Bees ready for winter

Despite having an Indian summer which has given the bees a longer period to forage for winter stores in, it is now time for the hives to be closed up for winter.

Each hive is left with plenty of honey stores to see them through, though some have had to also have some sugar syrup feeds as they have been weak due to the late and relatively cold summer this year.

We put blocks of insulation in the roof spaces to keep heatloss down, and also fit entrance reducers and mouse guards to the hive entrances to keep mice and other pests out when the bees are least able to defend themselves in the cold months.

Our next visit will be at the start of the new year to check the hives for stores, and to treat with oxalic acid for varroa mite, which must be done when there is no brood in the frames.

The winter months for the beekeeper are devoted to making up new equipment, repairing old equipment, and generally getting things ready for the next season.