As the cool air starts to settle in and the last of the fall flowers fade, October is a critical time for beekeepers, especially for beginners. Proper preparation in this month can make the difference between a hive that thrives through winter and one that struggles. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what new beekeepers should focus on in October.

1. Assess Hive Strength

Before the winter season begins, it’s essential to evaluate the health and strength of your colony. A healthy hive should have a good population of bees to generate warmth and enough honey stores to last through winter.

  • Population Check: Open the hive on a warm day and assess the number of bees. A strong colony will have bees covering at least 7-8 frames. If your colony seems small, you may need to consider combining weaker hives to increase their chances of survival.
  • Queen Check: Ensure that your queen is still laying eggs, albeit at a reduced rate. Without a strong queen, your colony will struggle to sustain itself through the colder months.

2. Evaluate Honey Stores

Honey is the bees' primary source of food during the winter, so it's crucial to check whether they have enough stored.

  • How Much is Enough? In most regions, bees need 40-60 pounds of honey to survive the winter, depending on the severity of the weather. This is roughly the equivalent of 8-10 full deep frames.
  • Feeding: If your hive doesn’t have enough stores, now is the time to begin supplemental feeding. A 2:1 sugar syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) is ideal for building up stores quickly. Install a top feeder or an entrance feeder, and monitor how quickly the bees are consuming it.

3. Check for Pests

October is the final chance to manage pests before the bees cluster for winter. The two primary pests to watch for are varroa mites and small hive beetles.

  • Varroa Mite Treatment: Conduct a mite check using either the sugar roll or alcohol wash method. If your mite count is above the recommended threshold (typically 2-3% infestation), consider treating your hive immediately. Options like oxalic acid or formic acid treatments can be effective.
  • Small Hive Beetles: Make sure beetle traps are in place and functioning. If small hive beetles have infested your hive, use oil traps or other management techniques to keep their numbers low.

4. Ensure Proper Ventilation

One of the biggest threats to bees during winter is condensation inside the hive. Warm, moist air from the bees' breath can rise and condense on the inner cover, dripping back down on the bees and causing them to freeze.

  • Upper Entrance or Ventilation Shim: Install a small upper entrance to allow moisture to escape or use a ventilation shim. This ensures that warm, moist air has an outlet, reducing the chance of condensation.
  • Insulation: Consider adding insulation to the outer cover or around the hive itself. This can help the bees maintain warmth without as much effort.

5. Install Mouse Guards

As temperatures drop, mice look for warm places to nest, and hives are prime real estate for them. Mice can chew through comb, destroy frames, and disturb your colony.

  • Mouse Guards: Install mouse guards over the entrance of the hive to keep rodents out. These can be as simple as hardware cloth with 1/4-inch mesh, which allows bees to pass through but blocks mice.

6. Reduce Hive Entrance

Reducing the entrance of the hive helps the bees defend against robbing from other colonies and pests. During the fall, bees from stronger colonies may attempt to rob weaker hives, which can leave them vulnerable to starvation.

  • Entrance Reducer: Use an entrance reducer to limit the size of the opening, giving your colony a smaller area to defend. This also helps keep heat inside the hive during colder weather.

7. Final Hive Inspection

Once you’ve completed all the necessary tasks, conduct a final hive inspection. This should be done on a warmer day when the bees are still active.

  • Look for Gaps or Cracks: Make sure there are no gaps or cracks in the hive that could allow cold drafts in. Use weatherproof tape or hive wraps to seal any openings.
  • Secure the Hive: Ensure your hive is stable and secured to prevent it from tipping over in winter winds. You might also want to place a heavy rock or brick on the outer cover to weigh it down.

8. Plan for Winter Monitoring

Once your hive is prepped for winter, regular inspections should be minimal, but it’s still important to keep an eye on your bees.

  • Check on Warmer Days: On days when the temperature rises above 50°F (10°C), peek into the hive to make sure the bees are still active and clustered. Avoid opening the hive fully, as this can cause heat loss.
  • Monitor Food Stores: Keep a close eye on the weight of the hive. If it feels light by mid-winter, you may need to provide supplemental feeding with fondant or sugar boards.

Final Thoughts

October is a pivotal month for beekeepers as the final preparations for winter take place. By assessing your hive’s strength, ensuring enough honey stores, managing pests, and securing the hive, you’ll be setting your bees up for a successful winter season. As a beginner, the key to winter survival is thorough preparation—so take the time now to make sure your bees are ready for the colder months ahead.

With a little care and attention, you'll be well on your way to enjoying a thriving colony come spring!