 |
| Ben placing a waxed cardboard over hive |
 |
| Our 2 colonies in Shakopee |
What a beautiful day to say good night to our bees...it was 64 F (17C) on Nov.10 2012! Later on it was 72 F (22C)! It felt very strange, to remove all the pails left 4-5 weeks ago; it was not cold. We even saw a good amount of bees flying around, looking suspicious at us. We did not think that we needed to use our smoker because usually the honeybees are all inside their house and don't pay attention at us at this time of year. But indeed they were curious, as Ben was making the lower entrance larger and stapling a screen over to let the bees and air flow, but to prevent the mice to set foot in what they would consider a golden heaven...Heated,
and food for the whole winter!
and food for the whole winter!
So, I went back to the car, and got the precious smoker fired up, one last time! We did not move any boxes because in the last month or so, the bees too prepare their hive for winter. For instance, they "patch" any space where the wind could finds its way inside the hive. This task takes many days to do and a lot of energy is required from the little ones. They also build wax combs between each box like a bridge, to help the honeybees to move up and down during winter, from nest to food.
 |
| Moisture board on top of hive in Chanhassen |
We do know that each colony has bees and we could see from above that they had been in a cluster, thus ready for winter. After placing a "moisture" board on top of the hive, which absorb the moisture that bees will make during the cold months just by living. If it is wet in the hive, the bees have no chances of surviving...they will freeze to death.
 |
| Adding the waxed cardboard cover |
 |
| Replacing the telescopic top |
We plugged all the circled entrances, except the top one. With the larger opening at the bottom and the circled opening at the top, it will be enough to ventilate the whole colony.
Before leaving, we looked at the hives one more time...gave them three gentle pats and said the beekeepers' prayer : "Good night little ones, have a safe winter and see you in the spring" We know that the honeybees did their best to be ready to again face a certain harsh Minnesota winter. We also know that WE did our best to prepare the bees since last spring using the best ways we know. However, somehow every year, I feel the same way... a bit sad that I won't see my honeybees for many months, and wondering about them until spring. But I have to remind myself (often!) that it is nature; and nature rewards the fittest. So, we will see in March 2013!
 |
| All wrapped up for the long winter: Hives in Chanhassen |
To anyone who reads this blog, I wish you a good and safe winter.
Thank you,
Karine
Did the same thing the other week and got stung! Just had simple tasks to do like take off the feeder pail and swap out the entrance reduce. Was not expecting such feisty behavior! And it was cold that day too, like 35. Looks like some of your hives are 2 deep. Were those low populations all summer?
ReplyDelete