Preparing Your Hives for Winter: The Keys to Winter Success

November is here, bringing with it the essential preparations to ensure your colonies survive the cold months. At L’Esprit du Miel, we know that wintering is a critical period that determines the health and productivity of our bees in the following spring. Discover how to prepare your hives effectively for the challenges of the cold season.

Checking Food Reserves: The Top Priority

The first step is to assess each colony’s honey and pollen stores. A Dadant hive should have at least 35 kilograms of reserves to get through winter peacefully. If your colonies are short on food, supplement with fondant or emergency syrup, but never use liquid sugar syrup in winter, as it promotes dysentery. This check should be carried out to allow bees enough time to build their natural reserves.

Treating Varroa Before the Cold Sets In

Controlling varroa mites is crucial at the end of summer and in autumn. This parasite severely weakens colonies and makes them vulnerable to winter diseases. Apply your acaricide treatments simultaneously on all your hives to prevent reinfestation. An effective treatment can mean the difference between a strong colony and one decimated by spring.

Adjusting Hive Volume and Strengthening Colonies

Reduce the internal space by removing empty frames and using insulating partitions. Bees naturally form a winter cluster to conserve heat, and too much space increases their energy expenditure. Merge weak colonies with stronger ones to form viable units. A small, isolated colony has little chance of surviving the winter.

Managing Ventilation and Humidity

Condensation is the silent enemy of wintering. Proper ventilation is essential to remove moisture produced by the bees’ respiration. Keep the bottom screens open, except in regions with extremely harsh winters. Some beekeepers use insulating partitions with ventilation holes to strike the right balance between warmth and airflow.

Protecting Against Predators and Weather

Install mouse guards to keep rodents from nesting in your hives. Secure the roofs and check overall waterproofing. Contrary to popular belief, only wrap your hives if you live in an area with very severe winters. Poorly fitted insulation can trap moisture and cause more harm than good.

Removing Unnecessary Components

Before winter, remove queen excluders and empty supers. Simplify the hive’s structure so that the bees can focus their energy on survival rather than heating unused space.

A successful wintering is the result of careful preparation and attentive observation of your colonies. By following these recommendations, you maximize your chances of finding strong, productive hives in the spring—ready to offer you excellent honey. At L’Esprit du Miel, we support our bees through every season to ensure their well-being and the quality of our harvests.