Summer has come to an end, and with that beekeepers across the Atlantic region are finishing their 2024 beekeeping season. The work beekeepers do throughout the fall season will impact how their bees do throughout the winter months and will determine how strong they will start out next spring. Read this week’s blog to learn about the various activities that occur throughout the fall season as we complete the Beekeeper’s Calendar Series.
Beekeeper’s Calendar Series: Fall
For
a beekeeper, fall officially begins once honey has been harvested. In the
Maritimes honey is typically pulled from hives until the middle of September
but this varies by location and by year. Once honey has been harvested
beekeepers get to work preparing their hives for the winter season. Some of the
tasks that need to be completed between September and November include feeding
hives, treating for pests and diseases, combining weak hives, and, towards the
end of the season, winter wrapping hives or moving them to an indoor wintering
facility.
In
the fall beekeepers feed their hives a 2:1 sugar to water syrup solution.
Beekeepers opt for a thicker syrup in the fall because the cooler temperatures
make it more difficult for bees to evaporate moisture from the solution in
order to cure it, so thicker syrup requires less work for bees to store. It is
important to start feeding early because once the weather becomes too cool bees
will not break their cluster to take down the sugar syrup. Bees will starve in
Atlantic Canada if they do not have sufficient food stores. To overwinter in
Atlantic Canada, a full-size colony (7 frames of bees) needs 27-36 kgs of stores
(honey plus sugar syrup), and a nucleus colony needs approximately 23 kgs of stores.
Tray feeders and frame feeders are commonly used to feed bees sugar syrup. Sugar
syrup is also a great way to feed medication in the fall (e.g. antimicrobial
fumagillin for Nosema), but only when indicated through proper testing.
Feeding sugar syrup with a frame feeder (ATTTA©2021)
Pollen
is also required for overwintering. Pollen provides protein for developing
larvae, particularly in the late winter and early spring. At least 3-6 frames
of pollen are recommended for the hive to go into winter. If there is less,
supplemental pollen patties should be provided.
A
colony needs to be strong enough to overwinter. A hive should have at least 7-8
frames of bees to successfully overwinter. Any less and there may not be enough
bees to form an adequate cluster to access food stores and build up populations
in the spring. Beekeepers will combine weak hives if indicated.
Beekeepers
will monitor for pests and diseases throughout the fall season. Varroa mite
levels increase throughout the summer, so it is essential that beekeepers
monitor their levels going into winter to determine if treatment is needed.
There are multiple treatment options for Varroa mites in the fall, including
Apivar®, Formic acid, Oxalic acid, Thymovar® and Hopguard®.
Finally,
towards the end of fall, beekeepers will prepare the outside of their hives for
winter. This will include wrapping hives to protect bees from chilling winds
and help colonies retain heat. There are multiple pre-made covers available for
purchase that range from materials such as corrugated plastic, treated paper,
or foam. Examples of commercially made covers include the Bee Cozy and the Easy
on Cover, which are designed to fit Langstroth hives. Despite the availability
of commercial covers, many beekeepers develop their own way of wrapping hives
with various materials, or even make their own covers that can be used for
multiple years. Additionally, beekeepers
will place entrance reducers and shrew guards on their hives to protect bees
throughout the winter months when they are most vulnerable.
As
highlighted throughout this blog series, beekeepers have a wide range of tasks
to manage each year and must continually adapt their work to meet the changing
needs of their hives. While the beekeeper’s calendar is busy, it is also filled
with rewarding and intriguing activities.
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