Winter is coming!

Winter wraps and wind break

I know. I'm a GoT fan. Sorry. 

But the sentiment is true. Cold weather is on the way, and your bees have got to be ready. We talked about all the various items that have to just right to ensure winter survival at our last meeting. (Here is the You Tube link, but read this first!) You can help them:

1) is the colony up to weight?  

2) are there enough bees? Is the colony big enough?

3) Have you treated for VM? Are you?

4) Are you going to wrap or insulate your hives? 

As a beekeeper, just because the cold sets in and your bees aren't flying everyday doesn't mean your chores are done. There is woodenware maintenance to be done, new frames to be assembled/wired/whatever, new woodenware to be built. Ground/support management. Is your extractor  clean? Uncapping tools? 

Lots to do. 

And of course, learning. Just as everything in life, this endeavor is changing. We build on the old ways and embrace the new things - when appropriate. So, ask Santa for a good book on Bees, (there are tons), watch some good You Tubes or take an online course. The University of Arkansas has some great courses. And I think they are free!

Lots to learn.