Ensure strong colony population

Maintain a strong, populous colony heading into cold periods so bees can adequately thermoregulate the brood nest. Assess colony strength in late summer and take corrective action before winter arrives.

Why It Works

A larger bee population generates more metabolic heat and can cover a wider brood area, keeping it at the required 34-35°C (93-95°F). Weak colonies cannot maintain heat across the full brood nest, leaving peripheral frames of brood exposed to lethal chilling.

Tips

• Combine weak colonies in fall by newspaper-merging them into stronger units
• Ensure adequate fall feeding (2:1 sugar syrup) so colonies build up winter stores and maintain population
• Treat for Varroa mites in late summer — high mite loads weaken colonies heading into winter
• Avoid splitting colonies too late in the season, which leaves both halves undersized for winter