How to prepare your hives for winter?

One of a beekeeper's most important tasks is preparing the hive for winter. Winter in Israel is not the winter in Europe, but it always deserves the respect it is due. There are several things we recommend doing before winter arrives and during the season itself. Keeping up with the hive through the winter ensures you a healthy colony of bees.

1. Change the hive's location

As the days get shorter and colder, direct, warm sunlight becomes a gift for the bees in the hive. Consider moving the hive to a spot with direct sun. Since winter in Israel is mild, make sure that direct winter sun does not get too hot. Remember to keep something in place that breaks the cold winter wind before it hits the hive directly. Cold wind can make it harder for the bees to maintain a stable temperature inside the hive.

2. Cover the hive

Find the balance between a cover that keeps the hive warm and protects it from cold wind, and a cover that could block airflow for the bees. There are covers designed specifically for hives, meant to keep rain off the hive and insulate it from the wind. The Ivry-B hive already has an insulation layer built into its structure, meant to keep the hive's temperature stable in winter and in summer. Even so, we recommend covering the hive against rain and wind.

3. Leave honey for the bees

The bees leave the hive only rarely during winter, so it is important to leave them food and not to harvest all of the honey.

4. What to check and watch for during the winter

The work does not end when winter preparations are done. It is important to check on the hive and keep an eye on it throughout the season. Keep the following tips in mind to protect your colony of bees.

• Keep an eye on the hive entrance: clear away dead bees or anything else that has collected there, and keep the entrance clean and open.

• Check how much honey remains. It depends on how long the winter lasts, but make sure the bees have enough honey for the season. They may need supplemental feeding.

• Do not open the hive all the time. Every opening releases the heat the bees have built up inside, so avoid opening it too often.

If you have any further questions, you are welcome to reach out to us through the site and we will happily answer every question. The Ivry-B team