SEASONAL CARE · WINTER PREP
Getting the bees
ready for winter.
Winter preparations at J&S Golden Harvest Farms include monitoring varroa mites and preparing colonies for the colder months ahead. Caring for the colony continues after the busy summer season.
What happens inside a winter hive?
Honey bees stay active inside the hive during winter. They gather into a cluster, generating heat together and relying on stored food when flowers are no longer available. A quiet-looking hive can still be home to a busy colony.
Why we pay attention to varroa
Varroa mites are parasites that can transmit viruses among honey bees. Managing mite pressure is an important part of preparing colonies for winter. Our fall work includes treating colonies and keeping the bees at the center of our attention.
Looking toward spring
We’re growing this farm one hive at a time, and there is always more to learn. We’ll be glad to see what spring brings—but first, there’s fall work to do.
A note about seasonal care
Every apiary has its own conditions. Treatment choices depend on the colony, the product label, and local conditions; this page describes our farm’s seasonal approach.