Ensuring Bee Colony Survival: Tips for Winter Beekeeping

Hello there, I'm John Richardson, your host on the Richardson's Rubicon Podcast. In this episode, we'll explore the tasks beekeepers should focus on in November and December, especially for those in the Northern Hemisphere, like in Scotland. We'll discuss the importance of providing sugar syrup and treating for varroa mites in the months leading up to winter. We'll examine how bees adapt their physiology for winter, enabling them to survive longer and produce royal jelly for the next spring and summer broods. We'll cover the dangers of starvation and varroa mite infestations for bees, the advantages of feeding them proper fondant, and the importance of protecting hives from bad weather. I urge you to resist the temptation to open the hives during this period, and guide you on how to maintain them during these colder months, all in an effort to ensure the survival of your buzzing communities. Enjoy!

Here's where to get a Gas Vap: https://www.bridge-cottage.com/gas-vap

Hive Alive fondant: Thornes (other stockists available)