By: Ann Harman
This article originally appeared in the Winter 2016 issue of BEEKeeping Your First Three Years
• Make October first “Put Mouse Guards On Day”
• Queen is decreasing egg-laying – don’t panic!
• Broodless period suitable for Varroa intervention until day temperatures are below 57° F.
• Keep up small hive beetle controls until weather cools.
• Your goal adequate Winter stores:
• Warm climate – 40 pounds
• Temperate climate – 60 pounds
• Cold climate – 90 pounds
• Frames of honey can be moved from one hive to another provided colonies are free of disease. Do not move the queen!
• Syrup for Winter storage is 2 parts sugar to 1 part water.
• Stop feeding sugar syrup when temperatures are below 57° F.
• Be certain that queen excluders are off the hives. Set excluders aside for a cold day to snap off propolis and wax.
• Inspect queen excluders for damage. Queens will find any damaged place.
• Protect plastic queen excluders from mice.
• Set aside damaged equipment for repair. Get ahead – fix it now!
• Protect all stored equipment from mice.
• Any stored brood comb must be free of wax moth eggs and protected from damage.
• Inspect any stored comb for damage, lumps of cross-comb and excessive drone comb.
• Clean up beeyard. Do not leave bits and pieces of equipment lying around.
• Mow any grass or weeds so bees have flight on warm Winter days.
• If you live in bear country, check bear fence.
• Wash all your bee clothing – veils, jackets, coveralls and gloves. If you use household gloves, discard old ones and buy a new supply.
• Clean up your smoker. Make sure it is free of ashes under the grid.
• Plan to check your hives at least once a month. Do not break the cluster.
• Use honey in Thanksgiving pumpkin pie and during the holiday season.
• Tell Santa Claus which bee book you would like for your library.
