November Monthly Tips

As November progresses, you should begin to see less and less brood in your
hive. Many hives are completely broodless by late November. However, in warm
years, with strong hives, you can still see multiple frames of brood. As the
temperatures cool, bees will begin drinking less and less syrup. Hopefully your
hive already has all the honey or syrup stored that it needs to survive the winter
(30–40 pounds).
For continued carbohydrate and protein consumption during dormant seasons,
sugar bricks can stay on your hives throughout the winter months.
If your hive still has more than two mites per 100 bees, treatments such as oxalic
acid can be effective when used during a broodless or nearly broodless period.
Combine any hives that have fewer than five frames of bees.
If you have a screened bottom board, covering it is not necessary in climates that
stay above freezing most of the winter. However, prevent wind from blowing
underneath the hive by blocking off each side of the bottom board.
For most areas that stay above 40 degrees the better part of winter, no insulating
or top entrance is necessary for hives; however, utilizing hive boxes such as
Apimaye hives can be beneficial in reducing the work that bees have to do to
keep their hives warm during winter.