ALMANACH DE L' APICULTEUR DÉBUTANT

There are many well-executed and comprehensive works on managing your #apiary and #hives throughout the seasons. The goal of these short articles is not to replicate such works but to share, through this beekeeper's almanac, our experiences throughout the year.

Observations

We've had some beautiful sunny days in November, with quite a bit of rain in the #Bordeaux region. Despite this, bee activity is becoming increasingly rare. As soon as temperatures drop below 5°C, the bees will start clustering inside the hive to maintain an ambient temperature. There's not much left to do, except cleaning around the #hives.

What should the beekeeper do with the hives?

When temperatures drop below 15°C, it's advisable not to open the #hives to avoid disturbing the #bees and cooling them. To prepare for winter, insulate the top of the hive and tilt the roof backward with battens so that water does not flow onto the landing board. Hives should be set up stably to withstand wind and rain. In terms of feeding, it's no longer necessary to provide them with liquid syrup; instead, use candy to get through the winter.

What else should be done?

Ensure that you store your frames, hive bodies, and unused supers in a well-ventilated place to prevent the wax moth from infesting them. There are numerous articles on this subject, but here's one technique:

Store your frame and hive bodies during winter