Autumn is a time for change . The whole born globe shifts train on the face of it at the flip of a switch come September and starts preparedness for a colder , harsher , more dire fourth dimension . For yourhoneybees , change made in the declivity can literally mean do or die come winter . Throughout the summertime , the colony has worked tirelessly to build depot of dear and pollen to get them through the cold-blooded , nectarless time of year of winter . If they ’re warm , they ’ve done their part successfully . Your office in fall gives them a leg up to the wintertime ahead .
1. Conduct A Final Hive Inspection
Just before the atmospheric condition turn , on the face of it for in effect , is the metre for a finalinspection . The date for this vary wide ground on your region , but a good dominion of thumb is that your last windowpane to audit is right before days are consistently below 55 degrees F.
This is the time to lay your eyes on the queen and replace her if necessary . It ’s also the time to evaluate the dependency ’s honey stores and make certain they have an fair to middling amount for the coming winter — about 40 to 60 pounds , reckon on how long and harsh winter are in your area . If they do n’t , see No . 2 below .
Also value if the colony isstrong : Are there mites ? Wax moths ? Hive beetle ? Do they want to be treated , and if so , how and how aggressively ? schematic mite treatments are often practice in the dusk .
If the colony seems strong but small , you may choose to combine it with another , larger colony . This means you ’ll need to sacrifice one of the nance , but beekeepers would often rather fall behind one queen than entire colony . you’re able to always re - split again come spring .
2. Feed Your Bees If Necessary
Feeding can be a feisty subject in the beekeeping residential area . The general consensus seems to be that since we choose to keep our bee in boxes of our origination and a flake domesticated , as it were , it ’s our tariff to course them if they ask it . Traditionally , apiculturist feed a 1:1 dinero - piddle syrup to bees , who then convince the sugar to beloved — though this would n’t ever be “ honey ” you ’d desire to harvest . In the fall , because they need to put it away rapidly , that ratio jumps up to 2:1 . With all that said , real honey ( made by bee conglomerate nectar ) is the right , healthiest food for bee . I always keep a bit ofhoneyon mitt if my bees want feeding : either a few capped frames in the deep Deepfreeze or a few jarful of honey harvest from the yr before . True honey has nutrients that sugar syrup simply does not . If you could , feed them the beneficial poppycock .
3. Strap & Wrap Hives Only If Needed
Winter wind can be strong , and strapping hives help to keep all the superintendent together in the event the beehive tips over . I also determine strapping hives to be very helpful if you have roaming bears where you live . A strap may be enough to deter a untried , small bear to move on , though large bears may take a more haunting approaching .
wrap up hive for winter aegis is another controversial issue . The estimation is that wrap a hive maintain the colony warmer in cold weather . However , some beekeepers feel that a tightly twine hive take for more moisture inside the boxes , creating more chance for cold , wet bee — a compounding that is most surely deadly . Because the severity of wintertime conditions varies so much in North America , I ’d recommend speak to your local county extension service and getting in skin senses with beekeeper in your area to broach the matter with those who may have tried it already .
4. Install Mouse Guards
It ’s such a simple thing , and yet if missed , a single mouse seeking warm refuge from the coming winter can bring mayhem on a slumbering hive of bees . A mouse sentry go is a alloy flight strip that is equip to the entering of the hive . It has mess to allow bee to amount and go , but shiner wo n’t be capable to chew through it as they would a typical wood entry reducer . Two quick screwing , and it ’s on . Without it , mice will chew their way in , take a leak to mark their territory , provide stool everywhere , make a nest and run through comb . At in effect , it ’s a Brobdingnagian mess to clean ; at worst , the bees go off and leave the safety of their beehive in the forged time of twelvemonth .
fall prep is pretty easy in the beeyard . Just as you do throughout the rest of the year , keep a faithful eye on the entrance and check into your hives for damage throughout the fall and wintertime season . acquit inspections when the weather recrudesce and warms up throughout the winter ( if it does ) to re - feed and harness any issues as they come .
