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Chapter 10

Late autumn and winter

From the video: Practical Beekeeping Part 10

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Transcript
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The fifth period — bee colonies without brood, dormancy, winter. We enter winter. Now the colonies are broodless, queens have stopped laying eggs, the outside temperatures have dropped to around 0 degrees Celsius. The bees have already clustered, and now is the best time to treat all bee colonies against varroa. We will do this treatment with oxalic acid, to kill the remaining varroa that is on the bees. Then I place the protein patty dough, which I previously prepared, onto my cover board. I don't activate the patties until the first spring cleansing flight of the bees. I place the patties, turn the plugs on the entrances, do a final check of all boxes — whether all cover boards and roofs are properly seated. After these previous tasks, in the coming winter days, I periodically Check, clear snow, then prepare equipment — fix deformed supers and frames for the next spring-summer season. During the winter, if I get the opportunity, I also hold a couple of educational lectures. Through our great desire, our love for beekeeping, we managed — thanks to you and your help — To bring such high-level experts and visiting lecturers from Moscow University, who will share with us the latest achievements in beekeeping. I thank you once more. I am most sincerely happy that I can greet you in this hall. I wish you good health, prosperity, and success. We will only speak about colonies that are strong. And you know that I... Three honey flows, until your flow finishes. Those are the rapeseed, acacia, and black locust honey flows. Only then does your main honey flow begin. How do beekeepers deal with swarming? It is more or less well known what varroa does to us and what harm it causes. Therefore, from the perspective of the institute, 15 German, Italian, and French... ...which are often organized by cantonal and municipal beekeeping associations, And I also hold a couple of lectures during the off-season... And I also hold a couple of lectures during the off-season. ...about practical beekeeping. ...about a bottom board I developed and a universal cover board, And that falls under beekeeping equipment that most beekeepers work with, A small colony, a bit of this, a bit of that — generally, Stronger beekeepers have some kind of equipment... For my contribution to beekeeping in the Federation, I have received several commendations and recognitions From cantonal and municipal... ...organizational associations. This also motivated me to make this film. How well I succeeded in this film — that is for you, my dear beekeepers, to judge. In closing, I would give a few tips to younger beekeepers, And to the older ones too, because they forget quickly, To be very careful and cautious during extraction and feeding during dearth periods, So as not to trigger robbing And ruin a beautiful apiary. Experienced beekeepers already know how dangerous that is. And you young ones, if you are careless, you might get to experience it. In my long years of working with bees, I have had great support And help from my wife and my lovely daughters and grandchildren. Support for this film was given to me by beekeepers from the Tuzla, Sarajevo, Zenica, and Goražde cantons — my dear friends. I would like to thank everyone, wish you good health, and ever greater yields. And with this film, celebrate with honey, be healthy, welcome. Abdullah Vejzović, Kladanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Guide

Winter period and late winter

The colonies are now broodless, queens have stopped laying eggs, and temperatures are around 0°C. The bees have formed a cluster — this is the best time for the final treatment with oxalic acid, which removes the remaining varroa on the bees.

Patties and final inspection

A patty is placed on the inner cover, but is not activated until the first spring cleansing flight. A final inspection of all hive boxes is carried out — checking that inner covers and roofs are fitting properly, that there are no cracks, and that everything is sealed for winter.

Winter tasks

During winter, hives are periodically checked and cleared of snow. This is a period for preparing equipment — fixing supers, replacing deformed frames, and planning for the next spring-summer season. Winter is also a good time for educational lectures and exchanging experience with other beekeepers.

Important tips

  • Be very careful during extraction and feeding in dearth periods not to trigger robbing in the apiary.
  • Regularly keep a work logbook — record dates of all operations and track the dynamics of colony development.
  • Do not neglect biological methods of fighting varroa (drone combs, screened bottom board) — in combination with chemical treatments they give the best results.
  • Always ensure that colonies have enough food — a patty as standby security can save a colony at a critical moment.
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