |
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