Brrr. We are feeling the weather turn cold. All that good work you did to prepare your bees is now helping them. Each year at this time I admire how these small creatures can cluster, maintain warmth, regulate temperature, and manage humidity when it’s freezing outside. This is what they have evolved to do over the past 60 million years and it’s astonishing. Do you know all the worker bee roles? If you get a chance, look up “heater bees!”
A quick review is in order for the distracted beekeeper. Is the mouse guard on? Do you intend to wrap as a windbreak? Is everything level horizontally, but with a slight downhill slant toward the front for rain to run out? I assume you’ve checked for honey supplies in October and fed, if needed. Do you use a foam insulation pad? They are a good idea. Brick on top? Many of us use a shim (sometimes called Imry Shim) under the inner cover to raise it up a bit. It gives you more room to put down some fondant later in winter if you need to do that.
Let’s move on to feeding a little more. We’re transitioning from liquid feed now and only feeding fondant or solid food, if at all. Think about it. Colder temperatures make it harder for bees to evaporate syrup. Consider that there are fewer bees now to do that job with fewer warm enough hours in the day. That’s why we transition to the solid stuff. That being said, if I assessed my bees correctly in October and they had enough stores, then I don’t feed until January and only if they need it. It needs to be put directly on to the top bars where bees can touch it from the cluster. We can keep in mind that our colony will only use around 10% of their winter stores until late February. Then they begin raising young and then they start to go though it like a house afire. More on that in February.
This is a great time to do some reading. Our library has a good selection. If you didn’t attend Bee School or, if you have a new “bee friend” who wants to get started, then Bee School is an excellent Christmas present. Have them join the club and register. People are already signing up. Do you have a bee tool box or bucket? Mine is a mess. I need to dump it all out, clean my tools and reassemble.
Here’s a thought that needs to stand by itself. What is your plan for next year? If you did most everything right, and if the fates are kind, your bees will survive the winter. If they do, they will swarm. Be ready. Do you need equipment? Do you need or want another hive? It’s good to order early before the big commercial outfits buy out inventory.
I’ll be at our general meeting November 25 to hear Patrick Fratellone speak to us about Apitherapy. I hope to see you there!
Regards,
Andy Hatt, President