Preparing for Wiinter

-
Preparing for Winter Video

Honey bees prepare for winter in several ways to ensure the survival of the colony:

1. Honey Storage: Bees work hard in the warmer months to collect nectar and pollen, which they convert into honey. This stored honey serves as their primary food source during winter when foraging is impossible.
2. Reducing Activity: As the temperature drops, honey bees become less active. The queen reduces her egg-laying, and the colony's population decreases, as fewer worker bees are needed to maintain the hive.
3. Forming a Cluster: To stay warm, bees form a tight cluster around the queen in the hive. The outer bees shiver their flight muscles to generate heat, while the bees in the center of the cluster stay warm. The cluster moves around the hive as needed to access stored honey.
4. Sealing the Hive: Bees use propolis (a resinous substance) to seal any cracks in the hive, insulating it against cold drafts. This helps maintain the temperature inside the hive.
5. Expelling Drones: Drones (male bees) are typically expelled from the hive before winter because they do not contribute to the survival of the colony. This conserves resources like honey for the worker bees and the queen.

These strategies help the colony survive through the cold months until the warmer weather returns and flowers begin blooming again.

Popular posts from this blog

First Month With New Packages

-
Image
Below are the normal time frames that new packages go through in the first month. Day 1-3: Installing the Package The first few days after installing the package are crucial. You'll need to make sure that the bees have access to food and water, as they won't have any stored up yet. It's also important to check that the queen has been released from her cage and has begun laying eggs. During this time, the bees will be focused on building comb and establishing the colony. Yes my queens are out, can you spot her. Day 4-14: Building Comb and Establishing the Colony During this time, the bees will be busy building comb and expanding the size of the colony. You may notice that the bees are bringing in more pollen and nectar as they start to establish their food sources. The queen will also be laying more eggs, and the colony will be growing at a rapid pace. Yes mine are building brood, pollen and honey stores.   Day 15-30: Checking the Brood and Health of the Colony By the
Read more

New Packages Installed

-
Image
  Installing honey bee packages is an essential step in beekeeping for those who want to start their own hive or expand an existing one. Honey bee packages are usually sold by bee suppliers, and they contain a queen bee, a certain number of worker bees, and some food to sustain the bees during transportation. In this blog, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to install honey bee packages, including some tips to ensure a successful installation. Step 1: Prepare the hive Before you install the honey bee package, you need to make sure that your hive is ready. The hive should be clean, free of debris and pests, and have frames with foundation or drawn comb. You can also add a feeder filled with sugar syrup to provide extra food for the bees. Step 2: Choose the installation location Choose a location for the hive that is sheltered from the wind and receives sunlight for at least six hours a day. The hive should also be placed in an area with good drainage, so the bees do
Read more