Beekeeping | How To Decide How Much Honey To Leave For Winter

Beekeeping means getting your honey bees ready for winter. How much honey should you leave on your hive to give your bees a chance to survive winter? You've graduated from How To Start Beekeeping, now it's all about how to keep your precious honey bees alive all year. It's all about feeding bees in the fall and winter and raising honey bees of winter physiology.
Things mentioned in this video:
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Watch my beekeeping video on how to extract, strain and bottle honey:
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Be careful not take too much honey from the hive. Be sure and watch this video:
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August through October is a great time to feed your bees to help prepare them for winter. My feeding system and additive will help you strengthen your bees for a rough winter. Check out these two items below:
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[@loudimel5068]

Thanks David, I am always amazed at how someone with your experience and years of bee keeping can help explain ideas,tips and sound advice in such a easy way to understand.You are a great asset to the bee keeping community

[@sharonc.2207]

Very helpful video, cat is adorable

[@beek]

Thank you! 😊

[@HiveCreekFarm]

This scenario is great for when you have drawn supers that have been filled and capped by your bees. What about new bee keepers without drawn honey supers which bees have drawn and capped?

[@noneyu23]

I have no idea what the lines are, that’s why I need the class 😁🐝

[@LorenMarieP]

I was thinking the same thing! We need a “most wrong answer wins the course” giveaway. 🤣

[@noneyu23]

@@LorenMarieP Exactly!! I could win that one!! 😂

[@jeremysmith9263]

Thanks for the great content David. Of all the info online you are my go to. Will feeding the girls bananas provide them with sufficient nutrition? Its something ive read about and thought it sounded like a good idea. Thanks for everything ❤ 🐝🐝🐝

[@mikefortney7879]

Wow, maybe the best Bee video I’ve ever seen. Excellent information. A treasure trove.

[@beek]

Wow, thanks!

[@robjrice]

Thanks David, enjoying your informative videos from the UK

[@sandrasherman1123]

I believe it’s a bee louse that causes the lines. Love your videos!!

[@aanadyia4582]

David I'm so glad I found this video! I'm a first year keeper and have been blessed enough to have my bees filling up supers now. I've been wondering and researching about this and the answer I see a lot of taking the supers and feeding them 2:1 to store just has not sat right with me at all. This was very helpful in how you judged by where your top deep was at. Thank you!

[@CNYHoney]

Just signed up for the Ultimate Course and can't wait to go through everything. Ive been a Hobby Beekeeper and Im making the investment to Sideliner/Commercial over the next few years. Thanks, David.

[@patsu2]

Heh, here where i live they advise to take alot out and leave little in and feed alot since some of the honey gets too hard during the winter. We have up to -30°C ( -22F) but lately the winters are really warm and only month or so around -20°C (-4°F) . But as a new beekeeper (got 2 hives that were on my fields and they cant be kept anymore by the previous owner sadly, so i took them over). So much to learn and so much mistakes to be done so your videos are a godsend even though i need to google some stuff since its a bit different. Also the hives are built different with some insulation and only 2 mags can go on top. side by side more big frames etc. But a bit from your videos here and some from others added with local stuff hopefully next year i will be better at it, just must hope i dont mess up the pre winter work so they actually survive. All the best from Estonia and than you for the informative videos for new beekeepers!

[@barbaraturner213]

Your videos are great. Seeing your hive inspections along with the explanations is just what I need so I can apply it to my own hives. Reading information only goes so far. The visual puts it all together. I love your enthusiasm and enjoy the coffee times too.

[@tonyjanes6894]

Great vidio David.very helpful for this coming winter.keep em coming.Tony in southern Englamd

[@coltonchristjohn680]

Thanks for the opportunity David, I am thankful and ready to continue learning from you. I am pretty sure of the answer to your question in the video but havent seen any comment that I think it is so I'll make sure to keep my answer to myself so someone else has an opportunity. But I would like to ask a question about feeding them. I know you have said to not feed with the supers on in past videos so if you decided to leave those supers on, how would you feed them with your feeding system? Awesome video

[@mikefortney7879]

Holy cow great information. Thanks, Dave for all this tremendous content.

[@dennisnieft1270]

David great video,looks like a good rule of thumb to go by.Three frames full of honey in brood box can determine if you leave extra supper's.NE Wisconsin thanks you.We've had our first frost already.

[@danaverill8071]

Thanks!

