northern beekeeping

**bradturbes** · 07-29-2012, 04:29 PM

I'd like to hear from anyone who follows the University of MN recommendation of over wintering hive with 3 brood boxes.

I've talked with quite a few beekeeper as far north as northern MN and ND and have yet to hear from any that over winter with 3 hive bodies.
All say they have done fine overwintering with 2 hive bodies.

Keeping 3 bodies on is really cutting into our honey production.

**Bush_84** · 07-29-2012, 05:41 PM

I wintered a warre on 2.5 boxes last winter. Granted it was a mild winter.

Edit-That really doesn't answer your question, but I am in your neck of the woods so I thought I would mention. I plan on wintering my langs on two eight frame deep and one med.

**Keth Comollo** · 07-29-2012, 06:29 PM

I winter with two deeps and a medium now. Old timers are still two deeps. I don't which one of us is right but I just feel better with that medium on there.

**Jonathan4Bees** · 07-29-2012, 06:31 PM

i winter with just two deeps they seem to do all right however a couple i have had to feed in late march

**waynesgarden** · 07-29-2012, 07:09 PM

Hi Jonathon, I'm in the same town as you. I overwinter here in a variety of configurations. Haven't been able to settle on a uniform method yet. Hives with Italian queens usually need three mediums and I have some with a deep and two mediums. I've had Carniolan hives overwinter in a only a deep and a medium and explode in the spring, though I still try to give them the extra medium.

I believe that as important as the location is the subspecies of bees. Bees like Carniolans that maintain a smaller cluster overwinter require less stores and a smaller hive area. I can't see giving my Carnis 3 deeps, unless Maine winters start getting cold.

Wayne

**stripstrike** · 07-29-2012, 07:24 PM

I shoot for three mediums for the Carni's. This will be my first winter with a significant number of Italian queens so I'm shooting for four mediums on them to be cautious. All are eight frame boxes.

**bradturbes** · 07-29-2012, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by bradturbes

I'd like to hear from anyone who follows the University of MN recommendation of over wintering hive with 3 brood boxes.

I've talked with quite a few beekeeper as far north as northern MN and ND and have yet to hear from any that over winter with 3 hive bodies.
All say they have done fine overwintering with 2 hive bodies.

Keeping 3 bodies on is really cutting into our honey production.

PS I forgot to mention that these are 3 deeps.
This year we have carniolans, but in the past we overwintered Russians. They overwinter very well. This last winter doesn't count since the last winter in MN was like a Florida winter