NOVEMBER 2024
November and my bees are still flying – it is too warm for this time of year! They should by now be tucked up in a cluster.
With this in mind, I am keeping an eye on stores, because in this weather the queen is likely to still be laying, the bees are flying yet nectar and pollen sources are scarce. So stand by with some fondant ready just in case.
Also make sure your hives are protected from the elements and wildlife as appropriate – just check they are ok once in a while, in case your bees need your help.
What’s going on in the hive?
The older bees will be dying out and the new young bees bred in September and October will sustain the colony through the long winter months. The queen will still lay eggs through the winter, so you should see bees bringing in pollen on warmer days.
What’s in the larder?
The leaves are falling now at last but on meandering round my garden today I found a few flowers to feed a hungry bee – ivy, the odd nasturtium, and my runner beans are still flowering – I picked a handful of beans yesterday! The viburnum tinus is just coming into flower also.
Now onto cleaning up all that kit….. I am giving my bee suits a good clean now the season is properly over, to try and get that propolis off them ready for the spring. I have just finished freezing all my drawn supers for 24 hours, and they are all in my bee shed in sturdy plastic boxes for the winter. Freezing them will get rid of any lingering wax moth (I am enjoying having my freezer back!!!). Then on to preparing for the Farnham show! If you haven’t entered before, why not give it a go?