Bee owners should start preparing for winter

AMES — Preparing honeybee colonies for surviving the winter is an important task for beekeepers in northern states, according to Randall Cass, a bee specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In a recent article for the Acreage Living Newsletter, Cass highlights five main steps to take to prepare bees for the winter months.

“There are steps beekeepers in our region can take to reduce winter losses and bolster colony health," said Cass. “However, timing is important, and overwintering preparation really needs to begin in the late summer.”

Preparing bees for the winter months is especially crucial in this region where winter weather can be unpredictable, making it difficult for bees to survive until the spring.

In the article, Cass discusses methods for controlling varroa mites, ensuring adequate food stores, re-organizing and combining frames, controlling moisture, as well as wrapping and insulating.

Each topic lists the main goal, along with detailed follow-up information and precautions to consider.

Acreage Living is published every other month by the Small Farm Sustainability team with the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program of ISU Extension and Outreach.

For more information, Cass can be reached at randall@iastate.edu.