Winter at Denbee: How Our Bees Prepare for Cold Weather
Did you know that bees don't hibernate in the winter?
Instead, they form a tight cluster inside the hive to stay warm, with the queen at the center surrounded by worker bees, all generating heat by vibrating their flight muscles. As winter settles in, the life of a beekeeper shifts dramatically, and that's exactly where we find ourselves at Denbee Honey.
Beekeeping is a labor of love that requires attention, care, and an understanding of nature's rhythms. For us at Denbee Honey, winter isn't just a time of rest; it's a season of preparation and reflection. Over the past few weeks, we've been busy ensuring that our hives are ready to face the cold months ahead. We take pride in making sure our bees are safe, healthy, and well-prepared to survive until spring arrives.
In this post, I'll share the steps we take to get our hives ready for winter, from insulating the hive to checking honey stores and ensuring the bees are strong enough to weather the chill. It's a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into maintaining healthy colonies through the coldest months of the year.
Preparing for Winter
As the weather cools, beekeepers must take several steps to ensure their hives are winter-ready. The first priority is to seal the hives and protect them from the cold winds. Strong winds can penetrate the hive, chilling the bees and disrupting their warmth.
Along with securing the hive's entrance, we also ensure that the bees have enough honey stored to survive until spring. A healthy colony may need up to 60 pounds of honey to make it through the winter. After all, the bees' primary food source is their own honey, and we don't want them to run out before the first blooms of spring arrive!
The final step in winter preparation is to check for any signs of disease or pests, such as the varroa mite. These tiny parasites can weaken the bees' immune system and reduce their chances of survival. By ensuring the bees are healthy and well-fed, we give them the best possible start to the next season.
The Final Harvest
Once the winter preparations are complete, it's time to finish up the final honey harvest of the year. Jarring the last batches of honey is always a bittersweet moment—it's the end of a season, but also a celebration of the hard work the bees and I have put in throughout the warmer months. The honey that we harvest serves as both a reward and a reminder of the deep connection we share with our bees. It's an honor to be part of their journey, and each jar represents the culmination of a year's worth of effort.
Looking Forward to Spring
While the bees are resting, we take this time to reflect and plan for the upcoming year. We carefully monitor the weather, research new beekeeping techniques, and look forward to the first warm days when the bees will start to stir again. Every season is different, but one thing is always certain: the bees are resilient, and they will always find a way to thrive.
I hope this gives you a better understanding of what winter at Denbee Honey looks like. It's a season of preparation, reflection, and appreciation. While the bees rest, we take time to care for them, ensuring they will be ready when spring arrives and the cycle begins again. Thanks for reading, and I hope you'll join us again soon for more insights into the world of beekeeping.