11/15/20 - Readying the hive for the winter

 

It looks like it'll be rather cold for 10 days out, and rain expected tonight, so I decided to winterize my hive today.   

• Removed top hive feeder. Not sure if I'll add it back on later but I doubt it'll be warm enough so I'll supplement with patties of pollen or make sugar patties if needed.
• Straightened out the hive a little...a box wasn't positioned properly on the one below
• Wrapped with roofing paper, stapled and then secured with the orange bungie cords.
• The brown lump is a bale of straw which I"ll reuse in the garden in the spring
• To the left of the hive is another bale of straw that should get another tarp to cover.
• I tried to strategically place the empty hives and the straw to block wind.  
• I may pick up a few bales of hay (cheaper than straw!) to further block the cold winter wind
• Repositioned the entrance reducer and added back on the mouse guard 
• I also left the hole in the top deep for a vent and another way in/out.
• I added a board to the top of the hive so it sort of gives them a "porch roof" for rainy days

There are still a lot of bees in the hive.  I had to leave the super on there because it was also full of bees. 

Mean, mean bees

 Wow.  These bees are being extremely protective of their honey!  I was stung twice just removing an empty frame from the super...the bees were all over me.  So I decided to stop inspecting for now and added the top hive feeder with some sugar syrup and closed it up again.  I did open the entrance again to ensure they can get in/out okay and they swarmed out quickly.  So they are doing just fine for the moment.

I'll wait to  wrap the hive.  We have too many warm days ahead to do it now.

11/2

 After our first real cold snap, I noticed no bee sounds near the hive and saw no bees outside, obviously.  So I went out to remove the top hive feeder and saw no bees in the super at the top...so I quickly closed it up again. 

I then checked the front to make sure bees could get out and sure enough, I cleared a few dead bees from the entrance and bees came rushing out.  So good.  I still have bees.

Now we have warm weather coming for a few days so I will take that time to wrap the hive, add more sugar syrup, remove the super and ensure the dead bees are removed.  I will keep the hole in the upper deep open for moisture to escape.

I will report once this is done with a photo too.  I will need another bale of straw to help block wind.  I think two bales  in addition to the two empty hives will block wind.