Winter beekeeping in northern climates presents unique challenges that require careful planning and attention to detail. The harsh conditions of colder regions demand special considerations to ensure the survival and well-being of your honeybee colonies. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential tips for winter beekeeping based on insights from Etienne Tardif, an experienced beekeeper in the Yukon. This post focuses on three critical levers: hive box management, hive health, and food stores.

1. Hive Box Management

One of the fundamental aspects of successful winter beekeeping in northern climates is managing your hive boxes effectively. Here’s what you need to consider:

a. Hive Box Size, Bee Density, and Honey Weight: In the winter, it’s crucial to ensure that the volume of bees in your colony fills the cavity. Any empty space should be eliminated, as it increases the risk of thermal bridging. Remove frames with foundation or drawn comb without honey or pollen stored, and replace them with rigid insulation covered with duct tape to prevent the bees from chewing on it.

b. Hive Health: A healthy hive is more resilient in winter. Regularly monitor for diseases, ensure the queen’s health and age are optimal, and address any issues promptly to boost the colony’s chances of survival during the cold months.

2. Food Stores

Food stores are critical for overwintering success, especially when cleansing flights are not possible for extended periods. Here’s how to manage food stores effectively:

a. Supplementation: To increase brood-rearing seasons in spring and fall, consider supplementing your bees’ diet with pollen and sucrose. This helps decrease the age of winter worker bees between brood-rearing seasons and ensures your colony has enough winter weight for insulation.

b. Winter Weight: Aim for an average of 80 lbs of honey or syrup-honey weight in your colonies. Adequate food stores provide insulation and a source of energy for your bees throughout the winter months.

3. Hive Insulation and Moisture Control

In colder climates, proper insulation and moisture control are vital to maintaining a warm and dry hive environment. Here’s what you need to know:

a. Hive Entrances: During the winter, hive entrances should be exclusive to the bottom. Avoid top entrances, as they can increase heat loss and moisture dysregulation, potentially harming your colony.

b. Thermal Bridging: Remove any empty spaces within the hive and replace them with rigid insulation covered with duct tape to prevent thermal bridging. This practice helps maintain a more consistent temperature within the colony.

c. Roof Insulation: Insulating the roof is more critical than insulating the walls. In the Yukon, aim for an R30 insulation level in the attic of the hive using rigid insulation. This prevents heat loss through the roof, where it is most significant.

d. Moisture Control: Warm air holds more moisture than cool air. To reduce condensation within the hive, maintain a warmer colony temperature. Consider using duct tape on all colony seams between equipment before wrapping to decrease the risk of thermal bridging and condensation issues.

Conclusion

Winter beekeeping in northern climates can be a rewarding endeavor, but it requires careful preparation and attention to detail. By focusing on hive box management, hive health, and food stores, as well as implementing proper insulation and moisture control, you can increase the chances of your honeybee colonies surviving the harsh winter months. Remember that each region may have its unique challenges, so adapting these tips to your specific climate is essential for success. With the right approach, your bees can thrive even in the coldest of winters.