[@KaosRifle0699]

Looks like braula coeca (bee louse) when they emerged from the eggs will tunnel underneath the caps of the cells

[@stevenmartin3839]

dave your question is how do you decide / by checking your brood first make that decision. plus it recommend leaving two super as a deep brood size. hope i got right

[@Halbees]

Hey David when you say jammed deep. How many frames of honey would it take for you to use those top two supers. Thank you

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

You are correct, chances of getting a Queen late are slim and it’s game over , there have been many of folks over the years that have pinched, damaged or even killed their Queen on a fall inspection and didn’t know it and they try to figure out why they have a dead out in spring

[@robertturriff9836]

I have to start with you first video

[@kimbergrowsagreenthumb]

I think the lines are caused by the combo of the honey and gravity and heat causing the wax to droop a little

[@framcesmoore]

Ha David another great video, It is great to watch u inside the hive doing inspections. I have been feeding my bees since I started them in April They still do not have enough. They have shut down as well, I treat my bees for mites, I like mite away quick strips because they will kill the mites under the capped brood. But could not use it this passed july it was to hot, so I put Apivar in them that did not do great so I was able to use the mite away , I have 46 hives well had 46 hives I lost 3 the directions said if the bees are sick it will kill therm well it did. This video was very encouraging to me I live in Virginia, so if your bees will still brood up till nov my bees should as well we are in the 50s here at night now, 70s days and there is nothing for them it is terrible no flow at all. So doing every thing I can to help them. Any way thanks for the video they are great hope u have a wonderful week

[@davidmcgregor4691]

Braula coeca or bee louse? EDIT-I thought this was a new video..lol. Love your videos. Thank you for all you do

[@blacktalonbased]

It is a Braula coeca aka bee louse. An internet search says that it is presumed to be harmless.... but another page says it can reduce honey production in severe cases.

[@MichaelNgwenya]

David that can be the path that was made by wax moth larvae.👍

[@dishpointer]

The lines are from a bee louse. They lay eggs on the top of the wax and the larvae hatch and tunnel inside the wax and make the lines.

[@patrickconnolly2899]

Maybe wax moth larvae track have a good winter regards Patrick.

[@zone10homestead92]

Mr Burns, I just want to say thank you for your guidance and knowledge about bees. I recently had a small swarm that I decided to try and rescue and got into a hive. But it was your videos that gave me the confidence to try it. As a southwestern Florida resident should I also have a feeding program as they are starting out? They've only had me for 3 days to help.

[@dcleal1]

Hi David, will the bees come spring all be up inside them 2 suppers.? If so what do you do then as I’m in the same situation and been told the bees will move up into them suppers. Obviously I won’t them to start the spring/summer off with them in a brood box not a supper… thanks Dan..

[@scott1441]

Dried scales is that string like formation-Scale - dried, decomposed remains of a larva or pupa.

[@stanleyschafer4232]

Thank you David for another informational video. I started a formic treatment yesterday. Can I restart feeding after two weeks?

[@user-hh2iw7jn7b]

Crystalized Honey

[@Kevin_Dyke]

Another great video David! I just got done taking your mite and winter prep courses. Loved them, they help so much! Since I’m planning on starting a hive next spring those really help me out. Also on your website, when do you think you will be adding more feeding top covers on or make more for your site?

[@beek]

More were added today but they told me they are almost sold out.

[@VidKatMA1]

OR... Do what I do and take a spare empty box to the work area and as you pull those individual frames but them aside in the spare box. Then, when the box is light enough to easily lift... lift it and set it on that spare box. Now you can get into the lower box. I Never ever lift a full heavy Super. 😊 Try it David. Game Changer.

[@TRPGpilot]

Is this USA spcific? The world uses Celcius so had no idea of the temperature discussion.

[@stevethoma2281]

Those lines are proof I need your class! I can't find the answer anywhere

[@tmgibbs18]

Hey there.love the videos..Just wondering..building your own hives..worth it or worthless

[@Johnny_Benson]

the line are from wax moth larve?

[@mr.msadventures427]

I'm not positive, but I think those lines are where they finished capping but they added more comb afterwards then filled it and capped it at a later date

[@veronicac660]

Pretty kitty!!!

[@edwardbryan423]

The lines are broken comb? Maybe from where you dug your finger in, to get a taste?

[@DavidCrosley-id7eq]

Perhaps

[@DavidCrosley-id7eq]

Wax moth causes lines

[@kevinsimms1827]

The line is from the workers dragging out the dead beat drones. It’s from there little feet getting drug across the comb.

[@richardkuhn8115]

Dave, you never address winter prep, for us older folks, who only use Eight Frame Mediums throughout, both for brood nest & honey supers. How much honey do we leave for winter in Pennsylvania. Blessings.

