The size of this blog limits me to tell you all the things I have learned, this is a basic idea for people new to the concept, so I will break it down in the following chart, giving general dates and activities on those dates, so here it goes:
| Time | Activity | General description |
| Beginning to end of August | Check for Varroa Mites | Do some research on how to do this properly. Personally, I don’t like a sample less than 300-400 bees. If you have a single hive, no less than 100 per sample. Any count of Varroa over 1% of sample consider treatment. |
| Beginning to end of August | Put on Reducers | I would delay is above average temperatures, exist and persist. Otherwise, put them on. Then measure to protect your hive from “robbing”, wasps, hornets, or bees from other colonies in your area. |
| Beginning to end of August | Start to feed | Feed as early as you can. This gives the hive the ability to keep on brooding at the fullest potential. |
| Beginning to end of August | Check for American FoulBrood | A very important skill to learn is to be able to recognize AFB. It may be treatable, but if not recognized early will mean certain collapse of the colony and the burning of equipment and bees to avoid the spreading of this disease to other colonies nearby. * |
| Early to mid-September | Continue feeding | This process should take 3-4 weeks. You want to not overdo it, but also not under do it either, but generally fault more to the too much feed as underfeeding at this time of year affects bee numbers going into winter. The general rule in beekeeping is the more bees the better chance of survival. Also, treatments for Varroa and AFB should continue.* |
| Early to mid-September | Keep feeding colony | Keep feeding colony until the hive is producing wax between the lid and top bars. A Langstroth 10 frame 2 super hive (generally is how hives are wintered in our business) should weigh approx 150-160 lbs. This will ensure enough stores for winter. |
| Last 2 weeks Sept / first two weeks in October | Finishing treatment (if applies)/ wrapping hives | Hives need about the value of 5-10 around outside, and about R-value of 15-20 on top, with a waterproof “roof” to direct moisture away from hive and insulation. |
It is a simple process once you know what to do. You will need to research some techniques for treating the mites and administering drugs if needed. Your provinces agriculturist is a valuable resource, as well as any commercial beekeepers in your area. You will be surprised at the help you will find from these resources if you reach out. There are resources on the web, and there are videos on Youtube, but be careful, some people know what they are doing and some do not. Whether you believe in treatment or not, that is your choice, however with American Foul Brood there are few choices, treat or burn. It’s that serious.
*Please note it is important to check for the legal requirements for dealing with AFB in your local area. Some regions have strict legal requirements that must be followed.
The opinions expressed in this article are not endorsed by Flow and are intended as an educational guide only. The climatic conditions in your region will determine your overwintering schedule.
Please consult beekeepers in your local area to gain advice on the best overwintering practises for your hives during the colder months.
It is very important to check the legal requirements for dealing with pests and diseases (including AFB) in your local area. Some regions have strict legal requirements that must be followed.
Sheldon Hill Biography
Saskatchewan Beekeeper and artist Sheldon Hill, Sweet Pure Honey
I left for college at 19 to study art and graphic design (painting is still a passion) and took a summer job beekeeping for a childhood friend's dad to pay the bills. Apiculture turned out to be my calling: I enjoy being in nature and the bees are fascinating creatures in the way they organize themselves and make collective decisions for the good of the hive. We still don't fully understand why they do some of the things they do. It is intriguing being a part of that culture of beekeeping, a culture that is thousands of years old.
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