As the warm, bustling days of summer transition into the crisp, golden hues of autumn, our diligent bee companions begin their own preparations for the winter. In the Mid-Atlantic, September is not just a time for humans to fetch their sweaters but also for beekeepers to bolster their hives for the cold months ahead. Embark with me on this journey of autumn bee-care and ensure that your colonies remain vibrant and vivacious come springtime.
1. Evaluating Colony Strength:
After the summer harvest, you may have had your colony swarm or other issues plaguing the late-season dearth. As school starts back up and the weather begins to cool down, rain will set in, creating less opportunity for the beekeeper to check on his or her colonies.
Population Count: Venturing into your hive, look at your bee numbers. The strength in numbers principle applies here—a healthy, populous colony is more likely to weather the winter's chill. Lots of bees at this point are good, but also you will want to check that you have the right kind. By this point, the number of drones should be starting to dwindle.
Brood Pattern: A healthy brood pattern, showing consistent laying by the queen, is crucial. Irregular patterns can indicate issues, so keep an eye out! Brood should be laid out in the middle of the hive boxes and the middle of the frames, surrounded by capped honey on the edges of the frames and on the exterior frames of the hive.
Signs of Disease: A watchful eye can catch early signs of maladies like Nosema or the dreaded Varroa mite. Remember, early detection is the best form of prevention. Mites should be started treatment at this point.
2. Harvesting the Last of the Honey:
The nectar flow here in the Chesapeake Bay region is over by July 4th every year, and harvest time is finished by early August.
When to Harvest: While the golden rod nectar is tempting for late September, leave a generous supply for your bee friends. A colony needs between 60-90 pounds of honey to make it through the winter. Taking too much will mean opening the hives mid-winter and providing emergency food supplies.
Use Gentle Methods: Consider bee-friendly harvest methods. Bee escapes can guide bees out of honey supers gently, and the use of additives such as honey bandit provide a stringent odor to a fume board to prevent the bees from staying with their cherished supply. Don't use smoke when harvesting.
Storage: After harvesting, store your honey in an airtight container in a cool, dry environment. Cherish it—it’s nature's sweet elixir that never goes bad!
3. Feeding and Nutrition:
Supplemental feeding almost always happens unless you leave an extra 60-90 lbs of precious honey on the hives for them. Some Beekeepers will do that. Others take the honey and feed them back sugar syrup, which the bees will make back into honey (but won't taste as good to us).
Sugar Syrup: The 2:1 sugar to water ratio is perfect for autumn feeding, providing bees the resources to store extra food. If the bees have frames to draw out, they may need 1:1 sugar to water syrup before switching to 2:1.
Supplemental Feed: Pollen can be scarce in autumn. Offering pollen patties can give your bees the protein boost they need; these can cause the queen to increase brood production, which means that they will have more mouths to feed and can also invite pests such as small hive beetles.
Avoid Feeding Honey: Be wary of feeding bees honey from other sources, as it may introduce new pathogens to your colony. Never feed them store-bought honey as it has been pasteurized.
4. Preparing for Winter:
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, our winters are often not frigid enough to need hive insulation unless the hives are located in a place that gets a harsh southern wind in the winter. Positioning the hives against a windscreen is the best protection from winter winds that can quickly freeze hives.
Insulation: Whether it's hive wraps or other insulation techniques, ensuring your bees are shielded from the biting cold is paramount.
Ventilation: Balance is key! While insulation is important, so is proper ventilation. This prevents excessive moisture, which can spell doom for a hive in winter. Mold, ice, and pests are all introduced by excessive water in the hives.
Entrance Reducers: These handy tools are not just about temperature control. They can also deter mice and other unwelcome guests. Metal ones help keep out mice and other rodents from chewing their way into the hive.
5. Protecting Against Pests:
Before October, the mite check and treatment should be done on your hives, especially if you hope to try for an autumn harvest of goldenrod. Mite checks and treatment may make or break how well your hives survive over the winter.
Varroa Mite Check: Regularly monitor mite levels using the sugar shake or alcohol wash techniques. If you spot these pests, act swiftly!
Natural Repellents: Certain essential oils, like lemongrass, can be a godsend in keeping unwanted guests at bay.
Hive Maintenance: Inspect your hive and seal any unwanted cracks or openings that could be potential gateways for pests. This also helps control temperature and moisture through the winter months.
6. End of Season Maintenance:
Before temperatures plummet and days get too short, do some end-of-season maintenance on your hive boxes. This is where you get prepped for next season to ensure you start strong and clean. Put your supers away and on proper moth crystals to prevent wax moths from getting in them. Scrape propolis from the boxes. Seal and prevent moisture and pests from getting into the boxes. Replace any boxes or frames that are not able to be salvaged. the frames replaced should be fully drawn frames at this point if possible.
Hive Inspection: Old or damaged frames? Now's the time to replace them. Similarly, look for any signs of wear on your hive boxes.
Cleaning: Bid farewell to any fallen bees and clean out debris to prevent mold and diseases from festering during the colder months.
Equipment Storage: Store away unused equipment, ensuring it's clean and dry. This guarantees longevity and lessens your prep work next season.
Conclusion:
The crunch of fallen leaves underfoot, the cool winds of change, and the mellowness of autumn brings forth an important chapter in a beekeeper’s calendar. While the bees might seem less frenetic, for the beekeeper, the hustle is very much alive. Embrace these tasks with joy, for in them lies the promise of thriving hives in the spring. And always remember, in beekeeping as in life, a stitch in time saves... well, the hive! Happy beekeeping, dear apiarist! 🐝
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