[@JamesMurray-wd2nr]

I think i know what those lines are caused by on the wax cappings after doing some research it looks like they are caused from bee louse or bee lice, Scientific name Braula probably poses a minimal threat to the beekeeping industry because no economic loss can be attributed to its damage. There are very few recommendations for Braula control, largely because it is not considered a major honey bee pest. Does that mean i won some free online classes or did some one already win this one? I would love to try your classes! Another Great Video! Keep up the Great Work!

[@atharvaphalle3745]

i like bees

[@azrael-4575]

Are the lines from beetle larva eating through the honey and comb?

[@kellyweir960]

Can I bucket feed this time of year in Illinois? Enstead of top feeding

[@beek]

Do you mean community feed in a bucket, or place a bucket feeder on top of hive? I assume the latter. I think it would be fine, just continue to watch for any excessive leaking or robbers. You might consider a robber screen on the hive first just to play it safe.

[@anthonyc9911]

Just wax from the bee's when they removed the moisture and capped it. Caused the wax to ripple.

[@escapetherace1943]

are frame feeders alright until it cools down? I only have 19 frames in each hives, both are full deeps but I pretty much left the frame feeders in all year.... they never got around to filling anything but the 2 deeps, my supers were never filled up... right now the lower deeps are pretty dang full and the tops 40-50 pounds but I know they can weigh 80.... populations seem extremely strong though especially in one hive, they are consuming extremely fast... winters are generally mild here in WA Also my guess as to the lines, I have no idea I'm a first year... probably insect related but as everyone's guessed so I'll say it's repair from weight or heat stress.

[@ladyfilosopher55]

I know nothing about beekeeping, but I do know that animals work to store enough to tide them over the cold seasons. I have always thought that it was an uneven trade for humans to take honey and leave glucose alone as the substitute. My ears perked up to hear you say this in this video. I am looking for a beekeeping method where I share in their surplus, not deprive them of their nutritious life stores.

[@kimbergrowsagreenthumb]

Mr. Burns, when will you be opening up spots for your mentorship program? I am very interested. Trying to get a hive through winter that has fought EFB all summer.

[@beek]

Should have a few spot open

[@ARM-WWW]

could these lines be as a result of sagging full comb of honey causing some merging of the surfacesto form the lines? If so, then nothing to worry about :D

[@stephenstarner3171]

I think it is touched on already, but I would say reduction in moisture content of the honey. As the honey continues to cure in the capped cell, the cell volume may reduce in a way that causes the cell capping to "fold" or "wrinkle". This seems a little contradictory to the purpose of the cap being "sealed", but that is my thought.

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

HONEYCOMBS ARE MADE FROM BEESWAX, A SUBSTANCE CREATED BY WORKER BEES. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS RIGHT, WORKER BEES SECRETE WAX SCALES FROM THE SPECIAL GLANDS IN THEIR BODY. THEN THEY CHEW THE WAX WITH A BIT OF HONEY AND POLLEN TO PRODUCE THE LINES AND THE WAX. LOVE THE VIDEOS, HOPE YOU GET 100,000 SUBSCRIBERS, GOOD LUCK.

[@douglasbramow7464]

Would those lines be from repair of the damaged capped comb?

[@sethshortt4315]

For the class give away I’m going to say those lines are perhaps honey crystalizzed.?

[@diannemiller4754]

Wax moth trail/web?? Just a guess on what made the line.

[@nathanparker1964]

Nice new suit

[@toufiktoufik3196]

Hi mr david can you make video about Honey Bound hive and how we fix it?

[@beek]

I'll see if I can do that, thank you.

[@JackpotJoker69]

Its from the bees removing cappings to pull out cocoons of wax moths.

[@rachelrmcbryan525]

What is in that bottom box? Brood or empty frames?

[@claudiaflores8790]

I asked myself the same question , I thought he was going to check that box as well ..

[@beek]

It just wasn't worth looking since that top deep told me the story. Looking further and long adds the risk of robbing and accidentally killing the queen. But might make a good video! I'll consider it.

[@beautahfulbees]

Is it from damaged comb and that's what it looks like when the bees fix it?

[@chrismarro1867]

The larvae tunnel underneath it and leave that line nothing to worry about

[@BlanchardsBees]

I like my two deep hives to weigh around 160 lbs. for going into winter. I don't believe those lines are anything to be concerned about. I think it's just the way the bees capped the cells with wax. Possibly the wax or honey shrinking due to them removing the moisture from the honey. Nothing to worry about i think.

