Getting ready for winter

[Tracy Szabo]

Hi, I live outside Verona and this is my first year beekeeping. I have 2 deeps and 2 supers. Is it recommended that I get the bees into just the 2 deeps before the cold weather sets in? Also is there anyone around Verona/Riley area that would be interested in being my mentor?

Thanks in advance,

Tracy L. Szabo (608)335-2034 szabo...@gmail.com

 

"This world is but a canvas for our imagination" -Thoreau

[Margaret Krome]

Tracy, I hope you'll make it next Tuesday night the 9th to our club meeting in Middleton (see note from the club president below) where you can get answers to your questions and meet people and see who's suited to helping to mentor you.

Joe Bessetti via googlegroups.com

to madbees

Hi All,

Our September meeting will be held Tuesday, September 9.  We'll meet at the home of Betsy and Dan True, 4785 Toepfer Rd, Middleton, WI 53562.  We'll start at 6:00 pm to take advantage of waning daylight hours.  Betsy and Dan have transitioned from Langstroth to Ukrainian-style hives in recent years.

I expect a relatively casual meeting and time to discuss whatever is on everyone's minds as we enter the fall season.

Thanks,

Joe

Margaret K.

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Margaret Krome
Sustainable Agriculture Policy Consultant

(608) 628-2503

[Joseph Bessetti]

Ditto what Margaret wrote. 

You can winter them in two deeps, two deeps and one super, or two deeps and two supers, as long as they have enough stores. 

If the supers aren’t drawn out, you will need to remove them. If they are filled with honey you might choose to harvest some or all of it. Keep in mind that if you leave the supers on, the bees will move up into it during winter and raise brood in it in late winter and spring.

Joe

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 2, 2025, at 7:52 PM, Tracy Szabo <szabo...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Paul Zelenski]

I would add that although in theory it doesn't hurt to let the bees have too much space, it can be harder for them to defend excessive space. I'd adjust the size of the hive to the size of the bees. You want them to be pleasantly concentrated but not crowded. You also want to make sure they have enough stores for winter. This year it is likely you might need to feed to get them up to weight. Many locations have had a dearth for a month and there is very little chance the bees will have enough honey without some intervention. 

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From: mad...@googlegroups.com <mad...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Joseph Bessetti <jgbes...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 1:05 PM
To: mad...@googlegroups.com <mad...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: mad...@googlegroups.com <mad...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [madbees] Getting ready for winter

 

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[Jack Rademacher]

Very important if you decide to leave honey supers on for the winter is to remove the queen excluder. The queen needs to be able to follow the cluster into the super. 

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