Beekeeping in northern climates is particularly difficult. Heading into winter, it’s extremely important you take steps to help your bees survive the winter. Take a look at how we do it.
Pretty informative and straightforward instructions to take care of your bees during winter! We have been using hoover hives and they hold up pretty well and we are excited! The ladies seems to be doing a pretty good job hanging in there when being provided with the right tools as well. I assume you are using burlap at the top with sugar to get them through winter? We do not use pollen patties.The reason you should not feed pollen patties in the fall/winter is because the queen will continue to lay eggs as long as she perceives that pollen is still coming in. It is vital that the queen stops laying or slows down dramatically going in to winter. Thanks for this good video; already subscribed!
im so distracted by the hat and wondering if you made a coyote hat. i missed every thing else said and just remember watching Marla teach this in university.
Can you tell me what material you use for your moisture board? Is it a material I can get at Home Depot or Lowe’s? Any details are appreciated. Thank you
hi there! I am a new BK (one month in) and I am trying to learn about this topic. I live in Southern CA,, do I need to worry about any special "accommodation" for the bees in the winter? thanks for the answer! :)
Thank you ❤️ it’s one of the hard things about keeping bees in northern climates - sometimes it’s just too harsh for them ☹️ We have them snuggled in tight again this year so fingers crossed for a good winter this year! 🤞
@@themnhomestead I have my fingers crossed. It makes me so discouraged, angry, depressed, and disgusted that the world's bees face sooo many pressures and that they oftentimes lose their lives. Since I love all animals, it hits me particularly hard. I REALLY hope that your babies make it this year!
What area of Northern MN are you in? Are you needing to feed right now? We have had an out of the ordinary winter this season; how has this winter effected your bees? Have you checked your hive for moisture yet this season?
Hi! I just switched to checking my comments on desktop instead of the app and found that I hadn't replied to you - so sorry for the delay! We had stopped feeding sugar syrup by the time this video was filmed but we do typically put on a sugar board for them to enjoy over the winter if they need it. I hope you're still enjoying the channel!
Hello, I’m planning to have my first winter this year with bees cause I’ve never had bees in snow, so I’m not very sure how to do this. About the holes in the wrap, do they actually go across the wrap and the hive? I don’t understand very clearly how do they keep the air flowing. Thank you so much.
Happy to help! The university of Minnesota also has a bunch of great of information. The airflow comes in via the hole as well as beneath the outer cover - it’s slightly larger than the inner cover. They do use the hole to go in and out on warm days. I hope this helps!
I'm a fourth year beekeeper, so don't put too much stake in what I say. However, I've managed to get two hives through two winters and so now they are in their 3rd summer and doing very well. I'm in Minnesota about 50 miles north of the Twin Cities. I wrap them with 3" polystyrene (pink) insulation. I made my own bottom boards that accomodate the 3" of insulation and also made extra large telescoping top covers that have 3" of insulation and that drop down over the 3" insulation on the sides. All six sides are insulated heavily. I have an entrance reducer and mouse guard. This kind of mimics Vino Farms bee barn setup but not as nice of construction or nearly as expensive. I also do not have any upper entrance or ventilation hole to prevent heat loss. In the wild bees do not have a top hole and seem to do just fine. I suggest watching the Vino Farms videos. I think he is in Massachusetts. Good luck!
Hellow, I have a question that I need help with. I live in NYC and am starting a new hive this upcoming April. Will beehives do well in winter if they don't get any sun?
Hi! I’m definitely not an expert at this point in our journey but without sun it will be very hard to keep bees alive over the winter. I’ve heard of people moving their hives into a garage or a shed over the winter to keep them warm which would help you here but I don’t know anything about how to go about doing that. Best of luck! Sorry I can’t be of better help.
@@themnhomestead thx. A couple of my mentors mentioned it will be fine because it will keep the bees balled up and reserve their stores. Buts it’s all I have here so it has to work. Thx for getting back with me. P.s. I was thinking about hives that are buried in snow all winter that make it though so hopefully mine will as well.
Good point about the snow. It also acts as extra insulation which is helpful. Also, wrap it in a dark color so that any sunlight that does peek through will pick it up.
the mn homestead, thanks for the answer-sorry you lost them. I am in Kindred, ND. About to treat for mites and prep for winter prep. Are you further north? Any changes to your wintering plans?
I think we’re a bit north of you; I googled your town and think you’re in zone 4a whereas we’re in 3a. Same plan for this year as it was successful two years ago. Our hive is looking strong and they have plenty of honey with a low more count; best of luck to you this winter! How many hives do you have?
