Strong colonies going into winter

Ensuring colonies are strong and populous going into winter is a key factor in winter survival. Stronger colonies have a larger cluster of bees, which generates more heat and is better able to withstand cold temperatures. Combining weak colonies in the fall creates stronger wintering units. Strong colonies are more resilient and have better honey stores. This is a preventative approach and is a 'none' type solution in terms of direct material costs, but emphasizes good beekeeping management practices in the fall. No specific equipment is solely for this solution, but standard beekeeping tools are used for fall colony assessments and combining weak hives.