Overwintered Colonies
Overwintered Colonies
If you have overwintered bees, it may be necessary to feed them to keep them alive until the first nectar flow in spring. There is no simple explanation or plan for feeding because conditions will vary every year. Some of these conditions may be the result of beekeeper intervention, while nature can be counted on to throw a curve ball every once in a while.
Pennsylvania apiary in late winter
Colonies in the northeast require 60-80 pounds of honey to survive the winter. If the beekeeper harvests too much of the bees' honey in the fall, there is always the chance that there won't be enough honey for the bees to make it all the way through winter, in which case supplemental feeding will be necessary.
If you notice the bees are at the top of the hive, it is a good time to give them sugar candy.
Sometimes, if the weather conditions are unfavorable for nectar production, even industrious and healthy bees won't have stored enough honey to adequately prepare for winter.
Feeding Overwintered Colonies in Late February–Early March
Starvation usually occurs in late February to early March. At this time, the queen has been laying eggs for several weeks, so young bees are starting to come on and a lot of honey is being consumed.
If you notice the bees are at the top of the hive, it is a good time to give them sugar candy. Refer back to the Feeding page for the sugar candy recipe and additional details.
Lesson List
- 4.2 New & Overwintered Colonies Duration:
- Caring for a New Colony Duration:
- Overwintered Colonies Duration:
- 4.3 Spring Splits Duration:
- Nucleus Colony Duration:
- Double-Screen Split Duration:
- 4.4 Swarming Duration:
- Preparing to Swarm Duration:
- Minimizing Swarms Duration:
- 4.5 Check Your Learning Duration:
Teachers Info
Bee doctor
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