The most important part of winter management is not done in winter. The colony that will survive the winter is prepared in late summer; there is very little that can be done in December.

Three conditions

Whether a colony survives the winter depends on three things:

• Healthy winter bees — reared in late summer under a low mite load
• Sufficient and reachable stores
• A dry hive interior

If one of the three is missing the other two will not save the colony.

The matter of winter bees

Winter bees are reared in late summer and must live for months. What makes this possible is a well-developed fat body.

Varroa feeds on precisely that tissue. If the mite load is high in August the winter bees are born weak and die early. The colony dwindles in January or February, leaving plenty of honey and few bees.

The first step of winter preparation is therefore not feeding but timely Varroa treatment.

Stores

• The amount varies by region. Record what colonies in your own area consume; that is the most reliable measure
• Give it in time. Syrup given late cannot be processed and stays moist
• Replace honeydew honey. Its high ash content burdens the gut of the winter bees
• The position of the stores matters. The cluster moves upwards; the stores should be above it

Isolation starvation

Having honey in the hive is not enough; the cluster must be able to reach it. In cold weather the cluster cannot move sideways.

The result is that a colony can starve while full frames stand two combs away. When arranging the hive for winter the stores must be placed above the cluster.

Moisture

In winter moisture kills more than cold. A colony withstands cold; it does not withstand condensation dripping on it continuously.

• The roof must not leak
• The hive should stand tilted slightly forward so water runs out of the entrance
• Ventilation must not be cut off — closing everything traps the moisture
• The hive should be raised off the ground

Small but critical details

• Fit a mouse guard. Once the cluster forms no one guards the entrance
• Reduce the entrance but do not close it
• Secure the hive against storms and animals
• Unite weak colonies. A colony that goes into winter weak is usually lost

Through the winter

Do not open the hive. What can be done is done from outside:

• Checking weight by lifting gently from the back
• Making sure the entrance is not blocked with dead bees
• Watching for snow, fallen branches and tipping
• Observing the hive front on cleansing-flight days

If the weight falls to a critical level emergency feeding is possible; solid fondant is more suitable than syrup in cold weather.