Winter (Jun, Jul, Aug)

This is a topline picture of what you need to do to manage your hives over winter. To manage your colonies well you will need to adapt their natural patterns with your aims.

• As bees don't hibernate in winter, each colony forms a cluster (a small rugby ball shape in the centre of the brood chamber) to generate heat and keep warm, so ensure honey and pollen stores are close to the cluster
• Bees don’t usually succumb to the cold, they tend to starve to death, so feed if required
• Ensure the hive has some ventilation if condensation starts to build up in the hive
• Remove varroa treatment
• Winter is a time to clean, repair and make up new equipment for Spring