There are several necessary tasks a beekeeper needs to do to ensure (cross your fingers) that your bees make it through the winter.

  1. Make sure your Varroa mite count is as low as it can be.
  2. Put wind breaks up around your hives. Bees cannot survive wind.
  3. Extend your bees food supply with candy boards, in addition to a full super of honey.

The Blue Ridge Honey Company is one of the top sellers of overwintered NUCS in North Georgia and Western North Carolina. This video explains how they prepare their hives leading up to winter, including Varroa treatment and Queen checks. It is well worth the view!