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How To Prepare Your Apiary for the Winter

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How To Prepare Your Apiary for the Winter ” /></p> <p>When you’re a beekeeper, every season comes with a unique to-do list. Professionals and hobbyists alike know that the weeks before the first frost hits are crucial. You must make sure your colonies are in good shape and prepare your beehives for the coming weather. The harder you work before winter hits, the better state you’ll be in when spring rolls around again. Help your honeybees survive the season with this guide on how to prepare your apiary for the winter.</p> <h2><span style=Create Strong Colonies

Honeybees face a lot of threats, but strong colonies are incredibly self-sufficient. A healthy and abundant population of worker bees can fend off pests, take care of the brood, and keep the colony warm and fed throughout winter. That’s why it’s important to have strong colonies going into winter. Make sure each of your hives has a healthy, laying queen. If you have a queen who isn’t as productive or might not make it through winter, replace her as soon as possible. You can also choose to combine two smaller colonies into one larger, stronger hive. This will give both colonies a better chance of surviving the upcoming season.

Winterize the Hives

The hive itself will also take some work as you prepare for winter. To survive the season, honeybees must keep their hive at a toasty 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This takes a lot of effort, but you can help them out by optimizing the hive. Remove empty supers so that your bees don’t have to heat as much space. You can also insulate the hive by reducing entrances, adding an inner cover, and wrapping the hive. Protect your bees from chilly winds by placing wind barriers around the hive. If you get a lot of fierce weather in your area, it’s also a good idea to weigh down the hive so that heavy winds don’t topple it over.

Clean and Store Equipment

Once your bees and hives are ready for the season, the next step for how to prepare your apiary for the winter is to properly store your beekeeping gear. Many pests and diseases like to spread from hive to hive by lingering on beekeeping equipment. Before you put away your supplies for the winter, make sure you sanitize them thoroughly. Wash any protective gear, clear out the excess supers, and make sure everything is clean and dry before you store it. This is also a great time to make any repairs. Storing your equipment properly means everything will be ready to go when you need it again in the spring.

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