VBA Zoom Meeting September 11th

Preparing apiary, colonies, and hives for winter

Presented by Fred Putnam and Andrew Munkres

Thursday, September 11, 7:00 P.M. via Zoom

Event Details

• Evaluating food stores to ensure sufficient winter reserves.

• Selecting the best hive configuration for winter, including decisions on honey super removal and retention.

• Consolidating frames and equalizing resources between colonies.

• Understanding hive weighing: procedures, safety tips, and target weights for various configurations.

• Feeding for rapid weight gain if they are short on stores with a focus on internal top feeders and can/jar feeders – when to begin and when to finish.

• Preventing robbing.

• Winterization techniques: wraps, insulation, mouse guards, and entrance reducers and effects on winter colony survival.

• Setting up windbreaks, including general specifications and types to avoid.

• Reviewing late-season mite treatment options, their effectiveness, and situational considerations.

• Conducting winter inspections: purpose, timing, and methods.

• Mid-winter feeding: solid foods, candy boards, and Mountain Camp emergency feeding.

• Updates on electric fencing recommendations.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns or challenges they have faced with their own colonies.

Registration for this zoom meeting available on the VBA website