Thinking ahead - preparing for Winter

[armorer951]

Some preliminary insulation tasks this week in advance of the colder weather. Insulated "attics" and wraps placed on the hives to help protect against wind and seasonal colder temperatures. Reduced entrances a bit, which will help reduce heat loss.

Attics are basically an empty honey super box placed above the inner cover, and are filled with wood chips and sheep's wool, which help keep out cold. They also stabilize humidity levels inside the hives at manageable levels. Sheep's wool absorbs about 6 times it's weight in water, and dries quickly.

Slightly warmer and more stable temperatures inside the hives mean that the bees consume less food while confined inside the boxes during the cold winter months. They are reluctant to fly in temperatures below 45° - 50°.

Keep in mind that all this work is totally unnecessary, as the bee colonies are well prepared to manage the winters on their own here in southern Indiana just fine, as long as their food stores are adequate. This bit of extra work on my part does reduce stress on the honeybees, and makes them come out of winter a bit stronger and healthier. We'll have to wait and see what's in store for us in this approaching season of winter. Hopefully it will be mild and dry.

They are better prepared that I am, I'm quite sure.

Carter

(aka: "old coot")

[ron 57]

Good for you. Bees need all the help we can give them.

[llowry61]

Good for you we need those bees. A friend told me that her biggest challenge is mites. Do they affect a hive in winter ?

[armorer951]

She is correct. They are public enemy #1. Varroa mites can indeed be carried into winter if the colony is not treated. Over-winter colony mortality can often be traced to high mite loads. Mites feed on the bees as parasites, but also carry and vector viruses that harm the bees.

I treat for mites in the late summer, and again in the late fall, preferably when the colonies are broodless. Effective treatment in the late fall means the bees will be healthier going into the spring.