🚀 Monthly Beekeeping Activities:
Goal: Help Your Colonies Settle In for the Cold Months
By November, blooming is mostly done, temperatures are falling fast, and bees are entering cluster mode. Your work shifts from active management to protection and observation.
🍯 What the Bees Are Up To:
🧰 Beekeeper To-Do List:
🏔 Area-Specific Notes:
By November, blooming is mostly done, temperatures are falling fast, and bees are entering cluster mode. Your work shifts from active management to protection and observation.
🍯 What the Bees Are Up To:
- Clustering tightly to stay warm
- Minimizing movement to conserve energy
- Relying entirely on stored honey
- No foraging unless temps rise above 50°F briefly
- Little to no brood rearing
🧰 Beekeeper To-Do List:
- Stop feeding syrup once it’s too cold (usually below 50°F)
- Add quilt boxes or moisture boards if needed to control condensation
- Double-check mouse guards are secure
- Avoid opening hives—disturbs cluster and loses heat
- Check hive weight by lifting from the back—hefting is better than opening
- Clear debris from entrances to ensure ventilation
🏔 Area-Specific Notes:
- Higher elevations may already have hard freezes and snow
- Windbreaks help protect hives in open or exposed yards
- Bear activity may continue—keep electric fencing active through the month
- Make sure lids are tight and secure from wind and weather
💔 Feeling the sting of winter losses?
You're not alone! At our March 2025 BCBA meeting, John conducted a survey. BCBA had a 43% response rate, with 16 out of 37 members participating. Unfortunately, several long-standing members did not provide their data, limiting the impact of our results.
Before Helene, the median and mode hive number per member was 3, indicating that our members are primarily hobbyists. Small apiaries can struggle with resources if a colony is in trouble, and some suggest having at least 4 colonies.
Winter loss data showed 6 members with zero losses and 6 members with over 40% losses.
Lewis Cauble and Willie Pascal have been hearing from many beekeepers who are wondering why their bees didn't make it through the winter. To help everyone out, we're sharing this video that addresses common issues and solutions. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtSbVXqO_Y
Before Helene, the median and mode hive number per member was 3, indicating that our members are primarily hobbyists. Small apiaries can struggle with resources if a colony is in trouble, and some suggest having at least 4 colonies.
Winter loss data showed 6 members with zero losses and 6 members with over 40% losses.
Lewis Cauble and Willie Pascal have been hearing from many beekeepers who are wondering why their bees didn't make it through the winter. To help everyone out, we're sharing this video that addresses common issues and solutions. Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtSbVXqO_Y
📞 Protect your bees from pesticide use around power lines by calling Duke Power today! Request to be added to their "no-spray" list by dialing 800.777.9898 and asking to speak with a transmission vegetation specialist.