Winter Preparations

It is sometimes said that autumn is not the end of the the beekeeping season but the beginning of the next. Whilst we are not regularly inspecting our colonies at this time of year, there are still a few tasks to do such as ensuring the bees have enough stores of food to last them through to the spring. Any hives which are light on supplies get a supplemental feed of bakers fondant and a pollen substitute for an additional boost.

Unused wooden hive components also need scraping clean and scorching with a blowtorch to sanitise them, ready for winter storage.

Luckily we have had some very pleasant autumn sunshine recently and a host of willing volunteers to help prepare our apiary and bees for the colder months ahead.

Many thanks everyone for helping out!