I made this video 8 years ago and it is still current on wintering a hive in the upper Midwest using a cardboard cover. It is still too early to cover your hive. Beekeepers will be doing Oxalic Acid treatments around the third week of October. The winter covers could go on anytime after that, if the weather is cool. If the temperatures warm up in late October, we may be waiting a little longer to cover the hives. The weather person tonight said 60's in about a week. But, we can never depend on a long range forecast and should not take that outlook as gospel.
Right now, the bees should be checked for food stores. Feed if necessary. As it gets colder, the bees will not take syrup very well. A warm late October would help get the feed into the hives.
Entrance reducers or mouse guards should be on the hives right now.
This is a video on how to use a Bee Cozy Winter cover
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picking up bees in California
This blog is for beekeepers in Northern climates. I will be describing what I am doing with my bees on a monthly schedule. Copying any text or photos is forbidden except with written authorization of the author.
Disclaimer:
This blog explains how I keep bees. It works for me, it might not work for you. Use my methods at your own risk.
Always wear protective clothing and use a smoker when working bees.
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What I am doing this month
- put supers on strong overwintered colonies
- Treat overwintered colonies for mites
- Add second box to package bees when ready
- Divide colonies
picking up bees in California
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About Me
- Jim
- Stillwater, Minnesota
- I have kept bees for 28 years and run 25 colonies. We have changed our business name to Bees and Honey LLC. We are still selling honey at our Stillwater location. Honey fills (still in Stillwater) anytime but please call