10/08/2026
🐝❄️ KEEP YOUR HONEY BEES WARM THIS WINTER! 🍯🐝
Cold weather is coming! Is your beehive ready?
When temperatures drop, honey bees have an amazing way of keeping themselves warm. They form a tight winter cluster around their queen and generate heat by vibrating their flight muscles.
But even the strongest colony can use a little help from its beekeeper!
Here are 7 essential tips to help your honey bees survive the winter! 🐝
✅ 1. Insulate Your Beehives
In colder climates, consider using hive wraps or rigid foam insulation to reduce heat loss. Insulating the hive's top is especially helpful. Just remember, your bees still need proper moisture management and ventilation!
✅ 2. Keep Moisture Under Control
Moisture can be more dangerous than cold temperatures! Warm, humid air from the winter cluster can condense on a cold hive cover and drip onto the bees. Use an insulated top cover or a properly designed moisture-control system to help keep your colony dry.
✅ 3. Make Sure Your Bees Have Enough Food
Bees need plenty of stored honey to generate heat and survive until spring. Depending on your climate, a full-sized colony may need approximately 60–100 pounds of stored food, sometimes more in northern regions. If stores are low, consider winter fondant or sugar boards.
✅ 4. Protect Your Hives From Cold Winds
Position your hives where they receive winter sunshine and protection from strong northern winds. A natural windbreak, fence, or strategically placed barrier can make a difference.
✅ 5. Reduce Hive Entrances
Install entrance reducers or mouse guards to help prevent rodents from entering during winter. Keep entrances clear of snow, ice, and dead bees so the colony can breathe and take cleansing flights when weather permits.
✅ 6. Don't Disturb the Winter Cluster
Avoid opening your hives during freezing weather. Breaking the winter cluster or exposing brood can stress the colony. Instead, check hive weight by gently lifting the back of the hive and monitor activity from outside.
✅ 7. Keep Varroa Mites Under Control
One of the biggest threats to winter survival isn't the cold — it's Varroa mites and the viruses they spread! Healthy winter bees begin with effective mite monitoring and management during late summer and fall.
🐝 RAY'S BEEKEEPING TIP:
After more than 15 years of working with honey bees, Ray Civitts reminds beekeepers of one important principle:
"You don't need to heat your bees. You need to help them stay dry, healthy, protected from the wind, and well-fed. A strong colony can handle remarkably cold temperatures!"
🌻 Remember: Successful winter beekeeping starts long before the first freeze. The preparation you do in the fall can make all the difference when spring arrives!
💬 BEEKEEPERS, LET'S TALK!
Do you wrap your beehives for winter, use moisture boxes, or let your colonies winter naturally?
👇 Share your winter beekeeping tips in the comments! We'd love to hear what works in your part of the country.
🐝🍯 Mountain Sweet Honey Company — Helping Beekeepers Succeed!
Learn more by visiting https://MountainSweetHoney.com/bees
