Beekeepers need to
make sure, when they put their colonies to bed for the winter that they
have both provided enough honey for the whole of the winter and early
spring, and made certain it is in the absolute most convenient location in
the hive. How much? They’ll need 50-60 pounds of honey, more if way up
north. Where? Place it just to the sides and above the cluster, which
should be very near the bottom of the hive in the fall, so the cluster can
rise, en masse, to the top, consuming all that honey as it goes.
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Since you have already
taken your losses in the fall, plan now on how you will replace
those losses next spring by purchasing packages or nucs from local
beekeepers (probably your best choice). Making splits from
your existing colonies is a good choice too, but that requires a
whole different set of preparations. |
And one more thing:
ventilation. All that warm air contains respiratory moisture. The
moisture condenses when it comes in contact with the cold sides and inside
top of the hive (like warm breath on a cold window). Condenses, collects,
and then drips down on the bees. Cold, wet bees are unhappy bees. And
pretty soon, dead bees. You have two choices: provide lots of ventilation
so that warm air rises and exits the hive immediately, creating almost a
gale inside the hive, but keeping the drips away, or, sealing it up so the
warm air rises, but is trapped and isolated above the bees and beneath the
cover - some beekeepers simply use batten insulation, or homosote board,
or a super filled with straw or leaves - whatever it takes to hold the
moisture so it doesn’t drip back on the bees.
And then wrap the
hive… but not too much. Just a layer of roofing felt paper will do. Make
sure to leave the ventilation intact, and not to cover the entrance below,
or above if you use one.
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A simple plastic wrap
can be used in place of roofing felt. It is durable, reusable
and protects the colony from the ravages of the wind. |
And that should
mostly do it: food, ventilation and protection from the wind and elements.
Knowing what your bees need, and why makes the planning easy.
