B-insights 
Winter is a challenging season for bees and beekeepers alike. During this time, bees cluster together to stay warm, conserve resources, and survive until spring. As a beekeeper, you can take essential steps to support your hive’s winter survival. This guide covers six crucial winter beekeeping steps to help your colony make it through the colder months and emerge strong in the spring.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1. Why Winter Beekeeping is Important
Winter beekeeping is about keeping the colony warm, managing resources, and reducing any risks that could jeopardize the hive. Bees form a “winter cluster” around the queen to maintain warmth, relying on stored honey for energy. A well-prepared hive can emerge in spring healthy and ready for growth. By focusing on winter preparations, you help protect your bees from the cold, moisture buildup, and starvation.
Pro Tip: Preparing the hive for winter begins in the fall, but regular checks during winter are still important to ensure everything is functioning as planned.
2. Essential Tools for Winter Hive Management
These winter beekeeping tools will help you maintain a safe and comfortable hive environment: Hive Wraps or Insulation: Keeps the hive warm and reduces drafts. Entrance Reducer: Protects the hive from wind and keeps out predators. Moisture Board or Absorbent Materials: Prevents moisture buildup, which can be harmful to bees in winter. Sugar Cakes or Candy Board: A form of emergency feed to supplement honey stores if necessary.
Pro Tip: Avoid opening the hive too often in winter, as this can disrupt the bees’ temperature control and stress the colony.
3. Insulating and Winterizing the Hive
Insulating your hive is essential for maintaining internal warmth, but proper ventilation is also critical to prevent moisture buildup. Wrap the Hive: In cold climates, consider adding an insulating wrap around the hive to help retain heat. Use an Entrance Reducer: A reducer will help control cold air entering the hive and protect against drafts while also keeping out small predators. Install a Moisture Board: Place an absorbent moisture board on top of the inner cover to help trap and remove excess moisture from the hive.
Pro Tip: Don’t seal the hive completely. Bees need some ventilation to prevent condensation, which can be dangerous in cold weather.
4. Monitoring Food Stores and Supplemental Feeding
Bees rely on stored honey to survive the winter. However, if stores are low, you may need to provide supplemental food. Estimate Honey Stores: During late fall, check that the hive has sufficient honey stores (around 60-90 pounds, depending on climate). Provide Emergency Feed: If honey stores are low, you can add a candy board or sugar cakes as an emergency food source. Avoid Liquid Feed: Avoid using liquid syrup in winter, as bees can’t process it when temperatures drop.
Pro Tip: Check the hive’s weight periodically during winter to gauge food levels. Lighter hives may need emergency feed.
5. Ensuring Proper Ventilation and Moisture Control
Moisture can be more harmful than cold for winter bees, as condensation can chill the cluster and lead to health issues. Use a Top Vent: Place a small vent or a notch in the inner cover to allow warm, moist air to escape, preventing condensation inside the hive. Install a Slatted Rack or Screened Bottom Board: These can improve airflow, helping control moisture levels within the hive. Add an Absorbent Material: Place an absorbent material, like a moisture board or burlap, inside the hive to catch any excess moisture.
Pro Tip: Avoid fully closing the hive entrance, as some airflow is necessary to maintain the right balance of warmth and ventilation.
6. Checking for Pests and Predators
Even in winter, your hive can face threats from pests and predators that are looking for warmth or food. Here’s how to manage these risks: Check for Mice and Other Small Animals: Mice may try to nest in the hive during winter, so use an entrance reducer or mouse guard to block their entry. Monitor for Varroa Mites: If you treated for varroa mites in the fall, continue monitoring to ensure the treatment was effective. Protect Against Predators: Skunks and other predators may disturb hives at night; placing the hive on a stand can help deter these animals.
Pro Tip: Conduct quick, non-invasive checks around the hive entrance for signs of pest activity, but avoid opening the hive unless absolutely necessary.
Conclusion
Winter beekeeping is all about helping your hive conserve energy, stay warm, and avoid starvation. By following these six essential steps, you’ll create a safer, more stable environment for your bees to survive the cold months and emerge ready for the active spring season. Proper insulation, pest prevention, moisture control, and monitoring food stores are key to winter success. Have any winter beekeeping tips to share? Drop them in the comments, and be sure to explore more of our seasonal beekeeping guides for valuable insights and advice.