[Barry]

Do I need to feed? What about reducing the entrance? Wrap the hive?

 

[Blessed Farms]

Re: m) Preparing hive for first winter

Do I need to Feed?

Feed if their honey/syrup stores are light. My fall hive checks consist of throwing syrup at them as fast as they can take it, provided they have room. Any excess I can always remove a frame or two, store, and add on a warm January/February day.

What about reducing the entrance?

I reduce down to the smallest opening of a standard entrance reducer (mine are all lower entrance hives). Mouse guard if you have it.

Wrap the hives?

I don't but I guess geographical regions are different. Supposed to help with the heat (solar gains?) and as a wind block.

 

[Paul Reyes]

Re: m) Preparing hive for first winter

When wintering this is what I do.

Invert the inner cover (to rim-side down) to allow moisture to escape.

– Reduce the entrance with a wooden cleat. Make sure that the opening of the cleat is turned up against the hive body, not against the bottom board; this will prevent the opening from becoming blocked by a layer of dead bees which may accumulate on the bottom board.

- Provide top ventilation and/or entrance by propping up the inner cover slightly or boring an auger hole, not more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, in an upper corner or below the handhold of the top super; this lets moist air out of the hive.

It works well in keeping the bees warm.