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Abdulah VejzovicOnly healthier bees produce more
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Chapter 9

Winter period

From the video: Practical Beekeeping Part 9

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Transcript
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The start of the next beekeeping year, preparing colonies for winter. Already at the end of the third period — that is the end of the main honey flow — the queen gradually reduces the number of eggs laid in the cells. Then we enter the fourth period of growth and development of bee colonies. Eggs in this period are larger, with more protein, abundantly fed in the larval stage. That is why from these eggs and larvae we get long-lived, higher-quality winter bees. At the end of the third period, at the end of extraction, we enter the fourth period of growth and development. At the end of the third period, at the end of extraction, we enter the fourth period of growth and development of bee colonies. I set up feeders to supplement winter food stores on all colonies and on the swarms. The feeders hold 4 liters, so I give 3 rounds of 4 liters — a total of 12 liters. That is my optimum, more or less — it all depends on the year. And for the swarms I use 2-liter feeders, so I give 3 rounds of 4 liters — a total of 12 liters. To give them 6 to 8 times extended — I finish the winter food supplementation in 10 days. At the end of July and the very beginning of August, I make syrup at a ratio of 1.5 to 1 in favor of sugar. At the beginning of August I place 1 pad of formic acid on the top bars, over the mesh. I had previously cooled the acid In the freezer at minus 20 degrees Celsius. On the fourth day I remove the pads, and at the same time I place thyme. Since thyme contains thymol, I have good results with varroa drop. Here is also a new product, Apigard gel, made on a thymol base — and its mother plant is thyme. I keep this thyme until the detailed pre-winter inspection, when I level the bee colonies — merging queenless ones. This way I also get more propolis on the meshes. After completing these autumn tasks, for some time we enter the fifth period of bee colonies. This is the broodless period. The dormancy period.

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Guide

Preparing colonies for winter

At the end of the main honey flow, the queen gradually reduces the number of eggs laid and the colony enters the fourth period of growth and development. Eggs in this period are larger, with more protein, abundantly fed at the larval stage. From them emerge long-lived, higher-quality winter bees.

Replenishing winter stores

Feeders are placed on all colonies and swarms to replenish winter stores:

  • Colonies: 4-liter feeders, 3 times 4 liters = a total of 12 liters.
  • Swarms: 2-liter feeders, 6 to 8 refills.

Winter feed replenishment is completed in 10 days. Syrup is prepared at a ratio of 1.5 : 1 in favor of sugar (late July, early August).

Varroa treatment

At the beginning of August, one formic acid pad is placed on the top bars over the mesh. The acid is pre-cooled in the freezer to −20°C. On the fourth day the pads are removed and thyme is placed — which contains thymol and gives good results in varroa drop. On the market there is also Apigard gel based on thymol with the same effect.

Thyme is kept until the detailed pre-winter inspection, when equalization of bee colonies is performed — combining queenless colonies. This procedure also provides an additional benefit: more propolis on the mesh screens.

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