Fall is synonymous with winter preparation, and that can cause a bit of stress for beekeepers. We want to do everything possible to ensure our bees survive the winter, and we don't want to forget anything! Here, I summarize the key steps for successful wintering to maximize your chances of success. I also discuss our methods, which aren't the only ones possible, but they work well for us!
- Feed your colonies adequately
We must give concentrated syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) to our colonies using a feeder. The quantity to give will depend on several factors: the outside temperature, the honey reserves, the strength of the colony, etc. As a general rule, we must give about 20L-25L of syrup for a hive overwintered with 1 super. And we feed until they no longer take it!
- Eliminate as many varroa mites as possible
In September, it is essential to begin a treatment against varroa in order to reduce the parasite load in the hive. Here, we really like Thymovar for its low impact on bees and its ease of use. It is important to check the effectiveness of the treatment using a screening 2 weeks after the end of the treatment. If necessary, we can supplement with an end-of-season treatment with oxalic acid, by dripping or sublimation .
- Choosing a good wintering site
The place where the colonies will spend the winter must be well-drained, protected from the wind, and ideally, allow for the accumulation of a good amount of snow (an excellent natural insulator). If you must move your hives, it is best to do so when feeding is finished and outside temperatures do not allow the bees to go out to forage.
- Insulate the hives well…
Snow is not enough to insulate colonies in Quebec! We need to add an extra layer to keep them warm. We need to insulate the top of the hive as well as the sides with insulation. Several options are possible: Styrofoam, insulating bubble wrap, BeeCozy , etc. It's up to you to choose the method that suits you best! In our case, we group the hives in groups of 4 on a pallet, and we insulate with Styrofoam on top and bubble wrap around.
- …While letting them breathe!
Bees produce heat during the winter, which causes moisture to build up in the hive. This must be removed at all costs, as a hive can die if its environment is too humid. To do this, create an air inlet at the top of the hive using the notch in the attic, remove the mesh tray drawer if applicable, and allow the bees to enter and exit the hive freely at the bottom. I know, it may seem counterintuitive to allow air into the hive, but it is crucial for its survival!
Finally, it's important to keep in mind that despite our efforts to properly prepare the hives, it's possible that a colony won't survive the winter for reasons beyond our control. If this happens, we need to roll up our sleeves, figure out what happened, and persevere!