Experts' Recommendation on "Bee Wintering"

Prof. Dr. Harun Baytekin, a faculty member of the Department of Field Crops at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), stated that measures should be taken to prevent the negative effects of drought on bee colony populations and to minimize yield loss. He emphasized that 'bee wintering' is among the primary measures, saying, "To achieve this, we can keep our bees in cold storage. Beekeepers in North Dakota implement this. They move the hives to cold storage at the beginning of December, keep them there for 45 days, and then bring them back to the flora to start feeding the bees, achieving very good results."

Turkey is experiencing one of the driest periods in recent years. As we approach the end of January, temperatures above seasonal norms are being recorded. Beekeeping activities are also negatively affected by drought and mild winter conditions. Prof. Dr. Harun Baytekin from the Department of Field Crops at ÇOMÜ stated that measures need to be taken to prevent declines in bee populations and yield loss due to drought and warm weather. He emphasized that the 'bee wintering' method is among the necessary precautions.