End of season splits

[Wilco]

So you're saying it's better off taking a weak colony into winter?

Absolutely not. Just don't assume a strong colony with stores will be fine- still got to keep an eye on them.

 

[madasafish]

Hampshire does not have winter. It just has a cooler version of Autumn

 

[Wilco]

Hampshire does not have winter. It just has a cooler version of Autumn

Sadly often true... although we did get a little bit of snow and a few frosts this year. As well as a lot of cold, damp and wet...

 

[oliver90owner]

Avoid the trickling if at all possible. The bees need to be virtually varroa free when the queen starts laying for winter bees. Those bees will be as healthy as possible and, as such, will over-winter without the beekeeper interfering with them in the middle of the winter! Of course there is no guarantee of survival but a strong healthy colony, with adequate stores, in a warm cosy home has the best chance.

Very few varroa are not a problem for overwintering, but a lot can be disastrous.

If you really want to go into winter with two colonies, probably the best plan (for a beginner) is to make up a nuc with a bought-in queen if the colony gets strong enough between now and late summer.

My solid floored hives (most were on OMFs) were overwintered with some slim spacers slipped between the floor and brood box to afford plenty of bottom ventilation without being too wide to let in unwanted visitors.

 

[North End Bees]

My solid floored hives (most were on OMFs) were overwintered with some slim spacers slipped between the floor and brood box to afford plenty of bottom ventilation without being too wide to let in unwanted visitors.

Please don't let derekm be reading this

 

[Erichalfbee]

Please don't let derekm be reading this

He's not here any more.....asked to be removed

 

[Boston Bees]

He's not here any more.....asked to be removed

I bet he's here really. Just not logged in.... He can't resist I'm sure.

 

[sean-a]

save your sugar for cakes and your alcohol for the distillery, you can use soapy water. I tried it one season but really didn't like killing bees to check for mites. A lot of us on here use sublimation rather than OA trickle, apiguard or else. It's quicker, more effective and can be used with supers on which allows you to treat now as well.

I zapped a couple of swarms this morning, before they cap the brood.
I lot of grumbling from the bees, but quick and efficient with a gas vap

 

[Erichalfbee]

I zapped a couple of swarms this morning, before they cap the brood.
I lot of grumbling from the bees, but quick and efficient with a gas vap

My swarms get a strip of oxalic these days