First Year Wintering

[digdan]

So I have cardovians, mild critters... but I also have 3-banded Italians for my first year of beeking (nasty, yet , productive things). When and how should I treat these girls? What temps do I declare them unfit to maintain, and how much should I feed them?

I'm not used to late blooms, but for what ever reason the fox-weed has a late bloom and the bees have been somewhat busy. I'm still expecting no more flow and the bees to start dying.

Well, this is my question... How do you know when its time to winterize your bees? And what actions should I take? I should reduce the entrance, but beyond that I think I'm ok. How often should I feed? Whats the square root of negative one?

Any help is great, thanks and one love!

[indypartridge]

When and how should I treat these girls?
Have you done mite counts? Very often first year hives don't need to be treated.


What temps do I declare them unfit to maintain, and how much should I feed them?
How much to feed depends on how much or how little honey they have stored for winter. Local beeks can tell you what's recommended for your area. Here in central Indiana, I like to have about 80 lbs.


How do you know when its time to winterize your bees? And what actions should I take? I should reduce the entrance, but beyond that I think I'm ok.
If the hives don't have sufficient stores, I feed as long as I can. Do a search on the 'MountainCamp Method' as one way of preparing for winter.


Whats the square root of negative one?
i and -i