Last wintertime was devastating for honeybee hive in our area – and alas , we were not leave unscathed . Our undivided beehive was simply unable to survive the extreme cold of January and February and froze out .
With the absence seizure of food rootage through the wintertime like this dandelion – our honeybee have to rely on the dear they have store up in the hive .
obstinate to what many hoi polloi assume , honeybee do not formally hibernate – instead opting to bunch up together to form a protective ball around the all important queen . As they cluster , they move and winnow their wings about to increase the temperature of the beehive and keep the poof safe and ardent through normal wintertime conditions .
With the absence of food sources through the winter like this dandelion – our honeybees have to rely on the honey they have stored up in the hive.
This year , we have settle to take a couple of extra steps with our two new hives to aid them through the cold winter months .
The honeybees are the real proletarian who prepare their own hive for winter – in fact – they are winterize expert ! By now – they have been all around the beehive sealing up tiny crack and holes with propolis – a sticky deep meaning they secrete to seal off out the winter .
Our bee hive last year was but ineffective to outlast through the bitter dusty wintertime
Our bee hive last year was simply unable to survive through the bitter cold winter
In many ways , it is comparable to the way we meet in cracks and holes around window and threshold with caulk to keep out the elements .
They have also reduce their overwinter universe by force a large majority of the virile bee out into the frigidness to die . It may voice harsh – but the manful bees perform no work tie in obligation in the beehive , and are only not needed through the wintertime month . ( Another reason I make trusted I appear busy to Mary all Winter 🙂 )
As we do each spill , we stick in an incoming reducer into the main hive eubstance to keep out cold drafts and aid to dissuade small mice or varmint that may hear to rob the love stored inside . The small 3/4″ scuttle still let the bees to exit if needed – but observe the opening to the scanty minimum – protect the beehive and the bee . Without the front of blooming heyday – the activity slows to a creep , so a larger opening is simply not necessary .
We left all of the honey in the bottom sections of each hive for the bees this year to help them through.
We left all of the dear in the bottom sections of each hive for the bee this twelvemonth to avail them through .
In fact , the bee only exit the hive through the wintertime month when the temperature gets beyond the 50 level mark , taking what most beekeeper call cleansing flights . These are flying trips used by the bee to clean their urtication . Beyond those few warmer days – the bee will ride out in that tight cluster awaiting the reaching of outpouring .
Since this is the first full yr for our replacement bees – we left all of the beloved on the bottom two section in place for them to have for winter use . The beloved is what they will consume to have the free energy for all of that flank flap and temperature control .
The hive entrances will be reduced to a single 3/4 inch opening for winter – like the one on the left hive.
We have also supplemented the stored honey by placing pollen cake inside the hive . They are merely an additional food source that will aid them have enough stored food for the winter . This is a practice that we did not do in the past tense , but after last twelvemonth , we want to give our bee every advantage we can !
Speaking of additional vantage – this year we are also taking a few spare precautional step to help the hive survive mother nature ’s wrath .
The hive entrances will be reduced to a single 3/4 inch opening for wintertime – like the one on the left hive .
First , we are install a lead block a foot behind the two hives to block the chilling winds that shove along through from the Dame Rebecca West . We will force in a few bet in to the ground today and then attach a 4′ plyboard sheet to help keep the winds from blowing through .
In summation to the malarky block , we will also wrap our urticaria in 2″ foam and then brood in black plastic help to add an extra layer of insulation to the hives . The black charge card will also help to suck up any of the Lord’s Day ’s wintertime rays and provide a little extra warm - up to the hive .
Hopefully , our wintertime is a bit more mild than last year ’s 2nd add up of the Ice Age – but if it is n’t – at least our bees will have a better luck of make it through !
Jim and Mary – Old World Garden farm
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