Winter Beekeeping Guide

Winter is the most challenging season for bee colonies. Success depends on fall preparation—by the time snow flies, it's largely out of your hands. Here's how to give your bees the best chance.

How Bees Survive Winter

Honey bees don't hibernate. Instead, they:

• Form a cluster: Bees ball together for warmth
• Generate heat: Shiver flight muscles to produce heat
• Eat honey: Fuel for heat production
• Rotate positions: Outer bees move inward, share warmth
• Reduce population: Fewer bees = less food needed

Fall Preparation Checklist

August-September

• Treat for varroa mites (critical!)
• Assess honey stores (minimum 60-90 lbs)
• Feed 2:1 syrup if stores are low
• Combine weak colonies
• Verify queen is present and laying well

October-November

• Reduce entrances (mouse guards)
• Add insulation if used
• Install moisture control (quilts, ventilation)
• Add candy boards for emergency food
• Final inspection before cold

How Much Food?

Honey requirements vary by climate:

• Southern US: 40-60 lbs
• Middle US: 60-80 lbs
• Northern US/Canada: 80-100+ lbs

Estimating Stores

• Deep frame full of honey ≈ 6 lbs
• Medium frame full ≈ 4 lbs
• Heft test: lift back of hive, compare to known weights

Moisture Management

Moisture is as deadly as cold. Bees produce water vapor that rises, condenses on cold surfaces, and drips back down.

Solutions

• Moisture quilts: Absorb moisture above bees
• Upper ventilation: Small opening for moisture escape
• Ventilated inner cover: Allows airflow
• Avoid bottom ventilation: Creates cold draft

Insulation

Debate exists, but insulation helps in extreme cold:

• Wraps: Black tar paper or commercial wraps
• Foam insulation: Around hive or in inner cover
• Hive cozies: Commercial insulated covers

Balance: Insulation should not trap moisture. Combine with ventilation.

Checking Hives in Winter

Resist opening! Cold bees are vulnerable. Instead:

• Heft test: Lift back to check weight
• Listen: Put ear to hive, listen for humming
• Watch entrance: Dead bees = normal. No activity on warm day = problem
• Quick peek: On warm days (40°F+), quick look under inner cover

Emergency Winter Feeding

If bees are light on stores:

• Candy boards: Hard sugar candy above frames
• Sugar bricks: Hardened sugar blocks
• Fondant: Soft sugar candy
• Dry sugar: Mountain Camp method (last resort)

Place food directly above the cluster where bees can reach it.

Signs of Trouble

• No hum when listening
• Extremely light hive
• Dead bees with heads in cells (starvation)
• Ice or frost inside hive
• No activity on warm sunny days