By Garrett Okrasinski
I have been lucky enough to inherit a honey bee hive through a friend. It was moved to my property about three months ago and seems to be thriving. I did a hive inspection after the move and was surprised nothing was damaged in the transportation of the hive. The top bar hive (hive where the bees makes their own comb) is now sitting just above my garden opposite of my chickens and gets great sunlight through out the day. I really enjoy seeing them warm up and take off in search of nectar.
Just two weeks ago, I harvested a frame of honey. But now I have to think about getting the bees ready for the winter. The problem for bees in the northwest winters is the (relatively) warm wet temperatures. Snow would be easy to keep bee through out the winter because they simply nestle themselves together and slow down. They don’t go through as much honey stores as they would if it was a warm wet winter. Seems opposite but think of it like an igloo which can retain it’s warmth.
One frame of honey oozing honey on a tray.
Concerns for the bees in wet winters are, moisture, honey stores and mice.
With wind and rain, moisture can get into the hive and cool the bees down. I need to make sure that there are no leaks and wrap the bees up once it becomes time. If I can keep moisture out they will not go through too much of their honey stores and starve. This can be done by putting roofing tarp on the top of hives and tucking them in (leaving space for the opening). This should keep out any excess water and stay on in the wind.
Because they feed on their honey throughout the winter that means I can’t harvest too much. As tempting as it is to grab another frame and have more honey, I need leave it for them. To get them through the winter they need about 50 lbs of honey. I will also feed them sugar water to supplement their honey stores.
Honey harvested from one frame.
Finally, because I will have created a nice dry (and warm) space loaded with honey, I have to be concerned with mice. Mice will capitalize on the fact that I have made a nice winter home that comes supplied with food. I will try to mitigate this by putting a mouse guard on the front. I plan to do this by reducing the entrance space and stapling 1/4 inch hard wire to the entrance.
This is my plan and we will see how it goes. What do you do to prepare your bees for the winter?
I'd love to hear from you!