[@mrbryankelley]

David first year keeper here, a week and a half ago I did a mite treatment with mite away strips. When I put the strips in I had 6-8 frames of brood in my upper box and the lower box was filled with nectar(the golden rod flow is heavy). The first morning I noticed several dead bees outside the hive. After the treatment I removed the strips and noticed that the 6-8 frames of brood were now filled with nectar. I saw no eggs, and very little brood. I am concerned the treatment killed the queen. There were no queen cups being formed. Going to give it another week to see if anything changes. Both Brood boxes are loaded with bees, I removed the super because there was very little activity in building comb.

[@beek]

It is really hard to evaluate without being their and having observed it. Usually MAQ strips would not cause this unless you didn't follow the label such as temps/population etc. Inspecting again in a week will be better data.

[@mrbryankelley]

@@beek Thank you will follow up

[@DavidWilliams-wr4wb]

I was told it’s harmless Braula ? The lines on the honey that is

[@Th3R4junC4jun]

the lines are bee louse. the larva will be laid on capped honey and then once hatched will eat it. its a problem

[@johnlane5053]

small hive bettle

[@dcrogers59]

I need some help with determining what to expect or charge a solar field operator for placing and maintaining an apiary on the solar property. Please let me know if anyone has already been involved and what compensation terms are being negotiated?

[@beek]

Cannot help you there.

[@richr7457]

I'm in mahomet Illinois are you near me I need hands on help?!

[@Jeff-tc6pj]

Is it Braula coeca, the bee louse/Braula fly

[@Crewdog77]

things i wish i had learned Two weeks ago...golden rod is done in Michigan...no brood...bummer

[@desmondtomlin]

Different collection of honey

[@remihypolite7289]

Next video can yo show us how to get honey

[@pamelajohnson1139]

Is it dehydration of honey.

[@sherrijennings1475]

What was the correct answer/guess to the line question? I looked through all the responses and didn’t see where you claimed the winner’s answer.

[@beek]

I announced the winner and what the line was in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHWkiH2amcZ3qas

[@wendisapp3667]

You had a bee who wanted to say hello

[@beek]

Oh yea!

[@toddanderson6775]

Question . I have a hove I need to move off a property back to my house. When is a good time to do it

[@beek]

If you have a hard winter, that would be a good time. Though some do not like to move hives in the winter, as they suspect it can dislodge/disrupt the winter cluster. If it is more than 3 miles, move them at night.

[@davidsoloninka7742]

I am a novice. During the winter i.e. Jan, Feb, Mar, will the cluster actually move up into the super’s? Thx Ds

[@beek]

A lot depends but usually yes

[@davidcarpenter3071]

I am a new beekeeper. I have decided to use horizontal layens hives. Do you have any classes or advice on the use of these hives.

[@beek]

Same management practices. Handling and managing bees is what makes bees survive, no different hives.

[@davidcarpenter3071]

@@beek thanks. Your channel is very helpful

[@backyardbeekeepingadventur335]

I think it’s from heat causing the wax to sag down some. Nothing to worry about.

[@DebbieRiley-g1q]

Wax moth lines

[@mirandaames5827]

Wet capping the honey

[@luisetarczy3319]

Braula coeca, the bee louse, is causing the lines

[@michaelmueller4946]

I had both my hives attacked by wasps! All honey taken! Hive numbers are minimal. I’m in shock. I’d never have guessed.

[@beek]

OH NO!! That's sad

[@barryduke8329]

Will feeding them with supers on, risk contaminating the honey with sugar syrup

[@beek]

If you feed them with uncappped honey super frames, it is possible they could use your sugar syrup to fill up the supers. In that case, it would not be "real" honey only from floral sources. So if that happens to me, I leave that super on for winter, and they will have consumed it all by spring, ready to be filled with natural floral sources.

[@barryduke8329]

@@beek thanks

[@bruceblair419]

Traces of foundation wires

[@lindabredenberg659]

Small hive beetles

[@Scotith]

7:34 The lines are caused by smallhive beetles larvee

[@dianacox4484]

Braula coeca AKA bee louse.

[@Michigandersz]

Hive beatles

[@sigurjonhelgason8943]

Small hive betal

[@CharlesRhines-ve6dd]

Wax Moth tracks of the larva under the capping's

[@altalemur6382]

I bet bees make those lines while dancing, to communicate.

[@cliffordestep3678]

Pollon that wasn't quit prose's

[@christinejoynson2448]

Small hive beetle