Prepare the bees for the winter

One of the most important and difficult tasks of beekeeping is the winter preparation, and this affects all beekeepers, regardless of their experience. While autumn approaches, beekeepers begin to prepare their colonies to survive winter and stay healthy. When the population of API begins to decrease, the nest becomes small enough to become a cultivation broth, leaving room for the next winter colony. For beekeepers, the main task at the moment is not to lose the best moments and prepare for the next cold season. Therefore, on sunny days, beekeepers enter the hive to obtain food and air.

Preparation of bees for winter AEL | Ape Agricola

In practice, the reproduction phase of young bees and the reconstitution of food reserves are over. The revision of the autumn family will now be carried out, the objective of which is to determine the state of each family of bees, its strength, presence and quality. of the queen, the amount of food and breeding

For example, if we invert a swarm in four honeycomb, it is important to ensure that bees cover the four honeycomb. In addition, three quarters of the frame must contain honey, only the lower part can have empty cells because in them the queen will put their young people for spring. Another detail to highlight here is that the frames must be dark, because they maintain more heat than light colors.

Another important aspect in the preparation of winter bees is the way in which food reserves are distributed, that is:

In the strong or medium families that cover at least 7-8 in Ape Nido, the reserves are organized as follows: the Ape nest is positioned with at least 2 kg of honey in the center of the nest, with empty cells for the nucleus of the deck In the group lower part. Below, the sides are already arranged in increasing order in terms of honey, ending on each side with an ape of the shepherd's bee and another full of honey.

In the case of the weaker bees families or when the reserves are not enough, a central organization of the nest that contain the largest amount of honey is recommended. On the edge, they will be placed in honeycomb with all time of honey minors.

To prepare for winter, we must pay attention to all possible details such as:

1.Honey extraction Before the start of the Troceum which takes place in the hot autumn days, with great attention.

2.Elimination of nidovi overwhelming, cats, sizing nests.. In the end we must have all the paintings that we can cover the bees in order to have bees in the box near the diaphragm and the entrances are left in the side paintings and crowns in the central frames.

3. Replacement of reserves with food supplementsHaving at the same time a stimulating effect on the breeding of queens, in particular young women. The stimulation can be transformed into a syrup of water and sugar in proportion 1: 1 and can be enriched with other accessories such as Startovit or Apicoplex.

4. Change inappropriate queens If it has not been done in the previous month;

5. Evaluate the state of health and adopt measures to prevent and combat diseases – Perform the clinical examination and perform the necessary treatments, applying animal hygiene measures in the hive and apiaio to combat nosmosis. It is also very important to perform repeated treatments against Varroa, a parasite of extraordinarily powerful bees. Initially, rapid effect treatments can be applied, here we mention the smoke, followed by contact treatments with durable effect.

6.Empty bee honeycomb deposit which will be kept in special wardrobes, hive and sulfur bodies treated to avoid gaslite; Continuation of the renewal works of the ancient hives;

7. Hardening of the regulations Avoid stealth and put barriers against mice penetration would also be a series of welcome measurements, especially if it's cold. For cold nights it is important to thermally protect the families of bees with mattresses or cushions on the landing and perhaps a little lateral padding of polystyrene, in particular for horizontal hive.

8. Expose the hive in a sunny and protected place of cold air currents.. Studies have shown that the protected hives of the air currents (fences, home walls, urticaria) doubles the production of honey the following year. API families develop faster and are much healthier.

9. Renewal of the elements of the hive. which will host families during the winter.

10. The fixation of the covers is also very important. Ever since the hives have passed the winter outdoors so as not to run the risk of being destroyed by strong snow breaks during the winter.

11. Union of two families When possible or requested due to its low power.

Something very important to consider for beekeepers It did not remain for the winter: Marks with sunflower honey, the latter toxic for bees in winter. Any extrafloral honey should be removed from the nest! For the winter it is advisable to leave Acacia or Linden honey!