Fall is almost over, the leaves are everywhere but on trees. The air is cold, and the bees know it. They don't fly around much anymore, except when a sunny 50 degree F (10C) day is announced! They are busy organizing themselves, and making sure their hives are "wind proof". The honeybees are busy filling gaps in their house...they have one motto: No air drafts.
We went to visit our bees on last time last weekend, November 12 2011. We cleaned out the bottom board, and removed the last feeding pails. We made sure that all the boxes were stacked properly, and that the whole colony was leaning slightly forward. This helps with the moisture that can accumulate inside and freezing and killing the bees. Then we placed a black waxed cardboard box over the hive, not really to insulate but to protect against the winds. On top of the hive we put a moisture board that will absorb any dampness. We left one upper entrance for them to fly around during sunny and "warm" days. The bottom entrance will be blocked soon by snow.
The colonies in Shakopee seem to have more bees than in Chanhassen but overall they all look in good health. We left them plenty of honey and they have collected a lot of pollen late into the season. Our hope is that our honeybees are safe and strong enough for another Minnesotan winter.
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| Colonies in Shakopee wrapped up for winter. |
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| The long walk through the field in Shakopee |
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| One happy beekeeper! |
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| Covered in black, our 3 hives in Chanhassen. The painted one is empty. |
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| Bees taking up the last rays of sun! |
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