1. OVERWINTERING IN THE INTERIOR
THE LOCATION
THE BEES
THE EQUIPMENT

2. OVERWINTERING LOCATION CONSIDERATIONS
Temperature fluctuations
Humidity, Air flow
Wind protection
Winter access
Snow fall

3. SOME OVERWINTERING HONEY BEE INFO
10 kg honey = 1 gallon of water
Winter cluster begins +10C
Bees produce: heat, water, carbon dioxide
Cluster Centre C (68-96F) ->energy produced = (20 40w bulbs)
Indigestible matter will cause dysentery
Inside poop occurs when internal fecal matter reaches ½ the bees weight

4. WHY DO BEES DIE OVER WINTER?
Starvation – low or inaccessible food
Mites – treatment too late
Temperature Fluctuations
Humidity – mould, dripping
Old Queens – 2 years
Beekeeper mismanagement
No Mid Winter Help

5. OVERWINTERING SETUP FOR SURVIVAL
Healthy winter bees that are disease free and raised mite free
Provided with sufficient, suitable stores to survive a long cold winter
A young queen
Humidity and ventilation control

6. OVERWINTERING MISTAKES I’VE MADE
Not testing mite levels after treatment
Not aware of Nosema problems
Feeding sugar syrup in cold temperature
Assuming weight was due to stores
Tried to winter weak colonies
Didn’t keep ventilation openings clear
Didn’t centre the brood nest
Didn’t do mid-winter checks

7. WHY USE WINTER WRAPS? ADVANTAGES? Reduce heat loss Allows sun warming
Less food consumed
Wind protection
Earlier Brood build up
Less condensation
DISADVANTAGES
Cost of Wraps
Installation time
Over heating effects
Affects cleaning flights
Continued fall brood

8. The Quilt Wrap

9. The Cardboard Wrap

10. The Styrofoam Wrap

11. The Hay Bale Protector

12. SOME WINTER WRAP QUESTIONS
What type of winter wrap is best?
How much insulation do I need?
When should I install and remove the winter wrap?
Do I need to clean the winter wraps?

13. MAKING A WINTER WRAP MATERIALS: 6 mm Black Poly Plastic & Newspaper
24” Fibreglass Insulation
Red Tuc Tape & ¼” Plywood
TOOLS:
Household Iron, Scissors, Sharp Knife