The beekeeping year can be broadly divided into two seasons which encompass spring hive management and fall hive management. Following the honey harvest, beekeepers conduct tasks associated with fall hive management. Each of these tasks is involved in preparation of the colony for winter. Beekeepers are always working toward results six months into the future. Whenever we inspect our hives, we ensure that the colonies are alive with a sufficient population and that they are queenright and have adequate honey stores. The amount of honey a colony will need to survive the upcoming winter varies with the location, and the information is derived from experience and shared by experienced beekeepers in the local area. The crux of beekeeping is learning to not rob our bees of too much of the honey they need to survive the winter. If a colony needs supplemental feeding, supply sugar syrup.
Since the winter cluster of bees will be moving upward in
the hives, we rearrange the brood nest to place the brood low in the hives by
reversing brood hive bodies or rearranging individual brood frames. While we
are making these seasonal hive rearrangements, it is a good time to cull any
old, dark combs that we find not being used for brood rearing or food storage. Culling
of old combs is an important step in maintaining healthy colonies. Old combs
hold environmental toxins and spores from bee diseases like American foulbrood,
nosema disease, and chalkbrood. The old combs can be scraped from plastic
foundation like shown in today’s photo. Beekeepers should attempt to take their
winter colony losses in the fall instead of letting bees die over winter. Weak
colonies should be combined with stronger colonies. All hives require
ventilation, especially at the top of the hive. Queen excluders must be removed
before winter, and hive entrances should be reduced to allow guard bees to more
effectively protect the hive. Continue controlling small hive beetles, and only
wrap hives in locations with cold winters.
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