Week 34: Preparing Your Bees for Autumn

A Key Turning Point in the Beekeeping Year

Week 34 often marks the end of the great summer honey flows. Linden trees and wildflowers are beginning to become scarce, and your bees are gradually entering a phase of winter preparation. This is precisely the moment when your vigilance as a beekeeper makes all the difference. Careful monitoring now is the guarantee of strong, healthy colonies next spring.

Assessing the Condition of Each Colony

Take advantage of these still-mild days to open each of your hives and carry out a full assessment. Carefully observe the brood area: it should remain compact and well-capped. Check for the presence and vitality of your queen. A colony with a young, prolific queen enters winter in far better condition. Also note the bee population: a hive that is too weak at the end of summer will struggle to survive until warmer days return.

The Great Enemy of Autumn: Varroa

This is THE critical point of week 34. Varroa destructor reaches its peak population at the end of summer, just as the brood begins to decline. This is the ideal window to carry out an effective treatment. After honey extraction and before the winter bees are laid, apply an approved treatment against this parasite. The bees born in September and October are the ones that will form the winter cluster: they absolutely must be born in a healthy environment, with low varroa infestation levels.

Checking Food Reserves

An adult colony needs approximately 15 to 20 kg of honey to get through winter comfortably. Lift your supers and hive bodies to estimate the weight of the reserves. If the frames feel light, do not wait: start feeding your colonies right away with a concentrated sugar syrup (2:1 ratio), which the bees will process and store before the first frosts. Avoid feeding too late, as low temperatures prevent bees from properly processing the syrup.

Preparing the Hive for the Cold Season

Also consider reducing hive entrances to limit intrusions by Asian hornets, which are still very active during this period. Check the condition of your roofs and hive floors to prevent moisture ingress, a true winter scourge. A well-maintained mesh floor promotes good ventilation and reduces condensation inside the hive.

The Producer's Tip

Take the time to record your observations in an apiary notebook. This valuable information will help you anticipate the needs of each colony and improve year after year. Beekeeping is, above all, a relationship of trust built season after season with your foragers!