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Page 35
December
November
wanted, a board can be laid flat under the frames to shield the bees from
draughts through the mesh floor. Put the wasp guard in to protect against
mice. If you are storing equipment and frames, you should protect them
against attack from pests such as wax moths. You can also start making
things from your produce such as candles or polish. The National Honey
Show is also a highlight of the year – a chance to enter your honey against
other beekeepers, all convinced that their’s is the best!
Feed
You should finish winter feeding. See the feeding section on
Page 36
for
more information.
Health
You can use the inspection tray to monitor when brood rearing ceases.
When there are no more crumbly debris from cappings dropping onto
the tray brood rearing has stopped. Wait a further 21 days and put the
inspection tray back in to monitor mite drop. If the mite drop is higher
than 1 mite per day you can sprinkle powdered sugar in between the
frames provided you open the hive on a warm day. Refer to the health
section on
Page 46
for more information.
What will the Beehaus look like inside?
What are the bees doing?
The bees will be clustering on the frames. The queen will be at the centre
and the bees will be vibrating their bodies to keep themselves
warm – this is very similar to shivering.
What should you be doing?
There isn’t anything for you to do at this time of the year. You shouldn’t
open the hive to check the bees as this will very quickly chill them. You
can remove the wasp guard and clear any dead bees from the entrance
using the curved end of the hive tool.
What will the Beehaus look like inside?
The bees will still be over-wintering on 9 frames.
Your bees in over-wintering mode, clustered on 9 frames.
Your bees won’t be doing a lot now, just sitting tight.
What are the bees doing?
The bees will be clustering on the frames. The queen will be at the centre
and the bees will be vibrating their bodies to keep themselves
warm – this is very similar to shivering.
What should you be doing?
There isn’t anything for you to do at this time of the year. You shouldn’t
open the hive to check the bees as this will very quickly chill them. You can
remove the wasp guard and clear any dead bees from the entrance using
the curved end of the hive tool, but put the wasp guard back in to ensure
that mice don’t get into the hive.
What will the Beehaus look like inside?
Open
Closed
Open
Closed
Open
Closed