Title Photo: Ready for Repair!
The weather certainly continues to play tricks with the ability of Beekeepers and bees to settle down for the winter. But at least the Wasps were washed away in the torrential downpours we have had over most of the month.
Autumn Preparation
It is time to really prepare our colonies for the next six months of shutdown. All supers off and put into mouse proof storage ready for use again next season.
Ensure the stands colonies are on and hives they are in, are ready to take the weather whatever is thrown at them.
Have you closed down the front entrance, ensuring there are no others as joints swell, so they have less to defend against remaining wasps or robber bees?
Feeding
As we all appeared to have had a good late crop of honey we need to replace that with either Fondant or Ambrosia. If you are unsure of the amount they need please come to the Apiary meeting on Sunday the 6th October and “heft” a few hives.
I always overwinter my single National Brood Chambers with a Queen excluder left on, then if we have a mild winter and lots of stores are consumed I can supplement with a block of Fondant.
Varroa
It is probably too late for some Varroa treatments that are temperature dependant but get your Varroa slides into your floors and see what drops through. I’m surprised how little Varroa I’m seeing or Deformed Wing damage to adult bees.
But if you have a bad infestation, consider your options.
Ivy
This is the last real quantity of pollen and nectar the colonies will be able to work before the cold and wet destroys all other sources.
Then they have to wait for Snowdrops and Crocuses.
If we get an ‘Indian Summer’ next month all the remaining insects will be out to feast so look out for the “Yellow Legged Hornet”
Throughout Europe most Apiarists are small back garden Beekeepers and recently whilst lucky enough to be visiting Norway, I just happened to find a local Beekeeper selling her home grown produce in the local market.
They have a very short but productive season with winters to behold.
Equipment Maintenance
Before winter gets a grip, time to repair and maintain.
The hive on this stand was robbed out by wasps as the late Queen failed, but two legs are fine where two others rotted away. They don’t make wood to last like they used to! I expect it would have fallen over before I’d noticed – well maybe.
Next Month: Honey Show at Wootton Wawen