Colony Management in Fall and Winter#
1 . What is the beginning and ending of a beekeeper’s year in Georgia?
The beekeeper’s year in Georgia typically begins in late winter with spring preparations, often as early as February. Nectar flows usually start during the first or second week of March. The year generally ends in November with the nectar from late-season plants such as goldenrod and aster.
2 . How are winter bees different from spring/summer bees?
Overwintering bees are physiologically different from spring and summer bees due to the presence of vitellogenin, a glycolipophosphoprotein. Vitellogenin helps extend lifespan and enhances immune function in honey bees. Winter bees have larger hypopharyngeal glands, increased body fat, and the ability to store more nutrients in their bodies. Because the colony has little to no brood during winter, these bees are less active, do minimal foraging, and experience less wear and tear, allowing them to live several months longer than summer bees.
3 . What are several activities needed for fall management?
Fall management includes determining varroa mite levels and treating if necessary, ensuring colonies have adequate food stores for overwintering, and confirming that colonies have healthy queens. In Georgia, a general guideline is approximately 1.5 frames of honey per frame of bees/brood to sustain a colony until the next nectar flow. Colonies should also be checked for signs of disease before winter.
4 . What are viruses that can infect a colony of honey bees?
DWV – Deformed Wing Virus
CBPV – Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus
BQCV - Black Queen Cell Virus
SBV – Sacbrood Virus
ABPV – Acute Bee paralysis Virus
IAPV – Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus
KBV – Kashmir Bee Virus
Many of the viruses are transmitted by varroa, while other are spread through direct contact, contaminated food, or vertical transmission – from the queen to the eggs.
5 . What time of year is Varroa infestation at its highest?
Usually during the summer into fall months.
6 . Where in the hive do you want the cluster to overwinter?
Bees move upwards during winter as resources in the frames are used up, therefore, position the cluster in the lowest part of the hive with honey and pollen stores directly above and to the sides. This may mean that you have to rearrange the hive body and supers. Remove any undrawn frames or empty supers.
7 . When do bees begin to cluster in the hive?
Bees begin to cluster at 57-64 degrees Fahrenheit.
8 . How do bees produce heat in the winter?
The bees heat the cluster by shivering their thoracic muscles which creates friction which in turn generates heat.
9 . What is the significance of water vapor in winter and how does it affect the cluster?
Water vapor is a natural byproduct of honey bee respiration and rises above the winter cluster, collecting on the inner cover or hive lid. If this moisture cannot escape the hive, it condenses and can drip back down onto the cluster.
Wet bees in cold conditions are unable to survive, making moisture management critical during winter. To prevent this, beekeepers should ensure adequate ventilation so water vapor can escape. This can be accomplished by using a small upper entrance, a tack or shim to slightly prop the inner cover, or moisture-absorbing materials placed above the inner cover to capture condensation and prevent dripping onto the cluster. While excess moisture is less commonly a problem in Georgia due to relatively mild winter temperatures and periodic warm days, it becomes a much greater concern in colder northern climates.
10 . Should you supplement feeding in the winter?
Absolutely. Recognizing when a colony needs supplemental feeding is important.
11 . How much honey is needed to ensure survival through winter in the South? How much 2:1 or 1:1 sugar syrup does a hive need to survive winter?
Older estimates suggested that a colony in the South requires approximately 35–60 lbs of honey to survive winter, depending on weather conditions. However, colony size and configuration matter greatly. Are you overwintering a small nuc or a large colony occupying four deep boxes?
Current recommendations suggest 1.5 frames of honey for every frame of bees/brood. In Georgia’s Piedmont region, nectar flows typically last no more than four months, leaving bees with eight months of little to no natural forage, making stored resources critical.
12 . What is the reason or advantage of feeding a 1:1 versus a 2:1 sugar solution?
The difference is thin versus thick syrup.
1:1 syrup is easily consumed and is usually eaten immediately, stimulating brood production and comb building.
2:1 syrup is thicker and more likely to be stored for later use. In the fall, feeding 2:1 syrup encourages bees to store food for winter and helps reduce excess moisture in the hive.
13 . Should you feed liquid sugar during winter dearth?
If temperatures are too cold, bees will not break cluster to access liquid sugar syrup. In these conditions, fondant or dry sugar is often a better option. Always place food directly above the cluster so bees do not have to travel far or break cluster. Entrance feeders, top feeders, and plastic baggies are not recommended during winter.
14 . When are pollen or pollen supplements beneficial?
Pollen is the honey bee’s primary protein source, while nectar provides carbohydrates. Protein is essential for brood rearing, growth, and immune function. Colonies lacking adequate pollen may exhibit reduced brood production, shorter adult lifespans, and increased susceptibility to disease.
15 . What is bee bread?
Bee bread consists of pollen that has been packed into cells and mixed with nectar and honey, where it undergoes fermentation. It may appear in a variety of colors depending on pollen sources and is typically stored adjacent to brood. Winter bees consume more bee bread due to their increased protein needs.
16 . What is the best colony size to successfully survive winter and be productive in spring?
Optimal colony size depends on geographic location. While small colonies or nucs can overwinter in Georgia, they may not survive harsher climates such as Vermont. A colony of approximately 30,000 bees in the fall will typically dwindle to about 15,000 bees by early spring. Combining weaker colonies to form one strong colony significantly improves winter survival.
17 . How and where do small hive beetles (SHBs) overwinter? What is trophallaxis?
Small hive beetles overwinter inside the bee cluster, where they manipulate worker bees into feeding them through trophallaxis—the transfer of food between individuals. SHBs are particularly attracted to protein and pollen patties. If supplements are used, provide only enough for 1–2 days and place them close to the cluster. Uneaten patties can quickly become breeding sites for SHB larvae.
18 . How do you prevent mice, bears, and wax moths during winter?
Mice: Install entrance reducers in early fall; this also helps reduce robbing.
Bears: Use electric fencing where bears are present.
Wax moths: Healthy colonies can usually control wax moths, but stored drawn comb is vulnerable.
Freezing comb kills eggs and larvae.
Spraying comb with Bacillus thuringiensis (e.g., B402 or Certan) is an effective biological control that kills wax moth larvae when ingested.
19 . Should you wrap or insulate hives for winter in Georgia?
Wrapping or insulating hives is not necessary in Georgia and may trap moisture. Instead, place hives in a sunny location protected from wind, allowing proper ventilation and moisture escape.
20 . What are some common reasons colonies die during winter?
Starvation, due to insufficient food or the cluster becoming separated from stored honey
Insufficient population size, preventing the colony from maintaining cluster warmth
Uncontrolled Varroa infestations, leading to high viral loads and gradual colony collapse