Winter Checks: What to Do When It Gets Cold

In winter, bees form a winter cluster. The outer bees insulate it, while the inner bees generate warmth by shivering their flight muscles. The queen stops laying, and the colony shrinks down to its core group.

As a beekeeper, the rule in winter is: hands off! Unnecessary inspections disturb the winter cluster and cost valuable energy.

What you should still do:

Check the entrance: is it blocked by dead bees? Clear it carefully with a piece of wire. Bees need fresh air even in winter.

Check the mouse guard: mice love warm beehives in winter. A mouse guard in front of the entrance protects the colony.

Check the weight: lift the hive gently from behind – if it feels light, a food shortage may be looming. In that case you can place fondant on top without disturbing the cluster.

Ventilation: the tray – the drawer under the mesh floor – is pushed in halfway. This provides enough ventilation without a draft and stops moisture from building up in the hive. Moisture is more dangerous than cold in winter.

From February on, the first sunny days will arrive – and the beekeeping year starts over again.