Getting Ready For Winter

Last month we took out the Apivar strips and the girls were a bit agitated, as this time of the year robbing goes on so they are always on guard and when we took of the inner cover to remove the strips well lets just say they showed they weren't too happy. On the plus side the colony did look very strong.

I recently got a hold of some heavy duty rubber, that was used a s pool/pond liner that did work, so I made my own version of a winter wrap. Basically we are just trying to keep them dry, they'll take care of the keeping themselves warm. I also put vent holes in each super so they can get out for a cleansing flight and let out deadly carbon dioxide, which can build up in the winter as they are covered. I also made an new entrance reducer with a wire mesh that has ¼ grid, the bees can get out and mice and shrews should not be able to get in and cause havoc. I constructed a new outer cover a bit large to accommodate the rubber wrap.

Strong colony.

They look healthy.

New entrance reducer.

Fitting the wrap.

Positioning opening for the vent holes.

Glued together and a board inside, with screws for strength.

New outer cover fits snug.

Ready for when the time is right.