[dpula2]

I have collected most of the honey, should I feed them now for winter and maybe build them up so they will collect more golden rod, or not? Should I start treating them for varroa now?

 

[John Davis]

Since all beekeeping is local and I don't know where Orland Park is it is hard to give a firm answer.
In Virginia I am feeding some to keep them growing.
We are in a dearth in my area. Not trying to top them off for winter yet.
Varroa treatment to make sure you have healthy winter bees should be complete about 8 - 9 weeks before hard frost in your area.
In my area that means complete mid August.

 

[Vance G]

I feed colonies needing to grow as soon as the flow ends, which it largely has here where my dryland colonies sit. My mite treatments will begin within a week as healthy non parasitized winter bees is key to wintering. Mites need to be dead as early in August as possible.