Contents
All beekeepers know how important it is to prepare bees for winter. This is due to the fact that the process of winter preparation is the main and most crucial moment in any apiary. In the autumn period, the concentration of carbon dioxide begins to increase significantly, the bees begin to age, and as a result of low temperature conditions, these processes are aggravated. That is why it is recommended to organize wintering for bees in such a way as to minimize the number of cases. In addition, insects during the winter period retain their health and energy for the spring flyby.
How bees prepare for winter
As a rule, the swarming process comes to an end in August. It is during this period of time that drones become a burden for the bee colony, while they consume honey, which is much more valued at this time. Since the insects begin the process of preparing for wintering, they do their best to save honey, as a result of which the drones are expelled from the hive. Undoubtedly, this could have been done much earlier, but, as practice shows, during the period of increased honey collection there is no time for this.
Bees are in many ways similar to people and in anticipation of severe cold weather they try to insulate their housing as best as possible. Insects try not only to protect their hive from the cold, but also from the penetration of other insects who want to steal food supplies.
In the autumn period, insects close up all existing gaps with the help of propolis, reduce entrances. At such moments, the entrance to the hive is guarded even at night, as the bees are afraid of stealing honey from outside. The bees become very aggressive, as a result of which they can even attack a puppy running nearby.
A set of measures to prepare bee colonies for wintering
If you make a mistake in the process of preparing bee colonies for wintering, then you can observe a massive death. To eliminate this problem, it is recommended to follow some basic rules during the preparatory work:
- provide the necessary amount of feed stock. In order for the bee colony to survive the cold season without loss, not to suffer from diseases and to start flying around with enough strength and energy, it is necessary to provide about 25-30 kg of honey and bee bread for each hive. In some cases, the use of sugar syrup is allowed;
- an integral process of preparing bee colonies for winter is the observance of deadlines for building up young insects. Measures must be taken to ensure that the hive queen stops laying by the end of August;
- exceptionally strong bee colonies should go in winter, otherwise they may die. As a rule, in this case, many beekeepers prefer to combine a weak colony with a stronger one;
- before the onset of cold weather, the hives must be completely insulated, and a ventilation system must be organized. If you plan to leave insects on the street, then the insulation layer should be at least 15 cm.
By following these rules, you can not be afraid of cases and diseases.
How to prepare bees for winter
In order to properly prepare the bees for wintering, it is important to understand that all work must be carried out before the onset of frost. During the planned autumn revision, it is recommended to check how the hives are ready for the upcoming cold weather. In order to draw the right conclusions and prepare everything correctly in the future, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- the age of the queen of the hive – the amount of brood depends on it;
- the amount of brood – this moment has a significant impact on the degree of readiness of the bee colony for the upcoming wintering;
- quantity and quality of honey and bee-bread stocks;
- suitability of combs in the hive;
- the state of insects, the number of individuals exposed to the disease.
Thus, in beekeeping, preparation for winter begins with a revision, as a result of which the beekeeper identifies all the weaknesses of the hives and draws up a plan for further work in the apiary in order to eliminate the existing shortcomings. Many experts advise preparing bees for the cold as soon as the last bribe has been completed. During the execution of work, it is recommended to be as careful as possible, which will not disrupt the life cycle of insects.
What bees go in winter
Beekeepers start preparing bees for winter from the beginning of August. During this period of time, not only the hives are carefully examined, but also the bee colonies themselves. During such examinations, weak and infected families are identified. If the insects are susceptible to disease, treatment measures must be taken immediately, otherwise the bees will not survive the winter.
In winter, strong families with a young queen of the hive should leave. It often happens that there are weak colonies in the apiary, in such cases they must be combined with other insects to allow the bees to survive.
How to prepare bees for wintering in August
As practice shows, beekeepers begin to prepare bees for winter in August. During this period of time, it is necessary to monitor which plants the insects collect pollen from for further processing. This is due to the fact that there is a possibility that insects will bring heather or honeydew honey into the hive. If such products were found, then it must be immediately removed from the hive.
If during the winter period the bees eat honeydew honey, they will develop diarrhea, which leads to mass death. Heather honey hardens rather quickly and becomes unusable.
In the same period of time, it is recommended to inspect bee colonies to identify weak and sick insects.
How to prepare bees for wintering in September
The preparation of bees for winter continues in September. The following work needs to be done in the apiary:
- check the amount of feed stocks, if necessary, replenish them;
- preliminarily study the types of houses and the further location to create a comfortable wintering;
- if necessary, process the hive;
- check the status of the hive queen.
After all the work in the apiary is completed, you can send insects for the winter.
How to cook bees in the winter for a warm drift
In the spring, when all the honeycomb frames in the nest were filled with honey, the honey flow came to an end, it is recommended to change the drift to a warm one at the end of summer. As a rule, these works are carried out in early August, as a result of which the insects have enough time to prepare the nest and food supplies, according to their needs.
During transfer, it is recommended to make several holes in each honeycomb frame. This is necessary so that the insects have the opportunity to move along the hive to the rear walls in the winter. During nest formation, it is recommended to place honeycomb frames with feed stocks at an angle. The honeycomb frames, which contain the most honey, are usually placed closest to the back walls, the frames that are half-filled or less are closer to the center.
Preparing the apiary for winter
Undoubtedly, the preparation of bee colonies for winter is an important point, but do not forget about the preparation of the apiary, namely, the hives. As a rule, before the onset of cold weather, it is necessary to form nests. In this case, it is worth choosing a moment when the insects begin to cluster.
Honeycomb frames and the degree of their filling with food deserve special attention. Since the bees are at rest during the winter period, each step will be quite difficult for them, as a result of which they may die if there is no food in the immediate vicinity. As a rule, honeycomb frames are filled completely and installed around the perimeter of the hive.
Nests can be formed in several ways:
- from 2 sides – a great option for strong families. 2 frames are set in the center, each of which contains 2 kg of honey. Around these frames, more honeycomb frames are installed, which already have 4 kg of honey. There should be 30 kg of honey in total;
- corner method – from one edge they put a frame completely filled with honey, behind it they put other frames that are filled with much less food. In the extreme limits there should be at least 2,5 kg of honey;
- beard – in the center there is a honeycomb frame completely filled with honey, decreasing frames are placed from it. In total, the hive should contain 15 kg of honey. This method is used mainly for young families.
To make the bees feel as comfortable as possible, it is necessary to install additional wooden blocks. These are peculiar landmarks located perpendicular to the honeycomb frames.
Conclusion
Preparing bees for winter is a crucial moment that should be given due attention. Preparation is carried out from the beginning of August and ends in September. The quality of preparatory work fully affects the comfort of wintering insects.