Hello Everyone,
I have one concern while I am preparing my hives for the winter.
I have two hives, and this is my first season I harvested A LOT OF HONEY (a lot for me) from one hive and some from the second one. Took total of 28 medium frames of honey. Happy, Happy! My fourth year of beekeeping. Just wanted to share with you…. Early season honey is very light, sweet and smells like flowers. Late season honey is dark, a little bit spicy and has texture like a marmalade/jam… very tasty.
Last three days, night temperature was around 37 F… so past Sunday, I decided to do my Fall inspection getting ready the hives for the winter. Day temperature from 70 to 80 F, but it is getting cooler every day.
Both hives have the similar good conditions; a lot, lot of bees and good activity. I think they are still bringing the nectar and definitely pollen:
- Bottom Deep box (10 frames) has brood in the middle and some honey and pollen storage, not a lot. Most parts of the outside frames are empty. I am planning to remove the deep box in the spring just to go only with the mediums. Since it has brood and pollen, I don’t want to remove it now.
- Second medium box from the bottom has brood in the middle; honey and pollen storage; some frames are partially filled. Total honey/pollen storage from 4 to 5 frames
- Third medium from the bottom has brood in the middle honey and pollen storage; some frames are partially filled. Total honey storage from 4 to 5 frames
- Forth medium from the bottom – almost full of honey
I usually leave a plenty of honey for the bees for the winter season. However, I have a concern about the number of boxes – total of 4 (one deep and 3 mediums). I did not want to remove any boxes since three of them still has brood, and the top box is their food.
I do insulate them in November. Usually, we have a very cold winter.
Do you think my hives are too big to go through the winter? Any advices please???
Thank you. Irina
I obtained most of my beekeeping skills from this forum!