Winter is a challenging time for honey bees. Not only are there no foraging flowers, but the extreme cold makes them clump together to keep warm. They shiver their wings continuously to generate heat which consumes a significant amount of their energy. This activity requires sufficient stores of food for the same. They work tirelessly to ensure there are enough food stores to take them through the winter.  At times, they cannot achieve their honey targets, while at other times, they make more than they need. Beekeepers must ensure there are enough food stores for winter before pulling out some. 

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How much honey should I leave for winter?

The amount of honey required by a colony for winter depends on the temperature in your locality, length, bee stock, and colony size. Large colonies require more honey stores than small ones. You should plan to leave 60-90 pounds of honey. In moderate climates, you can leave 60 pounds, while in places with severe winters, 90 pounds are necessary. This is equivalent to 8-10 full deep frames of honey. 

Long winters will also require more reserves. In warm climates, a colony may survive with zero stores since bees will continue to forage. For their safety, you should have extra reserves and be sure to check frequently as spring draws near. You may require to feed the bees to get them through the last weeks or days of early spring. Sometimes, flowers bloom late in spring and need a boost until they can sustain themselves. Be sure to seek counsel from experienced beekeepers in your region to ensure you make the perfect choices. 

Should l feed bees in winter?

Starvation is one of the significant causes of winter losses. Some colonies need feed supplementation to survive. At times the weather conditions are not ideal for honey production. You should feed them with fondant and candy. Sugar syrup works better for the warm season. The temperatures are too cold for the bees to evaporate sugar syrup to make honey.  Syrup molds are easily compared to candy and fondant.

Bee candy is a blend of sugar, water, and protein created into a thick paste. It is then pressed down in a mold to make a cake, also known as patties. You should use an internal feeder so that the bees will not have to go out to eat. Some beekeepers feed bees in winter proactively. This way, the colony feeds on honey and sugar throughout the winter. This helps the honey reserves to last longer. It ensures they have enough energy to warm the hive during winter.

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How do l know the amount of honey in a hive?

Experienced beekeepers know what a full hive or super feels like. They usually estimate the amount of honey in a box based on the weight. Novice beekeepers will have to open the hive and check the frames to see how much honey is available. They then multiply the number of full frames by the average weight per frame.

As a rule of thumb, a typical deep frame weighs 8 pounds, while a medium frame holds 6 pounds. Again, honey weighs seven times more than honey. For every 8 pounds of honey, there is one pound of honeycomb.