The Basics of Beekeeping in the Winter

Learn about how to continue beekeeping through the cold winter months.

While most honey bee activity happens during the warmer months, your beehive will keep buzzing through the winter. There are even a few winter beekeeping tasks to follow throughout the cold months.

Learn about beekeeping in the winter with the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

What Happens in the Hive?

Once the temperatures drop into the 50s, the bees form a cluster in the center of the hive. This cluster keeps the bees warm. Their main job in the winter is to stay warm and protect the queen from the cold.

Winter bees will shiver and beat their wings to be in constant motion, continuously using energy to keep the inside of the hive warm. The inside of the cluster can reach up to 92° F, even when temperatures are cold outside.

Winter Beekeeping Checklist

There isn’t a whole lot to do in the winter when it comes to beekeeping. Essentially, your bees are eating and staying warm. Below are some beekeeping tasks and activities to do while you wait for the arrival of warmer, spring days.

Check Food Sources

Bees will eat their winter food stores of honey, consuming between 50 to 60 pounds of honey stores throughout the winter months. There should be sealed honey in the frames at the top of your hive, even late in winter.

If your bees didn’t store up enough honey for the winter,  you’ll need to feed them using a candy board, which is made of sugar syrup. This will help them survive the winter. Continue feeding them until it’s warm enough for your bees to begin collecting pollen and nectar again.

Try Some Honey Recipes

Obviously, one of the best parts of beekeeping is the honey. Cold, winter nights are the perfect time to try out some new honey recipes. From honey muffins to honey garlic chicken, your kitchen can be filled with the sweet scent of homegrown honey.

Make Beeswax Crafts

Looking for another way to pass the time? Try beeswax crafts. You can make candles, lip balm, and more, all with beeswax collected from your hive. Plus, beeswax products make the perfect gifts.

Read About Beekeeping

There’s always more to learn about beekeeping. Visit our Beekeeping Blog to learn about a variety of topics, such as cleaning and rendering beeswax, beehive robbing, and requeening your hive.

Stock Up on Beekeeping Supplies

Winter is a great time to get out of the house and stock up on more beekeeping supplies, such as smokers and beekeeping clothing.

It’s also a good time to make any repairs to your current equipment, and even start mapping out your dream apiary.

Before cold weather hits, make sure you winterize your beehive so you’re properly prepared for winter. To learn how, visit our blog article on fall beekeeping tasks.