09/17/2026
Just around the corner:
October:
1. Treat for mites with Oxalic, 3 treatments 7 to 10 days apart or use Formic Pro as temps start to cool off.
2. Bees are now consuming more than what is coming in, plan ahead. Large colonies with lots of brood and bees can consume lots of honey at this time and run out before winter’s end!
3. Time for serious winter prep, honey off. We recommend insulation - not just a wrap. Nights are cooler and more honey is needed to maintain brood and heat, ventilation, pollen substitute - if needed, feeding - if needed, ventilate.
4. Super DFM, early in the month - a must.
5. Pay attention to this one: If colony population is (VERY) high-experience will tell you this, and that comes with time, so this is not for the newbie, because I do not trust your judgment on such matters, to reduce a colonies' population and remove most of the old population, move colony mid-day to another location, numbers will drop significantly; these are all dead bees anyway. If you have a weak colony instead of doing the above, move the strong colony several yards away and place the weak in its place.
6. Put insulation in place, keeping in mind those colonies will be opened before winter sets in permanently. This will reduce honey consumption by the colony in these cold nights as they try to keep temps high for the brood's sake.
