Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

10 of the most asked questions about Winter Preparations for Beehives in Northern Climates

1. How much honey should I leave for the bees to survive winter?

• Leave at least 60–90 lbs of honey for a full-size colony in Northern climates.
• A medium frame holds about 3.5 lbs; a deep frame holds about 6–8 lbs. – do the math per box.
• Weigh the hive or use a hive scale to estimate food reserves without opening the hive in late fall.

2. Do I need to insulate my hive for winter?

• Yes, especially in the North—use rigid foam board, wraps, or quilt boxes.
• Insulating the top and sides helps reduce heat loss and moisture condensation.
• Wind breaks (bales, fencing, or hedges) also help reduce winter stress.

3. Should I wrap my hive? What do I use?

• Use black tar paper, commercial hive wraps, or bee cozies to absorb sun and block wind.
• Wrapping should go up around the boxes but leave bottom ventilation open.
• Avoid wrapping too early—wait until after consistent frost but before deep cold (usually late October/early November).

4. What should I do about hive ventilation in winter?

• Provide an upper entrance or notch in the inner cover to vent moisture.
• Use a quilt box or moisture box with wood shavings or insulation to absorb condensation.
• Moisture, not cold, is the bigger killer of winter bees—dry hives = live bees.

5. Should I feed bees during the winter?

• If stores are low, provide dry sugar, fondant, or candy boards above the cluster.
• Don’t feed syrup in freezing weather—it adds moisture and can freeze.
• Emergency feeding (like sugar bricks) is best placed right above the cluster.

6. What do I do with the screened bottom board in winter?

• Most beekeepers close it off with a solid insert or tray for heat retention.
• Some leave it open with insulation and wind protection above to manage moisture.
• Watch condensation signs—adjust based on your hive’s microclimate.

7. How do I protect my hive from mice or critters?

• Install a mouse guard (1/2″ hardware cloth) over the entrance in fall.
• Tilt hive slightly forward to drain water and prevent rodents from nesting.
• Clear tall grass and debris around the hive to reduce cover for pests.

8. What do I do about combining weak colonies before winter?

• Combine two weak hives into one strong one using the newspaper method.
• Always combine a queenless hive with one that has a healthy queen.
• Don’t overwinter a weak colony—survival odds are low, and it may become a drain.

9. How do I make sure the cluster has access to food all winter?

• Place frames of honey directly above and beside the fall cluster location.
• Provide a top feeding method (like candy boards) in case they can’t break cluster in cold.
• Tilt hive slightly forward so bees can more easily move upward to honey.

10. When should I do my last hive inspection before winter?

• Mid-to-late October is usually the last chance in Northern states.
• Ensure queen is present, food stores are sufficient, and mites are treated.
• Avoid opening once temps are below 50°F—disturbing the cluster can chill brood and bees.