Beekeeping in Winter: What do Bees Need?

We have two beehives on our property. Well, actually, we now have one — the original hive did not make it through the winter last year, so come spring, our bee population was cut in half. Now, I’m not the beekeeper on our property, and neither is my husband — the bees are the hobby of our friend, Todd, who comes regularly to check on things. Todd surmised, after inspecting both hives, that some moisture got into the failed one. Now we know better, and the lesson we learned may help your hive stay alive and healthy during the winter. Check out our winter beekeeping tips below!

Inspect your hive. It’s really best to do this in the fall when any necessary adjustments can be made. Assuming you completed a fall inspection, you’ll know if your queen is healthy and if your hive is disease-free. If you’ve had your queen for 2 seasons, she has a 50-50 chance of making it through the winter. If you need to re-queen or combine hives for health, it’s best to do it in the fall.

Keep the hive dry. I’ve been told by many bee experts that it’s not cold that kills bees, it’s wetness. If necessary, wrap your hive with black tar paper, which will keep snow and rain from creating wetness on the inside of the hive, and will warm the hive on sunny days. Be sure the entrance to the hive is free and unclogged as well, as a clogged entrance will keep dampness from evaporating. A warm and dry hive with good ventilation will thrive throughout the winter and will be much healthier come spring.