James - local honey and beekeeping

🐝 TUCKING THE GIRLS UP FOR WINTER! ❄️🍯

A little winter prep at the Globe apiary! 🎥🐝

Both colonies absolutely flew this year, right up until those heatwaves and that long spell of drought put the brakes on things. They’d been doing brilliantly, but nature doesn’t always play ball!

I’ve decided not to take any honey off these colonies. Instead, I’m putting it back where it belongs — with the bees, ready to help see them through the cold months ahead. ❤️🍯

I’ve moved a super of honey underneath the brood boxes and removed the queen excluders, so the Queen can move freely with the cluster as the bees move around their stores through winter.

I might give them a little fondant as well if needed. Unlike syrup, fondant won’t freeze in cold weather, so it can be a useful extra safety net.

And then? Fingers crossed, that’s them tucked up until spring! 🤞🐝

Fingers crossed for two strong colonies buzzing away again next spring! 🤞🏻

Matley Honey Co. — Purveyors of Real Honey 🍯🐝

#Beekeeping #WinterPreparation #HoneyBees #Tameside #dukinfield