Heading into fall or winter with a weak hive is never ideal. Some hives are beyond saving, while others can rebound with the right care. Learn how to identify which colonies are worth rescuing, steps to strengthen them, and when combining hives is the smartest move for a healthy, productive winter.
Late Summer = Winter Prep 🐝
Your bees are already storing up—make sure they have what they need: honey, protein, and a strong queen.
Feed early, feed smart. What you do now shapes spring survival.
Fall Varroa Management: Test Before You Treat
Fall is a critical time to stay ahead of Varroa mites—but guessing isn’t good enough. Testing tells you exactly when and how to treat, giving your bees the best shot at winter survival. Use proven methods like the alcohol wash or sugar roll to check mite levels, then treat accordingly with season-appropriate options. The key? Test, treat if needed, and time it right.
Strengthening weaker colonies is one of the most rewarding skills in beekeeping—and one of the most practical. By transferring brood, bees, and even foragers from a booming hive to one that’s fallen behind, you can jumpstart recovery and set the stage for winter success.
Every beekeeper runs into surprises—whether it’s specks floating in your honey, a brood box you wish you’d sized differently, or a split that just won’t take off. In this Q&A, we tackle some of the most common hive challenges with practical, straightforward solutions you can put to use right away.
Wax moths can wreak havoc on weak hives and stored comb. Learn how to identify early signs of infestation, protect live hives by managing space and strength, and salvage frames with smart cleanup strategies. Prevention starts with a healthy colony and proactive hive management.
