Your Winter Checklist…
- Complete and remove varroa treatments, checking the varroa drop to assess the need for further treatments.
- Check your bees are not being bothered by robbing bees or wasps, and the hive is wasp tight.
- Keep a look out for Asian Hornets, especially around fallen fruit and flowering ivy.
- Keep entrances small, when the weather changes fit a mouse guard and add insulation.
- If your hives are in an exposed position, secure with hive straps.
- Check the colony stores. If needed, give a feed of syrup (if it is not too cold) or Fondant.
- Clean and treat your beekeeping equipment. Store dry supers to prevent wax moth damage.
- Jar any honey to avoid it setting in the buckets, recording each batch number for traceability.
- Take a look at your years hive records, make any notes and plan next years beekeeping
