To ensure your colony survives until spring, beekeepers should generally leave between 60 and 90 pounds of honey in the hive after the autumn harvest. While local climate and colony size influence the exact requirement, retaining a conservative surplus within this range significantly increases the probability of winter survival.
Core Takeaway The goal of winter preparation is not precision, but safety; it is far better to leave too much honey than too little. A surplus of food acts as an insurance policy against harsh conditions and extended cold snaps, ensuring the colony has the energy required to generate heat through the spring.
The Strategy Behind the Numbers
The 60-90 Pound Standard
For most regions, specifically including the northern United States, the industry standard for winter reserves is 60 to 90 pounds.
This weight refers to stored, capped honey. This provides the carbohydrates bees need to vibrate their wing muscles and maintain the cluster's core temperature during freezing weather.
Adjusting for Climate
The lower end of this spectrum (60 pounds) may suffice for milder climates or smaller colonies.
However, in regions with long, harsh winters, you must aim for the upper end (90 pounds). The longer the bees are confined without foraging opportunities, the larger their pantry must be.
Don't Forget the Protein
While honey provides the fuel, pollen provides the protein necessary for brood rearing in late winter and early spring.
Especially in colder climates, ensure the hive contains approximately six combs of stored pollen. Without this, the colony may survive the cold but fail to build up the population when spring arrives.
Visualizing "Enough" Honey
The Limitation of Weight
Weighing a full hive can be difficult. Therefore, many beekeepers rely on visual ratios or manual inspections to estimate stores.
The 1:1 Ratio
A practical rule of thumb is to maintain a 1:1 ratio of brood to honey.
For Langstroth hives, this translates to leaving at least one full honey super for every brood box.
For Top Bar hives, you should leave at least five bars of honey for every five bars of brood.
The "Heft" Test
If you cannot weigh the hive, you can "heft" it by lifting the back or side to gauge its weight.
An adequately prepared hive should feel significantly heavy and anchored to the ground. If it feels light or easy to tip, it likely lacks the necessary resources.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Over-Harvesting a Weak Hive
One of the most dangerous mistakes is strictly adhering to a harvest schedule regardless of the colony's condition.
If a colony has endured a difficult season or struggled to build up stores, do not harvest any honey. You must prioritize the bees' survival over your yield.
Misjudging the "Spring" Gap
Starvation often happens not in the dead of winter, but in early spring.
This occurs when the colony begins expanding and consuming resources rapidly before the first nectar flow begins. Leaving the full 90 pounds helps bridge this dangerous gap.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
- If your primary focus is maximum security: Aim for the full 90 pounds of honey, as a larger surplus offers the highest statistical chance of survival.
- If your primary focus is visual inspection: Use the 1:1 ratio, ensuring you leave one box (or 5 bars) of honey for every equivalent amount of brood space.
- If your primary focus is a struggling colony: Skip the harvest entirely; leaving all available honey is the only safe option after a difficult season.
When in doubt, err on the side of abundance—your bees cannot survive on good intentions, but they can survive on extra honey.
Summary Table:
| Factor | Recommended Resource | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Reserves | 60 - 90 lbs (Capped) | Carbohydrate fuel for heat generation |
| Pollen Reserves | ~6 Combs | Protein for late winter brood rearing |
| Langstroth Ratio | 1 Honey Super per Brood Box | Simplified visual management |
| Top Bar Ratio | 5 Bars Honey per 5 Bars Brood | Balanced resource distribution |
| Climate Adjustment | 90 lbs+ for harsh/long winters | Buffer against extended cold snaps |
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